THE Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and the provincial government of Misamis Oriental signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) on February 5 for the implementation and use of the FoodtrIP or the mobile modular food processing facility (MMFPF) drying module.

The MoA signing for Mindanao's first MMFPF was done at the Misamis Oriental Provincial Capitol Compound in Cagayan de Oro City.

Under the agreement, the drying module, developed and designed by the DoST Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) and housed in a 32-foot van, will be deployed in the province for agri-fisheries value-adding.

The FoodtrIP is a good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compliant food processing facility on wheels which allows flexibility and accessibility to develop viable commercial products from local vegetables, fruits and crops, especially when there is a surplus.

The MMFPF designed for Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) features a drying facility that has preprocessing, mechanical drying and packaging technologies.

The mobile facility will produce dried and/or powdered ingredients, including emergency food reserves (powdered root crops, vegetables), herbs and spices (garlic, onion, among others).

The MMFPF, coined as food-on-the-road innovation and processing facility (FoodtrIP), serves also as an onsite food processing training and demo facility for agricultural products in the Municipality of Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

It is used to help address farmers' dilemma regarding surplus and food loss.

Claveria is the prime vegetable producer in the province.

Ma. Dolor Villaseñor, chief SRS-Food Processing Division of DoST-ITDI, briefly shared the components and background of the MMPF project.

"With this project, our vision is for the incidence of food loss commodities in the region to be reduced to at least 50 percent in the next 5 years," she added.

The DoST-ITDI will be deploying four FoodtrIP in the country, namely retort, frying, drying and aseptic modules.

"Of the four, one is here in Misamis Oriental as this is an agriculture province, and we know that the project will be in good hands with our Governor and also the support of our provincial agriculture officer," said DoST Regional Director Romela Ratilla.

The MoA also stipulates that DoST 10 and the provincial local government unit of Misamis Oriental will open the facility to farmers, cooperatives and other producers to access the facility. They will work together to operate the MMFPF to provide technical services for a sustainable and effective operation.

The provincial government of Misamis Oriental also emphasized its full support in the project, being an active partner on this initiative since 2020 through the Provincial Agriculture's Office.

Present during the MoA signing and presentation was Gov. Peter Unabia, who shared his commitment to the project as he recognized its substantial impact.

FoodtrIP aims to promote innovation by introducing new product ideas and fostering collaboration among stakeholders and beneficiaries. The project is dedicated to improving food processing, ensuring food security and contributing to economic development in the province through its valuable services.