What Happened to PhilRice's Microtiller? A Scaling Study

Jaime A. Manalo Iv (), Louie Gerard F. Orcullo (), Teresa Joi P. de Leon () and Marco Antonio M. Baltazar ()
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Jaime A. Manalo Iv: Socioeconomics Division Philippine Rice Research Institute Department of Agriculture
Louie Gerard F. Orcullo: Socioeconomics Division Philippine Rice Research Institute Department of Agriculture
Teresa Joi P. de Leon: Socieoconomics Division, Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute, Maligaya Science City of Munoz Nueva Ecija 3119 Philippines
Marco Antonio M. Baltazar: Philippine Rice Research Institute Ringgold standard institution - Socioeconomics Division Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija Philippines

Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, 2022, vol. 19, issue 2, 35-50

Abstract: This study inquires on the outscaling of the microtiller, a machine developed by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in the 1990s to address the tedious rice land cultivation in the Cordillera highlands of the Philippines. Stakeholders of the project were interviewed, particularly staff members of PhilRice and the Department of Agriculture; representatives of the Central Cordillera Agricultural Programme, PhilRice’s partner organization in developing and promoting the microtiller; and manufacturers and farmers in the area. It was found that while the machine offered a solution to the highly tedious land preparation issue, four key factors affected its scaling: absence of private sector engagement, lack of a business plan for scaling, lack of extension services, and the presence of a more versatile and cheaper competitor. This study provides empirical evidence of the usability of the set of scaling ingredients developed by PPPLab and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center to facilitate analysis of scaling of innovations. The findings may inform scaling opportunities and strategies for farm machines by agricultural research and development institutions across the globe.

Keywords: technology adoption; scaling; technology adaptation; microtiller; farm machine (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O33 Q16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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