RCEF extension seen to boost farm mechanization

More provinces and regions can attain a mechanization level of 4 horsepower per hectare (hp/ha) for their rice farms with the extension of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) and its mechanization component, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) said.

Based on data gathered by PHilMech as of 2023, the mechanization level of rice farms in the Philippines is 2.68 hp/ha, but there are provinces and regions where the mechanization level for rice farms is from 3.0 to 4.0 hp/ha. That level of farm mechanization has enabled regions like Cagayan Valley (Region 2) to rank second in terms of palay (unmilled rice) output last year, according to the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 2. (FB-PhilMech, June 7, 2024)