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 pays tribute to outstanding partners
by Vladimir B. Caliguiran (June 13, 2013)
Six farmers group led the PHilMech outstanding partners and collaborators in receiving their plaques of recognition during the celebration of Postharvest Loss Prevention Week last May 22 at PHilMech headquarters in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

Yearly, PHilMech recognizes its outstanding partners like recipients of agricultural technologies, research and development institutions, government agencies, private companies and other cooperators who played significant role in curbing postharvest losses in the agriculture and fishery industry.




The Viga Costra Irrigators’ Association (IA) of Nueva Ecija, SRT Narra of Palawan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) of Palawan, San D Mill IA, Inc of Bohol and Sto. Niño MPC of Butuan City, named as best recipients of the farm mechanization program while the Taloy Sur-Bawek Farmers Association of Benguet, and Sinabaddan Kag Tugallan and Barangay Sibulan LGU of Davao City were the two best tramline adapters.




The outstanding partners of PHilMech in research and development include Japan-Philippine Malunggay Eco-farm, Inc, SBE Farms Enterprises, Inc, Global Development Corporation, Tropical Fruit Asia Corporation and Mr. Reynaldo C. Hilario. They assisted PHilMech researchers in conducting laboratory and field works and pilot testing of newly generated technologies.




The extension support, education and training services group recognized also their partners such as the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Information Division 8, Ms. Rosario Villaviray, Keno Food Incorporated, Remzon Organic Products and Deli Shop and Marinduque State College. Meanwhile Mr. Lorenzo C. Duqueza is the distinguished partner from the administrative cluster.




Sibulan barangay chairwoman Roseta Abalayan said that they were surprised when they received the information about the recognition. According to her, the agricultural tramline is great help to them. She said that there is an increase on the farm area and number of households living in the area where the tramline is located based on their latest survey in the area.




The 800-meter Agricultural Tramline System in Sibulan was inaugurated on October 2011 with a service area of at least 80 hectares and with direct benefits to more than 50 farmers. The farmers grow low-land vegetables, banana, corn, peanut, abaca, coffee, camote, and gabi.
Before, farmers pay ‘transporters’ P2.00 per kilogram to haul their produce on the steep slopes for 30-35 minutes. These transporters were using horses then to travel the agricultural products including livestock.




Today, with the tramline system, farmers are just now paying P1.00 per kilogram and their produce will arrive in the nearest access road in just 5-10 minutes. Even household supplies such as rice, sugar, and other grocery goods are also transported on the tramline facility.




On the other hand, rice growers of Butuan City were having a problem on drying their produce especially during rainy season. But in 2008 their grain drying made easy through the flatbed dryer installed at Sto. Niño Multi-Purpose Cooperative. Another flatbed dryer was installed in 2012 because of their good reception and utilization of the technology.




PHilMech conducts regular monitoring on the utilization and maintenance of the farm machinery and postharvest facilities distributed to its cooperators to ensure the optimal operation of the machine.