The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) celebrated its 38th year of establishment and 17th Postharvest Loss Prevention Week on May 25, 2016.
In his speech, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala stressed the significance of agricultural mechanization in preparation for world market competition.
“Without mechanization, we can never be competitive,” Alcala said.
The agri chief also praised PhilMech for ensuring innovation in Philippine agriculture. “The technologies you produce every year help empower the agriculture and fishery sectors,” he said.
PhilMech Executive Director Rex Bingabing showed his gratitude to the secretary for his support to agricultural mechanization. He pointed out that the support of the secretary inspires and empowers the researchers to develop more efficient and effective postharvest technologies.
“Our Secretary appreciates the works of our researchers, and we thank him for that,” Bingabing said.
During the event, Alcala visited the exhibit of different machineries developed by PhilMech. Some of the machines on display include bricket processor, brown rice huller, impeller rice mill, cassava digger, cassava puller, corn seeder, compact corn mill, coco water processor and coffee processor, fluidized bed dryer, moringa processor, mini combine harvester, tractor mounted transplanter, pharmaceutical grade pectin, soybean processor, ylang-ylang oil extractor, ohmic blanching machine, and biodegradable fruit bag.
PhilMech was originally known as the National Postharvest Institute for Research and Extension (NAPHIRE) established on year 1978 through Presidential Decree No. 1380, signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos. Its primary function is to spearhead the development of postharvest industry. In 2010, through EO# 366, it became Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech). Its mandate was expanded to include not only post-harvest but also farm mechanization. # Source - (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)/www.da.gov.ph
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