Analytical compilation of Philippine agricultural mechanization policies and strategies

Policies and strategies in agricultural mechanization in the Philippines have undergone three major periods after World War 2. These were the pro-industrial development (1946-1960), the Green Revolution (1960-1975), and agro-industrial development (1975-present). During the first period, the machinery industry was characterized by importation of expensive, capital-intensive, labour-saving and heavy-duty mechanical technologies that found applications only in big farms, particularly those planted to sugarcane and plantation crops. Purchase of these machines was beyond the means of majority of the small farmers. The development and promotion of mechanization based on government policies and strategies on credit and financial assistance, import and investment incentives, R and D and manpower development as well as facility installation improvement were also in favour of "big and powerful" technologies. The second period brought about changes in the government's attitude toward mechanization with a more decisive effort to help the small farmers. Mechanization, with other inputs, gained recognition in the government's development efforts. Policies and strategies in agricultural mechanization became more pronounced along with credit and financial assistance mainly for the small farmers: more facility installation/improvement and updated tariff and tax policies to protect the emerging local manufacturing industry. At the same time, the government ensured that expressed technology needs were rationalized by importation, only if needed, and the refocusing of R and D and manpower development on small enterprises. It was at the third period where mechanization started receiving more government commitment in terms of its inclusion in various development plans and updated investments priority schemes: systematic and regular review of tariffs and tax incentives to take cognizance of industrial and trade developments: expansion of credit and financial assistance to all sectors involved in the technology flow: increase in R and D and manpower development activities: creation of government institutions to look into the sectoral concerns of mechanization