Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

FEATURES

Taking the Lead in the Postproduction RDE
by Eleonor DC. Fausto (July 31, 2006)
What used to be the Grains Postharvest Sub-network is now the Postproduction Network [PPN] and BPRE has been designated as its national team leader.


The network prioritizes appropriate and relevant postproduction technologies for the agriculture sector in order to meet the challenges of global competition and agricultural development.


The PPN now focuses on programs that include improved postharvest handling, processing technologies and mechanization, food and feed protection and conservation, technologies for emerging products and by-products, and postharvest instrumentation.


To ensure the reduction of postharvest losses as well as quality improvement of products and by-products, the network takes the lead in the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive and integrated postproduction research, development and extension program [RDE].


It also ensures that RDE efforts do not duplicate but cohere towards a common strategic focus. Likewise, it promotes the effective and efficient utilization of postharvest technologies.


In its efforts of pursuing the preservation of quality and the prevention of quantity losses in food, the network has already completed a BPRE project on hulk handling facilities and systems for corn at farmer-cooperative level of operation.


It is at present conducting a technical and economic feasibility of rice hull-fed heating system in batch recirculating dryer. A new project deals on the design and development of an aflatoxin meter.



Development of the PPN



The PPN is an offshoot of the 'one system, one approach,' which the Bureau of Agricultural Research advocated in the implementation of a unified RDE system. The approach dictates that all levels and entities adhere to one program for a specific agricultural commodity or discipline to ensure non-duplication and coherence of priority thrusts.


The network actually started as the Grains Postharvest Sub-network in February 2000. A national team leader [NTL], as well as members of a core technical team and the national experts team were appointed to lead in the formulation and implementation of its programs, projects and activities.


The NTL provided leadership in the planning and implementation of the RDE programs, spearheaded the network's interface with other networks, and organized networking activities.


Priority thrusts based on emerging needs of the grains postharvest industry were established in 2001. The following year the sub-network expanded to give more emphasis on the importance of postharvest.


It reconstituted its membership and reformulated new thrusts and agenda. It also revitalized its concerns beyond rice and corn, the first two major commodities in the country, to include grains, horticultural food crops, and livestock.


In 2003, the sub-network became a full blown network.


The PPN is composed of State Universities and Colleges (University of the Philippines at Los Baños, Isabela State University, Leyte State University); Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Units 2, 8 and 10; and the DA agencies (Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI); National Food Authority (NFA); National Meat Inspection Commission (NMIC) and Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).