In a bid to strengthen the enforcement of performance standards of Agri and fishery machinery manufactured and sold in the region, a 2-day local agri-fishery machinery stakeholder’s forum was conducted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga through the Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED) on May 30-31, 2022 in Butuan City.

It was participated by the local manufacturers, assemblers, innovators, and business sectors from different provinces in Caraga Region.

The activity also intends to have a legal representation of local Manufacturers, Fabricators, Assemblers, Dealers, Distributors, Importers, and Exporters (MFADDIEs) to the Agriculture Fishery Mechanization Committee (AFMeC), and to address business issues and concerns of the farmers.

Engr. Rene Q. Morales, chief of the Regional Agriculture Engineering Division of DA-Caraga said that organizing the MFADDIEs is vital for effective collaboration between DA and MFADDIES to easily resolve issues and concerns regarding agricultural mechanization.

Engr. Medylyn M. Alaan, Engineer III of RAED added that after organizing a new set of active officers, there will be a legal representation of local MFADDIEs in the region that will bring their voices to the national level.

The resource speakers from different government agencies also gave updates on the Local Assembly and Manufacturing (LAM) and the orientation on available credit facilities and loan programs, AMTEC testing protocols, incentives for local manufacturers under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises   (CREATE) Act, Intellectual Property Right (IPR), and Philippine Technology Transfer Act.

Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate, Regional Director of DA-Caraga said that activity is a manifestation of DA’s support to the local agri-machinery industry as key partners in implementing the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Law (AFMeC Law) for the development of the agri-aqua sector in the region. (Lovely Joy Luyahan Saludez/DA-Caraga)