PILA, Laguna- To empower and capacitate the skills of Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and Farm Workers in Agri-Fisheries Mechanization, the Agricultural Training Institute Region IV-A together with Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Laguna and Center for Agri-Fisheries, Biosystems Mechanization (BIOMECH), and UPLB led the Training on Farm Equipment Operation and Maintenance for Laguna province. Since the past years, the Department of Agriculture has provided farm equipment and postharvest facilities to farmer associations and local government units. Thus, there is a need to train individuals in the operations and maintenance of the equipment.

Farm mechanization enhanced the efficiency of both land and labor, inputs that are vital in sustaining food production and increasing farm income. However, the availability of skilled operators is reducing due to migration of the laborers to non-farm sectors. The shortage of farm workers causes difficulties in carrying out timely farm operations and serious setback in production. To overcome these hurdles and to increase the farm power, a focused approach is being taken to make available required equipment and machineries for agricultural activities from production to post harvest through the Agricultural Mechanization Program.

The participants of the three-day training came from selected municipalities and cities of Laguna province. During the training, participants performed basic operations such as assembling and disassembling of diesel and gasoline small engine, hand tractor and knapsack sprayer. BIOMECH Director Dr. Rossana Marie C. Amongo, who served as one of the resource persons and facilitator emphasized that through these activities the farmer will be able to trouble shoot minor problems in farm equipment.

Another highlight of the training involved the lecture and hands-on activity on pre-operational procedures, routine maintenance and operation of the four-wheel tractor. Engr. Mark Keylord S. Onal, one of the resource speakers, emphasized the importance of the safety mounting and dismounting of the four-wheel tractor.

Twenty-six (26) farm workers and AEWs completed the said training. It aimed to capacitate the knowledge and skills of Agricultural Extension Workers and Tractor Operators on handling and maintenance of farm machinery and equipment. The training was held on August 22-24, 2017 at the National Irrigation Administration Region IV-A in Pila, Laguna.