TAMPILISAN, Zamboanga del Norte – The De La Salle University (DLSU) recently discussed and demonstrated the use of the Surface Toughness Analyser for Rubber (STAR) during the turnover ceremony of the said device.
STAR detects the presence of battery solution or sulfuric acid, a coagulant that lowers the quality of rubber cup lumps by absorbing water.
The use of battery solution not only weakens the quality of rubber when processed, but also threatens human health and the environment. This malpractice is commonly used at bagsakan centers in Zamboanga Sibugay.
STAR is a product of the collaborative efforts of DLSU and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
After series of field testing and careful study, DLSU Associate Professor Dr. Jose Isagani B. Janairo and his team were able to produce 20 units of the device. Eight of these units were distributed to key rubber-related offices during the ceremony. These included the Philippine Pioneer Rubber Products Corporation, STANDECO, Philippine Rubber Farmer’s Association, Department of Trade and Industries–IX, Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office-IX, and Local Government Units of Kalawit, Godod, and Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte.
The turnover ceremony served as a venue for the DLSU researchers to share the new technology and help rubber stakeholders and LGUs in assessing rubber quality.
Rubber stakeholders, municipal agriculture officers across Zamboanga Peninsula, and rubber farmers attended the event
Dr. Janairo demonstrated the capability of the nanosensor to detect battery solution. The device turns green if the rubber cup lumps are coagulated with formic acid (recommended solution), and turns red if they are coagulated with battery solution.
Dr. Janairo and Dr. Teresita Narvaez, Western Mindanao Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESMAARDEC) Consortium Director, answered the questions of the rubber farmers during the open forum.
Rodolfo Mabalot of DTI Region IX also discussed the Rubber Price Reference, an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industries (DTI) in monitoring the price of rubber in the market. He expressed the significance of DTI Region IX’s efforts in helping the farmers sell their products at fair prices.
Dr. Narvaez gave a brief background of her ongoing project titled, “Policy Analysis and Advocacy on the Use of Various Latex Coagulants and Nano Sensor for Improved quality of Raw Rubber Products.” She also provided some insights and learnings from the benchmarking activity she attended in Malaysia to encourage rubber farmers to excel in producing raw rubber products.
