Volume 7, Issue 9, September – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Effect of the Modern Rice Harvesting Technology to

The Livelihood of the Farm Workers in Select
Barangays of an Independent City in Northern Luzon
Teresita D. Magbitang, MBM Lorna V. Fulong, MBM
Business Education Coordinator, College of Business Faculty, College of Business Education, University of La
Education, University of La Salette, Inc Salette, Inc

Jose S. Sabaulan, MBM, MsIT Belinda A. Ramos, MsPH, FPAMS

Faculty, College of Business Education, University of La Director, Research & Development, University of La
Salette, Inc Salette, Inc

Abstract:- Farming is still the most important and most The Philippines is basically an agricultural country but
common source of living in the world. With the its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product has decreased
advancement of technology, farming becomes easier and from 31.6% in 1974 to 9.65% in 2016 (17th Congress of the
modernized but has affected many people who depend on Republic of the Philippines, 2016). Most farm workers are not
agriculture. The aim of the study is to find out the impact land owners and agriculture still holding 25-67% in providing
of the introduction of the mechanized reaper on the employment (www.agri.info>country/new-agriculturist,
livelihood of farm workers in selected barangays of 2016). In response to the clamor for more support from the
Santiago City. The researchers made use of the government, the Department of Science and Technology
descriptive phenomenological qualitative design using the introduced the mechanized transplanter and reaper that could
interview and observation as data gathering tools. Farm help the farmers increased their production (DOST, 2016).
workers who were not landowners from different select There is however reluctance of the farmers in using these
barangays were chosen as participants. technologies introduced by the government because of loss of
jobs or job displacements of the farm workers (Guilhoto,
Results showed that technological innovations like Mendonca-de Barros, Marjotta-Maistro & Istake, 2002). The
the mechanized reaper has caused unemployment and reaper is more popular than the transplanter because of its
migration among the participants thus leading to multifunctional use of harvesting, threshing cleaning and
engagement on alternative livelihood endeavors like bagging the harvested rice in one operation
poultry and livestock production. The researchers (Praweenwongwuthi, Laohasiriwong, Rambo, 2010;
recommended that a government agenda from the Medrano, Villanueva, Tindowen, 2016).
Department of Agriculture be created to generate
sustainable opportunities to improve the economic well- The mechanized reaper and other machineries were
being of the farm workers. introduced mainly to reduced production cost, lessened
harvesting time and ensure food security (Januarti, Junaidi &
Keywords:- Mechanized Reaper, Farm Workers, Livelihood, Rosana, 2018; Tolentino, 2016; Praweenwongwuthi,
Technological Innovations Laohasiriwong & Rambo, 2010). The promotion of these
technologies has greatly affected areas, in their socio-
I. INTRODUCTION economic status as well as in their cultural orientation on
farming (Amrullah, & Astuti, 2017; Arida, Borley, Beltran,
Farming is one of the world’s most important source of tanzo, Rlelado, Malsa & Antivo, 2015). Mostly affected of
livelihood (Sarma, 2017). Since time immemorial, farming the introduction of the mechanized reaper and other machines
was done in traditional methods until the introduction of for farming are those farm laborers and farm hands who are
technology in agriculture (Folnovic, 2016). Certainly there landless and basically dependent on the work provided by the
are many benefits to the introduction of technology to the landowners (Shah, Khandewal, Paudel, Justice, Biggs &
farming industry but it has drastically affected labor and food McDonald, 2016).
production (www.national geographics.org>topics>impact-
techonology-agriculture). There is however, growing Santiago City is an independent city in Cagayan Valley
concerns that technology would soon replace human labor boasting of 37 barangays. It is a landlocked locality with
which could be disadvantageous to the small scale farmers as mostly level plains bordered by two mountain ranges, the
well as farm workers who depended on manual labor for Sierra Madre on the east and the Cordillera on the west. In
economic sustenance (Hilltop Acres Poulty, 2017; Reid , spite of its progressive urbanization, the city is still
2011). considered agricultural because farming remains the main
livelihood of the people (www. facebook/homepage/Santiago
City). Rice remains the staple crop of the residents followed

