AIMING at improving the post-harvest facility for oyster mushroom growing, the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Davao will fabricate a biomass-fed sterilizer for mushroom growth media in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

The DA said that this is their assistance to the growing and promising mushroom industry in Davao Region.

"This (biomass-fed sterilizer) for mushroom growth media will potentially decrease the post-harvest loss," DA said in a press statement.

In the growth media, it is where the mushroom is grown.

The biomass-fed sterilizer is designed and patented by DA for research purposes and will be fabricated by Tesda sometime in August of this year.

Afterwards, a six-month study will follow. The study will be utilized to determine the heat efficiency of the machinery.

Most of the mushroom farmers are from Davao del Norte. Its produce are commonly sold in Bankerohan Public Market and other grocery stores and supermarkets.

Mushroom is a good source of high-quality protein as it can be produced with greater biological efficiency and can elevate the diet of people suffering protein deficiency.

DA added that the sterilizer will be fuelled by up to five sacks of rice hulls per loading to produce steam.

The equipment, which mainly used to help the farmers in Davao del Norte is planned to be commercialized in a bid to support other farmers and entrepreneurs in the region. Also, it is said to be upgraded to be used as a multi-commodity dryer.