Given that the country is currently experiencing the rainy season, the occurrence of typhoons and floods is probable. With the several typhoons hitting the country, flooding is anticipated to become a frequent occurrence in Metro Manila and other low-lying regions of the Philippines.
A flood is defined as an overflow of water that inundates land that is typically dry. The national weather bureau attributes floods to a complex interplay of weather patterns, climatic conditions, and human activities. The majority of floods arise from moderate to large-scale rainfall events.
The current climate change is confounding the problem. This is bad news for Filipino farmers who plant rice. As three researchers from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) put it: “Climate change is exerting a detrimental impact on the lives of millions of Filipinos, with agriculture emerging as one of the most vulnerable sectors. In the face of climate change, agriculture has become riskier than ever, especially for climate-sensitive crops such as rice.”
Indeed, typhoons have become a significant factor contributing to losses in rice production. While the paddy crop accounted for an estimated 10.6 million tons, or roughly 60% of the annual rice yield in 2024, it experienced a decline of three percent compared to the average harvest over the previous five years, primarily due to severe weather conditions, as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
To address the challenges posed by disasters to farmers, PhilRice has developed a paddy handling and drying system aimed at reducing time and labor while preventing newly harvested paddy from being submerged for extended periods in fields affected by typhoons and floods.
A study of this system was conducted by three members of PhilRice’s Rice Engineering and Mechanization Division – Derose A. Sawey-Valenciano, Joneil B. Lagmay, and Ricardo F. Orge. The initial performance results were disclosed in a pilot study published in the Philippine Journal of Science (PJS).
During the 2022 wet season (from June to November), a prototype of the bag dryer was established and evaluated by the Ugat-Uhay farmers’ association in barangay Mayamot in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija.
In their study, the researchers found out that even with advancements in agriculture, numerous Filipino farmers continue to depend on pavement and roadside sun-drying. This conventional method exposes grains to considerable dangers, such as being crushed by vehicle tires and being eaten by foraging chickens and birds.
However, the greatest fear arises with each rainfall. The fierce winds clashing with the rain can transform farmers’ optimism into hopelessness. It results in devastated rice fields filled with discolored and mold-infested crops, leaving them to return home completely defeated and empty-handed.
“The bag dryer represents a drying technology option that offers versatile function but with limited technicality in application at a community level,” noted researchers.
In contrast to the standard rice sacks that hold a maximum of 50 kilograms, the bag dryer features eight specially designed bags with a capacity ranging from 400 to 500 kilograms. These bags primarily function as drying bins and secondarily serve as containers for transporting freshly harvested grains, as well as providing temporary storage prior to grain cleaning and final bagging.
The drying of the grains occurs directly within each bag. The processes are conducted within the dryer’s multi-purpose shelter, referred to locally as kwebo. This structure is constructed from prefabricated, bamboo-reinforced concrete components that can be easily assembled by farmers.
Employing the continuous-type rice hull (CtRH) carbonizer as an air-heating element, the drying process generates carbon-sequestering biochar, which has various applications on the farm, including the use as bedding for livestock and poultry, soil enhancement, and as a component in organic fertilizers.
“The heat generated by the CtRH carbonizer that was used as a furnace was found to be sufficient to supply the needed heat energy for the 3–4-ton-capacity bag dryer,” the researchers reported.
Nevertheless, in addition to its main function as a shelter for drying bags, the kwebo was purposefully created for various income-generating activities throughout the year. For example, following each harvest and drying season, farmers convert the area typically utilized for drying bags into a cultivation space for mushrooms.
Following a series of performance evaluations, the system has notably decreased the time and effort needed for grain handling and drying. This decrease in time is especially important for preserving the quality of grains harvested after typhoons or floods.
Similar to other grains, paddy with elevated moisture content undergoes rapid respiration. If they do not dry in a timely manner, they risk quality degradation due to the accumulation of heat, a by-product of respiration. The design of the system considers the growing shortage of manual labor in many rural areas of the country.
The research indicated that the eight bag dryers had a combined capacity of 3.2 tons, with each bag accommodating approximately 400 kilograms of freshly harvested paddy, maintaining a moisture content of 17.7% on a wet basis
The Laguna-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) recommends that rice in the country be harvested and stored at 14% moisture content or lower.
Maintaining this level, IRRI maintained, is crucial to prevent grain spoilage, fungal growth, and pest infestations. In the PhilRice study, the bag dryer quickly reduced moisture content, reaching 13–14% in just 3 hours and 10–11% in 5.5 hours.
The analysis reveals economic benefits compared to existing flatbed dryers, while also enhancing farmers’ resilience against the effects of climate change. Nevertheless, the researchers suggested further pilot tests to thoroughly evaluate the dryer’s effectiveness in various agricultural settings.
PhilRice, a line agency of the Department of Agriculture, said palay can still be recovered from flooding. For rice that has been briefly submerged, it is essential to harvest and promptly spread the panicles for drying.
Moreover, any rice that has fallen and been soaked for one or two days should also be harvested and dried immediately using a mechanical dryer. However, if the grain has developed a slight black coloration due to exposure to floodwater, it may be more cost-effective to grind it rather than sell it at a reduced price.
On why the study is relevant, it’s because rice plays a central role in Filipino traditional meals. Filipinos consider rice as the heart of our cuisine. It’s a versatile ingredient that can be prepared in numerous ways. Besides eating it in regular meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), rice can be made into snacks, desserts, and other related meal products.
“One more serving of rice, please!” This request, commonly heard during dinner hours in various restaurants and small eateries, encapsulates the dining habits of the average Filipino, for whom eating is primarily about satiation.
On average, Filipinos consume between 114 and 120 kilograms of rice per person each year. This figure is nearly double the global average of 65 kilograms per person annually, as stated by Dr. Eufemio Rasco, Jr., the former director of PhilRice.
According to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, Filipinos allocate a larger portion of their food expenditure to rice than to any other food item.
A survey conducted by PhilRice showed that Filipinos, especially those from low-income households, are depending solely on rice more than ever for their daily dietary energy supply and dietary protein because it remains the most affordable food in the country.
Rice is a great source of essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and other vital elements that the body needs for optimal health and well-being. It is also an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, which are essential for providing the necessary energy levels for optimal physical and mental performance.
Nutrition experts say rice contains protein, fiber, iron, vitamin B6, fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, selenium, folic acid, thiamin, and potassium. It is low in fat and cholesterol.
“Rice is the principal food for over 60% of mankind,” IRRI said.
