Analysis of Labor Productivity and Labor Use Among Selected Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Beneficiaries in Pila and Victoria, Laguna, 2025

Date

6-2025

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Lianne Maxine Tabanggay

Committee Member

Geny F. Lapiña, Maria Angeles O. Catelo

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Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program on labor productivity and labor use among rice farmers in Pila and Victoria, Laguna. Data was collected from 79 farmer-beneficiaries, using surveys, key informant interviews, and on-site farm visits. Paired t-tests, descriptive statistics, and qualitative insights were used to assess labor dynamics and productivity changes before and after mechanization.

The study found significant reductions in manual labor, particularly in land preparation and harvesting. Paired t-tests revealed that five of the six farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs) experienced statistically significant reductions in manual labor, primarily due to mechanization in labor-intensive tasks. However, transplanting, fertilization, and pest control remained fully manual across all sites. The evolving labor dynamics, including rural outmigration and declining youth participation in agriculture, were significant contextual factors influencing labor dynamics in the study areas.

Labor productivity, measured by partial factor productivity (PFP), also increased significantly in all six FCAs, with improvements ranging from 51.07 to 104.27 kg of rice per man-day per FCA. Paired t-tests confirmed that these increases were statistically significant at the one percent level, indicating that mechanization significantly improved labor efficiency. Qualitative findings also revealed that equipment mismatches, such as unsuitable machinery for local terrain, and other implementation challenges may affect the adoption of mechanized practices in some stages of production, reducing the overall impact on labor productivity.

The study recommends that farmers should ensure the availability, proper scheduling, and maintenance of machinery. While mechanization improved efficiency in certain tasks, others, such as transplanting and pest control, remained manual. Farmers should view mechanization as an opportunity to rebalance labor use, redirecting efforts from mechanized tasks to other critical operations. It is also essential for farmers to advocate for machinery that suits their specific farm conditions and ensure adequate training and support to maximize the effectiveness of these technologies.

From a policy perspective, mechanization programs should prioritize needs-based allocation, ensuring that equipment is tailored to local conditions. Policymakers should strengthen financial management systems within cooperatives to ensure the sustainability of machinery use and labor savings. Future research should explore the impacts of mechanization in diverse agricultural settings and assess factors including land tenure, youth involvement, and rural financing. Longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of mechanization and its adaptability to changing agricultural and climatic conditions.

Language

English

LC Subject

Labor productivity--Management, Rice farming--Philippines, Farm income

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2025 A14 A33

Notes

Award: ERDB and Science Community Multipurpose Cooperative (ERDBSCMC) Best Thesis Award in Cooperatives

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Document Type

Thesis

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