DA soon to open P10-M rice-storage dome in Cagayan

IGUIG, Cagayan—The Department of Agriculture (DA) 2 (Cagayan Valley) is set to activate this year the P10-million first-ever monolithic dome erected at the DA-Southern Cagayan Research Center in Minanga Norte here, which would serve as warehouse of agricultural products, such as farm seeds and other inputs.

DA Regional Executive Director Narciso Edillo said on Friday the dome, which is nearing its completion with only finishing touches to be done, measures 8.5 meters in height, 15 meters in width and 30 meters in length; has a climatesmart technology that can withstand typhoons and earthquake.

“The state-of-the-art warehouse will be a breakthrough in the region’s agriculture sector, particularly for seeds storage to maintain seed viability and quality,” Edillo said.

“This can also be used as human shelter or evacuation center during calamities, cold storage for agricultural products and many others,” he added.

The agriculture regional head said they have been speeding up its completion to compare its benefits over traditional storage or warehouses.

The dome-shaped warehouse’s idea was first introduced in the department during a national conference of agricultural engineers last year, with foreign and local experts presenting the technology.

“Considering that the technology on ‘monolithic’ is a breakthrough in the field of construction and its cost is comparable to that of the allocated fund for conventional warehouse, the office had immediately considered the project,” Engr. Generoso Oli, DA-2 Field Operations Division chief, said.

“Eight similar projects will be constructed this year at cooperatives or farmer organizations regionwide,” he added.

A monolithic dome is a structure cast in a one-piece form, which may be permanent or temporary, and may or may not remain part of the finished structure. PNA