Diffusion and Utilization of UPLB Corn Mechanization Technologies in Masbate Province

Philippine Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering; Rossana Marie Amongo; Kevin Yaptenco; Ronaldo Saludes; Maria Victoria Larona; Fernando Paras, Jr; Rosa De los Reyes; Marion Lux Castro; Erwin Quilloy; Jose De Ramos; Ronel Pangan; Victor Rodulfo, Jr; Mark Daniel Estrada; Ronnie Valencia

doi:10.48196/013.01.2017.05

Philippine Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Rossana Marie Amongo University of the Philippines Los Banos
Kevin Yaptenco University of the Philippines Los Banos
Ronaldo Saludes University of the Philippines Los Banos
Maria Victoria Larona University of the Philippines Los Banos
Fernando Paras, Jr University of the Philippines Los Banos
Rosa De los Reyes University of the Philippines Los Banos
Marion Lux Castro University of the Philippines Los Banos
Erwin Quilloy University of the Philippines Los Banos
Jose De Ramos University of the Philippines Los Banos
Ronel Pangan University of the Philippines Los Banos
Victor Rodulfo, Jr University of the Philippines Los Banos
Mark Daniel Estrada University of the Philippines Los Banos
Ronnie Valencia University of the Philippines Los Banos

DOI: https://doi.org/10.48196/013.01.2017.05

Keywords: diffusion and utilization, agricultural mechanization technologies, participatory extension strategies

Abstract

A project on diffusion and utilization of UPLB Corn Mechanization Technologies (CMTs) and knowledge systems was implemented by the Center for Agri-Fisheries and Biosystems Mechanization (BIOMECH) and the Institute of Agricultural Engineering (IAE), UP Los Baños in Masbate. It was funded by the National Agriculture and Fisheries Education System-Commission on Higher Education (NAFES-CHED). Ten different CMTs developed, designed and/or modified by UPLB were diffused in the area for adoption and utilization. The study employed community participatory extension including capability building, with the goal of increasing farmer’s crop and labor productivity. A survey was conducted to determine farmers’ insights on the use of each CMTs using the Likert scale. Results showed farmers’ favorable response on technology adoption and utilization in Mandaon, Masbate. The benefit cost ratio of the utilization of nine CMTs were greater than 1.0 indicating economic viability of the technologies. For the sprinkle irrigation system, the BCR is less than 1.0 due to the high initial cost of the system. This may however be increased by utilizing the system for high value annual crops or fruit trees production. The project empowered all the stakeholders through continuous improvement of extension strategies, the realization of the farmersbeneficiaries for the establishment of machinery custom hiring services enterprise, model farm and machinery training center; and strengthening the research, development and extension capability of the project implementing institutions.