𝑴𝟑𝑫𝑨𝑺 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑷𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒂 𝑴𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒕

The M3DAS project team conducted a validation workshop on April 28, with key stakeholders in attendance, at the Sugar Regulatory Administration – Luzon Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SRA-LAREC) in Floridablanca, Pampanga.
The workshop aimed to present and validate the initial results and analysis of the sugarcane mechanization resource survey in Pampanga Mill District, and gather insights and recommendations from stakeholders. Participants represented various sectors of the sugarcane industry, including the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office III – Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (DA RFO III – RAED), Provincial Agricultural Office of Pampanga, Municipal Agricultural Offices of Floridablanca and Porac, and block farm and planters representatives from Pabanlag Sugarcane Block Farm, ATBU Farmers Association, Calantas Sto. Cristo Farmers Association, Mitla Proper Farmers Association, Pabanlag Sugarcane Block Farm, Dampe Multipurpose Cooperative, San Roque Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, San Isidro Balubad Farmers Association, and Maliwalu Balik Brgy Farmers Association. Present during the workshop were Mr. Lucio Santiago III, Mill District Officer of Pampanga and Tarlac Mill Districts, and Engr. Joceline Buan, Municipal Agriculturist Officer of Porac, Pampanga. Moreover, Ms. Ofelia Domingo from the Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (DOST-ARMRD) was also in attendance along with M3DAS project staff, coordinator, and enumerators.
The activity served as a platform for stakeholders to review and confirm the collected data, as well as share their experiences and perspectives on the current state of mechanization in the mill district. Their valuable inputs will help improve planning and future mechanization efforts in Pampanga Mill District.
The M3DAS project is being implemented by the Center for Agri-fisheries and Biosystems Mechanization (BIOMECH) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and is funded by DOST-PCAARRD in collaboration with the SRA.