LOS BAÑOS, Laguna- The Agricultural Training Institute Region IV-A and Center for Agri-Fisheries and Biosystems Mechanization (BIOMECH) spearheaded the three batches of Knowledge Sharing and Learning (KSL) activity on Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization.
Some 450 Agricultural Engineering students and faculty from University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Cavite State University- Indang campus, Laguna State Polytechnic University- Siniloan campus, and University of Rizal Systems- Tanay campus attended the said activity.
The activity aims to orient the Agricultural Engineering students and faculty on the AFMECH law and its relevance to their career development as well as update them on the status and prospects in the field of Agricultural Engineering in the country.
Director of BIOMECH, Dr. Rossana Marie C. Amongo, presented the specific features of the R. A 10601 or AFMech Law that the students can take advantage of and discussed the current status of the agriculture mechanization in the country.
In addition, Chairman of the Philippine Regulatory Board of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), Engr. Ariodear Rico, facilitated the career development talk on the potential career direction for Agricultural Engineering students. He discussed the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Profession Competitiveness Road Map 2013-2020, wherein in Goal 2 stated that each of the 46 Higher Education Institutions in the country shall produce 218 registered Agricultural Engineers with assured employment/job to produce 10,000 New Agricultural Engineers.
Also the participants were able to familiarize themselves on the developed technology of AF machineries through actual demonstration of land preparation, planting and harvesting (rice, corn, and cassava), drying, post-production machines, new and renewable energy such as micro-hydro, and testing and evaluation set-up for different agricultural machines. Faculty and technicians from College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna served as resource speakers and facilitators during the techno-demo.
Representatives from Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office of Region IV-A and DA Central Agriculture and Fisheries Engineering Division (CAFED) graced the opening program of KSL.
The three-day Knowledge Sharing and Learning (KSL) on Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization was held at Center for Agri-Fisheries and Biosystems Mechanization (BIOMECH) last October 3-5, 2017.