ILOILO City – With rising fuel prices now directly squeezing farm profits, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is urging farmers in Western Visayas to shift from traditional practices to cost-efficient mechanization strategies, highlighting that smarter tractor use — not just fuel subsidies — can spell the difference between gains and losses this planting season.
Rather than framing the advisory as mere fuel-saving tips, DA Region 6 is positioning it as a survival strategy for farmers facing escalating production costs driven by global oil volatility linked to the Middle East crisis.
“Ini nga tikang dapat sundon sang mga mangunguma sa paggamit sang traktora sa subong nga padayon ang krisis sa krudo bangud sa giyera sa Middle East,” stressed Regional Executive Director Dennis Arpia.
The DA said that inefficient tractor use has quietly become a major cost leak in farming operations, noting that proper handling and maintenance alone can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 percent — savings that could significantly cushion farmers from price shocks.
Beyond basic maintenance, the agency is pushing for a more disciplined and strategic approach to farm mechanization. This includes matching tractors to field size, planning routes to avoid unnecessary passes, and training operators to maintain optimal RPM levels — steps often overlooked but critical in reducing fuel waste.
The advisory also underscores how poor practices — such as operating on muddy fields, overloading tractors, or leaving engines idling — translate into hidden but substantial financial losses for farmers.
More importantly, the DA is now emphasizing capacity-building, urging farmers to invest in operator training to improve both efficiency and productivity, signaling a shift from reactive assistance to proactive cost management./PN
