Rice Combine Harvester: Its Effects to the Livelihood of Rice-Field Tenants in a Second Class Municipality

Over the past few years, the advancement of modern technology has intensely overhauled society. People use and benefit from modern technology, and the tremendous opportunities it provides play a significant role in almost all aspects of human life. However, too much usage of this has its repercussions as well. Technological and mechanical change in agricultural sector and its impact on the work force have already become one of the neglected concerns of farmers in Amulung, a second class municipality of Cagayan. The newly introduced rice combine harvesters are already dominating the rice fields in Amulung during harvesting seasons. Thus, it replaces the conventional system of harvesting using human labor and sickles. This study is conducted to determine the effects of rice combine harvesters to the livelihood of rice field tenants in Amulung, Cagayan. Using purposive sampling through site selection approach and networking, 25 rice field tenants were selected as participants of this study. In–depth conversations and guided interview had served as the main instruments used by the researchers to gather the needed data. The results showed that rice combine harvesters cause unemployment and migration among the participants and degrade their sense of solidarity and camaraderie. As a result, the participants sought alternative activities which they can be paid off. Also, they engage themselves in livestock and poultry production, and even in informal sector economy just to cope with the prevalence of rice combine harvesters.

Keywords: Rice Combine Harvester, Second Class Municipality, Rice Field Tenants, Alternative Activities