Farm mechanization pushed for rice self-sufficiency

THE INCREASING population of the country of about 105 million presents a challenge for the government to increase the level of food sufficiency, especially rice as the common staple food in the country.

Rice self-sufficiency is one of the primary mandates of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

A strategy in meeting this mandate is through mechanization, according to Dr. Rodolfo Estigoy, Chief Science Research Specialist, Applied Communication Division, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).

Dr. Estigoy was a resource speaker during the Regional Information Officers, DA-RFO/ LGU Farmcasters and AFID staff Conference cum Assessment and Planning Workshop in Manila.

DA’s farm research and development (R&D) mechanization thrust is spearheaded by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), Dr. Estigoy explained.

According to a PhilMech document, the level of mechanization in rice for the country in 2013 was estimated at 2.31 horsepower per hectare (hp/ha.) This has resulted to low productivity, low product quality, and high postharvest losses.

In Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the level of mechanization is estimated 46.98 percent in plowing operation and 39.96 percent in harrowing.

Due to the low level of mechanization in the country, an average loss of 5.86 percent in postharvest for drying and 5.52 percent in milling, according to the Postharvest Loss Assessment Project conducted by PHilMech and PhilRice in 2010.

The Department of Agriculture integrated their programs to raise rice farmers’ productivity.

According to Dr. Rodolfo P. Estigoy, farmers should mechanize their farm operations to lower production cost.

To promote farm mechanization, PhilMech is seeking to evolve and update machineries for use of farmers in their farms.

Dr. Estigoy said that drying and milling are the two rice farm operations with high percentage of postharvest loss. Access by farmers to production and postproduction systems and programs have thus been strengthened and made accessible to farmers, he explained.

These programs pro-

vide farm mechanization facilities and equipment such as hand tractor, seeder, reaper, etc; and, modernization of rice milling systems; storage/ warehouse, and among others.

Farmers association, irrigations associations, cooperative, registered farmer’s group can avail the programs offered by PhilMech in these areas.

He solicited the help and support the Rethat gional Information Officers and Farmcasters in disseminating information in relation to the DA’s mechanization program.

Lastly, through the DA programs and its attached agencies, PhilMech provides needed farm mechanization interventions to increase efficiency of farm activities and reduce direct cost through mechanized farming. DA- Release