THE sugarcane industry in the country, particularly in Negros Occidental, is full of challenges.
And the most feasible way to address these challenges is through mechanizing the industry, where a considerable portion of sugarcane farmlands in the province of Negros Occidental are tilled by small farmers.
Negros Occidental governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. had said the province already started considering mechanization some 20 years ago, but the problem during that time is the large number of available laborers.
But due to the present shortage of manual labor, the farms are really suffering from labor problem, Marañon said, explaining that most of the laborers have already started finding other jobs like engaging in construction work.
“We have no other alternative but to mechanize,” the governor pointed out.
During the 1st Philippine Sugarcane Farming Mechanization Expo which was held recently at the Sugarcane Regulatory Administration (SRA) regional office in Bacolod City, even SRA administrator Hermenegildo Serafica emphasized that there is nowhere else to turn but farm mechanization, adding that “farm mechanization offers us the way to overcome these challenges.”
On the other hand, Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary Emmanuel Piñol also stressed the need to mechanize sugarcane farming, which is faster and more efficient by allowing the farmers to cover larger areas of farmland in a shorter period of time.
“Efficiency plus productivity equals greater income for the farmers,” he said.
Following the dwindling supply of farmworkers, Piñol stressed the need to mechanize which is faster and more efficient by allowing farmers to cover larger areas in a shorter period of time.
Sen. Cynthia A. Villar also welcomed the launching of the Sugar Socialized Credit Program, which is one of the key components of the Sugar Industry Development Act (SIDA) or Republic Act (RA) 10659, which she authored.
Piñol says that manual labor is more expensive and causing delays which will result in the deterioration of the product’s quality.
“For us to be productive, we should embrace modern technology,” Piñol added.
He stressed the need to mechanize the country’s sugarcane industry, citing that most Filipino farmers are still using the traditional methods of planting and harvesting sugarcane.
The sugar industry will remain to be challenged by competition and globalization, but through mechanization, farmers can eliminate about 80 to 90 percent of their labor problems.
“It will also make us more efficient by lowering production cost, thus, making us more competitive,” he pointed out. Assuring that the SRA will continue to look for new innovations in sugarcane farming systems.
The five-day farm mechanization expo featured the exhibits of various farm machineries, product presentations, tractor derby, farm demonstrations, business summit, and launching of socialized credit program, among others.
But the most visited exhibit turned out to be the booth of Bacolod City-based R.U. Foundry and Machine Shop Corporation where locally made farm equipment and machineries were displayed, like the versatile shredder machine, a sugarcane juicer which can be used to produce muscovado sugar in the community level, and the solar-powered water pumping system. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
