NTA multicommodity solar dryer (MCSD)

MCSD [multicommodity solar dryer] is a low-cost equipment made in locally available materials. Measuring 3.72 m x 6 m wide and 4 m high, it operates similarly with traditional barns, and utilizes radiative drying with walls and roofs as solar collectors rather than the commonly used convective drying. In terms of marginal savings on fuelwood cost, the MCSD can save as much as 67 percent over the lawanit board and concrete barns, 70 percent over the galvanized iron barn, and 66 percent over the clay barn. On the average, MCSD requires 37.72 effective man-hours in loading and unloading 2 tons of cured tobacco leaves, while other barns require 28 percent-46 percent more. Less fuelwood is required and total time needed to tend the MCSD during actual drying is also much lower compared with other barns. It produces quality cured leaves similar with those of traditional barns. An adoption strategy model that include the technology generators and proponents (NTA, PCIERD, DOST, PCARRD, DA), the potential users, the LGUs, lending institutions, and prefabrication manufacturers was established to commercialize the MCSD. Since it was generated in 1933, it has been promoted through aggressive technology dissemination (demonstration units and field days, technology fora, print and broadcast media, dialogues with farmers, businessmen, and scientists/technologists, e.g. communication leaders, policy makers, and extensionists). LGUs are tapped to serve as source of funds for demonstration units and help facilitate dissemination of information. Although the tobacco farmers/cooperatives are the main target users of the technology, MCSD may be promoted among rice, corn, legumes, garlic, root crops, vegetables, and fruits farmers. The MCSD can also dry bamboo, rattan, fish, and meat. Funding institutions are tapped to provide credit to farmers since one MCSD costs P104,044. Although it is cheaper than plywood-walled or galvanized iron-walled barn, the initial investment may still be considered high considering that most farmers are cash starved. Prefabrication units should be mass produced to further lower the cost and improve the dryer efficiency