Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers (ABE) from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) underwent an AMTEC-facilitated Refresher Course Training in the Conduct of Performance Testing and Evaluation of Agricultural and Fisheries Machinery last October 15-18, 2024 at San Isidro, Luna, Apayao.

The training was organized by the Apayao’s Provincial Office of Agricultural Services (POAS), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (DARFO-CAR), the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (DA-BAFE), and UPLB AMTEC. 

AMTEC’s test engineers led the training as resource speakers, they were Engr. Fatima Joy R. Aying, Engr. Mark Anthony R. Isureña, and Engr. Raxl P. Agapito. The participating licensed ABEs from PLGU/MLGUs, RAED, and SUCs were trained on specific machines under Rice Machinery- Category F which are mechanical rice transplanter, rotary tiller, and pull-type walking-type agricultural tractor.

The four-day event was packed with learning activities through lectures and practical demonstrations on the actual application of concepts based on Philippine National Standards (PNS)/ Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards (PAES). They were also taught about the formulation of corresponding test reports that will be the output for all the testing operations they may conduct in the future. 

Apayao, a highly agricultural province, has 64% of its lands still utilized for agricultural production, and almost three-fourths of its households are still actively engaged in agriculture (Provincial Government of Apayao, 2024). Hence, stressing the importance of promoting mechanization and modernization of agricultural production through AF machinery.

In line with that, CTEs play a crucial role in the government procurement programs of agricultural machinery as the frontline in ensuring that all are of quality before their distribution in the Philippine farms. Thus, boosting the quantity of CTEs around the country and continuously enhancing their capabilities is essential in the holistic mechanization program. 

AMTEC is committed to continuing its training and extension programs as part of its mandates in support of the agricultural and fisheries mechanization initiatives of the government.

Reference/s:

Provincial Government of Apayao. (2024, October 15). 30 Apayao gov’t employees undergo refresher course on Performance Testing and Evaluation of Agricultural and Fisheries Machinery Luna, Apayao- The [Images attached] [Status update]. Facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/100001265496816/posts/8974394579279303/?rdid=l5uw1zpf4MEpMw5l