CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Rice serves as the most important food source in the Philippines. Over
the past decade, the Philippines produced 20.7 million metric tons of pre-
husked rice, and the total paddy rice output met 93% of the country's yearly
requirement. The major rice-producing parts of the country are Central Luzon,
Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, SOCCSKSARGEN, and
Bicol Region. In the 1960s, the government of the Philippines wants to
increase the domestic rice supply and implement actions by providing efficient
strategies through mechanization in harvesting, storing, milling and drying.

Drying is one of the demand operations that has a critical effect on the
quality of the final product. Before any invention of mechanical rice dryers,
sun drying was the common practice in paddy cultivation in the Philippines, by
which grain is spread evenly on a concrete floor and exposed to the sun as
the flat ground's heat. The water vapor loss between the air in the concrete
floor, the rice grains increases, and the grain leads to dry.

Due to the use of simple and economical technologies, an inflatable

solar dryer was established to control drying conditions accurately in order to
develop the drying process and the quality of the product. The Philippines
figured out the Inflatable solar dryer for rice grain during both rainy and dry
seasons, and it was finally developed. Mechanical systems, particularly those
using hot air for fast drying of high moisture grain have become progressively
standard throughout the region. In the midst of harvest operation, drying and
storage are basic processes to develop rice production.

Moisture content is one of the foremost necessary factors determining

grain quality throughout harvesting, trading, processing, transportation, and
storage as a result of high moisture will produce issues for farmers,
particularly during postharvest activities like a loss in seed germination,
infestation of insects, mold growth, and low value. A grain moisture content of
14% is recommended for closed storage to reduce quality losses during
prolonged periods and avoid microbiological activities.

Nowadays, major limitations are experiencing throughout the various

harvest seasons like delays in the drying process, incomplete drying, spillage,
and over-drying. A mechanical rice dryer method will help to reduce the
moisture content of the grain.

The researchers aim to improve the rice drying process by developing

a mechanical rice dryer using a heat exchanger and furnace instead of an
electrical heater to produce heated air to the drying bin. This study will help
farmers to save electricity and avoid microbiological activities.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Drying of rice is the common problem of the farmers at the Municipality

of Kapalong, Davao del Norte. They usually dry their harvest on affordable
mats by which grain is spread evenly on a concrete floor anywhere or on
public pavements or roads in any barangay of Kapalong. Sun-drying is
inefficient and difficult during the rainy season and this will cause rice grain to
be wet. This problem results to; delay in the drying process, uneven drying,
yellowing and discoloration, and reduced milling yields.
As the problem stated earlier, the researchers come up with an idea of
improving a rice drying process.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. Design a portable efficient rice dryer;

2. To prevent the casualty on its quality and the losses regarding the
quantity of the rice production.
1.4 Significance of the Study

The significant point of this study is to compare the output volume

being dried without compromising the quality between the traditional paddy
rice drying and the artificial process. This study also aims to reduce the
occupied space during the drying process.
The expected outcomes of this study on improving rice dryer will
provide benefits to the following entities:

Local Farmers: One of the direct recipients of this study is the local
farmers that usually use the conventional drying process. Any improvement in
the process can help reduce the time and resources needed for the drying
process.

Local Traders: This study will benefit the local traders by which buying
and selling the goods local farmers cultivated.

Government: The outcome of the study will benefit the government in

an economic aspect. This study will improve the production without
compromising the quality of the rice that is being dry.

The Researchers: The outcome of the study will benefit the present
researchers as well as the future researchers. The study can be the basis of a
new theory in which learning arises, and also it can be the source for other
studies related to the field.

1.5 Scope and Limitations

This study will focus only on gathering data from the respondents of the
Municipality of Kapalong owning a farm without a rice dryer which aims to
determine the advantages of using a drying machine and how they affect the
farmer's cultivation.
This study will also focus on the desired moisture content of the rice
grain to produce a good quality of rice and to avoid microbiological activities.