At Least 9K Jobs Up For Grabs At Labor Day Fair In Western Visayas

Higit 9,000 trabaho ang nakalaan sa Labor Day Fair. Mainam na pagkakataon para sa mga career shifters sa Western Visayas.

Tacloban Mangrove Park Eyed As Urban Green Space

Ang mga plano para sa urban green space sa Paraiso ay layuning pataasin ang kaasalan sa kapaligiran at pagtugon sa hamon ng climate change sa Tacloban.

Eastern Visayas Pushes For Muslim-Friendly Tourism

Kasama ang DOT, ang Eastern Visayas ay naglalayong maging kaakit-akit na destinasyon para sa mga Muslim sa pamamagitan ng halal culinary offerings.

New Law Giving Free Legal Aid To MUPs Signed

Sa ilalim ng bagong batas, mas pinapangangalagaan ang mga karapatan ng mga MUP. Tinatampok ng administrasyon ang kanilang tapat na serbisyo.

Industrial Design Student Innovates Cacao Dryer For Local Farmers

A young industrial design student innovated a cacao dryer to prevent post-harvest losses and increase the income of farmers.

Industrial Design Student Innovates Cacao Dryer For Local Farmers

3
3

How do you feel about this story?

Like
Love
Haha
Wow
Sad
Angry

Enterprising 23-year-old Filipino Ninna Fajardo created a portable, weather-adaptable dryer to assist local farmers preserve the quality of cacao beans, prevent post-harvest losses and generate income as a raw material supplier.

Dubbed as SICAP, a play on cacao capsule and sikap – the Filipino word for hard work – the hybrid system is equipped with a built-in heater that enables continuous drying process regardless of the season.

“The Philippines is an exceptional spot for cacao farming,” Fajardo started. “We can harvest all-year-round and produce high-quality beans that can compete in the global market. However, rainy seasons prove to be a challenge.”

“For some, the traditional sun drying beds may already do the job well. But since the rains are unpredictable, the whole process can be interrupted and thus prolonged. There will be formation of molds and the beans can no longer be sold,” she added.

The young inventor, who pursued her degree under the Industrial Design Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, was motivated to provide a novel solution to address the issue within the local agricultural sector via innovation.

For research and validation, Fajardo conducted qualitative interviews with farmers and business owners. She likewise sourced cacao pods from Mindanao to have firsthand experience in handling, fermenting and test-drying the grains.

The finished product comes in a circular stacked form, with a built-in heater that can be regulated through a digital thermostat and hygrometer. It also features a collapsible cover that retains temperature and protects compartments from the external environment conditions.

“When it is raining, farmers can use the stacked layout to prevent the beans from getting wet, and continue drying with the heater,” she explained. “Since each compartment has a swivel mechanism, it also enables them to opt for an open layout. This can be utilized for sun-drying. It allows equal exposure of each drying compartment to sunlight.”

SICAP includes removable inner baskets for loading and unloading of beans as well as interchangeable compartment covers suitable for any weather. It also has wheels so farmers can easily transport the dryer and the beans conveniently.

Fajardo recently concluded her collegiate journey as Cum Laude. SICAP was likewise recognized with the Best Thesis Award. This followed the criteria from the World Design Organization, a globally recognized non-governmental network that champions the power of industrial design in enhancing the economic, social, cultural and environmental quality of life.

Fajardo’s experience includes designing graphic packaging for giant brands KitKat, Strengths Philippines and Ink Scribbler, plus local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

For more information about Benilde Industrial Design, visit https://www.benilde.edu.ph/undergraduate-industrial-design/.