PHilMech bags awards in 31st BAR-NRS
by Jessica Marie B. Laturnas (December 2, 2019)
Three research papers of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) were awarded best R&D papers and poster during the 31st National Research Symposium last October 16-17 at The Sulo Riviera Hotel, Diliman, Quezon City.
The paper of Engr. Andres M. Tuates, Mia F. Testa, Aileen G. Carriedo, Ofero A. Capariño, Gigi B. Calica and Aina Marie de Leon entitled “Piloting of Village-Type Cacao By-products Processing Enterprise in Major Cacao Producing Area” won the Gold award under the Applied Research TA/TV- Agriculture Crop Science/Crop Protection category.
Another gold award was given to the paper “Pectin from Mango Peels as Biodegradable/Edible Coating to Extend Shelf-life of Mango” of Ma. Cristina B. Gragasin and Sheryl May Villota under the Applied Research TG/IG- Engineering and Postharvest category.
The research project “Development of Computer Vision System (CVS) for Mango Sorting and Grading” of Arlene C. Joaquin, Richard P. Avila, Maria Elizabeth V. Ramos, and Romualdo C. Martinez was adjudged best AFMA R&D paper gold awardee and best AFMA R&D poster silver awardee under the Applied Research TG/IG- Engineering and Postharvest category.
Entry papers were based on the results of R&D projects completed in the past five years or from 2014 to 2019.
According to the Bureau of Agricultural Extension (BAR), a record of 188 research papers was submitted and was scrutinized by agriculture and fishery experts during the initial screening.
The National Research Symposium is an annual undertaking of the DA-BAR to gather Filipino scientists and researchers from the DA units and agencies, state universities and colleges, and other institutions that conduct R&D work in agriculture and fisheries.
This year’s theme is “Gearing up the Agri-Fishery Sector through Holistic R&D towards Regenerative Development”.