Name: Verra Myza C.

Arat Date: October 29, 2018

Subject: Eng 4 Scientific and Technical Writing Rating:
Year and Section: IV-BSAEB

CONCEPT PAPER

FLAT-BED DRIERS FOR RICE AND CORN

By: Verra Myza C. Arat

INTRODUCTION AND RATIONALE

Drying is a critical activity in rice postharvest handling. Rice is usually harvested

at grain moisture content between 24% and 26%. Any delay in drying, incomplete
drying, or uneven drying of harvested rice will result in quality and quantity losses,
including yellowing or discoloration, reduced milling yields, loss of seed germination and
vigor, and damage caused by insects that are more active at high moisture content
(IRRI 2009).
The flat-bed dryer was developed to address a critical postharvest problem –
grain spoilage and income losses from improper drying of grains. It is a machine that
removes the water from wet grains by forcing heated air through the grain bulk. In a flat-
bed dryer, the same quantity of grain is kept stationary in a holding bin until drying is
completed.
This study is all about flat-bed dryer that is beneficial for the rice and corn
farmers. Not only it would make the drying faster but also it could produce high quality
of rice and corn. The selected area of the study to build a flat-bed dryer is in rural areas,
particularly in Florida, Kapalong, Davao del Norte. Rice and corn are all over that area
but there’s no flat-bed dryer.

NAME OF PROPOSED PROJECT: FLAT-BED DRYER FOR RICE AND CORN

PROPOSED FACILTY
TYPE OF QUANTITY CAPACITY PRODUCT USE/OPERATION
PROJECT
Rice and 1 10 tons/batch Rice and Corn 2 operations/ day
Corn Dryer
FLAT-BED DRYER

Features
• Easy to operate.
• Can be used for rice and corn.
• Produces better quality than sun drying.
• Simple design allows local production of the drying bin, blower and furnace
and ensures easy maintenance and repair.
• Compact, mobile, can easily be disassembled.
• Can be operated with an engine if electricity is not available or too expensive.
• Automatic shut-off in case of power failure.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES

General Objectives:
Prevent grain quality deterioration and losses that help farmers for food security
and improve rural livelihood.

Specific Objectives:
a. To overcome weather limitations like rainfall and rainy season
harvesting especially on flooded areas.
b. To help farmers produce quality of rice with a viable cost.
c. To serve quality of rice for consumers, that is safe to eat and good
for the health.

PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF YOUR RESEARCH

No single technology can solve all the problems associated with rice drying. But
Flat-Bed Driers offer a good compromise between drying cost and benefits in terms of
higher quality and avoidance of weather risk.
One of the concerns of Filipino farmer is the paddy production. To dry the
commodities in alarming conditions are the challenge need to be solved. By putting and
establishing this kind of project where offer the needs of the rural area farmers is
relevant to the agricultural business in our country. The Flat-bed Rice and Corn dryer
could meet the expectation and answer the problem.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENT

Building a flat-bed drier might only take 5 months. A flat-bed dryer would not also
occupy huge amount of space unlike most driers we knew. Farmers on rural areas now
have the options to avoid postharvest losses and increase rice quality with the
introduction of flat-bed driers. Consequently, this could help the country increase its rice
exports in the near future.