UPLB-PSFI Collaborative Mechanization Project
The Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) is the social development arm of the Shell Companies in the Philippines organization established in 1982 with the mission of enabling the disadvantaged become productive and responsible members of society. In pursuit of its mission, PSFI established the Shell Training Farm in Pililla, Rizal to serve as a technology and demonstration farm for farmers in Rizal and nearby provinces that aims to improve their agricultural productivity and increase their income through appropriate farming technologies. One of its objectives is to expand its operations at the Shell Training Farm in Pililla by utilizing farm mechanization technologies that will serve as show window for farmer and farm entrepreneurs and partners. In line with this, PSFI and BIOMECH, CEAT, UPLB jointly agreed to undertake a collaborative mechanization project since BIOMECH was identified by PSFI to have the necessary expertise in terms of mechanization technology. (Dr. Ronel S. Pangan)
Through the years, this undertaking continued on a continuous basis. Some of the major activities done during the course of the project were the following:
- Introduction of different mechanization technology appropriate for their existing farm operations
- Fabricated, installed and commissioned machinery in the production of organic fertilizer
- Conducted trainors, training for PSFI field staff
- Conducted trainings on the ORM of introduced machines to farmer-beneficiaries
- Assisted PSFI in the continuous production of organic fertilizer