Villar goes for farm mechanization, inbred rice seeds
CITING THE IMPORTANCE of farmers to the country, and the people, in general, Senator Cynthia A. Villar led the 2nd Rice Farm Mechanization and Inbred Seeds Production Training at the Villar SIPAG Farm School in Bacoor City recently, with participants coming from rice cooperatives, farmer organizations, and farmers in Luzon.
Villar pointed out that the program, which is conducted free of charge, is in partnership with the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Some 35 farmers and members of different rice cooperatives and farmers’ organizations coming from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 participated in the training program.
With the imminent implementation of rice tariffication, this training course is very relevant, says the lady senator.
It was learned that the Rice Tariffication Bill was already transmitted to Malacañang and is expected to be signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Villar says that in case President Duterte fails to sign the said bill after 30 days, following the receipt thereof, it will lapse into law.
She added that under the law, they have created a Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF) which will support the rice farmers in the country.
The RCEF will be used to provide direct assistance to the rice farmers, but the said bill is very specific as to where the fund will be spent to assure that it will reach the intended beneficiaries and programs, Villar pointed out.
She also explained that under the bill, the R10 billion Rice Fund will be allocated as follows:
• PhilMech will be given 50 percent to provide the farmers, through the eligible farmers’ organizations and registered cooperatives, with rice farm machines and equipment, which include harvesters, tractors, tillers, threshers, seeders, rice transplanters, reapers, driers, millers, irrigation pumps, and small solarpowered irrigation systems, among others;
• Thirty percent will be released to PhilRice to be used for the development, propagation, and promotion of inbred rice seeds for the farmers, and the organization of rice farmers into growers’ association engaged in seed production and trade;
• Ten percent will be made available in the form of credit facility with minimal interest rates and minimum collateral requirements to farmers and cooperatives, to be managed by the Land Bank of the Philippines, and the Development of the Philippines; and,
• Ten percent will be set aside to fund extension services of PhilMech, ATI, and TESDA for teaching skills on rice crop production, modern rice farming techniques, seed production, farm mechanization, and knowledge of technology transfer through the farms schools across the country.
“Following the implementation of the bill, vital activities like the Rice Farm Mechanization and Inbred Seeds Production Training can be intensified because our intentions are guided by the rules under the law,” Villar says.
“Mechanization can significantly bring down the cost of labor, particularly the labor-intensive crops, such as rice,” Villar added.
Farm mechanization now plays an important role in the country.
Theoretically, sustainable mechanization is the process of presenting the right machines to the farmers in order to assure that their production is not only sustainable, but more efficient in
cultivating their crops.
The adoption of appropriate, cost-effective, and modern agricultural machines and equipment is expected to enhance farm productivity and efficiency.
Farm mechanization can also help achieve food security in the country, and eventually increase the income of the farmers.
Aside from improving production, mechanization also encourages large-scale production, and helps in achieving quality farm produce.
On the other hand, the use of inbred rice seeds would allow the farmers to save at least 60 percent of the required volume of seeds to plant a hectare of land, aside from the savings for the purchase of other inputs like pesticides, fertilizers, and other needs, by using the seeder and transplanter.
Among the notable inbred rice seeds developed by Phil Rice is the Rc 216 variety, which is moderately resistant to brown planthopper, green leafhopper, and stemborer.
PhilRice says, on the average, the variety can yield about six tons per hectare and about 9.7 tons per hectare, at the most. It can also adapt to different stressful conditions.
“But mechanization is not only about using machines and equipment, we also have to invest in people, the farmers, and those who will be involved in the various mechanization programs and projects,” she added, apparently addressing the participants.
Senator Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee for Food and Agriculture, underscored the importance of farm mechanization.
“I am a staunch supporter of agricultural mechanization. I have time and again cited that based on studies, two of the barriers confronting farmers, fisherfolk, and agricultural workers are lack of technical expertise and mechanization,” she emphasized.
“Together with the various government departments/ agencies and organizations, such as those behind this event, we should focus on working together towards breaking down those barriers,” she added.
Villar says we also need to ensure that Filipinos can make the latest technological and systems innovations available to local industry players.
“Actually, we started late in our mechanization efforts; [it was started] just several years ago, while our Asian neighbors started mechanizing their farms over three decades ago (in the 1970s).
So we have a lot of catching up to do. Data shown to me reveals that the Philippines lags behind its regional neighbors in terms of farm mechanization. Emphasizing that the local industry players can now produce or manufacture equipment and machineries that are more adaptable to the local setting or terrain,” she continues.
“We hope, with our concerted efforts, we can improve our standing because it will be very beneficial to all of us.”
Promotion, development, and adoption of modern, appropriate, cost-effective and environmentally-safe agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment will enhance farm productivity and efficiency, and can help achieve food security in the country, and increase the farmers’ income.
Villar likewise emphasized that farm schools in the country should also include the repair and maintenance of farm machines in their curriculum.
Mechanization can significantly bring down the cost of labor, particularly the labor-intensive crops, like rice, sugarcane, and corn.
“We must also emphasize that in realizing our mechanization goals, we are not only lowering the production and postharvest losses, among others; it also aids in achieving our selfsufficiency and food security goals,” Villar concluded.
Among the industry players who participated in the event include Kubota Philippines, Inc., and Bacolod City-based R.U. Foundry and Machine Shop Corporation, which manufactures different agricultural machines and equipment like the shredder machine, among many others.