Agriculture Business Week

Solar Drying of Fruits, Vegetables

Another little project that can grow big is solar drying of fruits and vegetables. Two units are now in operation at the research center in Alabel, Sarangani. These are small units that can dry fruits and vegetables in three days. Being dried at present are mango, pineapple, papaya and kamias.

What’s remarkable about this dryer is that it occupies very small space and can dry thirty kilos without use of any fuel. It is just made to stand in full sun. The dryer could be fabricated with materials from a Manila company at only R12,000 per unit. It is highly suitable for remote places where excess fruits and vegetables are produced and can’t all be marketed as fresh commodity.

Ramon revealed, however, that an even better unit for commercial purposes is coming soon from India. This can dry as much as 500 kilos at a time.
Cardaba Banana Leaves for Export

One project being pursued to provide a new source of income for families in the community is production of cardaba banana leaves for export. It turns out that one of Alsons’ big bangus buyers in the US needs 20 tons of fresh banana leaves a month. As of now, however, they can only send one container van containing 12 tons. The leaves are in demand not only by Filipino communities in the US but also Mexicans who use it for their “tamales” and other food preparations.

To increase production to meet the increasing demand in the US, Ramon plans to encourage planting of cardaba banana within clusters of households so that collection of the leaves is easier. The leaves have to be cut and washed and then frozen within 6 to 8 hours from harvesting.

From a hundred plants near their home, one family can easily harvest R800 worth of leaves a month. That may not look big but to a family in the rural area, that’s something significant. After all, the banana plants don’t require daily attention. One plant can produce 16 marketable leaves in its lifetime, fetching a price of R3 each.

As always, Ramon Macaraig is on the look out for new money-making opportunities. Don’t be surprised if the manure from their bangus and tilapia will also be utilized to produce organic fertilizer soon.