DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY - DASMARIÑAS

COMPUTER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

DBB-B, 4115 West Ave, Dasmariñas, Cavite

A Portable Temperature Indicator and Solar Paddy Rice Drying Device

for Local Farmers in the Philippines

presented to
MS. KATHLEEN ANN VILLANUEVA
Professor

De La Salle University – Dasmariñas

College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology­­

In Partial Fulfillment of the Midterm Requirements for

T-CPET322

2nd Semester of A.Y. 2023-2024

Submitted by:

Canubas, Mark Roland

Sarmiento, Iverson
Fernando, Clent
Peji, Patrick

February 2024
Chapter 1 : Introduction

Rice is one of the essential commodities that correlates with economic and

environmental significance, especially in the Philippines. This study will identify and

introduce a change in terms of harvesting practices. The study aims to reduce paddy

rice's moisture content to maximize its long-term storage and quality. The traditional way

of drying rice is the sun-drying method used by the locals in the Philippines, which has

always been vulnerable to traffic hazards for motor vehicles, especially two-wheeled

motorcycles. Another factor is weather risk. Under some conditions, the safest moisture

content ranges from 14% to 15% cannot be obtained. On the other hand, grains with

high moisture content are vulnerable to attacks from insects, pests, and worse

deterioration from microorganisms.

Moreover, according to Angula & Inambao's (2019) study, using sunlight as a

renewable energy source and feeding into solar, produces energy that does not harm

the environment. The rice drying system depends on solar power, and it has been found

that rice driers are easy to install in remote locations Singh & Gaur (2020). Our focus

will be not only on points of practical advantages but also on points to emphasize their

broader implication for agricultural sustainability, economic efficiency, and food security.

The procedure of rice processing, including drying and storage operations, it states that

it can significantly affect the overall quality of the rice Shad and Atungulu (2019). For

legal complications, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) states t hat

forced legal action against using public highways and national roads for private use is

punishable. Traffic hazards and legal infractions, the danger that drying paddy rice

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along public and national roads may cause is raised by the DPWH citing doctrines such

as Department Order 41 from 2013 and Department Order 52 of 2003. Looking into

greater depth in the legislative context, the Revised Philippine Highway Act has an

identical provision where no person may prevent or obstruct a public highway from

being used for private purposes or gain.

This study opens up a discussion on the agricultural industry in the Philippines,

emphasizing the implications these traditional sun-drying methods may have carried in

recent times. The underlying risks include weather conditions, pest attacks,

deterioration from microorganisms, and legal complications along public and national

roads. The study offers an eco-friendly prototype. The research will work around using

the Internet of Things(IoT) energy harvesting techniques. A solar-powered system that

will get the precision temperature inside the bin and a controllable fan using mobile

devices to prevent the moisture content from below average caused by the sunlight's

heat as too much heat, grain quality would be affected, and if the fan is too much, it will

maintain the paddy rice moisture content. It can also cause the loss of the quality of the

rice.

Moreover, the research purpose in this study states the practical way to address not

only the safety concerns and legal complications, but also to create a better source for

rice processing operations through the deep surfacing of tradition and innovation. As the

agricultural practices play a vital role in production by deploying reusable energy

sources, and technology, it is an excellent approach since renewable energy is not

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harmful to the environment. Continuously, solar power to not contribute to the fossil fuel

emissions with controlled ventilation, temperature monitoring, and portable paddy rice

dryer containers.

In addition, The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has taken legal

action against the hazard of the traditional way of drying up paddy rice. As for legality, it

is stated in Department of Order 41 from 2013 and Department Order 52 of 2003 that

private use of public and national roads is punishable. It was declared punishable by the

personal use of the public and national roads.

Statement of the Problem

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) states that using public

highways and national roads for private use is punishable by law. Hence, the danger

that the traditional paddy rice drying along public and national roads may cause is a

serious traffic hazard for the community.

One of the main significant factors contributing to greenhouse gasses is fossil

fuels, widely known for their dangerous, harmful environmental effects (Saha et al.,

2020). The climate is changing, but the current indicates a significant rapid increase in

temperature and climate extremes such as heat, drought, heavy precipitation, storms,

floods, and storm surges. Agroecosystems are also very susceptible and highly

vulnerable to these environmental changes. Continuously, fossil fuels have an

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intensifying increment of irreversible implications over a thousand years, as rising sea

levels represent a warning sign for every continent that will be submerged as the sea

level rises.

The study objectifies to create the possible hazard relative to the public highways

and national roads. In addition, the study aims to determine the problems or issues in

terms of traditional sun drying techniques of rice in the Philippines, and identify the

proposed solar system. Moreover, the study will display the solar-powered prototype

and inform to reduce the risks that are associated with traditional methods of sun-drying

in the Philippines, including weather conditions, the attack of pests, and legal

implications pertaining to conventional paddy rice drying.

Objectives of the Study

This research aims to assess the impact of implementing a solar-powered rice drying

system on traditional rice processing practices in the Philippines.

Objectives of the study are as follows:

1. To assess the performance of the paddy grain solar energy-powered dryers in

reducing their moisture content and improving their storage quality, providing an

alternate solution to the farmers.

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 2. Determine the possible benefits and disadvantages arising from the proposed

implementation of solar power relative to the existing conventional sun-drying

method.

3. Evaluate the practicality and viability of such solar-powered rice drying in very

many agricultural settings, including remote settings.

