UPLB Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center

| 𝗣𝗛𝗧𝗥𝗖 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟱𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗦𝗦𝗣

Today, 09 June 2026, marks the successful opening of the 56th Crop Science Society of the Philippines (CSSP) Scientific Conference held at the Quest Plus Conference Center in Clark, Pampanga.

The event was attended by affiliate researchers, REPS, and project staff from the UPLB Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center to present their papers aligned with the theme, “Innovation and Collaboration in Crop Science for a Sustainable Food System and Healthy Society.” Present in attendance were: PHTRC Director and 56th CSSP Vice President Dr. Arlan James D. Rodeo; PHTRC affiliate researcher Dr. Johnrell S. Zuniega; researchers Jennifer C. Padrid, Daphne Cassandra H. Gonzales, and Grace Anne P. Alcantara-Espinosa; and project staff Ma. Angelica P. Canizares, Alexie Joy P. France, and Neil Christian R. Sanjorjo.

The conference takes place from 9 to 11 June 2026, and PHTRC delegates are slated to present tomorrow, 8 June 2026. We wish that each presentation goes well. Cheering you on in spirit!

| 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞!

🌻🌻The UPLB Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center Mid-year Internship Program opens today, 8 June 2026, as we receive 17 undergraduate students from both UPLB and UPLB-partner SUCs.

The PHTRC Internship Committee, led by Engr. Ryan Anthony O. Lualhati, organized an orientation program and Center facilities tour to formally welcome the students. The research interns were composed of six BS Agriculture major in Horticulture (Postharvest Science) students from the UPLB Institute of Crop Science, four BS Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering students from the UPLB Institute of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, and one BS Agricultural Chemistry student from the UPLB Institute of Chemistry. They were joined by BS Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering students from the Mindoro State University and the Cagayan State University.

The program will run from 8 June to 14 July 2026, covering both theoretical and practical applications of various sciences in postharvest science and management.

𝘼𝙩 𝙋𝙃𝙏𝙍𝘾, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙝!

[𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬]

The UPLB Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center is inviting agriculture professionals, technical staff, and other interested individuals to enlist for our five-day 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 happening this 27-31 July 2026.

This program offers:
🌱5-day Face-to-Face Training with CPD credits for Agriculturists and Agriculture Engineers
🌱Guided Field Tour
🌱Registration fee is P15,000.00 inclusive of training materials, meals, and transportation during the field visit.

Learn practical techniques, hands-on methods, and proven tips to improve produce quality from farm to market.

📌Reserve your slot now: bit.ly/3S1Y3GT
📌Inquire with us: bit.ly/4nSLNVd

[𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 - 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡]

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: University Researcher II (REPS)
𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲: 18
𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: None Required
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗜𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗡𝗼.: UPSB-UNIR2-184-1998

🌱Are you passionate about increasing farmer incomes and strengthening agricultural value chains? The UPLB Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center is looking for individuals with background in postharvest handling, agricultural economics, or value chain analysis to apply for a University Researcher II position.

Visit this link (https://hrdo.uplb.edu.ph/jobs/) for more details, or scan the QR code to submit your application package. Apply now!

⏰ 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 25 May 2026 (04:00 PM)

🌱 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

We extend our sincere appreciation to DOST PCAARRD Agricultural Resources Management Research Division for supporting the "Strategic Postharvest Research for Innovative and Novel Technologies for Horticulture Industry Development" (SPRINT-Hort) Program, a collaborative initiative driving practical solutions for the horticulture sector.

Led by the UPLB Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center (PHTRC) under the program leadership of Engr. Ryan Anthony O. Lualhati, SPRINT-Hort continues to generate impactful innovations through strong institutional partnerships.

📌 One key milestone comes from Project 2: Development of Low-Cost Cooling and Storage Systems for Horticultural Produce, with successful adoption and research trials carried out by Central Luzon State University (CLSU), demonstrating scalable, farmer-friendly technologies for reducing postharvest losses.

🔬 The SPRINT-Hort Program also advances:
• Project 1: Postharvest Systems Improvement of Selected Horticultural Value Chains (in collaboration with Benguet State University, CLSU, Camarines Norte State College, Nueva Vizcaya State University, and Visayas State University)
• Project 3: Development of Natural Preservation Systems for Fresh Horticultural Produce

Together, these efforts reflect how UPLB-PHTRC, alongside its partner institutions, is helping strengthen postharvest systems and improve the resilience of the Philippine horticulture industry.

Makipagbayanihan sa Agri-Bayanihan! 💪🏼🤝

Bilang tugon ng UPLB sa pandaigdigang krisis sa enerhiya at pagkain, tayo ay magsama-sama upang paigtingin ang diwa ng bayanihan sa ating komunidad.

Bumili ng Vegetable Packs 🥬
Sa unang salang ng Agri-Bayanihan, mayroong 500 packs ng 2kg chopsuey vegetables mula sa mga magsasaka ng Nagcarlan, Laguna. Maaari itong bilhin para sa inyong pamilya (Buy-for-Family) o ipamahagi sa napiling grupo ng Batch 1 beneficiaries (Buy-it-Forward).

Kapag sama-sama, ang munting akto ng kabayanihan ay mararamdaman ng sambayanan.

Para sa magsasaka. Para sa bayan. Para sa bawat isa.

Tara na sa Agri-Bayanihan! 🌾✨

Para sa karagdagang tanong at detalye, mag-email sa: [email protected]

This May 1st, the UPLB Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center (PHTRC) is celebrating the hands that put food on our plates. Thank you to our farmers, field workers, and laboratory researchers for your commitment to work.

Your tireless efforts in keeping the produce fresh, safe, and beneficial for the economy do not go unnoticed. Today, we honor your labor and toil, our postharvest rockstars!

𝘼𝙩 𝙋𝙃𝙏𝙍𝘾, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙝! 🌱🌱

| Engr. Ryan Anthony O. Lualhati represented the UPLB Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center in the recently concluded SEARCA Agri-Innovator Program (AIP), 13-16 April 2026.

Twenty-three delegates from higher education institutions (HEIs) across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand convened for fruitful discussions on technology commercialization and innovation pathways.

The SEARCA AIP brought together a pool of dynamic researchers as session panelists where Engr. Lualhati sat down with Dr. Roza Yusfiandayani (IPB Indonesia), Dr. Mohammad Effendy Yaacob (UPM Malaysia), and Dr. Chatprawee Dechjiraratthanasiri (KU Thailand) to discuss and share their respective institution's licensing commercialization pathways.

The PHTRC would like to thank the SEARCA for extending the invitation and for recognizing the Center's critical role in bringing agri-innovations for the people.

📸 𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘺 𝘰𝘧: 𝘚𝘌𝘈𝘙𝘊𝘈

| On 17 April 2026, Dr. Nympha D. Sapan, Research Department Head at the Upi Agricultural School in Upi, Maguindanao del Norte was received by Engr. Ryan Anthony O. Lualhati as part of the Higher Education Leadership Mentoring (HELM) Fellowship Program under the UPLB Office for Institutional Development in Higher Education (OIDHE).

Under the HELM Research Management and Implementation Track, Dr. Sapan visited the UPLB Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center for an overview of the research and extension programs at the Center; laboratory and facility tour; and a brief presentation of best practices and challenges in postharvest research implementation.