VATIS UPDATE Article

Philippines Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), an attached agency to the Department of Agriculture, has developed a machine that will help reduce postharvest losses in the country’s root crops at the same time improve the quality of its production. PhilMech has launched a prototype machine that can wash and dry carrots and other root crops which can eventually reduce the drudgery of traditional washing.

In collaboration with the Bureau of Agricultural Research, Donald Mateo, a PhilMech engineer, developed the carrot washer with main parts consisting of the stainless steel frame, tumbler, cover, washer, inlet conveyor, discharge conveyor and dryer. “This was created to help reduce postharvest losses by 20 percent,” said Mateo. Through the machine, farmers will be able to sell better quality produce.

The mechanical washer is capable of washing 1 to 2 tons of carrots per hour and 3 tons of potatoes per hour. It can also wash different root crops of any size. With a cost of P1 million each, the biggest machine prototype is made of stainless materials and measures 6.5 meter × 1.25 meter × 2 meter. It costs P1 million, while the smaller model made of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) only costs P200,000.