4. Discussing the environmental impact attached to the system of drying rice using

solar, which decreases the dependency on fossil fuels for the processing of rice.

5. Explaining the broader applications and practical mechanisms for the introduction

of solar-powered technology for the purpose of rice processing in the Philippines.

Importance and Significance of the Study

The primary beneficiaries of the study are the local farmers, and the research

introduces a solar-powered prototype as a potential solution to the existing problems

related to traditional rice drying. By mitigating risks such as weather vulnerabilities,

pests, and legal complications, the study aims to improve the efficiency and safety of

rice processing practices.

Relevance of the Study:

The relevance of this study focuses on the economic and environmental

significance of rice drying in the Philippines. Analyzing the traditional method and

considering its problems, such as weather conditions and hazards of sun-drying on

public and national roads, the study will address the conditions to provide a practical

solution.

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Possible Solutions and Improvements:

The study introduces a solar-powered prototype as a practical solution to an

existing agriculture problem related to traditional rice drying. Reducing the risk of

weather conditions, pests, and legal implications regarding public and national roads for

private uses. The study aims to improve the efficiency and quality of rice processing.

Direct beneficiaries, including local farmers and the agriculture community, will

benefit from using the solar-powered prototype since it provides advantageous

elements for improving rice's overall processing and reducing risk.

Contribution to the Fund of Knowledge:

The study provides an eco-friendly and technology-driven approach to rice

processing. The sustainable agricultural practice for an eco-friendly process that utilizes

solar power for rice processing aligns with global movements meant to reduce the

environmental impact on food creation.

Possible Implications:

Various implications, including the identification of possible causes of problems

related to traditional drying methods, are analyzed in the study. The report also

examines the impact of these problems on grain quality and safety, as well as proposes

corrective measures through the introduction of a solar-powered system. In addition, the

study shows positive aspects that could be maintained or enhanced and provides a

basis for further improvement of rice processing practices.

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Scope and Limitations of the Study

The study focuses on rice's economic and environmental importance in the

Philippines, with the attention given to conventional sun-drying processes against the

background of a solar-driven version of rice processing. The scope of this study

identifies problems associated with traditional rice drying practices, designing and

implementation of a solar-powered drying system, and its impact on agricultural

sustainability, economic efficiency, and food safety. The study will be carried out in

agriculture land of the Philippines.

The target sample for the study will include local farmers and agricultural

communities. Respondents will be formed based on their experience with traditional

methods of rice drying to allow valuable information on whether it is possible or

beneficial for integration with the prototype of solar-powered technology. The data

collection will be conducted first within Cavite, Philippines only, ranging from 50-100

respondents who are related and under the agricultural industry. The study period will

be within a stipulated duration that would allow for the changes between seasons to

affect rice processing. This will, therefore, assess the performance of the solar-powered

prototype in diverse conditions to enhance understanding of its performance.

The scope of this study will entail an extensive analysis of all the economic,

environmental, and technological aspects of rice processing. Limitations should be

taken as control factors by accepting that there may be potential weaknesses and

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uncertainties, focusing sharply on maintaining the relevancy of the research in question

and that, by understanding, some variables may be complicated or challenging to

quantify within accuracy limits.

Conceptual Framework

The represented conceptual framework focuses on the solar dryer and temperature

sensor device for paddy rice drying that will be created and explicate its scheme,

actions required, focus and main thrust of this study:

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 FIGURE 1. IPO Diagram of Portable Solar Paddy Rice Dryer

The conceptual framework for the study involves three main input categories:

Humanware, Hardware, and Software. The researcher, comprising students, engineers,

and technicians, utilizes a combination of computer, electronic components, and specific

software such as Windows 10, Autocad, Multisim, and VSCODE. Moreover, the process

encompasses patent searching, PCB design, paddy rice bin design, and output

calculations, leading to the creation of a Portable Solar Paddy Rice Dryer. This IPO

diagram serves as a theoretical basis, guiding the investigation and synthesis of

literature related to the solar dryer and temperature sensor device for paddy rice drying

purposes.

Definition of Terms

The following terms are conceptually defined. On the other hand, some are stated as

operationally defined for the researchers to have a broad information based on the

relevance of the terms in the present study.

Conceptual - It consists of different concepts related to the study (Merriam Webster

Dictionary, 2024)

Eco-friendly - It refers to the helpful approach to the environment or advantageous

method of maintaining the sustainability of the environment (Cambridge Dictionary,

2024)

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Environmental - It is defined as the natural world, related to life, habitat and

surroundings (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2023)

Input - It is the collected information that is included on a specific system (Cambridge

Dictionary, 2024)

Output - It is the act, process, or an instance of producing (Merriam Webster Dictionary,

2024)

Population - It is known as the particular number of section, group or people in an area

or country (Oxford Dictionary, 2023)

Relevance - It is defined as the matter at hand that is closely connected or related to

each other (Merriam Webster Dictionary, 2024)

Review - It is considered as the assessment taken to determine the possibility of

changes (Oxford Dictionary, 2023)

Rice - It is known as a widely cultivated as a source of food, particularly known as

swamp grass (New Oxford Dictionary, 2023)

Scope - It is defined as the extent of the approach, activity, or influence (Merriam

Webster Dictionary, 2023)

Technology-driven - It is considered as the philosophy that creates development of

goods or services based on one’s technical capabilities (Science Direct, 2023)

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Theoretical - It is known as having the aspects or approaches considered in a theory

(Merriam Webster Dictionary, 2024)

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