Rice farmers" response to the introduction of intermediate technology in the land reform area of Nueva Eicja, Philippines

The increase in minimum wage for agricultural labor has also tended to augment the shares of total cash outlays going to labor. This creates an atmosphere within which an intermediate technology, which will reduce costs or increase output and revenues, becomes highly desirable. In response to this emerging need, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is developing a number of machines, the table thresher, the seeder, and the grain cleaner, which are capable of providing increased labor productivity with low investment requirements without concomitant large-scale labor displacement or high operational costs. This social research study is a follow-up of the above-mentioned pilot program. The objectives of this study are: (1) to document and analyze the reactions of those who have tried and/or witnessed the operation of the intermediate technology, (2) to identify the variables or factors in the adoption of this kind of innovation, (3) to find out whether the existing cooperatives are effective avenues of introducing this technology, and (4) to provide a basis for formulating policies in the implementation of such kind of pilot programs.