BPRE executive conferred 2006 PSAE outstanding agricultural engineer

Dr. Renita SM. Dela Cruz, Chief Science Research Specialist from the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE), was awarded as the 2006 Outstanding Agricultural Engineer in the field of Agricultural Product Processing and Postharvest Technology during the 4th Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers (PSAE) International Convention and Exhibition last April 17-21 at the Balanghai Hotel, Butuan City.

PSAE conferred the award to Dr. Dela Cruz for her significant contributions in the field of postharvest including her numerous research studies that helps the Research and Development (R&D) institution she is serving and benefiting the farmers and fisherfolks in the country. Her achievements in postharvest R&D highlighted the important role of her profession in countryside development.

Being a researcher and research manager, Dr. Dela Cruz' efforts did not remain unrecognized, she was given several awards and citations for her research outputs not only from BPRE but also from other prestigious institutions.

Some of her noteworthy achievements in the postharvest industry include the technical, financial and socio-economic information for the rational basis of promoting admixture technology to reduce postharvest losses in storage for coarse grains; establishment of a pilot village-based cashew processing enterprise in Limay, Bataan, this was done to give additional value to primary cashew products such as nuts and apples. The project has become an ideal model for other cashew growers who are interested to engage in cashew processing.

She is also part of the establishment of a rational basis for the promotion and adoption of the agricultural tramline system used for hauling vegetables in upland areas. The tramline system reduces the hauling cost and eliminates the drudgery in manual hauling. Dr. Dela Cruz also provided the essential information for the establishment of a semi-processed potato processing enterprise in Benguet; identified the technical and production problems to make the semi-processed potato processing enterprise successful; and the generation of information on corn mechanization that can be used by program planners and implementers in crafting more relevant corn mechanization strategies to further improve productivity and profitability.

As the head of the Technology Systems Development and Adaptation Division (TSDAD) under the Postharvest Systems and Analysis Department (PHSD) of BPRE, she is involved in educating farmers, R&D personnel and other stakeholders by serving as resource person and evaluator to variety of subject matters in different training courses, workshops and other forums implemented by BPRE and other institutions.

Dr. Dela Cruz finished her Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering and her Doctor of Philosophy in Rural Development at the Central Luzon State University in 1974 and 2003 respectively.

She ranked number five in the Agriculture Engineering Licensure Examination in November 1975. She is married to Dr. Quirino Dela Cruz, a professor at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and the Director of the Fruits and Vegetables Seed Center (FVSC). They were blessed with a 16-year old daughter, Lea.

She is also actively involved in spiritual/life renewal movement. At present, she and her husband is the Chapter Head of Couples for Christ (CFC) of the CLSU Chapter, North Sector and the Committee Chair of the Gawad Kalinga Livelihood Program for the North Sector Operations. Erwin S. Embuscado/ AB Development Communication, 2004



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