This article is part of the seminar-workshop on the “Consequences of Small Farm Mechanization on Production, Employment and Incomes in the Philippines” sponsored jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Economic and Development Authority, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) held on December 1-2, 1983 at Tagaytay City. It discusses the extension programs implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and IRRI. It then points out areas where policies and actions are likely to be useful.agriculture sector, mechanization

Gonzalo, Benito C.

Stickney, Robert E.

English

Research Papers in Economics

Journal of Philippine Development _S IIP'_is Number Twenty-One, Volume XII, No. 1,1985
MA-IRRI INDUSTRIAL EXTENSION PROGRAM FOR
SMALL FARM EQUIPMENT
Benito (3. Gonzalo end Robert E. Stichney
I. INTRODUCTION
In September, 1981, the Ministry of Agriculture (MA) of the
Philippines and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
initiated a collaborative effort to promote the development and
extension of agricultural equipment which would be appropriate for
small farms and may be fabricated in the Philippines. The MA-IRRI
Industrial Extension Program for Small Farm Equipment has grown
out of an informal extension effort initiated by IRRI about 15 years
ago, and its objective is to institutionalize the Program within the
Ministry and related organizations. The central office of the MA-IRRI
Program is located at the Agricultural Engineering Division of the
Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), of the Ministry of Agriculture in
Manila.
As of November 1983, 180 manufacturers had become coopera-
tors in the MA-IRRI Program by signing a memorandum of agree-
ment. These cooperators are located throughout most of the Philip-
pines (see Figure 1) and range in size from small blacksmith and
metalcraft shops to large-scale industries (see Table 1). Special atten-
tion is given to manufacturers located in agricultural areas, thereby
ensuring availability of parts and service, creating rural employment,
and stimulating innovations and adaptations to local conditions and
farmer preferences. The MA-IRRI Program provides them with
Agricultural Engineering Division, Bureau of Plant Industry. Paper presented at the
Workshop on the Consequences of Small Rice Farm Mechanization Project, December 1-2,
1983, Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), jointly sponsored by the National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Philippine Institute for Development
Studies (PIDS), Ministry of Agriculture (MA), and International Rice Research Institute
(IRRq.
226GONZALO & STICKNEY: INDUSTRIAL EXTENSION PROGRAM 227
METRO MANILA
AND VICINITY
FIGURE 1
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF COOPERATING MANUFACTURERS
OF THE MA-IRRI INDUSTRIAL EXTENSION PROGRAM FOR SMALL
FARM EQUIPMENT2:_8 JOURNAL OF PHI LIPPINE DEVELOPMENT
designs of agricultural equipment, together with training and
technical assistance. In turn, the cooperators agree to inform MA-
IRRI of annual production and to sell units only after testing and
authorization by MA-IRRI.
TABLE 1
PROFILE OF COOPERATING MANUFACTURERS ACCORDING TO
CAPITAt. ASSETSAND LABORa
Ranges Cooperators
Capital Assetsb
Cottage industry : Below1*100,001 43
Small industry : 1.100,001 to 43
P 1,000,000
Medium industry : 1.1,000,001to 10
_4,000,000
Large industry : Above_'4,000,000 4
Labor (Number of employees)
Below6 29
6 to 15 44
16 to 50. 21
Above 50 - 6
a. Data asofMarch 1, 1983.
b. Approximate conversion rate: P10 per U.S. dollar.GONZALO & STICKNEY: INDUSTRIAL EXTENSION PROGRAM 229
II. EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Equipment Promoted by the Program
At present, the MA-IRRI Program is promoting the following
types of equipment (see Figure 2):
1. Lightweight hand tractor. This hand tractor is designed speci-
fically for small rice farms because it is lighter and less •expensive
than existing designs in the Philippines.
2. One-meter reaper. This reaper unit attaches to the lightweight
hand tractor. The principal advantages •over existing reapers are: low
cost, light weight, local production, availability of parts, and simpli-
city of operation and repair.
3. Axial-flow thresher. Although this thresher is popular in many
parts of Luzon and Panay Island, it is relatively unknown in some of
the other major rice producing areas in the Philippines.
4. Axial.flow pump. This pump is easily fabricated in small
shops and is more efficient (300% at one meter lift) than the centri-
fugal pump which is now most popular among Filipino farmers.
5. Seed and fertilizer applicator (SEA). This animal-drawn imple-
ment applies fertilizer and seed for upland crops in asingl¢ operation.
It is the newest •addition to the Program and is expected to be
especially popular among corn farmers.
6. Rootcrop chipping machine. This machine is designed for
cutting cassava tubers or other rootcrops into chips to improve
drying and storage. It can be powered by pedal or small engine.
Field Demonstrations/Evaluations/Trials
The first step was to conduct field demonstrations and evalua-
tions of the abovementioned equipment in the major rice-producing
areas of the Philippines. The MA-IRRI Regional Project Engineers 1
who live in the areas were vital to the coordination of these demons-
trations, particularly with respect to ensuring that the attendees
included outstanding farmers, leaders of cooperatives, local manu-
facturers, agricultural extension technicians, and rural bank officials.
The major results of these demonstrations were:
1. In evaluation sessions held at field demonstrations, farmers
