MANILA – The utilization of machinery and equipment in the country’s rice farms has not shown significant improvement despite the government’s allocation of billions of pesos for farm mechanization in previous years. According to the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), the farm mechanization level of rice farms in the Philippines was at 2.68 horsepower per hectare (hp/ha) in 2022, compared to 2.31 hp/ha in 2013. This represents only a 16-percent improvement over a nine-year period, prompting the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) to identify various factors hindering progress in farm mechanization efforts.
“We are starting from a low base, so the actual increase may seem surprisingly small considering the substantial amount spent each year under RTL-RCEF and other farm mechanization programs. It is possible that the machines are not being properly maintained, resulting in their underutilization after a few years,” explained Raul Montemayor, FFF national manager. He also suggested that farmers may be hesitant to invest in machinery unless they are provided for free, due to the low palay prices resulting from excessive imports. Montemayor added that rising fuel costs could also discourage mechanization efforts.
Among the regions, Cagayan Valley recorded the highest level of farm mechanization at 3.51 hp/ha, while the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao had the lowest level at 0.93 hp/ha. The farm mechanization levels in other regions were as follows: Cordillera Administrative Region – 2.35 hp/ha; Ilocos Region – 3.09 hp/ha; Central Luzon – 2.62 hp/ha; Calabarzon – 3.36 hp/ha; Mimaropa – 2.22 hp/ha; Bicol Region – 2.98 hp/ha; Western Visayas – 2.76 hp/ha; Central Visayas – 3.02 hp/ha; Eastern Visayas – 2.41 hp/ha; Zamboanga Peninsula – 1.59 hp/ha; Northern Mindanao – 2.3 hp/ha; Davao Region – 2.59 hp/ha; Soccsksargen – 1.72 hp/ha; and Caraga Administrative Region – 1.65 hp/ha.
Dionisio Alvindia, executive director of PHilMech, attributed the increase in the country’s farm mechanization level to the impact of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Mechanization Program, which has been implemented for five years. He emphasized that addressing postharvest issues and promoting mechanization are crucial for farm modernization in the Philippines. Alvindia expressed PHilMech’s determination to continue promoting technologies that will further enhance the country’s farm mechanization level.
The government allocates P5 billion, or half of the annual P10 billion rice tariff collection, to PHilMech for the implementation of the mechanization aspect of RCEF from 2019 to 2024. RCEF is a component of the Rice Tariffication Law, which liberalized rice trading and removed quantitative restrictions on rice imports. PHilMech has been advocating for the extension of the RCEF-Mechanization Program beyond 2024, as it believes that this provision has had minimal or no impact on boosting the rice industry. Alvindia previously stated that the P30-billion fund for distributing farm machinery under RCEF can only cover 14 percent of the 2.7 million hectares of rice lands in the country.
Between 2019 and 2022, PHilMech distributed a total of 22,844 units of various farm machines to 10,633 farmers’ cooperatives and associations, as well as local government units. The majority of the machines were for land preparation (12,644 units), such as four-wheel tractors, one-hand tractors, floating tillers, and farm implements. For crop establishment, 3,387 units of machines were distributed, including precision seeders, walk-behind transplanters, and riding-type transplanters. Additionally, 1,338 units of facilities were provided for drying and milling.
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Omprakash Tiwary is a business writer who delves into the intricacies of the corporate world. With a focus on finance and economic landscape. He offers readers valuable insights into market trends, entrepreneurship, and economic developments.
