The Department of Agriculture, with the help of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization and the Korea International Cooperation Agency, launched the country's first Agricultural Machinery Design and Prototyping Center on Thursday.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. led the inauguration of the 2,000-square meter facility located at PhilMech in the Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija.

"This multi-million US-dollar state-of-the-art facility can revolutionize the way we see agricultural machinery production today. With modern fabrication equipment and top engineering design and simulation software, what more can we not do, what more efficient machines can we not produce?" Laurel said.

The AMDPC is valued at P370.545 million, of which $5.78 million or P289 million was funded by KOICA. The Philippine government shared P81.545 million for the project.

The project is also supported by the Korea Institute for Development Strategy and the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperative.

Officials said the construction of said facility is essential to accelerate the country's mechanization by enhancing PhilMech's capability to design, develop and manufacture agricultural machinery and prototypes.

It also seeks to provide farmers with affordable, locally-manufactured machinery, utilizing modern technology to boost production and income. The facility uses cutting-edge prototyping equipment to disseminate innovative farming technology.

In his key message, Laurel stressed that the modern facility serves as an avenue for local manufacturers, agricultural engineers and researchers from various research and development institutions and state colleges and universities to launch their ideas and translate their creative minds to problem-oriented and highly relevant agricultural machines, technology and equipment.

"I can imagine this center as the realization of ideas and a birthing place of solutions to improve the way we farm or fish today through the machines that can be improved and produced in this facility," the agri chief said.

Laurel also expressed gratitude to the Republic of Korea, through KOICA, for sharing knowledge, skills and resources to the Philippines.

"Thank you for building with us a bridge that will help our country move towards the modernization and mechanization of the agriculture sector. We will always value our partnership," Laurel said.

The AMDPC is also expected to enhance the institutional networking between the Korean government and DA research agencies.

Laurel was joined by Lee Sang-Hwa, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea; Lee Yun-Young, vice president of KOIKA; Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio M. Umali; Rep. Mikaela Angela B. Suansing of District 1; Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago of District 2. Rep. Rosanna Vergara of District 3; and other local goverment unit representatives.