Land consolidation (contiguous farming) for sustainable crop production for the agro-industry

Abstract

Land Consolidation or Contiguous Farming in the Philippine setting is considered a prerequisite to large scale mechanization for improved efficiencies, optimize land utilization, and increase crop productivity. It is expected to increase farmers' income and contribute to sustainable agricultural productivity. The implementation of Republic Act 10601 or Agriculture and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law 2013, contiguous farming became one of the major flagship programs of the government. A project was conducted to study its implementation in the Philippine agricultural production system. Local and international benchmarking were conducted to document best practices and requirements of contiguous farming/land consolidation. Stakeholders from selected rice and corn producing areas in the country generally agreed on the implementation of contiguous farming. Technical, socio-economic, and institutional strategies, were identified for contiguous farming to succeed, including its strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities. The enabling environment were also discussed for the successful implementation of contiguous farming in the country. The study showed that land consolidation or contiguous farming is implementable in the Philippines subject to the necessary requirements crucial to its implementation.