FOUR research, development and extension (RD&E) projects by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) were given awards during the agency's 42nd annual in-house review earlier in October.
Eleven projects covering agricultural mechanization, bioprocess engineering, socioeconomic and policy research, and food protection and laboratory research composed this year's evaluation process.
Four projects were awarded the best paper based on the achievement of objectives, use of appropriate methodology and identification of problems encountered that should be resolved to improve the delivery of outputs.
The winning projects include: Field Testing of CVS-based Mango Sorting Machine by engineer Arlene Joaquin, Dr. Romualdo Martinez and engineer Richard Avila (also granted the Earliest Bird Award for being the earliest paper submitted); Production of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) Powder Using Multi-Commodity Solar Tunnel Dryer by Dr. Ofero Capariño, engineer Christian Rod de Vera and Dr. Ma. Cristina Gragasin; Molecular Identification of Insects and Mites by Angelo de la Fuente, Nea Ciara Fabaleña and Mark Anthony Mangoba; and Brown Rice Processing Enterprise Showcasing PHilMech Impeller Rice Mill Technology by Dr. Michael Gragasin, and engineers John Rey Cargamento and Genaro Tolentino.
A guest panel of evaluators from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños, Central Luzon State University and a PHilMech director assessed the selection of best papers.
PHilMech Director Dr. Dionisio Alvindia emphasized the significance of research as a vital component of the agency's mandate.
"The backbone of PHilMech is research and development. Let us make our research studies relevant in order to create impact and produce promising results for the benefit of our stakeholders," he said.
Alvindia also encouraged the "young blood" in the RD&E sector.
"May this activity inspire our young researchers to conduct and conceptualize such studies that can generate technologies to help address the problems, needs and concerns of the farmers," he added.
Other projects presented and evaluated include: Establishment of Rubber Sheet Processing System for Farmers of Kidapawan City, North Cotabato; Establishment of Abaca Fiber Processing System for Farmers of North Cotabato; Profiling and Characterization of Precursors Responsible for Flavor and Aroma Development in Local Cacao Beans; Verification of Different Preservation Techniques on the Viability and Stability of Short- and Long-Term Storage of Microorganisms; Establishment of Abaca Fiber Processing System for Farmers of North Cotabato; and Establishment of Baseline Information and Organization of Technology Used in the Production and Postproduction of High Value Crops.
PHilMech's interim director for RD&E, Dr. Romualdo Martinez, together with Tolentino, acting chief of the agency's Planning, Management and Information Technology Division, led the opening of the project review.