Comparative evaluation of tractor and carabao use in rice land preparation, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, 1980
1983
Maranan, C.L.
A survey of 125 tractor owners and 125 tractor hirers or potential tractor hirers was carried out in Nueva Ecija in 1980. Tractor owners had larger, mainly irrigated farms while carabaos were the main power source on rainfed farms. Four-wheel tractors, hand tractors and carabaos were used in a variety of combinations in land preparation operations. Some tractor users reverted to carabao usage in subsequent years while other farmers responded to carabao shortages by hiring tractors. Benefit-cost ratios for hiring out tractors were less than one for both 2-wheel and 4-wheel tractors and the break-even utilization levels are well in excess of the average levels currently being worked. Rising fuel and oil prices exacerbate the situation and only a sharp rise in the contract rate will prevent a reduction in the number of tractors for hire and a possible switching back to animal power
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