UPLB Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center

03/09/2026

𝗣𝗛𝗧𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗔𝗢’𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀; 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗛𝗖𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

A delegation from the UPLB Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center (PHTRC) and UPLB Institute of Crop Science (ICropS) participated in the 2026 International Horticultural Congress (IHC2026), held at the International Conference Center in Kyoto, Japan from 23 to 28 August 2026.

The group included Ms. Rona Kay G. Franco, University Researcher from PHTRC; Ms. Jaymee Palenzuela, an MS in Horticulture alumna; and Dr. Arlan James Rodeo and Dr. Johnrell Zuniega, faculty members from ICropS. All four participants presented both poster and oral papers at the conference, pitching their research findings to an international audience.

In a parallel event, Ms. Franco was selected as one of the promising Young Scientists under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – IHC2026 initiative. She was invited as a guest to the FAO’s concurrent event, themed “Unlocking the full potential of fruits and vegetables for the transformation of agrifood systems” held last 24 August 2026.

Representing PHTRC, Ms. Franco met with Qu Dongyu, FAO Director-General; Yurdi Yasmi, Director of Plant Production and Protection Division, and other agricultural officers from FAO-Rome.

The IHC2026 is a leading global scientific forum that supports the advancement of horticulture in developing countries, bringing together researchers, scientists, industry and other value-chain actors to discuss advancements in the horticultural sector.

28/08/2026

| 𝗣𝗛𝗧𝗥𝗖 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

Thirty-five farmers and processors gathered at the Provincial Agriculture Center in Brgy. Merit, Victoria, Oriental Mindoro for a community-based Training on Postharvest Handling of High Value Commercial Crops, 25-26 August 2026.

Ms. Grace Anne P. Alcantara-Espinosa, Ms. Daphne Cassandra H. Gonzales, and Engr. Ryan Anthony O. Lualhati of the UPLB Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center were invited as resource persons. The researchers discussed the factors in maintaining the quality of harvested crops, focusing on banana, calamansi, and lowland vegetables. They also briefly discussed the proper postharvest techniques from cleaning, packaging, storage, and transport.

The PHTRC would like to thank the Provincial Agriculturist's Office - Oriental Mindoro, led by Provincial Agriculturist Christine M. Pine, for partnering with us in this timely activity for our vegetable farmers.

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Whether you are interested in taking a crop-specific or a basic training course on postharvest handling, or you would like to gain practical skills to improve your postharvest management practices, the PHTRC offers pathways that fit your training needs.

For training requests and inquiries, please email us at [email protected].

𝘼𝙩 𝙋𝙃𝙏𝙍𝘾, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙝!

26/08/2026

| 𝗧𝗼𝗸𝘆𝗼 𝗡𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗜 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝟯𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀; 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗣𝗛𝗧𝗥𝗖

Eighteen (18) students from the 東京農業大学　Tokyo University of Agriculture (TUA/Tokyo NODAI) accompanied by their professors, Dr. Nina N. Shimoguchi and Dr. Keita Ishii, visited the Philippines for the 36th batch of their field practice program from 9 to 21 August 2026.

Part of their itinerary includes a stopover at the UPLB Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center, 19 August 2026. The delegates were welcomed for a short lecture on postharvest handling of horticultural crops with Ms. Daphne Cassandra H. Gonzales, University Researcher II, as the resource person. Shortly after, the students were guided for a Center facility tour.

The field practice program provided the students with learning experiences to deepen their appreciation on the postharvest technologies that were developed in the country.

PHTRC would like to thank Assistant Professor Eliza C. Aquino, Associate Professor Hanna D. Miranda-Quibot and Assistant Professor Jennica Amielle M. Mora-Aquino, of the Department of Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship (DAME) of the College of Economics and Management (CEM), UPLB for leading the group in this academic activity.

24/08/2026

| 𝗖𝗔𝗙𝗦 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗛𝗧𝗥𝗖

The Hop-on Hop-off Tour of the UPLB College of Agriculture and Food Science was held today, 24 August 2026, for CAFS freshmen and other interested students.

The UPLB Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center was chosen as one of the learning sites for the tour, which is a great opportunity for students to explore the Center's research and laboratory facilities.

Guided by our research staff, the students learned about the current research programs and opportunities waiting for them should they consider specializing in postharvest science. They were also introduced to the wide collection of resources available at the Center's specialized library.

We thank the CAFS Freshman Council for organizing this event and allowing us to showcase our facilities.

𝘼𝙩 𝙋𝙃𝙏𝙍𝘾, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙝!

