MAMBAJAO, Camiguin (PIA)--The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Camiguin has recently turned over 50 units of multi-purpose solar dryer (portasol) to the Provincial Governor’s Office under the leadership of Gov. Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo.

These portasol units will be distributed to 38 local farmers, food processors, and partner academic institutions in the province.

With the use of portasol, the said sector can now dry their grains and other products like fish, squid, and fruits much easier and faster. These commodities can be further dried even during overcast days that are common during the country’s rainy season. Using portasol can make sure that products are safe, clean, and of good quality while keeping production costs low.

The trays are made of aluminum, which is a good conductor of heat, a critical factor in drying grains. Through the use of Portasol, drying is achieved 50–75% faster. A unit of portasol has 12 trays, which can load at least ¼ cavan or approximately 12–13 kilograms of palay, fish, and fruits per tray.

Traditionally, farmers and food processors have dried rice grains, fish, and fruits on the road and pavement, thereby incurring post-harvest losses and contaminations. 

As a solution to that, Filipino inventor Francisco Pagayon of the Filipino Inventors Society Inc. invented portasol, a multipurpose solar dryer that is stackable, clean, and space-efficient and specifically designed to reduce the moisture content of large volumes of produce.

The project is implemented under the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program of the DOST with a total funding assistance of P1.825 million. (DOST-Camiguin/PIA-10/ Camiguin)