Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
1. Rationale
2. Objectives
3. Review of Literature
Agricultural Mechanization embraces the use of tools, implements and machines for
agricultural land development, crop production, harvesting, preparation for storage,
storage, and on-farm processing. It includes three main power sources: human,
animal, and mechanical. (Rijk) Mechanization is now essential for rice production
and processing. If farmers want to intensify their cropping, they need to speed up
the operations that are labor-intensive when conducted manually.(AfricaRice)
As a result of globalization and liberalization, the mechanization of the farm becomes
utmost necessary because to have a comparative cost advantage of the farming
practices. With the implementation of the modern farming machinery, the cost of
cultivation may be reduced to a substantial level.(Roy and Bezbaruah, 2002).
In spite of the various advancements in mechanization technologies, the level of
agricultural mechanization in the Philippines in terms of available mechanical power
in the farm is still low at 1.68 hp/ha (Rodulfo & Amongo, 1994) compared to other
Asian countries such as Japan, Korea and China. In the Philippines, there are three
major levels of mechanization according to UPLBBAR,2001. These are as follows:
1. Low mechanization which means that the operations are done with the use of
non-mechanical power source such as man and animal.
2. Intermediate mechanization which means that the operations are done with the
use of non-mechanical power source in combination with the use of a
mechanical power source operated by man.
3. High mechanization which means that the operations are done solely with the
use of mechanical power source operated by man.
A fourth level considered is full mechanization, which means that the operations are
done with the use of mechanical power source with limited human intervention such
as computerized machines or robots.(Amongo,2011)
Low mechanization level means that manual power used exceeded 33%. Fair means
that animal power utilization ranges from 34% to 100%. High means that
mechanical power utilization ranges from 67% to 100% (Rodulfo, et. al, 1998).
The level of mechanization in rice farming operations, expressed in three main
sources of power, namely: manual, man-animal and mechanical. Human power
dominates farm operations at an average of 56.53%. Mechanical operations are
applied mainly in milling, threshing or shelling, land preparation, and planting.
Animals continue to dominate land preparation. Sun drying is still preferred by
farmers. In terms of available power expressed as horsepower per hectare (hp/ha),
the level of mechanization stands at 1.68 hp/ha (Table 2). This is relatively low
compared with other neighboring countries. The reason for this is the abundance of
manual labor, which dominates the use of human power in rice cultivation activities.
The high hp/ha of power tillers and threshers indicate that the use of mechanical
power in land preparation and threshing is increasing. Irrigation, harvesting, and
drying have low hp/ha level.( Level%20of%20Mechanization.html)
Mechanization of agriculture is an important factor promoting to higher output of the
agricultural farm and thereby increasing the profitability of the farming practices.
Mechanization of farm is expected to generate enormous development opportunities
for the agricultural sector. (Ghosh)
4. Expected Outcome
Determined the level of agricultural mechanization in the different rice
producing provinces and municipalities of Bicol Region.
Identified the factors why farmers in the different part Bicol fail to mechanize
their farm operations.
Identified the specific ways to fast track the mechanization in every provinces
of Bicol Region.
Documented the age distribution of farmers adopting new technologies and
farm machineries in the rice producing provinces of Region 5.
Identified the specific effort of the government to further implement
mechanization in Bicol.
Acknowledged the view point of common farmers in the implementation of
agricultural mechanization
Identified the specific machinery to be introduced that can operate at its
optimum capacity and efficiency under Bicol’s farming condition
Evaluated the capability of the provinces of Region 5 in adopting highly
advance rice farming equipments in terms of providing after-sales service,
repair centers, and local fabrication
7. Impact
Through the data obtained, the implementing agencies and policy makers will have a
clearer and wider view on the status of agricultural mechanization. Thus, they can
now effectively formulate specific programs and projects promoting agricultural
mechanization in Albay. Advance and location-specific machines which are efficient
and durable in Albay’s farming condition can be introduced. Service and repair
centers which will provide after-sales service then be strategically established for the
ease of access of the farmers
The PLGU’s and MLGU’s will know what particular agricultural equipments to procure
to cater the needs of farmers which cannot afford to purchase agricultural machines.
If the implementing agencies become active and forceful in implementing the
programs and project that boost and advance the adoption of farm mechanization,
though we are late compared to our neighboring countries, we can still catch up, as
said by Dir. Bingabing, executive director of PhilMech.
8. Budget Requirement