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

NEWS STORIES

PHilMech to collaborate with SEARCA on Farm Mech
by Jessica Marie B. Laturnas (January 28, 2020)
Southeast Asia Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) paid a courtesy call to PHilMech, January 21.

In attendance were PHilMech division chiefs led by PHilMech Director I Dr. Arnel Ramir M. Apaga, SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA Deputy Director Joselito G. Florendo and other key officers & staff, as well as PhilRice staff.

PHilMech welcomed SEARCA with gratitude for their active participation in increasing knowledge on farm machinery, as well as changing the mindset of farmers.

“The role of SEARCA is vital, especially on education in trying to change the paradigm of our farmers. It’s easy to give them (farmers) technologies; the challenge is how we can strengthen the capacity, from the attitude to the technological know-how of our farmers and other stakeholders,” said Dr. Apaga.

“We would be very happy to collaborate again with SEARCA in pursuit of postharvest and mechanization,” Dr. Apaga added.

Moreover, PHilMech shared their future plans and presented the mechanization component of the rice tariffication law.

SEARCA also expressed interest to continue helping PHilMech in terms of promoting farm mechanization among farmers and modernizing the agricultural sector.

“It’s nice to have a connection. I think this would be the right time to revitalize our partnership, especially because there’s too much pressure on PHilMech with RCEF and that’s why we have to look out for each other,” said SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio.

SEARCA’s visit was part of their 11th Five-Year Plan at the Lifelong Learning Series of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) "2020: A Clear AgriVision for Tomorrow”.