1. These engineers are regular employees of the Ministry's regional offices and experi-
mental stations, and they devote only part of their time to the MA-IRRI Program.GONZALO & STICKNEY: INDUSTRIAL EXTENSION PROGRAM 231
indicated which equipment would be appropriate and beneficial
in their areas;
2. By observing the enthusiasm of farmers for particular equipment,
many manufacturers became interested in fabricating units,
3. The MA-IRRI engineers became better acquainted with the
manufacturers of the area, thereby recruiting new cooperators
and initiating ongoing technical assistanceto those interested in
fabricating the equipment.
intensive tests of the performance and durability of the reaper,
hand tractor, and thresher were carried out in Mindanao on a 370 ha.
farm where rice is grown continuously during the year. The advan-
tage of this farm was that equipment generally could be utilized
regularly on up to 2._5ha. per day, 6 days per week, throughout the
year. The test results served as the basis for modifying the original
designsto improve performance and durability.
Training Courses
All cooperating manufacturers were invited to attend a two-day
intensive training course on fabricating the reaper and hand tractor.
This course was given twice during 1982 at BPI in Manila and was
attended by a total of 43 cooperators plus 11 engineers who areparti-
cipating in the MA-IRRI Program. The course was designed to help
trainees to understand: (a) the blueprints for the reaper and the hand
tractor; (b) the main steps of fabrication and assembly; (c) operation,
maintenance, and repair; and (d) the economics of fabrication and
utilization of the reaper and hand tractor.
Based on this experience, it may be concluded that manufac-
turers will devote their time and money to attend training coursesif
the topic is of sufficient interest to them. In the present case,many
of the attendees were from small-scale firms located in provinces far
from Manila, the site of the two training courses. The attendees paid
for their transportation and lodging expenses, while the MA-IRRI
Program covered the cost of providing each attendee with blue-
prints and instruction materials.
Several qualified cooperators have attended the IRRI Agricul-
tural Engineering training course which is offered twice per year.
Since this course is designed for college graduates in engineering
or economics, it is not appropriate for the majority of the cooper-
ating manufacturers.232 JOURNAL OF PHILIPPINE DEVELOPMENT
Technical Assistance and Prototype Testing
MA-IRRI Project Engineers make periodic visits to cooperating
manufacturers in their area. The purpose of the visit is to provide
whatever technical assistance might be needed by the cooperato r in
fabricating the equipment promoted by the program. In cases where
the engineer is not capable of providing the needed technical assist-
ance, he contacts the MA-IRRI central office for information and/or
for the help of an engineer who is familiar with the specific problem.
Regarding technical assistance now being provided to cooper-
ators, the most common activities are:
1. To help manufacturers in understanding the blueprints and in
finding suppliers of special components (e.g., reaper blades).
2. To loan a reaper and hand tractor to manufacturers who have
difficulty with reading blueprints.
3. To perform the prototype test of the first unit fabricated by a
manufacturer, utilizing a special test procedure and form. The
purpose of the test is to determine that the unit has been fabri-
cated and assembled correctly and that it functions properly in
in the field. It is also an opportunity to advise the manufacturers
regarding critical adjustments and operating procedures. After
passing the prototype test, the manufacturer is authorized by
MA-IRRI to proceed with commercial production of the equip-
ment.
4. To assist manufacturers with field demonstrations for farmers
(often at the meetings of farmer organizations) and, in a few
instances, with applications for loans.
5. To maintain a two-way communication with manufacturers on
both problems and improvements that arise in relation to the
design, fabrication, or operation of equipment promoted by the
program.
i11. INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
A primary purpose of the program: is the establishment of institu-
tional relationships and technical capabilities which will lead to a
national capacity for developing, manufacturing, and marketing agri-
cultural equipment appropriate for small farms. At the end of the
5-year period of this program, an institutional structure similar to
that shown in Figure 3 should exist and be functioning in an effec-
tive and sustained manner.GONZALO&STICKNEY:INDUSTR IAL EXTENSION PROGRAM. 233
PRINCIPAL INSTITUTIONS PROGRAM BENEFICIARIES
"
FIGURE 3
INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE MA-IRRI PROGRAM
Although Figure 3 presents a highly simplified picture of the
institutional relations affecting the program, it helps us to describe
several of the principal factors. The main component is the farmers, 2
who is this case are primarily rice or corn farmers with small land-
holdings (1 to 5 ha.). The formers purchase agricultural equipment
from manufacturers, Both the farmers and the manufacturers are
influenced by extension and credit institutions which promote
certain types of equipment by various means, such as by training
courses, field days, accreditation, and loans. There is a wide variety
of extension and credit institutions in the Philippines, including the
Bureau of Agricultural Extension, Regional Development Projects,
