FACTORS AFFECTING THE ADOPTION OF FARM MECHANIZATION AMONG RICE FARMERS IN ALABEL, SARANGANI PROVINCE

The study was conducted to analyze and evaluate the factors affecting the adoption of farm mechanization among rice farmers in Alabel, Sarangani Province. The respondents of this study were rice farmers who are members of the associations in Alabel, Sarangani. There were two types of identified respondents - the adopter and the non-adopter. Data were collected from the respondents through personal interviews and using a structured survey questionnaire. The socio-demographic profile of farmers and the farming practices of farmer non-adopters were analyzed through descriptive statistics. In identifying the factors affecting the adoption of rice farmers on farm mechanization, probit regression analysis was employed. Furthermore, the cost and return method was adopted in determining the profitability of farmer adopters and non- adopters of farm mechanization. Results showed that adopters have high ROI than non- adopters. The study also showed that among the factors being analyzed, educational attainment and the number of extension visits/month were found significant at 5% and 1% levels, respectively. Hence, these two factors affected the adoption of farm mechanization among rice farmers in Alabel, Sarangani Province. Considering the results of the study, it is recommended that the rice farmers adopt farm mechanization to lessen their production costs. It is also suggested that the Department of Agriculture as well as the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist may conduct more extension activities such as trainings and seminars to convince more farmers to adopt farm mechanization. Moreover, the government may increase the number of specific machinery given to associations in order to avoid backlog requests from farmer. They may also consider the soil condition of the area of distribution to avoid the machinery being not of use.