Introduction to Agricultural and

Biosystems Engineering (ABE 101)

MODULE I
Faculty
Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering Program

INTRODUCTION

This module will introduce you to the Agricultural and Biosystems

Engineering (ABE). Hopefully, after reading this chapter you will have a
comprehensive understanding about the profession.

First, we’ll answer the question, “What is engineering?” then we will

discuss about ABE.

I. Definition of Engineering

I’m sure you will be asked ‘What is engineering”, “Who is an engineer?”

and ‘what does an engineer do?”, since you’ve chosen to enrol Bachelor of Science
in engineering profession. You can refer to the following information to have ideas
in answering these questions.

A. What is engineering?
 1. Engineering is the application of science and math to solve problems
(Lucas, 2014).

2. Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the

mathematical and natural sciences, gained by study, experience, and practice,
is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials
and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind (Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology, Inc.).

B. Who is an engineer?

An engineer is a person qualified by aptitude, education, and experience

to perform engineering functions. He is a member of a versatile team of
specialists possessing complimentary skills and knowledge. Engineering is a
mental activity and the engineer’s particular responsibility is the solution of
abstract problems involving design, performance, efficiency and cost (Wara,
2011).

C. What does an engineer do?

Engineers design, evaluate, develop, test, modify, install, inspect and

maintain a wide variety of products and systems. They also recommend and
specify materials and processes, supervise manufacturing and construction,
conduct failure analysis, provide consulting services and teach engineering
courses in colleges and universities (Lucas, 2014).

EXERCISE 1
Study the definitions of engineering. Write it down and commit it to memory.
You can also rephrase or create your own definition. This exercise will help clarify
your pers onal understanding of the field and you can answer anyone who will ask
about the profession.

II. Introduction to Bachelor of Science in ABE

 In this part of the module, you will be introduced to a detailed view about
ABE. It includes frequently asked questions and answers.

A. What is an Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering?

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering refers to the application of

engineering science and designs to the processes and systems involved in the
sustainable production, post production and processing of safe food, feed, fiber,
timber and other agricultural and biological materials and the efficient
utilization, conservation, and management of natural and renewable resources
in order to enhance human health in harmony with the environment.
Agricultural and biosystems consist of crops, forestry and other plants, poultry,
livestock, fisheries and aquaculture resources and other animals, wildlife and
other living things

B. What is an Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer?

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer refers to a person who is registered

and licensed to practice agricultural and biosystems engineering in the country
and who holds a valid certificate of registration and professional identification
card from the Board of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and the PRC

C. How many years do you need to complete the course in Ilocos Sur
Polytechnic State College?

The ISPSC offers a minimum 4-yr program with 183 units. According the ISPSC
student’s manual, if in case a student will not finish the program on time, a
student must finish the requirement of a course of any college within a period of
actual residence equivalent to 1 ½ times the normal length prescribed for the
course; otherwise he/she shall not be allowed to register further in the college.

D. Specialization of the course:

The Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) Specialization shall

include, but not limited to, the following:

• Agricultural and Biosystems Power and Machinery;

• Irrigation and Drainage Engineering;

• Soil and Water Conservation Engineering;

• Agricultural and Biosystems Buildings and Structures;

 • Agricultural and Bio-process Engineering;

• Food Engineering;

• Renewable/Bio-Energy and Farm Electrification;

• Agricultural and Biological Waste Management;

• Aquacultural Engineering;

• Forest Engineering;

• Agricultural and Biosystems Automation and Instrumentation;

• Agricultural and Bio-Information System;

• Agrometeorology; and

• Agricultural and Biological Resource Conservation

and Management.

1. Agricultural and Biosystems Power and Machinery

It refers to farm power and machinery for the production, harvesting,

processing, storage, manufacture, preserving, transporting and distribution of
agricultural and biological products/materials and includes, but is not limited
to, tractors and their attachments, power tillers, seeders, transplanters,
windmills, harvesting machines, crop protection and maintenance equipment,
irrigation equipment and accessories, greenhouses and other thermal
conditioning equipment, livestock, poultry, fishery and forest equipment,
slaughtering equipment, meat/fishery and crop processing equipment, post
harvest machines such as milling machines, dryers, threshers, grain and other
strippers, agricultural transport machinery and storage;