National Food and Agriculture Council, National Food Adminis-
tration, National Irrigation Authority, Ministry of Agrarian Reform,
Farm Systems Development Corporation, Area Marketing Coopera-
tives, Samahang Nayon cooperatives, Small Business Advisory
Center, National Cottage Industry Development Authority, KKK
Livelihood Projects, and banking institutions.
The principal role of the MA-IRRI Program is to provide the
extension and credit institutions and the manufacturers with infor-
mation on: the types of small farm equipment which should be given
2. *Thecomponents of Figure 3 aretypedincapitallettersforemphasis.234 JOURNAL OF PHI LIPPINE DEVELOPMENT
highest priority; comparative advantages and disadvantages of
different equipment; appropriate equipment designs and fabrication
procedures; proper utilization of equipment by farmers; testing,
maintenance, and repair of equipment. The MA-IRRI Program also
has direct contact with manufacturers through promotional and
technical assistance visits, training courses, field days, and feedback
sessions to learn from manufacturers about specific problems or
innovations relating to equipment design, fabrication, or perfor-
mance. It is also essential for the MA-IRRI program to have direct
communication with the farmers regarding their views on deficiencies
of existing equipment and on priorities for new equipment. This
communication is accomplished through workshops, field days,
and informal surveys, including farm visits and meetings with leaders
of farmer cooperatives.
The success of the MA-IRRI program depends largely upon its
ability to find appropriate designs of equipment which will be
acceptable to both farmers and n_anufacturers. Initially, the MA-
IRRI program has relied primarily on selecting (and adopting)
appropriate equipment designs from the pool of designs developed
by IRRI. However, IRRI and the MA-IRRI program are not capable
of developing the quantity or variety of equipment needed to sustain
a dynamic extension program in the future. One of the objectives of
the MA-IRRI program is to help promote the growth of a national
capability for developing appropriate equipment for small farms. The
main groups are the R&D institutions (universities such as UPLB,
CLSU, and VISCA); government agencies such as NAPHIRE,
PCARR, and ARO; and regional organizations, such as SEARCA and
RNAM) and the inventors and innovators who may be independent
(e.g., students, farmers, or professional inventors) or employees of
manufacturing firms or R&D institutions. The MA-IRRI Program is
p,mmoting the R&D institutions and inventors and innovators
through workshops, field days and fairs, and contests - and it is
also encouraging national and international organizations to provide
funds to these institutions for R&D on appropriate equipment.
The MA-IRRI Program is guided by an Advisory Committee
whose members are the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, the head of
the IRRI Agricultural Engineering Department, the director of the
Bureau of Plant Industry, the director of the Agricultural Machinery
Development Program (University of the Philippines at Los Bafios),
and representatives of the Central Bank, the Ministry of Industry andGONZALO&STICKNEY: INDUSTRIAL EXTENSION PROGRAM 235
Trade, and the Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers' and Distri-
butors' Association. This Committee meets quarterly to review
progress and plans, recommend corrective actions, and ensure that
their institutions provide the necessarycollaboration.
The Government of the Philippines is now considering a proposal
for the creation of a National Agricultural Mechanization Council
which would be responsible for policies and analyses relating to agri-
cultural machinery. If the proposal is approved, the Advisory
Committee will assist in defining collaborative relationships between
the MA-IRRI Program and the National Agricultural Mechanization
Council.
IV. SUGGESTIONS ON POLICIES AND ACTIONS
On the basis of the recent experience of the MA-IRRI Industrial
Extension Program for Small Farm Equipment, there appearsto bea
needfor policies and actions which would help:
1. Provide a clearer understanding of what types of agricultural
equipment would be most beneficial and acceptable to small
farmers. (Without this understanding, R&D and extension efforts
may be misdirected.)
2. Promote the development of appropriate designs of the agricul-
tural equipment identified in point #1. (At present, extension
efforts are severely limited by the shortage of appropriate designs.)
3. Establish a more effective means for providing loans to manu-
facturers and buyers of small farm equipment. (Example: loans
to manufacturers for self-financing of installment salesof equip-
ment to farmers.)
4. Prevent large government purchases of imported agricultural
equipment which either are available from local manufacturers
(e.g., hand tractors, dryers) or are inappropriate (e.g., combine
harvesters).
5. Obtain adequate funds for supporting activities on policies, R&D,
extension, and evaluations relating to small farm equipment. (For
example, funds might be obtained from existing government
duties on imported agricultural equipment.)
It is recognized that these efforts will be of limited value unless
government policies and economic conditions promote higher net
income for the small farmer.

MA-IRRI Industrial Extension Program for Small Farm Equipment

http://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/ris/pjd/pidsjpd85-1farmequip.pdf

MA-IRRI Industrial Extension Program for Small Farm Equipment

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