A newly refined machine designed for dry-seeded fields is offering farmers a faster and more affordable way to plant rice and other crops.
The Hand Tractor-Mounted Multi-Purpose Seeder (MP Seeder), developed by DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), attaches to a regular hand tractor and can plant rice, corn, and mungbean without the need for costly new equipment.
Commercialized in 2018, the seeder, nominated by the Institute’s Rice Engineering and Mechanization Division after endorsement from Region 3, was featured at the 3rd National Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Exhibition, where it won first place for Best Non-Food Entry.
The machine uses a hopper and metering device to drop seeds into shallow furrows, which are immediately covered to protect the seeds from heat, birds, and rodents. Recent upgrades include a disc opener that allows smoother operation in fields with light weed residue. With this system, it can plant 60kg of rice seeds per hectare, 20kg of mungbean, and 22kg of corn, covering 2.5 to 3.36 hectares in a day.
PhilRice scientist-engineer Dr. Elmer G. Bautista said the MP Seeder remains relevant because it enables farmers to mechanize seeding at low cost, asserting, “There’s no need for a new prime mover, so additional costs for farmers remain low.”
An economic study of using the MP Seeder pointed out that an initial investment of PhP95,000 can be recovered in 1.5 years, with a benefit-cost ratio of 0.67 and a return on investment of 5.66. Farmers have also suggested enhancements, such as adding a compactor and widening the attachment for faster coverage, which the development team is considering.
With more farmers switching to dry seeding due to water constraints and labor shortages, Bautista and his team plan to demonstrate the MP Seeder in more areas to amplify how it can save time, reduce costs, and keep fields productive under changing conditions.
