The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region XII has provided assistance to General Santos City Kabuhianan Association in implementing an innovative windmill project in General Santos City that would ensure sustainable vineyard development and grapes processing in the Soccksargen region.
This was announced by DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña in his Facebook post on Tuesday, April 27.
"With the principle that a windmill converts kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy, the DOST XII, led by Regional Director Engr. Sammy P. Malawan, assisted the General Santos City Kabuhianan Association represented by Mr. Hashim M. Saiyadi at Purok Wal, Brgy. Tambler, General Santos City in fueling innovation towards a sustainable vineyard and grapes processing facility,” he said.
"The project is aimed at building a windmill-driven water pump for use of local farmers to run water on their farms at the vineyard."
The windmill project is funded though the agency's Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).
"A windmill which has a diameter of 18-feet and a pump and stands 40-feet was fabricated and installed together with deep well drilling percussion rig to produce the needed water supply to sustain the development of the Vineyard and processing of its produce,” de la Peña said.
He also noted that in partnership with the General Santos City Kabuhianan Association, the DOST XII has also conducted trainings on making grape jams, pickles, and vinegar.