Justin Miguel M.

Baptista

12 – STEM

AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES

The development of more sustainable agricultural methods not only plays an important role
but also necessitates the production of large quantities of essential food under the most difficult
conditions. Agriculture's level of mechanization influences its progress as well as the development
of human civilization. Agriculture has expanded and modernized to meet the growing demand for
food as science and technology advance.

Agricultural engineering is a subset of engineering that deals with the application of

engineering science and technology to agricultural production in order to reduce complexity and
increase productivity. Agricultural engineering encompasses the science and technology of
agricultural production, processing, and management of natural resources. Agricultural production
has a multitude of obstacles and problems, including crop and animal production; storage;
processing; and management of production resources such as land, water, energy, waste disposal,
and usage, among others. Agricultural engineering emerged from the three foundational
engineering disciplines: civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering. Agricultural engineering is
the most adaptable field of engineering because it incorporates fundamental engineering
knowledge from three major disciplines and applies it to agriculture. It is concerned with the
application of all branches of engineering science and technology to the art, science, and business
of crop production and animal husbandry, as well as the handling, processing, and preservation,
storage, manufacture, and distribution of products that feed, shelter, and clothe humanity.

The agricultural sector dominates the Philippine economy. Agriculture accounts for 40 to
45 percent of the total national GDP and 75 to 80 percent of total exports. Food crops account for
around two-thirds of overall production (tonnage) and approximately three-fourths of farmed
acreage. Rice, corn and sweet potatoes are the most common crops grown for local use. In line
with the national emphasis on expanded food production, land allocated to this and other food
crops has risen steadily but not rapidly. There has been a huge growth in fruit and vegetable output.
Double cropping of rice, corn, and various vegetables is common in some locations but not
elsewhere. Agricultural output, therefore, employs over 3 million people, or approximately 60
percent of all gainfully employed individuals, while providing 40 to 45 percent of total national
income and approximately 75 to 80 percent of the country's exports.

When it comes to employment, the agriculture sector has loomed bigger, accounting for
roughly two-fifths (37 percent) of all occupations. Nonetheless, the services sector accounts for
almost half of the economy's production and employment. Unfortunately, the agricultural economy
fluctuates drastically every quarter, resulting in comparable instability in growth performance. The
severe slowdown has been caused mostly by unfavorable weather conditions. Despite these
challenges, the agriculture sector is still regarded as having unrivaled importance in total economic
growth, primarily as a supplier of raw materials and food to the rest of the economy. Second, it
serves as a substantial market for non-agricultural items. Third, as the sector grows and modernizes
in the face of restricted agricultural land resources, with agriculture providing the primary source
of livelihood and employment for 70 percent of the country's poor, the importance of agriculture
to the Philippine economy cannot be overstated. Thus, successive administrations' Medium-Term
Philippine Development Plans (MTPDPs) have continuously acknowledged the crucial necessity
of energizing and modernizing the agricultural sector in the broader pursuit of strong and broad-
based economic growth and development.

Agricultural engineering is the most environmentally friendly sort of engineering since it

blends numerous scientific rules and technological exercises to the successful production and
processing of food, fiber, feed, and fuels. This field is concerned with the advancement of farming
equipment and machinery. Agricultural engineers apply their skills to help farmers and the agro-
industry address challenges. They seek to enhance agricultural production and quality. Agricultural
engineers work for a variety of manufacturers who design and sell equipment. Agricultural
engineering is the farming technology that develops new farming abilities or equips them to
perform effectively for their assigned responsibilities. Warehouses, water reservoirs, and dams are
included in the design and construction of an agricultural framework. It also aids in the
management of pollution on farms. An agricultural engineer uses cutting-edge scientific
technologies to create new equipment that will make farming easier in the future.

The agriculture industry accounts for around 9% of the country's GDP and employs over a
quarter of all working Filipinos. For many years, rural residents had poor salaries and few chances
for productive work. Many are impoverished and uncompetitive as a result of restrictions such as
insufficient production inputs, a lack of agricultural machinery and equipment, restricted access to
loans, and low market access, among other things. Weather-related disasters are also a big problem,
disproportionately impacting the poor and vulnerable, many of whom live in rural regions. The
COVID-19 epidemic also increased unemployment, notably among rural residents.

Agricultural engineering attempts to enhance the farmer's financial status, give him a dignified
work environment, and make food readily available to consumers in sufficient quantities and
quality whenever they need it. These goals are achieved by first reducing agricultural risks; the
underlying causes of these hazards are addressed, and recommendations are offered. This ensures
that the farmers' labor is fruitful. The second goal is to reduce drudgery in agricultural sectors;
agricultural engineering interventions seek to produce tools and equipment that may be employed
in agricultural operations to reduce farmer hardship. Third, ensuring agricultural goods are
available all year means seasonal harvests must be processed and stored to fulfill demand
throughout the year. Finally, agricultural engineering improves the farmer's quality of life by
enabling farm construction, decent farm roads, and other amenities.

Agricultural engineering is the activity of applying engineering ideas to any method

involved in the production of agricultural commodities and the management of our natural
resources. Tractorization is only one aspect of agricultural engineering. Other engineering
specialties influenced the development of agricultural engineering. Agricultural engineering aims
to achieve a wide range of objectives and has made a significant contribution to national economic
growth in the areas of food production, employment opportunities, industrial development,
sustainable agriculture, farmer quality of life, environmental management, natural resource
conservation, rural infrastructure development, drudgery reduction in agricultural work, food
security, and so on.

Agriculture engineering is the foundation of agricultural growth, and its neglect may risk
a country's long-term existence. The majority of the countries that have lately requested assistance
are those where the agricultural system has failed due to drought, pest invasion, or a shortage of
agricultural inputs. Surprisingly, given the resources and obstacles, agricultural engineering as a
profession may have averted the bulk of agricultural crises, particularly in developing countries.
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