After our successful fermentation and drying trials in August 2019, we were ready to move forward with building our first full size fermentation box and solar dryer by January 2020. We built our fermentation box and solar dryer at Ka Ino Sulibit’s farm in Ibabang Palina in Liliw, Laguna.

Mario Susvilla, my brother, designed the fermentation box and solar dryer to accommodate at least 150 kg of wet beans. The solar dryer was to provide enough heat and airflow to mitigate against cold, rainy weather and high humidity, which is prevalent in this region during the peak harvest months of November through January. It also was to be totally enclosed as protection from all kinds of critters and to ensures cleanliness of the beans.

The addition of artificial heating and dehumidifier was to be added later as needed. A second level of drying platform could also be added later to increase the capacity of the solar dryer.