What Happened to PhilRice’s Microtiller? A Scaling Study

Abstract

This study inquires on the outscaling of the microtiller, a machine developed by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in the 1990s to address the tedious rice land cultivation in the Cordillera highlands of the Philippines. Stakeholders of the project were interviewed, particularly staff members of PhilRice and the Department of Agriculture; representatives of the Central Cordillera Agricultural Programme, PhilRice’s partner organization in developing and promoting the microtiller; and manufacturers and farmers in the area. It was found that while the machine offered a solution to the highly tedious land preparation issue, four key factors affected its scaling: absence of private sector engagement, lack of a business plan for scaling, lack of extension services, and the presence of a more versatile and cheaper competitor. This study provides empirical evidence of the usability of the set of scaling ingredients developed by PPPLab and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center to facilitate analysis of scaling of innovations. The findings may inform scaling opportunities and strategies for farm machines by agricultural research and development institutions across the globe.