To upgrade the technical capabilities of Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) corn coordinators and various GMA corn mechanization implementers, the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) and the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Units of Region I and X conducted two batches of Specialized Training Course on Corn Mechanization recently.

The first batch, covering the provinces of Region I, was held at ATI, Sta Barbara, Pangasinan. The second batch, catering to the provinces of Region X, was conducted at Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (NOMIARC), Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

The regional and provincial corn coordinators who are at the forefront of corn mechanization program attended the four-day activity. These corn implementers play a vital role in facility and operations matching. As such, the training course was designed to prepare them in handling the challenges in the field so that wise investments will be made and machineries will be utilized profitably.

The training course has five modules which include the importance of mechanization; determination, selection, matching and specification of machinery; determination of financial indicators; social preparation and institutional development and action planning. A hands-on operation of available corn machinery was also done. In addition, manufacturers and dealers conducted technology demonstration using their machinery and equipment. The participants were provided with compact discs (CDs) of the different lecture materials used by the resource speakers. These materials were packaged not only as their reference materials during the training but also as a guide in providing technical assistance on postharvest and mechanization technology in their respective areas.