By Camille N. Gavino
Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) Director Dionisio Alvindia (center-left) and Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperative (KAMICO) Chairperson Shin Gil Kim (center-right) shake hands following the signing of a memorandum of understanding to enhance agricultural mechanization in the Philippines. This initiative directly supports the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in strengthening the country’s agricultural sector. (PHilMech)
SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ (PIA) — The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) has forged a strategic partnership with the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperative (KAMICO) to boost agricultural mechanization in the country.
This initiative directly supports the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in strengthening the country’s agricultural sector.
In his 2024 State of the Nation Address, President Marcos underscored the need to assist farmers and fisherfolk by ensuring faster, more efficient, and resilient food production—from planting, harvesting, and fishing to transportation and sales.
The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, outlines areas of cooperation in agricultural machinery research and development, technical support, capacity-building, and knowledge-sharing.
PHilMech Director Dionisio Alvindia affirmed the agency’s full commitment to the partnership.
“Once again, I would like to thank the Korean government, especially Chairman Kim, who has always been supportive of our agency’s initiatives,” Alvindia said, referring to KAMICO Chairperson Shin Gil Kim.
The agreement also seeks to engage other key stakeholders—including government agencies, academic institutions, scientific communities, and non-government organizations from both the Philippines and South Korea—to generate broader support for joint activities.
KAMICO will also support the efforts of PHilMech and the Philippine government in securing official development assistance in agriculture-related fields.
For his part, Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa stated that the longstanding relationship between the DA, its attached agencies, and KAMICO in agricultural development began in 2016.
“The collaboration between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea (ROK) has been ongoing for years, particularly in agri-fisheries development. However, a strong need to advance mechanization in the country has arisen. To simply put it, we are very excited that ROK, through KAMICO, has offered assistance in this endeavor,” De Mesa said.
KAMICO, established in 1962 with over 650 members, plays a crucial role in transforming South Korea into a mechanized agricultural economy.
“I hope that the Philippines can achieve full agricultural mechanization through our collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and PHilMech. I look forward to engaging in further cooperation in the future,” Kim stated.
In line with this goal, KAMICO and the local government of Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija have finalized plans to establish the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Complex (KAMIC), which is expected to break ground in November 2025 and begin construction in January 2026.
The KAMIC project will feature 30 agricultural machinery factories and position Cabanatuan City as a national hub for advanced agri-machinery manufacturing, which is expected to generate thousands of jobs and significantly boost the regional economy. (CLJD/CNG, PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija)
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