Mechanized farming eyed in agrarian reform areas

Agrarian Reform Secretary Hernani Braganza bared yesterday a new plan to increase the productivity and income of farmers in agrarian reform communities (ARC) in the country through mechanized farming.

"This new strategy is expected to maximize land utilization, farm production and ensure self-sufficiency in food," Braganza said.

The DAR secretary said the program will involve the cooperation of the private sector to engage in joint ventures with ARCs.

"We have to encourage the private sector to get involved because they have the resources to acquire the equipment and help the agricultural industry become competitive in the world market," Braganza added.

Mechanized farming basically involves a mechanical seeder, planter and harvester. They can be purchased for about P180,000, P300,000 and P400,000, respectively.

Since farmers find it too costly to acquire such equipment, Braganza said, he suggested the possibility of farmers’ cooperatives getting them through loans, with members paying for actual use.

Mechanized farming involves preparing the farm, seeding it, transplanting and, later, harvesting, Braganza said, adding the technology ensures maximum farm production and income for farmers.

The DAR chief’s plan for mechanized farming among agrarian reform communities was bolstered by a recent visit to a mechanized farm in Barangay Halang, Naic, Cavite, with Bernabe Buscayno, popularly known as Kumander Dante, former chieftain of the communist New People’s Army.

Buscayno said the government should adopt the technology if it wants to keep abreast with top rice-producing countries.

"Before, we used to be one of the top rice-producing countries in Asia. Today, we are lagging behind by producing only about four tons of palay per hectare. Taiwan is producing about 10 tons, Japan, 12 tons, and China, 17 tons," Buscayno added.

Braganza said mechanized farming would surely encourage Filipino farmers and their children to go back to their farms and embrace farming as a profession.

"When people start going back to their farms, our production will increase and we will achieve self-sufficiency in rice," he added.