By Lou Ellen Antonio

ILIGAN CITY (PIA)--The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Lanao del Norte provided a portable solar dryer (PORTASOL) to the Sikyop Agriculture Cooperative of Barangay Rogongon on October 4 to help the farmers dry their grains more quickly and easily, especially on cloudy days, which are frequent during the nation's rainy season.

Powered by eight solar panels and with a cabinet and tray made of stainless steel, the dryer helps maintain the quality and quantity of its products at this time of the year. It can also improve the production process, thus generating better livelihood opportunities for beneficiaries.

“Ang portable solar dryer usa ka solution unta mag-gamay ang paggamit sa kalsada sa pagbulad sa humay, mais,” said Virgilio M. Fuertes, Officer-in-Charge, Provincial Science and Technology Director of DOST-Lanao del Norte

[The portable solar dryer is a solution to minimize farmers using roads in drying rice or corn.]

Fuertes said that they also help inventors to market their products.

“Kining portable solar dryer, amo ni gipromote, kay inventor ang atong technology generator ani, under sa DOST, ang mga inventors tanan pagatabangan mamarket ang ilahang produkto nga gikan sa ilang concept, idea,” he said.

[This portable solar dryer, we are promoting it, because our technology generator is an inventor. Through DOST, all inventors will be supported in marketing their product that comes from their concept or idea.]

In Northern Mindanao, DOST targets to distribute PORTASOL to 300 beneficiaries identified by the local government units. Of this, there are 60 recipients from Iligan and Lanao del Norte. (LELA/ PIA Lanao del Norte)