GrainPro launches innovative solar dryer to help small farmers

A Subic-based company, recognized as world leader in post-harvest storage and drying solutions, launched another innovation of solar-powered grain dryers that aim to improve the productivity of small farmers.

GrainPro Inc., with a manufacturing and marketing facility in Subic Bay, announced the commercial launching of its Solar Bubble Dryer 25 (SBD25), which promises significantly improved grain drying capability all-year round.

The company also produces the SBD25-Electric, which has the same specifications but uses electricity to operate.

SBD25 is a collapsible modular dryer measuring 15 meters long and with a drying area of 25 square meters that can accommodate up to 500 kilograms of grains. Because of its compact feature, the SBD25 can be easily transported, assembled, and stored.

Branded as a perfect innovation for small farmers who produce 300-500 kilos per harvest, the SBD25 dries the grains while protecting them against rain and rewetting at day time and moisture-filled air at night.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia lauded GrainPro for creating the SBD25, which is expected to significantly help small farmers, especially those who live in communities without proper drying facilities or space.

“Our farmers will be happy to own this portable but very useful equipment,” said Garcia.

He noted that the SBD25-Solar uses solar power and can be used even in the remotest part of the country that lack the necessary dry space and facility for harvested grains, such as corn, coffee beans, cacao, spices, peanuts, and other grain seeds.

“Smallholder farmers now have the perfect drying partner with the SBD25,” says Philippe Villers, president of GrainPro, Inc., which has its main office in Concord, Massachussetts, USA.

“Almost all of the grain commodities can benefit from the superior drying ability of SBD25, which will help improve farm production and the income potential of farmers in developing nations,” Villers said.

Last year, GrainPro rolled out at its production facility in Subic Bay the SBD25’s predecessor, the Solar Bubble Dryer 50 (SBD50) and Collapsible Dryer Case II (CDC II) which are designed to dry up to one metric ton using the same principles employed by the SBD25.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of US-based GrainPro, GrainPro Philippines has sales offices in India, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Brazil and Mexico. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO: 
The Solar Bubble Dryer 25 (SBD25) is touted to be a perfect drying partner for smallholder farmers. 

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Subic Freeport locator launches state-of-the-art grain dryer

GrainPro Inc., an American company that manufactures grain storage and drying systems here, recently launched its patented Solar Bubble Dryer (SBD) that provides a solution to challenges faced by farmers throughout the world.

The SBD is a collapsible drying facility for such commodities as coffee, cocoa, rice, wheat, corn, millet, and beans; and can hold up to one metric ton in one drying cycle while protecting commodities from rain and ultraviolet (UV) rays.

According to Dr. Pat Borlagdan, the firm’s manager for research and development, the drying facility is made from durable materials. Its transparent polyethylene cover is UV-resistant and water repellent, while its drying floor is made of sturdy plastic materials to ensure that water does not penetrate from below in case of heavy rains.

Borlagdan stressed that the SBD is a technology developed with food security as its ultimate goal.

“As such, it will help address inadequate agri-based technologies in order to help farmers ensure higher crop yield, thereby ultimately translating to higher food production and enough food supply for the Filipinos,” Borlagdan said.

He also said that a recent study showed that around 12 per cent of prime agricultural commodities are lost during the post-harvest drying process due to unpredictable weather conditions and lack of drying facilities.

The SBD will help farming communities in their critical post-harvest process because it dries grains and seeds to the right moisture safely and efficiently under any weather condition, keeping it from infestation and fungus, he added.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia said the drying facility is “proudly Subic-made,” pointing out that the firm’s products are principally manufactured at its wholly-owned subsidiary here, the GrainPro Philippines Inc.

Garcia added that the Subic-made drying system will be a big boost to local farmers and farm producers.

“Here in the surrounding communities, we often see farmers drying their grain products on the roadside and a lot of these go to waste. The Solar Bubble Dryer can boost the productivity of these farmers, as well as our national food stock,” Garcia said.

GrainPro’s development of the SBD was in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Germany’s Hohenheim University. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
GrainPro President and CEO Tom de Bruin (left) demonstrates the operation of the Solar Bubble Dryer (SBD) during the product launch at the company’s headquarters in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (AED)

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