20/08/2026

[𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 - 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗬 𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗠]

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Research Faculty
𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Registered Agriculturist (RA 12215)
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗜𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗡𝗼.: UPSB-PROF6-340-2019

🌱We invite applications for a Research Faculty position specializing in postharvest physiology. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate service courses and specialized graduate courses in postharvest physiology. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application materials on or before 25 August 2026.

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 August 2026 (04:00 PM)

13/08/2026

10/08/2026

| 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘀

The five-day Short Course on Postharvest Handling of Perishable Crops opened today, 10 August 2026, at the PHTRC Conference Room and will run through 14 August 2026. The program began with a welcome message from Dr. Arlan James D. Rodeo, Director of the UPLB Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center, followed by the opening remarks from Dr. Amado A. Angeles, Dean of the UPLB College of Agriculture and Food Science, who emphasized the importance of proper postharvest practices in preserving the quality and value of agricultural products.

Day 1 featured lectures on basic postharvest concepts and processes, along with proven techniques for improving produce quality from farm to market. The sessions introduced the participants to practical approaches for minimizing losses, maintaining freshness, and ensuring that fruits and vegetables reach consumers in the best condition after harvest.

The training program is accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission with approved CPD credit units for registered agriculturists and agricultural engineers.

05/08/2026

🌱🌱Way to go, Romano!

HARVEST MEETS CODE 🌱💻

Romano Franco L. Huraño, a recent University of the Philippines Los Baños BS Agriculture graduate with a major in Horticulture, combined crop science with software development to create AniNow.

AniNow MicroLab is a Philippine-focused microgreens reference and seed-density calculator offering crop information, cultivation resources, and production tools for growers, students, households, researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs.

“AniNow” combines “ani,” or harvest, with “now,” while echoing “aninaw,” associated with clarity and observation.

The project grew from Huraño’s work in microgreens, controlled-environment agriculture, light treatments, and a customized LED system now used for postharvest research, based on his exclusive INB interview. Its public introduction also identifies it as a microgreens research platform.

Before the app’s development, he participated in a four-month exchange in Tokyo, a horticultural internship in Wakayama, and agricultural exposure in Pai, Thailand. This experience has widened his knowledge about agricultural systems around the globe. This also exposed him to agricultural practices of various countries which illustrated that the food security is not only a local issue but a global crisis.

He also emphasized that indigenous and underutilized regional vegetables have the potential to be investigated as microgreens rather than being utilized solely as mature vegetables. Exploring these crops in the microgreen stage may open new avenues for research, value-added production, and commercialization, demonstrating how initiatives such as AniNow can support agricultural innovation while improving farmers’ livelihoods and contributing to the country’s economy.

The platform remains in early development. Huraño is seeking support from universities, agencies, researchers, and agricultural experts to validate and localize its guides. UPLB and DOST-PCAARRD have advanced microgreens and artificial-light farming for urban food production.

Explore: https://aninow-microlab.streamlit.app/

30/07/2026

| 𝗟𝗼𝘀 𝗕𝗮ñ𝗼𝘀 𝗠𝗔𝗢 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗛𝗧𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝘂𝘁 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Ms. Jennifer C. Padrid, University Researcher II at the UPLB Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center, served as resource speaker for a seminar on value addition of cut flowers last 29 July 2026.

The seminar was held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Municipal Building in Brgy. Timugan, Municipal Government of Los Baños, gathering staff and personnel from the Los Baños Municipal Agriculturists' Office, agricultural extension workers, and farmers from cut flower-producing barangays in the municipality.

The initiative focused on bridging scientific researches and local farm practices to enhance the economic gains of ornamental crops across the municipality.

The Center would like to thank Ms. Cheryll T. Laviña-Gonzales, Los Baños Municipal Agriculturist, and the organizers for extending the invitation to be part of this meaningful training to empower small-scale producers in the region.

29/07/2026

| 𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

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 this 10-14 August 2026, with approved 𝐂𝐏𝐃 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐬 for registered agriculturists and agricultural engineers.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬:
🌱5-day Face-to-Face Training with CPD credits for Agriculturists and Agriculture Engineers
🌱Guided Field Tour
🌱Registration fee is PhP 15,000 inclusive of training materials, meals, and transportation during the field visit. A reservation fee of PhP 3,000 is required to secure your spots.

Learn practical techniques, hands-on methods, and proven tips to improve produce quality from farm to market. Advance your knowledge in practical postharvest techniques and join our mid-year training NOW! 🍍🥦🥭

𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝟎𝟑 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
📌SCAN THE QR CODE TO RESERVE YOUR SLOTS NOW.
📌Check the comment section for the registration link.