Two solar dryers funded under the Philippine Rural Development Project were inaugurated in Vintar, Ilocos Norte last March 30, 2017.

The inauguration ceremony was headed by RPCO 1 Deputy Project Director Erlinda F. Manipon and Vintar Municipal Mayor Larisa Foronda.

The two solar dryers are located in Barangays Mabanbanag and Salsalumagui, Vintar, Ilocos Norte and have total estimated project costs of P1,373,019.24 and P1,152,159.34, respectively.

During the ceremony, Ms. Manipon congratulated the Municipal Government of Vintar and the Ilocos Norte Provincial Local Government Unit for their efforts exerted to satisfy all the requirements for the said subprojects. The two solar dryers are the first stand alone infrastructure subprojects to be implemented in Ilocos Region in which the counter-part was also provided by the Ilocos Norte Provincial Government.

The Zanjera Mantapat Konig will operate the Mabanbanag Solar Dryer, while Zanjera Taguipuro Manayon will operate the Salsalamagui Solar Dryer. Farmer members of both cooperatives grow mostly rice, corn, peanut, and tomato.

The solar dryers aim to increase the income of the farmer beneficiaries by affording more quality produce. With the solar dryers, farmers are expected to avoid drying their produce along road shoulders of highways, thus also reducing postharvest losses.

The construction of the two solar dryers is expected to commence immediately and shall be completed within 90 days. (Dessa U. Estrada and Vida V. Cacal, DA-PRDP RPCO1 InfoACE)