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Postharvest is a recurring thing, if you neglect to promote good philosophy or good practices, they will return to where they were,” said BPRE Executive Director Ricardo L. Cachuela, during an interview in his office.

He started at BPRE as a casual engineer with a meager Php 34.00 daily wage.  From the different positions he undertook, he has worked his way up into the ladder to become its current head, sharing its humble beginnings and current accomplishments and successes.

In the early 70's, the National Food Authority (NFA) faced problems with its postharvest losses in rice and corn reaching to about 37%.  This prompted the creation of a subsidiary institution, known as the National Postharvest Institute for Research and Extension (NAPHIRE) that spearheaded the development of the country's postharvest industry.

In 1980, the agency's functions included other agricultural commodities aside from rice and corn.

It was in 1986, the that NAPHIRE became an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and another six year counted when it was renamed to the now, Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension or BPRE.

Functions
“Efficient, sustainable and globally competitive agriculture and fishery sectors which will propel the country in becoming a food basket in East Asia.” This says it all as the overarching vision of BPRE. Their goal stands up in reducing postharvest losses, maintaining quality and increasing the value of agricultural and fishery products.  The bureau works on enabling the smallholders and various stakeholders in the industry to engage in profitable postharvest ventures.

Guided by its mandate, BPRE generates, extends and commercialize appropriate and problem-oriented postproduction technologies and practices that can contribute to loss reduction, food and feed quality improvement and maximizing the benefits gained by stakeholders.

Exec. Dir. Ricardo L. Cachuela.

The Executive Director as being assisted by a Deputy Executive Director, handles six departments responsible on planning and evaluation, finance and administrative, training and extension, postharvest engineering, food protection, and postharvest systems.  The last three departments are responsible for the research and development activities of the bureau.

BPRE's research development & extension (RD&E) programs gear toward four 4) major agenda, namely: 1) efficient drying and dehydration for increased farm productivity; 2) appropriate handling, storage and processing techniques for increased food value; 3) preventing and controling mycotoxin, pests and diseases toward food preservation;(4) empowering stakeholders toward profitable entrepreneurship.

Significant breakthroughs
First agenda on drying and dehydration facilities to increase farm productivity, BPRE has able to developed and designed a grain moisture meter, mobile flash dryer, in-store dryer, and a multi-commodity solar tunnel dryer (MCSTD).  The Grain moisture meter makes accurate moisture content and price levels of palay and corn grains.  About 18% of the moisture content can also be reduced by utilizing the mobile flash dryer.  MCSTD, on the other hand is considered better to that of traditional sun drying method.  It has a shorter drying time with lower microbial load and cleaner appearance of the dried products.

Recent focal years of BPRE focus on the priority thrusts that enable the sector to efficiently and effectively utilize improved postharvest technologies and mechanized farming.  These can be seen as a significant move for the fulfillment of a modernized and improved production of the agriculture sector.

One of the major programs of the Bureau now is on the National Tramline Program.  An agricultural Tramline System (TLS) has been inaugurated at the Alimodian, Iloilo.  TLS is a system of cable lines used for hauling agricultural products.

In 1994, BPRE has instituted the Philippine National Cold Chain Program.  Now, it has been intensified covering five four major trade routes for high value crops in the country to high-end markets in Metro Manila, Cebu City and Davao City.  The cold chain system was developed to answer problems of farmers and traders on preserving the quality and freshness of the produced high-value crops particularly during transport and storage.

BPRE has also established Technology Demonstration Centers to enable and prepare farmers, processors, and small entrepreneurs to engage in postharvest handling and processing of high value crops.  Now, there have been 10 TDCs nationwide focusing on different commodities popular in the regions.  Mango and rice for the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija as to durian and mangosteen for Jolo, Sulu.

This also led to strengthening linkages and coordination among various postharvest sectors.  Other than the DA family, BPRE was able to gain collaboration with the other government agencies, state, colleges and universities (SCUs), and private sectors.

Notable accomplishments endeavors
Dir. Cachuela is pleased to say that the Bureau already has its own facility continuously promoting mechanical drying for rice and corn and other postharvest processes.  “The development of machineries and technologies is a continuing tool,” Dir. Cachuela added.  After a cycle of research and commercialization of technologies, BPRE changed its strategy with tie ups with manufactures particularly in production areas in the country.

Since some of the developed technologies are not readily acceptable to farmers, BPRE increased their capacity by establishing linkages with cooperatives.  Working and dealing with them were called the Cluster approach, previously known as the farmers service center serving as a centralized system for postharvest services.  “We don't rely on cooperatives alone but now we rely on groups of farmers who are now clustered by at least 100 hectares since these are easier to manage using farmers' skills effectively,” Dir. Cachuela explained.

Trainings were also facilitated under the RD and extension component. Other components include the provision of software, building up capabilities, preparation of information materials and multi-media.

Even if BPRE has no regional office, they select key pilot areas that will make the most impact.  From the sites selected, practices emerge following correct procedures and application the results of commercialization.  Sample pilot areas are Mindanao and Central Luzon for corn and rice, respectively.  Through a Master Plan, the involvement of the local government units (LGUs) is recognized.  This distinguishes the geographic advantage of the provinces which likewise determine the strengths and weaknesses of the area.  Regional agricultural engineers, economists, biologists, as well as the private sectors are also tapped.

BPRE has been able to foster collaboration and strengthened linkages with other government agencies, farmer cooperatives, SCUs, LGUs and private sectors. This made the achievement of its goals possible.  With BPRE's goal to reduce postharvest losses through the years, a significant reduction has been noted as a result of numerous postharvest technologies and interventions. With its array of accomplishments and major breakthroughs, BPRE would pave the way in assisting the Department in its quest for a diversified agriculture sector.  And now, BPRE is lucky to have a Director who has a big heart and passion for his work, sharing big ideas not only for the Bureau and for the country as a whole.