THE Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) is gradually pushing for the development of the country's farm machine industry amid the country's agriculture sector accelerating its adoption of mechanization through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Mechanization Program.

PHilMech Executive Director Dr. Dionisio Alvindia said the country cannot rely solely on imported farm machines, and there is a need to develop the local farm machine industry to improve their manufacturing capabilities and quality of their products.