From April 22 to 26, 2024, the Philippine Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers (PSABE) hosted its National Convention in Legazpi City, Albay, an event that gathers agricultural and biosystems engineers from across the nation to discuss advancements and innovations in agriculture and fisheries. The University of the Philippines Los Baños – Center for Agri-Fisheries and Biosystems Mechanization (UPLB-BIOMECH) was among the prominent participants, showcasing ground-breaking projects and contributing significantly to the scholarly dialogue.
Led by Director Ronel S. Pangan, UPLB-BIOMECH presented a total of 6 research projects, including two papers and 6 posters, which highlighted their latest research and technological innovations in the field.
Mel Vincent Ampo presented their paper on the “Smart Monitoring and Control System for High Value Crops using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).” Their research focused on integrating smart technology into agricultural practices to enhance the monitoring and management of high-value crops.
Ezra Ryza Noel presented the “Development of an Online Database for Local Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Technologies in the Philippines.” This database aims to boost the accessibility of information on mechanization technologies to enhance the efficiency of agricultural and fisheries operations in the country.
Alongside these papers, UPLB-BIOMECH presented 6 insightful posters, each delving into different aspects of agricultural engineering:
- User Acceptance Study of the Developed Smart Monitoring and Control System for High Value Crops Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
- Development of an Online Database for Local Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Technologies
- State of the Art: Review of the Mechanization of Coconut Sugar Processing in the Philippines: This research highlighted the current technologies and methodologies employed in coconut sugar processing, suggesting areas for mechanization and improvement
- Guidelines for the Implementation of a Pinoy Quality Seal / Quality Assurance System for Local Agri-Fisheries Machinery in the Philippines
- Sugarcane Farm mechanization in the Iloilo Mill District, Philippines: Assessing Farm Machine Availability, Accessibility, and Sustainability using the Mechanization Resource Mapping, Monitoring, and Data Analysis System (M3DAS)
- A Method for Regulating the Speed of a Passive Wheel Module for Agricultural Robots
UPLB-BIOMECH, as the collaborating agency, also contributed to the two (2) technical papers and two (2) technical posters presented by the UPLB-AMPED-IABE, namely:
- Determination of Mechanization Gaps and Machinery Requirements Using MAMI for Corn Production in Region IV-A and Region IV-B, Philippines
- Data Analytics Automation for the Modified Agricultural Mechanization Index Calculation Using Database Management and Analytics Tools of Microsoft
The participation of UPLB-BIOMECH at the 2024 PSABE National Convention not only showed the Center’s commitment to advancing agricultural engineering in the Philippines but also positioned its researchers as lead innovators in the field. The event provided a significant platform for networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas essential for driving forward the country’s agricultural sector.
(Yara Ayman A. El Adawi and Ronnie C. Valencia)