17/01/2026
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๐๐๐๐๐๐ | ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ผ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐๐: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฃ๐๐ฟ๐๐๐ถ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ป๐ด๐ฟ. ๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐ป ๐ . ๐๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ป๐ผ๐ท๐ฎ
Agriculture has long been the quiet backbone of the nation, an enduring force that feeds families, sustains communities, and anchors the economy. Yet, behind every fruitful harvest lies countless challengesโmechanical inefficiencies and labor-intensive processes that have long tested farmers.
It is in addressing these challenges that Engr. Ryan Abenoja, a researcher and an educator, made an impact; creating innovative solutions focused on agricultural mechanization and sustainable farm technologies, and patented numerous research studies creating practical and renewable approaches, boosting efficiency, safety, and productivity for Filipino farmers.
In his college days, Engr. Abenoja's ultimate goal was to earn a degree. His collegiate journey was not an easy road, he navigated through different modes of classes, adjusting to every challenge that came along. Despite these hardships, Engr. Abenoja remained steadfast and finished his degree and eventually became the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer that he is todayโworking as an educator and taking part in his knowledge in the field of research.
Among his research breakthroughs are the recently patented co-invented High Efficiency, Low-Energy Electric Coconut Dehusker, Multi-Stage Cacao Processor, Mechanical Coconut Climber, Enhanced Vermicast Tea Vortex Brewer, as well as research publications on Vermicomposting, New Solar-Powered Rice-Fish Farming System for yield improvement, and many more. These works showed his immense commitment to developing engineering-based solutions for agricultural communities.
In this world where machines and technologies are becoming widely available, the need to continuously develop and innovate remains essential. Engr. Abenoja stated that "If we compare the Philippines to other countries in terms of resources, there are many existing technologies farmers could already adapt. However, we still need to innovate and provide options that truly fit the farmers' circumstances, especially in terms of cost, accessibility, and after-sales support." He believes that localized technologies strengthen farmers because these innovations are developed based on their environment, struggles, and capabilities in mind.
The role of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer covers a wide range of areas. Its scope is not limited to agriculture alone but expands to structures, electrical systems, and mechanical applications. Engr. Abenoja explained that "An ABE is called a jack of trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one." Highlighting the critical roles and versatility of an AB Engineer, giving graduates an edge for future job opportunities. Moreover, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers help address modern challenges like sustainability, food security, and climate adaptation. With their broad technical skills, they design efficient systems from machinery to irrigation and post-harvest technologiesโmaking them key contributors to a more resilient and innovative agricultural sector.
When creating a study, the purpose serves as the driving force that pushes innovators to truly help farmers. Research technologies support agricultural communities in the long run; however, the mindset of the researchers and the farmers plays an equally vital role in ensuring that providing food on the table is not a survival task but rather a genuine desire to make a significant difference.
As Engr. Abenoja continues to strive for research advancements. He emphasizes that planning critically is one step toward having a good foundation in any research endeavor. He said, "We must continue striving for innovation because the world is changing. To adapt, we need inventions, tools, and technologies that support farmers in adjusting to these changes." He believes that preparation and continued learning make research more meaningful.
Engr. Abenoja views the field of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering as one where innovation is not only advanced but also inclusive.
For the future generations, Engr Abenoja mentioned, "Students should be exposed to real problems to understand what needs to be innovated. Students cannot create an effective research study without experiencing or understanding the problems. Students must explore, observe, and immerse themselves in the challenges faced by the agricultural sector," adding that aspiring innovators who engage with the real-life problems in the agricultural sector develop a deeper sense of empathy, leading to more impactful and purposeful solutions.
As the world keeps evolving, so does the need for people; innovation becomes not just a choice, but a responsibility for those who aim to build a better and more resilient agricultural future.
Written by Jhellian Dagohoy
Statements transcribed and translated by Jhellian Dagohoy
Photo by Chison June Lomotos
Layout by Knezha Kheyts B. Daling
๐๐ข๐ค๐ฌ๐จ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐จ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ค๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ๐ต๐ฆ๐ด๐บ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ฏ๐ช๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ๐ด๐ช๐ต๐บ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ข๐ด๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฏ ๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ญ๐ช๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ด, ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐บ๐ฐ ๐๐ข๐ต๐ณ๐ช๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ช๐ต๐ฐ ๐ท๐ช๐ข ๐๐ฆ๐น๐ฆ๐ญ๐ด, ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ป๐ฉ๐ข ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ๐บ๐ต๐ด ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ, ๐ง๐ฆ๐ข๐ต๐ถ๐ณ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ข
