A total of 46 of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers (ABEs) in Region 1 completed two (2) batches of Refresher Courses on Testing and Evaluation of Agricultural & Fisheries (AF) conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute- Regional Training Center 1 (ATI-RTC 1) on April 10-14 and May 15-19, 2023 at ATI-RTC I, Tebag East, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, respectively. This is a collaborative training program between ATI-RTC 1, DA-Regional Field Office I (DA-RFO I), and the UPLB-Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center as a preparatory and initial phase for ABEs in their accreditation as Certified Test Engineers (CTEs).
The training courses aspired to develop and enhance the technical capabilities of agricultural engineers in the delivery of technical services, primarily in conducting testing and evaluation of AF machinery, equipment and facilities prescribed by the Philippine National Standards/Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards (PNS/PAES). These engineers came from the DA-RFO I, State Universities and Colleges (SCUs), and Local Government Units (LGUs) of Region 1.
Lecture-discussions, workshop, field activities, and practicum were administered to optimize the transfer of knowledge, skills, attitude and practices required of the said competency. Actual testing and evaluation of roto tiller, mechanical rice transplanter, and combine rice harvester were conducted in Mangatarem, Pangasinan and evaluation results were presented and discussed as learning avenue of the participants.
At the end of the course, the DA-Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (DA-BAFE) administered a written examination as a pre-requisite for the accreditation as CTEs of agricultural and fisheries (AF) machineries. Names of the qualifiers as CTE will be announced after checking of examination papers and completion of documentary requirements.
CTEs will conduct testing and evaluation of machines to ensure provision of suited and standard machines for the farmers.