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Volume 7, Issue 9, September – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
by corn and livestock (Department of Agriculture, farm workers of an independent city in northern Philippines.
rfo02.da.gov.ph). The current Mayor of the City has According to Criswell (2013) studying the phenomenon (the
intensified agricultural support through many programs introduction of the mechanized reaper) on how it influenced
including enhancing the use of mechanical reaper to expedite or affected the life of the people (impact on the livelihood)
harvesting especially during the rainy season when most of could lead to better understanding of the experiences of the
the farmers cannot dry their rice produce that leads to losses individuals. This method could lead one to grasp the meaning
of income (www.facebook /homepage/Santiago City). In this of the experiences of those affected by the phenomenon in
regard, the researchers would like to find out the impact of this case the use of mechanized reaper.
the introduction of the mechanical reaper to livelihood of the
farm workers of Santiago City in order for the farm workers  Research Setting and Participants
to air their sentiments on this agricultural innovation. The study was conducted in three (3) barangays where
the mechanized reaper is already dominating the harvesting
II. METHODOLOGY process of the rice farmers. The participants of the study were
the farm workers who are not landowners and engaged
 Research Design mainly in farming for landowners. There were 16 respondents
The researchers made use of the qualitative coming from the three (3) barangays. The table below shows
phenomenological approach to find the impact of the the profile of the participants:
introduction of the mechanized reaper on the livelihood of the

N=16 Frequency Percentage

SEX
Male 8 50%
Female 8 50%

AGE
30 years & below 4 25%
31 – 40 years old 6 37.5%
41 – 50 years old 4 25%
51 years & above 2 12.5%

BARANGAY
A 5 31.25%
B 6 37.5%
C 5 31.25%
Table 1:- Profile of the Participants

 Data Gathering Tool  Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers made use of the interview and in-depth Before the study was conducted, a letter of request was
conversation with the participants supplemented by sent to the Barangay Chairman. After approval, the Barangay
observations. The interview was done using the vernacular Chairman identifies the possible participants of the study in
and daily language of the participants which is Ilocano. his area of responsibility. The participants were visited in
Before the interview proper, the demographic data of the their homes and asked their consent to participate in the study.
respondents were gathered. There were three (3) stages of the Only when the respondents voluntarily participated that they
interview: the first stage is the “getting to know” phase, were included as respondents.
wherein the assigned researcher introduced himself/herself to
the target individual, explained the purpose of the visit  Data Analysis and Interpretation Method
including the conduct of the study. The second stage is the The use of “a-priori” coding was done to categorize the
interview proper wherein the researcher gives and asked the data collected. This process used commonly in qualitative
questions in the interview guide and allows the respondents design in order to put direction into the interview to be done
to give his story of the impact of the mechanized reaper on and how the data be analyzed (Elliot, 2018; Morgan, 2017).
their livelihood. Notes and recordings were done so as not to There are two important codes used in the study of
miss anything that the participants has conveyed. The third understanding the impact of the mechanized reaper: the
stage is the confirmation stage wherein the interviewer relates positive and the negative impact. Classifying the responses in
and tells the participant of what has been said so as to avoid these two areas would lead into more detailed picture from
any misconception or injection of opinion from the the respondents. Responses related to the two general code
researchers. Only after the participants has approved what has will be classified depending on the frequency and
been said that the transcription of the interviews been done. percentages.

