In a significant development for agriculture in Central Visayas, 22 towns in Bohol and 14 in Negros Oriental have achieved full mechanization in their rice farming operations. Rogen Jan Flores, the focal person for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Mechanization Program at the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), announced this milestone on Tuesday, highlighting the positive impact on rice production in the region.
The six-year program, initiated in 2019 and set to conclude this year, has revolutionized farming practices by introducing advanced machinery and technology. Flores emphasized that the ‘Youth for Mechanization’ initiative has been instrumental in demonstrating to younger generations that rice farming is no longer the labor-intensive process it once was. This shift has been facilitated by nearly PHP1 billion in investments, providing 243 farmers, farmer associations, and cooperatives in Bohol and Negros Oriental with essential equipment.
The machinery, including combine harvesters, reapers, threshers, and mobile rice mills, has significantly eased the cultivation process, boosting both production and farmers’ incomes. Flores noted that the RCEF program’s primary goal is to reduce farming costs, a target that has been effectively addressed over the program’s duration.
Looking ahead, Flores expressed hope for the program’s extension into a second phase, tentatively named RCEF Mechanization Program 2.0, starting in 2025. This extension could bring the benefits of mechanization to more towns and cities across Cebu, Siquijor, Bohol, and Negros Oriental, further enhancing the region’s agricultural productivity.