The Philippine agriculture industry took the center stage as various exhibitors showcased their “Best to the World” during the Agrilink Aqualink Foodlink on October 3 to 5, 2024, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Manila.

According to Marco Apolinario C. Reyes, chair of United Coconut Associations of the Philippines, Inc., "The theme of Agrilink 2024: The Best of Philippine Agriculture to the World… is a call to action. It's about showing the world what our country's agricultural potential [is, and] it's time to move beyond just exporting rural products, but we need to showcase our value-added goods, our sustainable practices, and our world-class Filipino quality."

Relative to the theme, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), as one of the event sponsors and exhibitors, brought its banner programs to the spotlight. These programs include the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program, PHilMech-South Korea Project Collaborations, and Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan Shared Processing Facilities (CFIDP-SPF).

The PHilMech booth featured the RCEF Mechanization Program overview, objectives, beneficiaries, and requirements. This aims towards a productive, profitable, and competitive rice farming industry using right agricultural machinery and postharvest facilities.

The booth also introduced the collaborative projects between PHilMech and South Korea which includes the Agricultural Machinery Design and Prototyping Center (AMDPC), adaptability testing and localization of various agricultural machinery, and Technology Advice and Solutions from Korea (TASK). This focuses on strengthening the partnership between the Philippines and Korea by empowering local machinery manufacturers.

Furthermore, the CFIDP Shared Processing Facilities showcased at the exhibit its program overview, objectives, components and types. This program seeks to improve the coconut processing and increase the income of coconut farmers.

Booth visitors received prizes such as hats, bags, shirts, and pens from the agency.

In a seminar, Elijah Z. Davalos, director for Education, Support, and Extension Training Services (ESETS), emphasized the transformative potential of initiatives such as the RCEF, CFIDP, and advancements in agricultural mechanization.

Davalos highlighted that these programs are crucial in enhancing productivity and sustainability in the agricultural sector, which is vital for addressing food security challenges and supporting farmers' livelihood.

Engr. Domingo R. Miranda, supervising science research specialist of Facility Management and Field Operations Division (FMFOD) discussed the RCEF Mechanization Program, focusing on the program objectives, outcomes, interventions, physical and financial accomplishments, extension program, program impact in cost reduction, and ways forward.

Dr. Andres M. Tuates Jr., interim head of Coconut Trust Fund-Facility Management and Operations (CTF-FMOD) presented the program's legal basis, program’s overall and specific objectives, operation management and sustainability, selection criteria for the potential beneficiaries, groundbreaking and awarding ceremonies, and the Pangkabuhayang Binalangkas para sa Bagong Magniniyog Information System (PBBMIS).

While Engr. Raymund P. Macaranas, chief science research specialist of Agricultural Mechanization Division (AMD) shared about the agency's agricultural mechanization efforts, including AMDPC, design and development, skills and training courses, accomplishments, challenges, and plans.

The seminar ended with an open forum that raised concerns about the topics presented, which resource speakers addressed afterwards.

Agrilink Aqualink Foodlink is an avenue to foster a community among farmers, processors, institutions, and entrepreneurs to collaborate, exchange ideas and practices, and innovate ways to meet global standards.

The Foundation for Resource Linkages and Development Inc. (FRLD) organizes the event annually led by its President, Mr. Antonio V. Roces.