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 holds annual RDE review
by Vladimir B. Caliguiran (June 4, 2015)
PHilMech researchers had once again presented their new innovations and discoveries in the 36th Agency In-house Research, Development and Extension (RDE) Review last May 25-26 at the PHilMech Auditorium, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.


Thirteen technical papers and 12 technical posters from the fields of agricultural mechanization; socio-economic, policy research and enterprise development; bio-process engineering; and food protection were evaluated by experts from the scientific community and the academe.


The project ‘Technical and Socio-economic Evaluation of Non-Refrigerated Storage Systems (NRS) for Smallholder Onion Farmers’ of the team of Engr. Rodelio G. Idago was adjudged as the best paper.


The winning study found out that NRS is technically viable short-term storage technology. NRS can be used to store onion in less than four months while cold storage is the most technically viable and profitable storage method for longer storage period.


The second best paper was awarded to the project ‘Toxigenic Potential of the Fungal Species from Coffee Beans in the Philippines’ by Dr. Dionisio Alvindia and Ms. Miriam Acda. Ranked third best paper was given to the paper entitled ‘Fluidized Bed Drying System for Complete Drying of Paddy: Phase II Development of Fully Automated Pilot-Scale System’ of the group of Engr. Reagan Pontawe.


For the technical poster presentation, the first placer was the project, ‘Resistance of Storage Insect Pests to Phosphine’ of the team of Ms. Miriam Acda. The posters of the project of Ms. Mia Dela Cruz and her group, ‘Effect of Ethanol Vapor on the Quality of Treated Broccoli’ and ‘Utilization of Biodegradable Composites Material in the Production of Fruit Bag’ by Engr. Andres Tuates and Dr. Ofero Capariño received the second and third place, respectively.


The RDE Review was part of the week-long celebration of the PHilMech 37th anniversary and 16th Postharvest Loss Prevention Week. It is a yearly activity of the Evaluation and Management Services Section of the Planning, Management and Information Technology Division.