Geospatial Assessment on the Distribution and Level of Mechanization in Pamplona, Cagayan, Philippines

Abstract

This study developed a GIS-based approach for the spatial distribution and level of mechanization in crop production and post-production operations in the Municipality of Pamplona, Cagayan Province. The assessment of the mechanization level for different farming operations on crops such as rice, corn, and high-value crops (banana, cacao, cassava, citrus, coconut, mango, pineapple, lesser yam, watermelon, and vegetables) was conducted using the Modified Agricultural Mechanization Index (MAMI) and Sufficiency Level. Two map layers were used, and the corresponding sufficiency levels of each of the farm operations were entered in the attribute table. The average farm holding for rice is 1.73 hectares and 1.71 hectares for corn, while for high-value crops, coconut records the highest average farm holding area of 1.3 hectares. Results showed that the utilization of four- wheel and two-wheel tractors for land preparation, knapsack sprayers for spraying, water pumps for irrigation, and combine harvesters for harvesting and threshing contributes to a high mechanization level for rice and corn production with a sufficiency level of 65.21% and 59.64%, respectively. For high-value crops, it was noted that farmers generally employed manual labor in performing farm operations, which resulted in a low level of mechanization except for vegetable and watermelon productions with a low to intermediate mechanization level. In addition, most farmers hire machines for hauling and transporting harvested crops and often practice sun drying. The results of the study offer baseline data and serve as a basis for policymaking regarding the mechanization program of LGU-Pamplona.