The Philippine government is urging regional partners to identify and map areas with hydrothermal energy potential, such as hot springs, as part of efforts to develop alternative energy sources for agriculture.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary, Renato Solidum Jr, said the resource could be harnessed to power food processing technologies that preserve and add value to crops.
Innovative drying technology
One of the technologies being promoted is the Hydrothermal Dehydrator, developed in Marinduque by local engineer and innovator Lauro Bautista in partnership with the DOST provincial office.
The machine uses geothermal heat to dry agricultural produce such as copra and moringa leaves.
According to DOST researcher Joseph Manaog, the system works by siphoning hot water into a tank and passing it through copper tubes.
A fan then circulates the heat inside the dehydrator, effectively drying the produce in a controlled environment.
Officials said the method produces cleaner outputs than traditional open-air drying, improving both quality and market value.
The innovation recently won first prize in the 2025 Regional Grassroots Innovation Awards under the Circular Economy Category, an event held as part of the regional science week.
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Linking science to rural development
The DOST has emphasised that grassroots innovation and locally adapted technologies are central to strengthening rural economies.
Solidum noted that partnerships with communities are key to identifying untapped natural resources such as hot springs and using them in ways that support food security.
The agency said technologies like the Hydrothermal Dehydrator could help smallholder farmers diversify income sources while reducing reliance on traditional methods that often expose produce to contamination, pests and weather-related damage.
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