Potential of Mechanical Grain Dryers in Addressing Exposure of Rice Farmers to Weather Risks

Hernaiz G. Malanon and Zenaida M. Sumalde

Abstract

Weather risks brought by prolonged rainfall and cloudy days hamper grain drying operations in the Philippines as majority still employ the sun drying method, which limits the opportunity of rice farmers to earn a higher income. While mechanical dryers are considered an important adaptation mechanism to address weather risks, more research needs to be done on their benefits and their disadvantages. This study adapted the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concept which equates hazard, exposure, and vulnerability to quantify risk. Hazard was assessed in terms of the probability of four straight rainy- or cloudy-day occurrences based on a 30-year daily rainfall and cloudiness data. Exposure of famers and traders to this event was described in terms of a cropping calendar followed by the farmers, while vulnerability was quantified in terms of the effects of exposure to continuous rains, particularly as price discounts for quality-degraded grains. About 74% of the total rice harvest in Isabela, Philippines is being dried using the sun drying method. Based on the probability of exposure to extended rainy/cloudy days and the qualitative losses as indicated by price penalty for quality-degraded grains, total qualitative losses amounting to 117 mt valued at PhP 407.17 million (USD 8.14 million) is incurred in the province every year. With artificial or mechanical grain dryers, exposure of rice farmers to prolonged rainfall or cloudy days that constrain sun drying operations can be minimized or eliminated.