FARMERS and fisherfolk in Davao Region will have access to the use and purchase of the latest technology for farming and fisheries at a learning center that will soon rise in Davao City.
Postharvest Development and Mechanization (Philmech) Applied Communication Division Chief Rodolfo Estigo said once the Agriculture and Fishery Postharvest and Mechanization Learning Center in Tugbok District will be completed, new machines and equipment for the agri-fishery sector will be placed for actual training of interested individuals. The equipment will also be made available for purchase.
"Farmers can try how to operate and man the machines and equipment. This would help them decide which new technologies to adopt in their farming operations because they have seen how these machines work," Estigo said.
"[Farmers and fisherfolk] can also seek advice in technical assistance on how they can integrate the technologies into their existing business," he added.
Among the equipment available will be processing systems for cacao, coffee and adlay. There will also be a compact corn mill and brown rice howler, among others.
Estigo said teaching individuals with actual equipment allows the farmers or fisherfolk to experience concrete concepts that work. He said this may persuade farmers and fisherfolk in accepting new technologies and in turn improve or increase their production.
The groundbreaking ceremony of the learning center was held on May 17, 2019. Estigo said they expect the project to be completed before year end.
"This building will serve as a demonstration center. If people want to see how the machine will operate, dito nila makikita 'yun. It will also serve as information center, training center and farm and business advisory hub," Estigo said.
"Ang magiging function ng project na ito is to showcase our technologies in relation to the agri-fishery sector. And in this, kung ano 'yung mga appropriate for Davao region na research results naming, we will bring them all here like the cacao processing system na kung saan sa Davao ang pinakamaraming cacao to also show sa ating mga stakeholders kunga no 'yung mga latest technology on it," he said.