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DOST-FPRDI installs dryer for Quezon broom makers
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An award-winning group of soft broom makers in Real, Quezon recently received a piece of equipment that could sweep one of their biggest production problems away: a special dryer for their grass raw material.
Called the non-wood forest products dryer, this equipment was developed by the DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) and installed in Brgy. Maragondon, Real, Quezon to help the broom producers dry their tiger grass (Thysanolaena latifolia) even during the rainy season.
According to DOST-FPRDI's Maria C. Reyes, the Maragondon Dragon Grass SLP Association asked for the Institute's help in January this year as they were having problems drying their raw materials during rainy days.
The dryer was installed and commissioned in June with the guidance of the Institute's drying specialist Engr. Wency H. Carmelo. After air-drying for two days, pollen grains from tiger grass are usually removed by shaking or brushing the stalks against tree trunks and other hard surfaces. This takes too much time and effort. Using the dryer, the pollen grains can be easily removed after drying the stalks at 90oC for 2 hours. According to Jocelyn Capablanca, association treasurer, the dryer not only helps with pollen extraction, it also ensures that their materials are not attacked by black molds.
In 2019, the 56-member-strong broom makers association received the National Sibol Award for being an outstanding beneficiary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program.
(Left) DOST-FPRDI’s non-wood forest products dryer; (Right) Housewives form the majority of Brgy. Maragondon’s soft broom makers.
Philippine and China Collaborate: DOST-FPRDI Inks Memorandum of Agreement for Joint Bamboo R&D Laboratory
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An exciting new chapter in scientific collaboration between the Philippines and China has been unveiled with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the establishment of a Joint Bamboo Research and Development (R&D) Laboratory.
The MOA was inked by Dr. Romulo T. Aggangan, Director of DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI), and Jiangxi Academy of Forestry (JAF) President Yang Jiefang on August 9, 2023 at the DOST-PCAARRD, Los Banos, Laguna. The momentous ceremony marks a commitment to shared research and innovation between the two nations, strengthening their collective pursuit of advancements in bamboo technology and science.
DOST-FPRDI relaunches technology business incubator
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Starting 1 September 2023, the DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) Technology Business Incubator (FTBI) – a facility which provides much needed support services to start-ups in the forest-based sector – will have a new name. It will now be called Tubò, to highlight the DOST-FPRDI’s commitment to help drive growth and create profits for its clients.
“Tubò FPTBI is a platform designed to help start-up enterprises thrive,” said DOST-FPRDI Director Romulo T. Aggangan. He added, “Depending on their need, incubatees may use the Institute’s forest products processing technologies, and may also avail of our training and testing services. Tubò FPTBI will assist them in various aspects of business development, which include helping them register their business, get grant applications, protect their intellectual property, and obtain certification for required tests, among others.”
Technology business incubatee Ms. Glenda Esperida (center) of Green Beauty and Wellness Center is trained on the basics of soap making at DOST-FPRDI.
