LEGAZPI CITY: Government agencies and local government units are expected to receive a boost in their food security efforts with help from experts in agriculture and biosystem engineering. On Monday, more than 1,400 members of the Philippine Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers (PSABE) converged in this city for their 73rd National Convention from April 22 to 26. In a press conference, PSABE president Engr. Jovita Agliam said the week-long celebration with the theme "Sustainable Innovations in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Greener Future for food-secured Philippines", will highlight innovations and developments in food, energy, and water that they can recommend to concerned government agencies. "We have three break-out sessions under the plenary. We will be focusing on three major components of agricultural and biosystems engineering, and we will have topics on food, energy, and water. ABEs (agricultural and biosystems engineers) have a big role in accomplishing and participating in t he country's food production and food processing. For energy, we will discuss alternative sources of energy and all renewable energy dahil kinukulang na po tayo and nagiging costly na ang ating energy consumption (because we are lacking and our energy consumption is becoming costly), and for the water in the form of irrigation, what can we do to increase water supply," Agliam said. She said the plenaries will come up with design, development, and other possible integrable technologies to enhance and mitigate the problems of farmers in the country. Agliam added that the convention would provide a venue for local agricultural and biosystems engineers from the 17 regions to present and develop timely technology innovations. "Kami (We) as ABEs, this is our main concern.. to tap the expertise of our colleagues so that they may be utilized and involved in crafting possible solutions for our goal in terms of food security," she said. She also said that they will update the technologies in terms of agriculture an d biosystems necessary for boosting the post-harvest, lessening production losses, and ensuring the quality of goods in the market. Agliam said PSABE is a private organization that professionalizes the country's agriculture and biosystems engineers as a government partner in pursuing quality life for all. Future of agriculture PSABE is also urging the youth to take agricultural courses to help attain the country's food security goal. "We need to rebrand the concept of the youth in terms of agriculture since when they think of agriculture they are thinking of working under the heat of the sun. We have to focus on the technologies and opportunities that they can get when they get agricultural courses. We need to introduce to them, that we are needed in research and science innovation," Dr. Alfredo Fortu Jr., PSABE secretary, said. The group also asked the Department of Education (DepEd) to incorporate farming technologies into the curriculum. "We asked DepEd, wag lang sanang civil, chemical and electrical ang highlights sa mga textbooks sana po ang ABEs, being the food and agriculture engineer ay mabigyan ng pagkakataon na makilala kami ng ating mga mag-aaral. We are thinking of a resolution after our convention to ask the education department to include us in their textbooks," Agliam said. Meanwhile, Legazpi City Mayor Carmen Geraldine Rosal thanked the PSABE for choosing this city as the venue of its five-day activity. "We are very happy, that our city is always chosen by different organizations to be the venue of their activities. LGU-Legazpi continues to assist our local farmers. We support and give priority to our agriculture sector," she said. Source: Philippines News Agency