DOST-NCR Upgrades Urban Farming in Quezon City thru Innovative Drying Technology

21 February 2023 - The DOST-NCR PAMAMAZON Clustered Area Science and Technology Office (CASTO), conducted an orientation on the locally-developed Portasol Technology in Brgy. Bagong Silangan, Quezon City.

The Portasol will aid farmers and traders to dry rice and corn, grains, fruits, as well as fish, more effectively and efficiently as it allows quality drying even if the trays are stacked five to ten tiers high.

Developed by local inventor and president of the Filipino Inventors Society Producer Cooperative (FISPC), Mr. Francisco Pagayon, the Portasol will enable farmers to dry more grains in small spaces and limited storage facilities, especially those in urban farm areas.

Portasol also helps prevent pest infestation and allows good storage ventilation by providing necessary breathing spaces between multiple tiers of stored grains to avoid the build-up of fungal mold, rot, and mildew which can spoil the grains.

Brgy. Bagong Silangan's Sitio Bakal and New Greenland Farmers' Cooperative received a total of 22 and 3 units of Portasol, respectively, as part of DOST-NCR's interventions under its Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) Program.

The technology will be rolled out to other CEST communities in the NCR in support to its sustained efforts on urban agriculture.