Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

NEWS STORIES

AgriMach 2011 to open for VisMin farmers
by Vladimir B. Caliguiran (September 19, 2011)
Farmers from Visayas and Mindanao will witness the AgriMach 2011 which is set to open on September 22 in Punta Villa, Arevalo, Iloilo City and September 28 in Family Country Hotel, General Santos City.


"AgriMach 2011" is an agricultural road show featuring modern agricultural farm machinery and equipment. With the theme "Aangat ang ani at kita sa paggamit ng tamang makinarya", AgriMach aims to boost the agricultural mechanization in the country.


At least a thousand farmers representing different farmers' associations and cooperatives, local government units, enthusiasts and other stakeholders all-over Visayas is expected to participate in the two-day event. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala is also expected to arrive for a consultation and dialogue with the farmers.


Local manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers will be displaying their products for farmers to study appropriate technologies for their needs.

Agriculture Secretary Proseso J. Alcala received an oustanding ovation among Luzon farmers after proclaiming that the government will increase its share in the distribution of farm machineries. The announcement was made during the launching of AgriMach 2001 held at the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija last August 23.


Originally, farmers' associations have to share 30% of the cost of the machinery and the remaining 70% will be shouldered by the government. Sec. Alcala however reduced the farmers' group sharing to 15%.

Sec. Alcala said that agricultural mechanization is one of the key interventions of the DA to achieve 100% rice self-sufficiency by 2013. Proper usage of modern facilities will optimize the utilization of farm-lands and labor productivity which can increase farmers' yield and income.


The Philippines has a very low level of mechanization. In rice farming, it which is estimated at 0.55 hp/ha compared to Asian countries like Japan at 7.00 hp/ha revealed in a study of the RNAM in 1990.


AgriMach 2011 is spearheaded by the DA-PHilMech, DA-Rice Directorate, and DA-Regional Field Units in partnership with Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association Inc. and other private manufacturers and local government units.

The road show will be conducted yearly to update the farmers and stakeholders on the latest developments on the Agri-machinery industry.