Phil hosts 1st ASEAN Conference on Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

NAFC, PRC, BOAE spearhead three-day event

To strengthen partnerships and cooperation among agricultural engineers in the ASEAN region in preparation for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, the first ASEAN Conference on Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ACABE) was held last September 24-26, 2013 at the Manila Hotel, with the theme “Integrating Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in the ASEAN for Food Security, Climate Change Mitigation and Global Practice.”

The conference was held through the partnership of the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and its regulatory board, the Board of Agricultural Engineering (BOAE), and the Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers (PSAE), in coordination with various government departments, the Asian Association of Agricultural Engineers (AAAE), Food and Agriculture Organization and Philippine Technological Council.

The conference served as a venue to lay the initial groundwork for the development of harmonized qualifications and standards needed for the mobility of agricultural engineering services in the ASEAN region that will also support in achieving long-term competitiveness of ASEAN’s food, agriculture and forestry products and commodities.

“Agricultural and biosystems engineering is a very critical component in achieving food security which is one of the primary concerns of the AEC,” BOAE Chairperson Engr. Ariodear Rico, who served as the chairperson of the coordinating committee, stressed.

Around 600 participants, who were mostly agricultural engineers, government officials, researchers, policy makers, academicians, service providers, practitioners on agricultural and biosystems engineering technologies, and suppliers and distributors of machineries from the 10 member-countries of the ASEAN, attended the conference.

NAFC Executive Director Ariel Cayanan gave the opening remarks, stating that the conference will be a great opportunity to share experiences and forge partnerships among ASEAN countries to achieve sound agricultural development in the region.

Championing the agriculture sector

Senator Cynthia Villar stresses the crucial role of agricultural engineers in modernizing and making Philippine agriculture at par with the best of the world. (Photo by DA Information Service)

In her keynote speech, Senator Cynthia Villar expressed her gladness about the conference, saying that such initiative will help promote and advocate the needs of the agriculture sector which has been overlooked and under-prioritized for a long time.

Sen. Villar, who is also Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, stressed that agricultural and biosystems engineering is an integral discipline and profession that contributes greatly to the global competitiveness of the country’s agricultural products, especially in preparation for the implementation of the AEC 2015.

Citing the ASEAN’s efforts to ensure long-term food security and improve the livelihood of the farmers in the region through the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework and Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security (SPA-FS) in ASEAN, Sen. Villar voiced out the need to uplift the situation of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk.

“Filipino farmers and fisherfolk have always been considered as among the poorest in our country. It is about time we reverse that,” she said.

Sen. Villar assured stakeholders and industry players that she and the other legislators will do their share in helping them cope with the changes and challenges that will be encountered with the AEC integration.

She also congratulated the 237 passers of this year’s Agricultural Engineer Licensure Examination who took their oath last September 24, as spearheaded by the BOAE.

Senator Cynthia Villar stresses the crucial role of agricultural engineers in modernizing and making Philippine agriculture at par with the best of the world. (Photo by DA Information Service)

Presentations during the conference focused on a variety of topics including the implementation of the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Agreement on Engineering Services, Guidelines and Accreditation of Agricultural Engineers for ASEAN Chartered Engineer Registry, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Components of the AIFS Framework, SPA-FS and Climate Change Mitigation Program.

Representatives from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines also reported on the state of agriculture and gave an overview of agricultural and biosystems engineering in their respective countries.

Framework for cooperation

The Philippines’ proposed ASEAN Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) Framework for Cooperation and Complementary Action in Support to ASEAN Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation was also adopted and approved during the conference, as supported by the representatives of the other ASEAN countries as well as the ASEAN Secretariat.

The said framework aims to develop more efficient and safe technologies and facilities that will ensure food security and reduce the adverse impact of climate change.

Strategies to support the realization of goals under the framework include the Creation of ABE Working Group Research & Development, Establishment of Regional Standards, Capacity Development, Technology Promotion, Early Warning Systems and development of sustained financing mechanism.

The Philippines, through the PRC, will submit the said paper to the ASEAN body, in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and other appropriate bodies.

Environment-sensitive, climate-resilient agriculture

DA Assistant Secretary Edilberto de Luna conveys Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala’s message of underscoring the need to make the agriculture sector more resilient to climate change. (Photo by NAFC)

Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary for Field Operations and National Coordinator for the DA Corn Program Edilberto de Luna delivered the keynote message from DA Secretary Proceso Alcala who was unable to attend due to another important engagement.

In his message, Sec. Alcala congratulated the organizers of the conference, saying that it is time not only to emphasize increasing food production but, more importantly, protect the environment to ensure continuous and sustainable productivity in the agriculture and fisheries sector. 

“We, at the DA, are pleased that the experts on ABE in the region have taken the initial steps in making the agricultural sector more sensitive to the environment , more resilient to the latest threat, specifically climate change, and more ready for easing up of trade restrictions by the year 2015,” he said.

Sec. Alcala also explained how the DA is pushing for the better adoption of organic agriculture as a method of farming to source food, a profitable agriculture enterprise and a more enviroment-sensitive farming system.

He also cited other measures that can be done in the medium term to ensure productivity and protect the environment as suggested by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, namely rain-fed agriculture, better water management and village knowledge and technology centers.

Lastly, Sec. Alcala assured the agricultural engineers at the conference of the DA’s support to proposals to further promote sustainable agriculture in the country and greater cooperation with our Asian neighbors.

Other officials who graced the three-day event were ASEAN Secretariat Director Subash Bose Pillai, former AAAE President Dr. Makoto Hoki, PRC Chairperson Teresita Manzala, DFA-Office of the ASEAN Affairs Exec. Director Teresita Daza, PSAE President Engr. Henry Tristeza, and Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization Exec. Director Engr. Rex Bingabing.

An exhibit was also held simultaneously with the conference featuring the latest agricultural and biosystems engineering and mechanization products, services and technologies, as spearheaded by the Philippines' Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association, in partnership with the DA and Department of Trade and Industry.

Source: http://nafc.da.gov.ph/NAFCNEWs/2013/acabe.html