Agricutural and Biosystems Engineering

Scope of Practice of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

The scope of practice of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering based from the Republic act no. 10915 article I section 5, shall embrace the practice of agricultural and biosystems engineering in the intent of this act but is not limited to different area of development of the practice.

The purpose of this section is to provide an ever advance preparation and supervision or management and to understand all the various engineering designs, plans, specifications, project studies, feasibility studies and estimates of irrigation and drainage, soil and water conservation, and management systems and facilities, agrometeorological systems, agricultural and biosystems buildings and structures, renewable/bio-energy systems and farm electrification, agricultural and bio-processing and post harvest facilities and system, agricultural and biological waste utilization and management, agricultural and bio-information system, agricultural and biosystems resource conservation and management, and agricultural and bio-automation and instrumentation system.

There is a need to evaluate, inspect, investigate and technically audit the agricultural and biosystems machineries and equipment, structures and facilities, and agricultural and biosystems engineering projects. It also needs to develop program, conduct research and train on the practice of agricultural and biosystems engineering.

Educational program must be a foundation of the agricultural and biosystems engineering in the Philippines. Exemplary learning institution can be a big help to nurture one’s abilities and skills. Moreover, since a graduate of Agricultural and biosystems engineering specialized in agricultural machineries and construction operation, expert in this field must be employed in the government and private firms and establishments and later on participate in the preparation of environmental studies for agricultural, fisheries, agro-industrial and biosystems projects and its monitoring under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system.

National Career Progression and Specialization Program

According to R.A. no. 10915 article section 35 there must be an institutionalized national agricultural and biosystems engineering career progression and specialization program to be formulated by the Board in consultation with the AIPO, Civil Service Commission and concerned government agencies. It is under the provision of the act that an agricultural and biosystems engineer must finish a formal education or training towards specialization and certified by the Board and a member of a relevant and accredited agricultural and biosystems specialty organization before being allowed to work in specialty areas.

14 Specializations of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Agricultural and Biosystems Power and Machinery

- Refers to farm power and machinery for the production, harvesting, processing, storage, manufacture, preserving, transporting and distribution of agricultural and biological products or materials.

Irrigation and Drainage Engineering

- Refers to the improvement of the equipment, infrastructure and systems for the sustainable utilization and development of soil and water resources for agricultural production.

Soil and Water Conservation

- Refers to measures that contorl soil and water degradation and enhance farm productivity.

Agricultural and Biosystems Buildings and Structures

- Refers to buildings and structurea for the production, harvesting, processing, storage, manufacture, preserving, transporting and distribution of agricultural products or materials.

Agricultural and Bio-process Engineering

- Refers to local activity or series of activities to maintain or raise the quality or change the form or characteristics of agricultural, fishery, forestry, and biological products or materials.

Food Engineering

- Refers to the multidisciplinary field which combines microbiology, appliedphysical sciences, chemistry and engineering for food and related industries.

Renewable/ Bio-Energy and Farm Electrification

- Bioenergy is renewable energy made available from materials derived from biological sources. Biomass is any organic material which has stored sunlight in the form of chemical energy. As a fuel it may include wood, wood waste, straw, manure, sugarcane, and many other by-products from a variety of agricultural processes.

Agricultural and Biological Waste Management

- Refers to the development of systems, processes, and equipment for agricultural waste diaposal and utilizationand environment-friendly technologies.

Aquacultural Engineering

- Refers to the multidisciplinary field of engineering that aims to solve technical problems associated with farming aquatic vertebrates, invertebrates, and algae? Common aquaculture systems requiring optimization and engineering include sea cages, ponds, and recirculating systems.

Forest Engineering

- Refers to the application of engineering principles and techniques to the management of forest lands. This includes working to ensure the health and sustainability of wild lands, timberlands and watersheds while allowing for such economic activities as timber harvesting and recreational use.

Agricultural and Biosystems Automation and Instrumentation

- Refers to the use and application of agricultural and biosystems sensors.

Agricultural and Bio-Information System

- Refers to utilization of information systems, database and other information management tools for agricultural use, biological systems modeling to understand the mutual response between life and the environment.

Agrometeorology

- Refers to the study of weather and use of weather and climate information to enhance or expand agricultural crops and/or to increase crop production.

Agricultural and Biological Resource Conversation and Management

- Refers to measures of conservation and proper management of agricultural and biological resources.