PhilMech holds corn technology training to academies, LGUs

The Department of Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) held the Training Course on Mechanization and Postharvest Technologies for Corn for academies and local government units of four regions at the PHilMech Main Office, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija on 27 to 29 of October 2026.

According to PhilMech, 20 participants from various state universities and colleges, regional field offices of the Department of Agriculture, and LGUs from Regions I, II, III, and Cordillera Administrative Region took part in the training to boost corn production in the country.

Led by the Technology Management and Training Division, the participants were introduced to various technologies in production and postharvest processing of corn, including the PHilMech-developed pneumatic corn planter, grain probe moisture meter, and compact corn mill, as well as the corn mill designed by the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperative.

The training aims to broaden the knowledge and skills of the participants in using proper technology in the production, handling, processing, and postharvest management of corn.

Technical personnel, educators, agricultural extension workers, and other agricultural professionals were among the participants who are expected to help in disseminating the proper use of technology in their respective areas.

Corn is the second most important crop in the Philippines after rice, with a national production volume of approximately 8.14 million metric tons.

Yellow corn accounts for the majority of production (mostly used as the primary feed source for the country's livestock and poultry industries), while the white corn serves as a direct staple food for roughly 14 million Filipinos, particularly in parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, and acts as an alternative staple during rice shortages.