27-year-old scientist from UP Los Banos gets global grant to pursue bug remover invention

By KIERSNERR GERWIN TACADENA, GMA News

Published March 20, 2016 1:48pm

The Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) has named A Filipina scientist who invented a mechanical bug remover for rice and corn as as one of the finalists of the Young Agripreneur Program (YAP).

Josine Macaspac, the 27-year-old entomologist from University of the Philippines Los Baños, is one of the recipients of the $5,000 seed fund from the GFAR to pursue her agriculture project she submitted for YAP.

JOSINE MACASPAC

YAP is a project targeting young agricultural entrepreneurs. It is a platform for young agripreneurs all over the world to formulate their ideas into a concrete proposal.

Macaspac proposed a mechanical bug remover which she named as Mechanical Postharvest Pest Removal System (MPReS).

The MPReS gives a cheaper and sustainable alternative method of bug removal to farmers. The current industry standard of controlling pests uses dry ice and fumigation -- both of which are too expensive for farmers who do not have accessibility to the said materials.

GFAR posted on their website the other five finalists joining Macaspac in a mentorship with the organization for one year.

There were 428 entries submitted to the YAP. The first cut was made through public voting using the number of likes, comments and views as basis. The number was then reduced to 30.

Out of the 30, a jury picked six projects which they deemed original, feasible, and sustainable. — APG, GMA News

Tags: bugremover