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Volume 7, Issue 9, September – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
 Ethical Considerations  Attended seminars on better farming and repair of farm
All responses and identity of the participants are strictly equipment.
kept confidential. Participation is strictly voluntary and  Attended trainings on alternative farming livelihood
participants may drop out anytime during the course of the programs for women (RIC).
interview.
The introduction of technology and machination of
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION farming in the Philippines has the main objective – to achieve
food security and sufficiency (Caliguiran, 2012; Amongo,
Based on literatures and articles reviewed by the Amongo & Larona, 2011). In the process most land owners
researchers, the impact of the mechanized reaper on the benefited much from the introduction of these machines
livelihood were classified into two broad categories: positive which increase productivity, reduction of working time in the
and negative impact. Responses were placed under the two field especially during rainy and typhoon season and
categories. reduction of farm capital (Shah, Khandelwal, Paudel, Justice,
Biggs & McDonald, 2016; Khalequzzaman & Karmi, 2007).
 Negative Impact. However, along with the advantages enjoyed by landowners,
13 or 82.7% of the respondents gave these responses the mechanization, e.g. the mechanized reaper has displaced
and all males (8 of them) and 5 females. Most of the responses many farm workers and farm hands dependent on the manual
of the participants were under this category: labor from these lands for their livelihood (Januarti, JUnaidi
& Rosana, 2018; Tolentino, 2016). These people who are
 The mechanized reaper lessened our daily income from now unemployed during harvest season must find another
the farm. source of livelihood to sustain their family
 When the reaper is not yet used, there are more work (Praweenwongwuthi, Laosiriwung & Rambo, 2010; Arida,
offered. Borley, Beltran, Tanzo, Relado, Malasa & Antivo, 2005).
 Only the owner of the reaper gets rich. Technology and machines cannot all do the work that can be
 We need to go to other places to earn more. done by hand, the need for manual labor is still in demand
 I get depressed thinking about how to raise my family. (Medrano, Villanueva & Tindowen, 2016). In these areas of
 I need to find other forms of work, like construction. farming, there is big competition, and those skilled and those
with training to do things like repair and trouble-shooting of
 Positive Impact problems of farm equipment and machines definitely gain
3 of 17.3% of the respondents gave these responses, all advantage from those who do not (Emani, Almassi, Bakhoda
were females. The following are considered to be the benefit & IssaKalanton, 2018; Tolentino, 2016).
from the reaper:
With the displacement of most male farm workers, the
 Work is faster and easier. female counterpart becomes a manpower resource in the rural
 I could find time for other work to augment my income. areas (Masdek, 2015; SOFA Team & Doss, 2011). Loss of
 I have to do better than others to be hired again. employment for most of the year, the farm hands and workers
resort to other farming methods such as planting vegetables,
 Coping strategies livestock and hog raising, fishing and other forms of
Actions taken by farmers who were negatively affected subsistence farming but all in the mercy of landowners and
by the introduction of the mechanized reaper were migration to the cities for employment (Hogan, Pinto da
Cunha, 2001). With this plight of the landless farm workers,
categorized into the following: migration to other places for
the government is now mandated to look into their condition.
employment, engagement with other forms of livelihood or
Assessment of the impact of these workers must be included
change in vocation/career and improving their farming skills.
in the attempt to achieve food security of the country (Shah,
Migration to other places for employment (3 or 18.75% Khandewal, Paudel, Justice, Biggs & McDonald, 2016;
of respondents, 2 female and 1 male) Khalequzzaman & Karim, 2007). Advantages of introduction
of mechanization of farming is definitely felt among those
 My wife went to Hong Kong as domestic helper.
with lands and capacity to use technology because of higher
 My husband went to Manila as a construction worker.
educational attainment (Poungchampu & Chantanop, 2016)
 My daughter went to Vizcaya to become ‘yaya’. but the government who implements modernization of
farming must also look into the effects of this program among
those who rely on manual labor as their source of income
Engagement with other forms of livelihood (11 or (Tolentino, 2016; Medrano, Villanueva & Tindowen, 2016).
68.2% of respondents, 5 females and 6 males) A program for alternative livelihood for displaces landless
 We raise pigs and chickens to augment income. farmers must be created to achieve not only food sufficiency
 I went to work as house help of wealthy neighbors. but also better soci0-economic status for all citizens. Future
 I went on full time dressmaker/mechanic/repairman. researchers must look into the impact of mechanization
among farmer landowners and the problems they face in
Improving their farming skills (2 or 12.5% of the relation to the displacement of farm workers and the resultant
respondents, 1 male and 1 female) migration to other places to seek employment.

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Volume 7, Issue 9, September – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
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