The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) said over the weekend that it plans to commercialize a corn mill that seeks to improve local corn grit production and food security.
PhilMech, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, said it will push for “wider adoption” of the corn mill, which it developed in collaboration with the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperative (KAMICO).
The agency said the development of the corn mill was part of its Covid-19 pandemic response initiatives that aim to have a “long-term impact on communities that depend on milled white corn or corn grits for their staple.”
“This project supports the attainment of food security for communities that have lands and resources more suitable for growing white corn as their staple,” it said in a statement.
“Some parts in the Visayas and Mindanao also prefer milled white corn or white corn mixed with rice, called ‘bugas’ instead of rice, and this project will help ensure their food security.”
PhilMech said it is currently pilot testing the corn mill in four sites: two in Bukidnon; and one site each in Sarangani and Negros Occidental. The pilot tests are expected to be completed by June.
“After that, PhilMech will push for its wider adoption and study its commercialization. So far, the project is proceeding as scheduled.”
The corn mill can mill 200 kilograms of corn with an estimated output of 110 kg of corn grits per hour, according to PhilMech. The machine can also separate the grits from the powder, and is powered by electricity.
Uniform shapes of grits are mostly produced by the PhilMech-KAMICO Corn Mill, which results in improved eating qualities of the milled corn, according to the agency.
“It can be easily operated like a washing machine, hence women can also operate the PhilMech-KAMICO Corn Mill.”
PhilMech entered into an agreement with KAMICO in November 2016 “to level up the capabilities of the Filipino agency to design and produce farm machines.”