PHilMech to Support Tanzania, African Countries on Mechanization Development

At the initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and in line with its goal of eradicating hunger and achieving food security for all, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) was called upon to share its best practices in agricultural mechanization development in Tanzania, East Africa.

PHilMech Director Dionisio G. Alvindia led the delegation and affirmed the agency’s commitment to Tanzania and other African countries by sharing its expertise and best practices, particularly in implementing mechanization programs such as the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

This program helped increase the mechanization level in the Philippines from 2.31 to 2.81 horsepower per hectare, reduced labor costs by Php 2 per kilogram, and saved enough additional rice supply from losses to feed 95,000 families annually.

“We at PHilMech from the Philippines are committed to supporting Tanzania and other African countries by sharing technical expertise and best practices to enhance your mechanization efforts, in collaboration with FAO and other partners,” Dr. Alvindia stated.

The agency also presented its mechanization interventions and systems to various stakeholders, including the Tanzania Ministry of Agriculture, Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute, World Bank Tanzania, African Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – Tanzania Office, and the European Union Office in Tanzania.

In addition to these engagements, Dr. Alvindia and Engr. Raymond Andres participated in the Africa Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization held in Tanzania.

A Tanzanian delegation is expected to visit PHilMech in March this year.