Category: Events & Activities

The South Korea – Mindanao sectoral discussion and B2B meetings took place at the Acacia Hotel in Davao City on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. The Philippine Embassy welcomed the business delegations from Korea, led by Ambassador Kim In Chul of the Republic of Korea. The Government of Republic of Korea is eager to build partnership with the local businesses and government organizations in order to explore further business opportunities in Mindanao. FITCorea Trading PH President Philip Kim said during the South Korea-Mindanao Sectoral Discussion in Davao City that they are excited to help local farmers by customizing machineries from Korea suitable for the market areas. “When I see Mindanao, you still need a lot of development that I observe. So that is why I would like to introduce our Korea machinery in Davao City. At the same time, we are working for the customizing of the machines which is suitable for the market areas.” President Philip Kim, Fitcorea Trading Philippines, Inc. KOICA, K-EXIM, KEPCO Philippines, K-water, LX International, POSCO E&C, DLE&C, Hyundai E&C, Lotte Pepsi, FIT COREA, and local organizations in Mindanao were among the delegations who attended the B2B meeting.
 
 

A sensory evaluation of corn grits produced using PHilMech-KAMICO Corn Mill technology was conducted in Impasugong, Bukidnon on April 20, 2022. Forty-one individuals (31 males and 10 females) assessed the aroma, appearance, texture, and flavor of the cooked white corn grits. This activity is conducted under the COVID-response project, Pilot Adaptation of the PHilMech-KAMICO Designed Corn Mill for Village Level Operation led by Engr. Donald V. Mateo of the Agricultural Mechanization Division. The upland regions of Mindanao have the most area planted to corn, and the highest production in the Philippines. Corn is also grown in the rain fed lowlands, where it is planted during the dry season after the rice crop has been harvested. PhilMech’s financial analysis indicates that at Php950, 000 total investment cost for the corn mill and the shed for the machine, the estimated total cost of milling is 0.88/kg output. This fee is very much lower compared with the prevailing milling fee in the market of 3.10 to 4.70 per kilogram output. Internal rate of return on investment is estimated at 79.81%. The lifespan of the corn mill is 10 years and the total annual operating time is 600 hours. With product recovery of 66-71% and germinator efficiency of 82-88%, the technology has fully satisfied the Philippine agricultural engineering standard for corn mill, which is set at 64% minimum product recovery and 80% germinator efficiency.
 
 

This is the demo farm of KAMICO-PHILMECH for onion mechanization collaborative project located at San Jose, Nueva Ecija. The machine used for this project was coming from Bulls Co Ltd. These are a complete set of onion mechanization from land preparation, mulching, seeding, and harvesting.
 
Last September 2021, KAMICO, Bulls Co. Ltd and Philmech, signed a memorandum of agreement to mechanize the Onion production system here in the Philippines. The said improvement for the onion planting and harvesting will significantly boost the Philippine Onion Industry.
 

The Farm Mechanization Roadshow 2022, which had the theme “Progressive Agriculture through Efficient Mechanization for Sustainable Food and Happy Farming.” was honored by notable guests and speakers led by Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia, PhilMech Director; Dr. Andrew B. Villacorta DA National Consultant; Lowell Rebillaco, DA- III Regional Rice Program Coordinator; Philip Kim, President of Fit Corea Trading Phils Inc. (KAMICO representative); and Ariel Dolores, Chairman NESGMPC who is among the noted representative of the private sector.
 
The opening ceremonies, Director Alvindia highlighted the importance of the Agricultural machine to disseminate the latest technology trends and accomplishments which will benefit Filipinos such as Farmers, Agricultural Researchers, Farm Machinery Manufacturers, Seed Producers, Government agencies, Business Entrepreneurs, Non-government and Private Individuals, particularly those in the Region III. The seed growers are interested in the machine, and the program includes an open forum where they can ask questions and get clarification on purchasing the machine. The roadshow showcased a variety of farm machinery for the public to see from tractors of different sizes and power outputs with different implements such as Front Loader, Rotavator, Rotating Disc Plow, Levee Maker, and Leveler. Also Riding-type Direct Seeder, Agricultural Drone Sprayer, Boom Sprayer, Truck-mounted Sprayer and Wall Sprayer, protection against Bird Flu/ Avian Influenza, Foot and Mouth Disease, African Swine Fever.
 

The new Korea ODA grant project on “Enhancing Local Capability to Design, Develop, and Manufacture Agricultural Machineries to Accelerate Mechanization of Philippine Agriculture”.

 

The project was discussed over the meeting of KOICA PMC experts and Philmech last January 11, 2022. The goal of this project is to produce a comprehensive localization strategy and improve PhilMech’s and local manufacturers’ capabilities to produce high-quality agricultural machinery in the country. The meeting was attended by Korean PMC experts: Dr. Lee Ki Taeg, Dr. Hong Sung Gi, Dr. Yoon Haejun, Mr. Choi Hyung Suk, Mr. Kwon Young Jin, CEO Philip Kim and Marilou Bautista and Philmech Executive Director Baldwin Jallorina, Dir Arnel Ramir Apaga, Dir. Ronnie SR Reyes, Engr Romy Martinez, Engr Arlene C. Joaquin. The visit included a look at the proposed construction sites for the KOICA Agriculture Machineries Development Center and KIAT Smart Farm Industry Technology Innovation Center.

 

To start the year, the Department of Agriculture headed by Usec. Ariel Cayanan with some DA representatives and the Korean PMC experts: Dr. Lee Ki Taeg, Dr. Hong Sung Gi, Dr. Yoon Haejun, Mr. Choi Hyung Suk, Mr. Kwon Young Jin, and CEO Philip Kim of Fit Corea, the country representative of KAMICO, meet in person to plan and discuss the Project “Enhancing Local Capability to Design, Develop, and Manufacture Agricultural Machineries to Accelerate Mechanization of Philippine Agriculture.” The Korea’s Project Management Consultancy (PMC) intends to organize a Project Steering Committee with the Department of Agriculture, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association (AMMDA), Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) of DOST, National Economic Development Authority and other relevant organizations to establish detailed localization strategy and enhance the capability of PhilMech and local manufacturers in the country in manufacturing good quality agricultural machineries.