The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, an agency attached to the Department of Agriculture, has entered into an agreement with the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperative (KAMICO) to enhance the skills of Filipino agriculture engineers and upgrade the capabilities of PHilMech in developing farm machinery.

“KAMICO’s role in developing the farm machinery industry of South Korea is very impressive. I believe PHilMech will greatly benefit from the expertise of KAMICO because it has experts that can help PHilMech spearhead the real development of the farm machinery in the Philippines,” said PHilMech Executive Director Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia.

Through its standardization and quality programs in the manufacture of farm machinery, KAMICO has performed a big role in the development of South Korea’s agriculture equipment industry. KAMICO, a special status non-profit corporation of agricultural machinery manufacturers, also spearheads the export efforts for South Korean-made farm equipment.

KAMICO Chairman Shin Gil Kim and Dr. Alvindia signed the memorandum of understanding in KAMICO’s headquarters in South Korea on November 3, 2016. The agreement will have a duration of five years.

The scope of cooperation under the MOU includes the following: Establishment of Agricultural Mechanization Complex; Collaborative studies/research on machinery development; Exchange of experts and/or provision of technical support; and Conduct or facilitation of study tours, workshops, symposia, training courses and exhibitions on subjects of mutual interest.

KAMICO will also support PHilMech or the Philippine Government’s efforts to secure official development assistance (ODA) in agriculture-related fields.

The Agricultural Mechanization Complex will help PHilMech improve its research and development capabilities for farm machinery.

Dr. Alvindia said tapping the expertise of KAMICO is part of PHilMech’s program to develop the Philippine farm manufacturing industry, which includes the local fabrication of small engines that are critical components of farm equipment.

He said there is also a need to improve the quality of farm machinery produced in the Philippines. Dr. Alvindia added the efforts of PHilMech in developing and designing farm machines goes to waste if licensed manufacturers cannot comply with the design and quality standards of the agency.

“The farm machinery industry in the Philippines needs to upgrade its manufacturing and design capabilities, so the small farmers will get ‘value for money.’ At present, the industry has a hard time competing with equipment imported from other countries,” Dr. Alvindia said.

Developing the local farm machinery manufacturing industry is mandated under Republic Act No. 10601 or the “Act Promoting Agriculture and Fisheries Mechanization and Development in the Country” or the AFMech law.

Article IV Section 15 of RA 10601 states that “Production of locally-made engines and other machinery for agricultural and fishery purposes shall be promoted and encouraged by the DA in partnership with the private sector, and through joint venture agreements.”

Developing the country’s capabilities to manufacture farm machinery is part of PHilMech’s new advocacy called “Stakeholder-driven RDE” of which the major components include getting more inputs from target users in developing farming technologies, and establishing a unified Research, Development and Extension (RDE) agenda among government agencies.