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 paper, poster win Silver in 26th NRS
by Shiela Marie A. Villota (November 13, 2014)
PHilMech projects received the Silver Awards for the paper and poster competitions in the recently concluded 26th National Research Symposium (NRS) of the Department of Agriculture --" Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR).

The research paper awarded Silver for the AFMA Best R&D Paper under the Socio-Economics Category is entitled “Development of Corn Postproduction Modules For Farmer-Based Agribusiness Enterprises” by Dr. Renita Dela Cruz and Sandy Bobier of the Socio-Economics and Policy Research Division. Dr. Dela Cruz presented the paper.



The study evaluated the on-farm postproduction modules in terms of their financial viability when operated for own use and/or custom servicing. They found out that operating a custom service enterprise for shelling and/or threshing and corn milling, corn trading and chichacorn processing are profitable. Moreover, the operations of combine harvester and flatbed dryers for corn drying were found to be viable under the 85 percent facility grant.



Another project, “Optimization of Parboiling Conditions for Local Rice Varieties” also garnered Silver Award for the Best R&D Poster competition. The project under the Bio-Process Engineering Division is also a finalist for the Development Research --" Agriculture Category which was presented by the lead researcher, Engr. Andres M. Tuates.



As Silver Awardees, the winners received plaques and trophies and cash prizes of P 75,000.00 and P 35,000.00 for the paper and poster, respectively.



This year’s event focused on the theme “Agriculture and Fisheries R&D: Facing the Challenges of Agricultural Landscape for Sustainable Development” highlighting on the importance of R&D in addressing challenges besetting the sector.



NRS is an annual culminating activity of the DA-BAR to promote awareness and disseminate relevant information on new research breakthroughs that will improve the agriculture and fisheries sector and to recognize the significant R&D efforts of scientists, researchers and member institutions of the National Research and Development System for Agriculture and Fisheries (NaRDSAF).



The two day event was held last October 22 and 24, 2014. The first day, which was the opening and symposium proper was held at BAR, Diliman, Quezon City while the closing and awarding ceremonies were conducted on the second day at the Sequioa Hotel, Diliman, Quezon City. Gracing the awarding ceremony were BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar and Asst. Dir. Teodoro Solsoloy. Also present were Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and Asean Centre for Biodiversity Executive Director Roberto V. Oliva as guest of honors.



There were 101 R&D paper entries received for this year’s NRS.