The UPLB-BIOMECH team, represented by Engr. Yara Ayman A. El Adawi and Engr. John Paul Tobias, visited Kalinga State University (KSU) on March 13, 2024, in Tabuk, Kalinga.
Gathered at KSU were Mr. Solomon B. Lao-Aten, Chair of the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) program, Lope T. Buen, Vice President for Research, Development, Extension, and Training (RDET), alongside faculty members Maria Eliza Ramac, Daniel Adrian C. Rivera, and Andy B. Mulato. The convergence of these passionate professionals set the stage for an enriching dialogue on agricultural mechanization and research agendas.
The team discussed UPLB-BIOMECH’s current project, funded by DOST PCAARRD: the Compendium of Developed Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization in the Philippines. The project’s objective is to consolidate and meticulously document the agricultural and fisheries technologies developed by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Research and Development Institutes (RDIs), and local manufacturers. This concerted effort not only supports the AFMech law but also serves to promote existing technologies, mitigate redundancy in research endeavors, and foster collaboration towards solutions with the current challenges in the agricultural and fisheries sectors.
The team also discussed another significant initiative: the rollout of the Research, Development, and Extension (RDE) Agenda by PHilMech. This framework presents an invaluable opportunity for HEIs and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to focus on specific researchable areas aligned with the nation’s agricultural needs.
The UPLB-BIOMECH team’s visit to Kalinga State University served as an open door for a new collaboration and shared commitment to agricultural progress.
(Yara Ayman A. El Adawi)