Agriculture Secretary William Dar received modern Korean farm machinery and equipment that ensure human, animal, and plant health.
The machines, which were turned over by FIT Corea President Philip Kim, include a truck-mounted long-range power spraying machine, a multi-crop lifter (SB8500), and two units of Dr. Seba SB-700 Triple Disinfection System.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is the very first recipient of the Korean disinfection technology, Dr. Seba SB-700 Triple Disinfection System which aims to ensure the safety of its employees, officials, and visitors while the country battles the Coronavirus. The device operates on a three-way system (fogging, ultra-violet and plasma sonic), which can kill 99.9% of viruses that may be present even in clothing garments.
“We thank Corea for its donation, as we continue to protect our officials and staff, including visitors, from the pandemic and make them productive and efficient in serving this country,” said Secretary Dar, directing other ‘OneDA’ family agencies to set up similar technology in their respective offices.
During the simple turnover ceremony, Kim demonstrated the use of the spraying and lifting machines designed to suit the country’s farms.
“I thank FIT COREA Philippines and the Korea Agriculture Machinery Industry Cooperation( KAMICO). These machinery donations shall spearhead the mechanization and enhancement of farm productivity in the Philippines,” Dar said.
According to the DA chief, the machines will further intensify the government’s efforts to address current agriculture challenges such as African Swine Fever (ASF) for the livestock industry and infestation of Cecid fly in the mango industry.
Our direction is geared towards a modernized and mechanized Philippine agriculture,” secretary Dar said, noting that the DA regional offices must invest on similar technologies to address issues on animal and plant health.
The long-range power spraying machine can serve as an effective ASF Disinfection Truck Facility for use in various regions.
In line with this, he directed the DA regional chiefs to strengthen the Bantay ASF sa Barangay (BABay) program in partnership with the local government units, the private sector, and veterinary groups.
“Katulad ng ginagawa natin na contact tracing para sa Covid-19, we will now have a mechanism in place para iyong mga traders na pumupunta sa barangay. Ililista sila para kung may sakit man, di na kakalat pa,” Secretary Dar said.
The multi-crop lifting machine was specifically designed under the DA-Philmech, KAMICO & Sungboo technical cooperation to enhance the farming and postharvest management of mangoes and other tropical fruits in the Philippines.
According to Sungboo Co Ltd, expected advantages include the following: a farmer can check the growing status and do a proper action such as spraying insecticide or fertilizing or pruning, etc. at over 7m height; more convenient working conditions for pruning, spraying, and harvesting for better efficiency; and less labor power is required gearing towards better profit for farmers.
He said the multi-crop lifter — which can be used in bagging, pruning, spraying and harvesting — can be a part of the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for high-value crops, while the long-range power spraying machine can serve as an effective ASF Disinfection Truck Facility for use in various regions. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)
