Agri group sets convention to discuss FiRE

THE Philippine Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers (PSABE) will be holding the 32nd Philippine Agricultural Engineering Week that will feature discussions on how to mobilize the country’s agricultural and biosystems engineers (ABEs) to rebuild the economy battered by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

The event will be held virtually on April 27 and 28 with the theme “Harnessing Industry 4.0 for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.”

“Industry 4.0, or FiRE, has the vast potential to transform agriculture and food systems and has started to take root in developed countries. Amid that scenario, we must make sure that the Philippines must not be left behind as FiRE helps give birth to Agriculture 4.0,” said PSABE President Dennis Tactac.

“ABEs can take an active part in contributing to that economic rebound by applying technologies from FiRE to the agriculture sector,” he added.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar will be the lead discussant, along with House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda and Professional Regulation Commission Commissioner Jose Cueto Jr.

Tactac said with the resource speakers and technical paper presentations, the two-day virtual event would be a venue for an active exchange of ideas on FiRE and its current level in Philippine agriculture.

During the event, PSABE will also be giving out the following awards to members and chapters who have shown meritorious performance in their work, including the Most Outstanding ABE Maramba Award and several special awards, among others.

“Again, the Philippines must be abreast of worldwide developments in Industry 4.0 especially as the country moves toward the postpandemic period. And we, ABEs, must become one of the frontliners in helping the country’s economy rebound,” Tactac said.

The event is co-hosted by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, Bureau Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering and the PSABE Region 3 (Central Luzon) Chapter.

The 32nd Philippine Agricultural Engineering Week will be held simultaneously with the 17th International Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference and the 70th PSABE Annual National Convention.