The UPLB Center for Agri-Fisheries and Biosystems Mechanization (UPLB-BIOMECH) together with Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) visited one of the local manufacturers of agricultural technologies, RU Foundry & Machine Shop Corp in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental on February 27, 2024 as part of SEARCA’s ongoing collaboration with RU in the locally developed Oggun tractor and the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Technologies Compendium, a DOST-PCAARRD-funded UPLB BIOMECH Project.
The UPLB BIOMECH team led by Director Ronel S. Pangan, PhD together with Engr. Ronnie Valencia, Engineer II, and Engr. Ezra Ryza Noel, Project Technical Assistant V, discussed the mandate and role of UPLB BIOMECH in conducting innovative agricultural and biosystems engineering interventions. Together with the visiting team are Atty. Eric Reynoso, Program Head, and Ms. Darlyn Angeles, Program Specialist, at the Emerging Innovation for Growth Development (EIGD), together with Ms. Marie Cris Mendoza of SEARCA.
During the dialogues between the institutions, local manufacturers’ vital role in the development of agricultural technologies that are available for various stages of farming, including pre-harvest, harvesting, and postharvest activities was highlighted. The objective of the project is to curate these technologies that would help researchers, consumers, and developers to have available information on locally available technologies in the Philippines. This initiative also aims to prevent redundant technology development efforts, thereby reducing R&D expenditures.
To know more information about the project, visit https://biomech.ceat.uplb.edu.ph/news/uplb-biomech-with-dost-pcaarrd-jumpstarts-compendium-of-developed-agri-fisheries-mechanization-technologies-in-the-philippines-project/ .
(Ezra Ryza R. Noel)