Farm Mechanization and its Behavioral Effects on Displaced Rice Workers of Region III

Abstract

With the current development in technology, agriculture has rapidly changed and accepting change and technology is key to mechanical progress. The use of technology has improved efficiency in producing, processing and distributing agricultural produce. Farmers are now gradually shifting to new and modern farming system. Historically, advances in farm mechanization have been made where a strong demand for labor in other industries has withdrawn workers from the land and forced wage rates up. Increasing use of farm machines requires less and less of human power, while, it is expected that mechanized farming leads to more productivity, the reversed is true to displaced farm workers. This research focused on discovering the impact of farm mechanization in the marketing of rice in Central Luzon, Philippines and its behavioural effects on rice workers who were displaced as a result of the use of farm machines.