The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – Seed Program in San Mateo, Isabela has observed a gradual transition in crop establishment with the machines introduced in RCEF demo farms.
Called PalaySikatan, RCEF farms promote the use of direct-seeded technologies such as precision seeder, drum seeder, and seed spreader, which advance the practice of the 40kg/ha seeding rate, in 39ha in Kalinga, Ifugao, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya this dry season.
According to Dr. Andres dela Cruz, DA-PhilRice Isabela RCEF coordinator, farmers are now trying direct-seeding as a solution to labor scarcity and its high cost.
Dela Cruz said that farmers already know about the direct-seeding technology but are hesitant to adopt because of limited operation skills in using the machine and doubt in low seeding rate.
Johny Ego, farmer-cooperator from Tabuk City, Kalinga and a first-time user of the precision seeder, reported that the machine reduced his expenses in rice production.
“Normally, I would spend PhP10,000-PhP12,000/ha for crop establishment alone, but now, I only spend PhP5,000/ha,” Ego said.
With the use of direct-seeded technologies, seed requirements for 1ha and labor cost for crop establishment were reduced from 100-120kg to 40-60kg and PhP10,000 – PhP5,000 respectively.
Promotion of mechanical direct-seeding through the RCEF PalaySikatan demo farms started in the 2020 dry season.
