AMDP and AMTEC, world-class institutions for agricultural mechanization development

The Agricultural Mechanization Development Program (AMDP) and the Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) of the College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology (CEAT) are two UPLB units whose direct functions are to support agricultural mechanization, an important component of agricultural modernization. As the New UP Charter (Republic Act 9500) of 2008 seeks to further exert the unique and distinctive leadership of the university in the areas of higher education and development of the country as well as transform itself into a world class institution of higher learning, AMDP and AMTEC find relevance in their roles of supporting the university's tripartite functions of instruction, research and extension in the field of agricultural mechanization. This paper integrates and expounds on various RDE activities conducted by both institutions which pave the way in identifying their major roles in the recent advancement of agricultural mechanization in the country and in the global arena. Since its establishment in 1979, AMDP has been conducting RDE activities and produced mechanization technologies in collaboration with other units of CEAT and institutions involved in agricultural mechanization. Its R and D products include production and postproduction technologies, policy matters and other mechanization information involving various commodities such as rice, corn, high value crops, coconut, energy resources and anthropometric data. It implements its extension activities through pilot area development activities, institutional linkages and networking, capability building technical assistance, field demonstrations and exhibits and publications. AMDP has been recognized by other RDE institutions involved in agricultural mechanization technologies in the countryside.The passage of the AFMech Law of 2013 (Republic act No. 10601) which institutionalizes and strengthens AMDP (Sections 8, AFMech Law) to lead and coordinate the agricultural and fishery mechanization RDE programs of all academic institutions in the country poses another challenges for the unit to prove its worth as the National Center for R & D on agricultural mechanization.It is now in the process of elevating itself into the Center of Agri-Fisheries and Biosystems Mechanization or BIOMECH Center, a timely and appropriate move to address the major RDE mechanization challenges related to food security, energy sustainability, environmental protection, and climate change; to strengthen ts role i the AFMech, law; amd to elevate the status of AMDP into a full-pledged Center to further contribute and fulfill the role of UP as a national and research oriented University. As the Philippine representative to the Center for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) of the UNESCAP, AMDP shall also take a lead role in coordinating the country's R & D activities in sustainable agricultural mechanization with other member countries in the Asia-Pacific region which will also be in consonance with its efforts the relate to the coming ASEAN economic integration in 2015. The Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) was esyablished in 1977 to suppost the growth of local agricultural machinery industry necessary for a successful agricultural mechanization program of the country. It is now in the forefront of agricultural machinery standardization. Since the year 2000, AMTEC has rules for structure and metrication, production machinery, postharvesr machinery, engineering materials, agricultural structures, and slaughterhouse equipment. AMTEC is also the only recognized tea facility of agricultural and fishery machinery in the country. At present, the process of procurement of agricultural machines by DA and the DAR following the government procurement procedure, requires that had tested more than 2,350 agricultural and fisheries machinery like prime movers, irrigation machinery, production machinery and postharvest machinery, engineering materials, agricultural structures, and slaughterhouse equipment. AMTEC is also the only recognized test facitlity of agricultural and fishery machinery in the country. At present, the process of procurement of agricultural and fishery machinery in the country. At present, the process of procurement of agricultural machines by DA and DAR, following the government procurement procedure, requires that agricultural and fishery machines undergo AMTEC tests. By the end of 2013, AMTEC had tested more than 2,350 agricultural and fisheries machinery like prime movers, irrigation machinery, production machinery and postharvest equipment. The efforts of AMTEC in the dissemination of information through its publications and website, and through the involvement of its staff in many seminars, symposia and similar activities, help spread the importance of standardization of agricultural and fishery machines. AMTEC also conducts trainings on standards development and testing of agricultural and fishery machine and other similar undertakings among agricultural engineers, technicians and students. The AFMech Law (RA No. 10601) institutionalizes AMTEC (Section 27, AFMech Law). The center has to strengthen its testing capabilities by improving its laboratory facilities and expanding its operation through the establishment of satellite testing centers in other areas of the country, as it faces the challenges of technological modernization and te demand for machines of higher standards requiring advanced testing methods. AMTEC seeks to elevate itself as test center with the competence recognized within ISO standards (ISO/IEC 17025). Also, it has to align itself with the other agricultural machinery testing and standardization bodies especially in the ASEAN community of nations, as the ASEAN integration looms in 2015, and in the Asia-Pacific region through the auspices of the Asia Pacific Networ for Testing Agricultural Machinery (ANTAM) of the CSAM, towards harmonizing agricultural machinery standards and establishing multilateral agreements on testing protocols.