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 engineer recognized for excellence
by Jessica Marie B. Laturnas (February 12, 2020)
Dr. Michael A. Gragasin received an award from The Manila Water Foundation for his invention at the Manila Water Foundation for Engineering Excellence (The Prize) Awarding Ceremony, last February 3 at Seda Hotel Vertis North in Quezon City.

In partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Technological Council (PTC), The Prize honored Dr. Gragasin for his ingenuity and expertise as a science research specialist, along with three Filipino engineers.

Gragasin designed and led the development of the compact Corn Mill and the Impeller Rice Mill for white and brown rice to help low-income farmers increase their milling recovery and earn more profit.

Through his inventions, farmers can now process their own crops and don’t have to depend on commercial millers. With these machines, farmers can now increase their income from PhP5 per kilo to around P14 to P25 per kilo. Production costs for corn and rice, which are staple food in the country, are also maintained at a low cost making these grains more affordable for each Filipino.

Using the principles of agricultural engineering, the compact corn mill and impeller rice mill address the food security needs of Filipinos. Farmers can now afford machines that allow them to improve the quality of their yield and generate more income.

The Prize conduct a nationwide search for Filipino engineers who manifest excellent engineering and scientific competence to honor and help them promote their technologies.

It is the only recognizing body in the Philippines that honors engineers who made notable contributions in solving development problems in the areas of water, sanitation, environment, and sustainability.