Most of the crop losses of farmers are post-harvest.

This has been largely attributed to the

historically poor private and public investment in infrastructure that can prevent these losses. The lack
of storage facilities, farm-to-market roads, and equipment needed to prevent losses from exposure,
pests, and natural deterioration have been perennial issues for Filipino farmers. The lack of these
facilities and equipment makes it difficult for most farmers to produce enough to turn in a profit, as
these losses destroy a significant portion of crops even before they make it to market. Additionally, the
lack of these basic amenities makes it difficult or even impossible for farmers to earn enough to ensure a
succeeding harvest without needing to take on significant loans.

Climate change is causing seasonal typhoons to happen more frequently and with more ferocity
while leading to dry seasons with unheard-of high temperatures. Both of these situations are damaging
enough for most farms’ productivity. However, the negative effects of climate change do not stop there.
Climate change has also led to rising sea levels, a serious matter in an archipelagic country with a
population that mostly resides and farms in the lowlands. Signs of saltwater intrusion have already been
detected all over the country, in most of its so-called “rice bowls,” with experts predicting a crisis before
the end of the decade. If it comes to pass, it could render millions of hectares of riceland unsuitable for
most of today’s widely used rice cultivars.

Filipino farmers traditionally dry their produce under the sun, then store them in a kamalig or
warehouse. This method exposes rice grains to pest infections and typhoon damage. In 2016, Cagayan
province lost 5 billion worth of rice crops to Typhoon Lawin. Two years later, Typhoon Ompong
damaged P2.5 billion worth of rice crops. We conducted this study because we firmly believe that our
device can help to reduce post-harvest risk by improving storage conditions, preventing spoilage, and
reducing the risk of contamination. We witnessed our farmers hopeless, we witnessed their harvest all
over the place, wet and damaged. We have modern post-harvest facilities but many Filipino farmers
cannot afford them and cannot access them. We think that this is one of the major reason why
Philippines remains behind in adopting farming technology.

We want to make a device that can dry and harvested rice grains. I allows each grain of rice to receive
the same temperature and humidity for proper drying and storage.

If we look and dig dipper at the history of rice production in the Philippines, Philippines is prioneer in the
cultivation of rice. It is difficult to see that the country that is among the ones that initiated rice
production lacks mechanization. What we wanted to do in the end is not only to help the farmers but
we also want to reinvent and revise the future of farming, we want to developed a technology that will
change farmers lives. The main goal of this research is to contribute to human knowledge. That really
inspired and motivated us to choose this for our research topic.