AMTEC’s resident engineers served as resource speakers and facilitators during the Refresher Course and Accreditation of Test Engineers hosted by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 12 (DA-RFO XII)- Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) last June 3-7, 2024, in Kidapawan City, Cotabato Province. 

The activity, in collaboration with the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE), was pursuant to Section 18 of the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and the Department Circular No. 02, Series of 2023 which outlines the significance of agricultural machinery testing and evaluation in the holistic agricultural mechanization program of the country.

AMTEC team, composed of Engr. Glory Yster M. Reginio, Engr. Jerson Jose T. Menguito, and Engr. Melvin T. Baldrias, provided technical and practical training to Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers (ABE) from LGUs, SUCs, and staff from RAED. In particular, the participants were taught about the standard testing procedures, based on PNS/PABES, for rice machinery such as Walking-type Agricultural Tractor – Float-Assisted Tiller, Tractor with Disc Plow, and Rice Mill. 

The five-day training involved lectures on testing standards, methods of testing, and the creation and interpretation of test reports held at Hof Mansion Inn Inc. On the other hand, the participants’ demonstration and the actual testing experience were conducted at USM Demo Farm in Kabacan, Cotabato.

After the training proper, participants were assessed through their presentation of outputs/test reports and summative practical and written exams. The assessments will evaluate the sufficiency of their knowledge and skills that would certify them as test engineers for the Rice Machinery Category. 

The demand for more test engineers is deemed necessary amid the ongoing agricultural mechanization initiatives. They play an important role in ensuring that all agricultural machinery made available in the market and utilized by Filipino farmers are of the best quality.

AMTEC, as the premier and reference testing center for agricultural and fisheries machinery, remains committed to its mandates, including the extension of its technical expertise in the field. The Center is set to conduct more training in other regions this year, which is expected to increase the number of test engineers in the country.