Adoption and Performance of Direct-seeded Rice (DSR) Technology in the Philippines

Abstract

Manual transplanting is the traditional rice crop establishment method in the Philippines. Consequently, crop establishment comprises over 25% of the total labor cost that drives up rice production costs in the country. The study, therefore, assessed the socioeconomic effect of direct-seeded rice (DSR) as an alternative to transplanted rice (TPR), determined the trends and patterns of adoption of DSR, examined the economic performance of DSR relative to TPR, and identified the factors that influence DSR adoption. The rice-based farm households survey data from 1996/1997 to 2016/2017 showed that the proportion of DSR farmer-adopters increased from 27% in 1996/1997 to 33–42% in 2016/2017. The adoption of DSR resulted in lower labor use and cost in crop establishment and higher labor productivity. However, lower yield and higher seed and herbicide costs relative to TPR were its major trade-offs. Despite this, the partial budget analysis showed that shifting to DSR posed incremental income, especially in rainfed areas and during the dry season, brought by labor savings that compensated for the higher seed and herbicide cost and yield penalty. Probit regression analysis revealed that area, use of seeds and pesticides, labor use, tenurial status, irrigation, and power cost significantly affected farmer adoption of DSR. Addressing the constraints, especially the yield gap between DSR and TPR, may enhance the adoption of DSR. The study suggests promoting DSR as a viable alternative to TPR in suitable areas through extension services and technology demonstrations; training and encouraging rice farmers to practice efficient weed control techniques including proper water management and land preparation, and to use technologies like drum seeder and similar technologies to save on seeds and labor; and developing rice varieties and technologies ideal for DSR.