To enhance the technical skills of certified test engineers (CTE) from across the country, the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) held a Training Course on Instrumentation, Selection, and Calibration for Agricultural and Fisheries Machinery in collaboration with the UPLB Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) last October 21-25, 2024 at BP International Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna.

AMTEC test engineers served as resource speakers during the training, they were  Engr. Marie Jehosa B. Reyes, Engr. Jerson Jose T. Menguito, Engr. Christopher S. Japones, and, Engr. Melvin T. Baldrias. The two batches of participating CTEs were from various Regional Agricultural Engineering Divisions (RAEDs), BAFE, and other DA-attached bureaus.

The weeklong event was the first time it had been initiated by DA-BAFE. It was aimed at equipping and enhancing the technical capability of CTEs in the delivery of their mandates in their respective localities and offices. The main topics revolved around strengthening their crucial skills in the installation, calibration, and maintenance of agricultural and biosystems power and machinery.

During the training, the participants underwent a series of lectures and hands-on demonstrations on the proper use of various test instruments. They also toured the laboratories of AMTEC, where they had in-person exposure to some of the actual applications of the instruments with the guidance of the Center’s resident TEs.

Apart from the seminars, the CTEs also went through workshops that required them to craft a case study and an instrumentation plan contextualized to their respective offices. The said outputs have also been critiqued by the organizers and their co-participants who assessed the good aspects and other points for improvement.

They were expected to have gained sufficient knowledge in identifying factors affecting measurements of parameters, interpreting and evaluating test results derived from the measurements, and performing calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of technical and scientific equipment (TSE) used in testing.

AMTEC is committed to supporting the DA-BAFE and other allied national agencies by sharing its technical expertise in agricultural and fisheries machinery testing and other relevant mechanization initiatives.ued by the organizers and their co-participants who assessed the good aspects and other points for improvement.