PHILMECH STEPS UP DISTRIBUTION OF FARM MACHINERY

The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) is finally picking up pace with its distribution of farm machinery and equipment under the rice competitiveness enhancement program (RCEP).

PhilMech executive director Baldwin Jallorina said in a briefing on Wednesday that the agency was set to conclude the awarding of at least P8 billion worth of machinery by the end of the year, while the remaining P2 billion is expected to be awarded by the first quarter of next year.

This would finally complete the bidding of the P10 billion worth of equipment covering 2019 and 2020 under the program. However, distributing the sets of machines remain challenging due to the aftermath of recent typhoons and coronavirus-related constraints.

As of Dec. 22, PhilMech has distributed P2.76 billion worth of farm machines to farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) spanning across 52 provinces. Based on PhilMech’s targets, there are still five provinces to be covered.

In Masbate province, validation of FCAs has been delayed after the province was distraught with calamities. Meanwhile, turnover sites in Cavite province are being used as quarantine facilities.

Other logistical challenges have beset distribution in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and Bohol.

Aldrin Badua, PhilMech communication division chief, said the agency was looking at two major indicators to measure the effectiveness of the program— the decrease in production costs and postharvest losses.

The PhilMech’s target is to lower the cost of producing palay to P9 a kilo from the current production cost of P12 a kilo. It is also looking at reducing postharvest losses by between 3 and 5 percent from an average of 30 percent.

Mechanizing production is an important chain in agriculture as this would allow farmers to absorb low palay prices without incurring a loss. It would also enable local farmers to compete with the deluge of cheaper imported rice.

The RCEP, under the law, must provide P10 billion worth of interventions to the rice industry yearly until 2024. Of the amount, P5 billion was allocated for mechanization while the rest was utilized for the provision of seeds, credit and extension services.

Badua said the PhilMech aimed to provide 15 to 20 percent of the country’s farm machinery requirement by the end of the program.