FARMERS' ACCEPTABILITY ON USING COMBINED HARVESTER IN SAN MIGUEL, BULACAN, PHILIPPINES

Abstract

The study focused on the acceptability of farmers on using combine harvester in San Miguel, Bulacan, Philippines with emphasis on the efficiency of Combine Harvester; the advantages and disadvantages; and the problems encountered of using the machine. The respondent of the study consists of farmers, seasonal laborers and owners of combine harvester in San Miguel, Bulacan, Philippines.  The group of farmers surveyed and interviewed were those who had a direct and indirect involvement in the operation of the combine harvester in San Miguel, Bulacan, Philippines.  Farming was the main source of income of all of the respondents, except the owners of combine harvester who were having their other businesses means of livelihood and enterprises.  Combine harvester was a newly introduced technology in San Miguel, Bulacan.  Most of the owners own at least a unit of combine harvester in the area.  Though it was newly introduced to the community, many farmers accepted it and patronized this product of modern technology because they proved that combine harvester was a more effective way of harvesting rice compared to manual labor. Consequently, it minimizes cost and expenses compared to labor/manual harvesting, endorsed by the government as an alternative way of harvesting rice, makes work easier, promised more income/return to the farmers, it saves time and therefore increases productivity, and were accepted by many farmers in the municipality of San Miguel, Bulacan, Philippines. 

Keywords:  Combine Harvester, farmers, seasonal laborers, productivity, efficiency