Wednesday, June 3, 2009

BPRE Conducts Training on the Operation of Pneumatic Corn Planter in Caraga Region


by: Aurell P. Arais

Butuan City – The Bureau of Post Harvest Research and Extension (BHRE), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture is aggressively pushing its campaign for farm mechanization here in Caraga Region.

To materialize its mandate, BPHRE conducted a two day Training on the Operation and Maintenance of BPHRE Pneumatic Corn Planter held at DA RFU 13 Conference Hall, Butuan City last May 5 to 6, 2009.

The said training was participated by farmers’ cooperative such as St. Gabriel Multipurpose Cooperative and Self Reliance Team (SRT) in Butuan City, as well as representative from Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte.

Also present were staffs from different division of DA Regional Field Unit 13 such as Crops Division headed by Ms. Lynn Pareñas, Regional Agriculture Engineering Division (RAED) headed by Engr. Rene Morales and Regional Agriculture and Fishery Information Division (RAFID).

St. Gabriel Multipurpose Cooperative is the first recipient of the BPHRE Pneumatic Corn Planter throughout the country through soft loan scheme.

Regional Executive Director Ricardo C. Regis warmly welcomes the resource persons from BPHRE Central Office headed by Director Hugo Tolentino.

During the training proper, Supervising Science Research Specialist Helen Martinez discussed about the Corn Mechanization as well as the Economics of using the BPHRE Corn Planter.

On mechanical aspect, Engr. Aldrin Hipolito BPHRE Research Specialist talked about the Component Parts and Functions as well as the principles on the operation of Corn Planter and its maintenance.

In order for the participants to keep abreast on the corn program, Regional Corn Coordinator Abel Wagas also tackled about the Protocols on Corn Production.

After all of the discussions, an actual operation using the BHRE Pneumatic Corn Planter was conducted at the corn field owned by National GAWAD SAKA Awardee Demetrio Tabelon at Brgy. Tiniwisan, Butuan City.

As of now, BPHRE is currently looking for manufacturers based here in Mindanao to produce BPHRE Farm Technologies for an easy accessibility of the farmers.

Part of the training was the conduct of BPHRE Technologies Licensing Protocol for Manufacturers spearheaded by Division Chief Dr. Eduardo Cayabyab.

It was attended by five Mindanao-based manufactures such as RJR Agro-Industrial Enterprises of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon; MDV Machine Shop and Engineering Works of Surigao City; Marbel Corn Sheller of Maramag, Bukidnon; Allied Shop of Surigao City and Green Valley Agro Industries of Kononadal City, South Cotabato. (Aurell P. Arais/rafid da caraga)


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