KOREA AND PHILIPPINES COLLABORATE ON FARM MECHANIZATION
WE CAN EXPECT more Filipino farmers to mechanize their operations in the coming years as Korean agricultural machinery manufacturers collaborate with PhilMech to develop appropriate machines and equipment for local agriculture. The Korean Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperative (KAMICO) and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to join forces in upgrading farm mechanization in the country.
KAMICO counts as its members hundreds of agricultural machinery manufacturers who are willing to share their expertise with their counterpart in the Philippines. The MOU signing was a highlight of the recent KIEMSTA 2016, the biggest agricultural mechanization trade show held in Cheonan City. The signatories are KAMICO chairman Shin Gil Kim and PhilMech executive director Dr. Dionisio Alvindia. One of the priorities under the MOU is the establishment of an agricultural mechanization complex where the different machines and equipment are showcased. The complex could also become a training center for farm mechanization practitioners.
There will also be collaborative research on machinery development, exchange of experts and provision of technical support, facilitation of study tours, workshops, symposia, training courses and exhibitions on subjects of mutual interest.
The two parties will also encourage the involvement of concerned agencies, the academe, scientific and business communities and non-government organizations of their