2. Agricultural and Biosystems Buildings and Structures

It refers to buildings and structures for the production, harvesting,

processing, storage, manufacture, preserving, transporting and distribution of
agricultural and biological products/materials and includes, but is not limited
to, silos and its components, agricultural and biosystems machinery and
equipment sheds, farm houses, green/screen houses, poultry houses, piggery
houses, slaughterhouses, farm-to-market roads, farm bridges, agricultural and
biological products storage/warehouse, buildings and structures for poultry,
livestock, fishery, and forestry production and processing, kiln drying and
lumber treatment structure, farm equipment, farm supplies, and other
structures such as self-feeders, and soil and water conservation structures:

3. Agricultural and Bio-Processing

It refers to local activity or series of activities to maintain or raise the

quality or change the form or characteristics of agricultural, fishery, forestry and
biological products/materials and includes, but is not limited to, cleaning,
sorting, grading, treating, drying, dehydrating, grinding, mixing, milling,
canning, dressing, slaughtering, freezing, pasteurizing, conditioning, packaging,
repacking, transporting of agricultural, fishery, forestry and other biological
products/materials;

4. Agricultural and Biological Waste Utilization and Management

It refers to the development of systems, processes, and equipment for

agricultural waste disposal and utilization and environment-friendly
technologies such as, but is not limited to, compost plants, biogas plants,
biomass utilization technologies, systems and processes;

5. Agricultural and Bio-Information System

It refers to utilization of information systems, database, and other

information management tools for agricultural use, biological systems modeling
to understand the mutual response between life and the environment; and
application of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology for inventory,
analysis, and management of agricultural and biological resources, and remote
sensing technology for observation and examination of the landscape and its
local forms and agricultural activities;

6. Agricultural and Biosystems Automation and Instrumentation

It refers to the use and application of agricultural and biosystems sensors

such as, but is not limited to, computer models for control and automation in
the agricultural and fishery production industry and the biological systems and
likewise, robotics for farm operation when use of machines are difficult or
impossible, agricultural and biosystems machine design and automated
controls, precision farming systems, agricultural safety and
controlledenvironment agriculture; and the development and application of
metrology equipment such as moisture meters, weighing scale and other
metrology equipment;

7. Agricultural and Biosystems Resource Conservation and Management

It refers to measures of conservation and proper management of

agricultural and biological resources such as, but is not limited to, area
development for agriculture, settlement and recreation; parks and plant
nurseries; beneficial ecosystem of life and environment; study and analysis of
agricultural system as an integrated component of landscape; monitoring and
conservation of natural resources; rehabilitation of forest, lakes, rivers and idle
lands; and the sustainable development, management, and exploitation of the
agricultural ecosystem;

8. Irrigation

It refers to the artificial application of water to the soil to assist in the

growing of agricultural and forest crops, maintenance of landscapes, and
revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate
rainfall, and shall include drip, sprinkler, shallow tube well and other
pressurized irrigation system; national and communal irrigation systems;
surface and ground water resource management; and irrigation structures and
facilities such as dams, weirs, pump systems, conveyances, canals, and flumes.

E. Institutions related to Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Profession

1. Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

The government agency created to lead, promote, and regulate

higher/tertiary education in the Philippines created under Republic Act No. 7722

2. Professional regulatory commission (PRC):

The PRC administers, implements, and enforces the regulatory laws and
policies of the country with respect to the regulation and licensing of the various
professions under its jurisdiction. This includes the enhancement and
maintenance of professional standards and ethics and the enforcement of such
rules and regulations.

3. Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO)

It refers to the concerned Board and PRC Accredited Integrated

Professional organization for a given profession which is specially mandated by
the provision of the Professional Regulatory Law to integrate the professionals
into once national organization and where the membership therein by
professionals is automatic and mandatory.

4. The Philippine Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers (PSABE)

The AIPO for licensed Filipino Agriculture and Biosystems Engineers

(ABEs).

This association is formed with the primary objective of providing a forum

where members of the profession can interact to share ideas. It plays a key role
in member’s development and keep them abreast of happenings in the industry.
II. LEARNING ACTIVITY/REFLECTION:

You can submit your paper thru the following information:

• Email:
• Messenger:
• During the once a month physical reporting in the College

Name:______________________ Date_____________________
Section:____________________ Subject:__________________

1. What made you decide to enrol in the BSABE Program?

2. Look for a challenging situation, in your community, that needs the

application of ABE principles. Explain your answer.
 REFERENCES

1. Lucas, Jim. 2014. What is Engineering? | Types of Engineering.

https://www.livescience.com/47499-what-is-engineering.html

2. Republic Act 10915

3. Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.

https://www.abet.org/