As rising production costs threaten the profitability of rice farming, experts at the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) are pushing for mechanized direct seeding as a cost-efficient alternative to manual broadcasting.
“Using the recommended 40kg per hectare seeding rate with mechanization not only reduces costs but also improves efficiency,” said Leylani M. Juliano, a chief science research specialist at PhilRice.
She said that this method minimizes drudgery in crop establishment and lowers the risks of weed infestation and pests like golden apple snails, rats, and defoliators, which can significantly impact productivity.
Farmers who adopted the approach through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program reported reduced seed use and better yields. Benjamin B. Mallari, 72, from Candaba, Pampanga, used to plant 80-120kg of seeds per hectare but found that 40kg was enough when applied with a mechanical seed spreader.
“The technology helped me cut my labor costs by almost half, which usually reached up to P10,000, and this has improved my productivity,” he said.
Similarly, Estenelie M. Murcia, 67, from Sta. Cruz, Zambales, increased her harvest from 3.6 to 4.8t/ha, resulting in an income increase of more than P10,000—after using a drone seeder while maintaining the recommended seeding rate.
“The drone completes farm tasks in less than an hour, giving me more time for household chores,” she said.
Juliano emphasized that mechanized direct seeding improves plant health by ensuring better root anchorage, reducing lodging risks, and enhancing productive tillering.
“While mechanization may have an initial investment cost, the higher yields make it a worthwhile long-term strategy for improving farmer incomes,” Juliano added.