Subsequent to the donation of three agricultural equipment by the Hungarian government through its embassy in Manila, the Midsayap branch station is now beefing up its capabilities in rice processing.
Equipment include one unit of chopper for chopping rice straw to suitable cutting length, a grader for classifying rice and extracting broken rice that is important in rice mills, and a rotary hay rake for collecting cut hay or rice straw.
Dr. László Mathe, head of External Relations and Coordination Center of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) and Gábor Lehocz, Hungarian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission trained staff on using the machines designed and developed by small companies in their country. They also toured the station’s seed production area.
László hopes to receive feedback on the performance of the equipment to enhance their suitability while Lehocz recalled how cooperation with DA-PhilRice began and looks ahead to a fruitful partnership.
Meanwhile, Midsayap Mayor Rolando Sacdalan expressed gratitude for the donated equipment and their interest in trying them for local works.
Station officer-in-charge Ommal Abdulkadil also thanked the Government of Hungary for its generosity to the Midsayap branch station, and the LGU for their support. He also encouraged staff to advance the station’s R&D.
