Mechanization of Yellow Corn Production in CAR: Status, Challenges, and Prospects

Abstract

Yellow corn is a key feed component supporting the Philippines’ livestock and poultry sectors. Despite yield improvements over the past decades, national self-sufficiency remains at 57%. To address this, the Department of Agriculture targets a yield of 4.15 metric tons per hectare by 2028, emphasizing mechanization as a key strategy. This study assessed the suitability and adoption of mechanization among yellow corn farmers in the Cordillera Administrative Region, where sloping terrains limit machinery use. A total of 297 farmers and 20 stakeholders were interviewed. Results showed that most producers were smallholders cultivating an average of 1.89 hectares under rainfed conditions. Only 31% of farms were located on flat lands, while 65% operated on sloping or steep areas. Ownership of machinery was minimal, though utilization exceeded ownership due to rental and service arrangements. On average, only 24% of farm operations in the region used motorized equipment. Generally, farmers using machinery reported reduced man-day requirements and higher yields but faced higher costs. Full mechanization in the farm operations, land preparation, planting, harvesting and shelling, and drying could increase yield by 36%, reduce man-days by 64%, but raise costs by 57%. Financial, accessibility, and technical constraints were the major barriers to adoption of agricultural machinery. Hence, regional mechanization efforts should prioritize small-scale, terrain-suited, and adaptive technologies, alongside shared off-farm facilities such as mechanical dryers, to improve accessibility and farmer adoption.