Tramline technology seen to boost farming –DA

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Post Harvest Research and Extension (BPRE) see the introduction of tramline technology as a big help in improving the quality of farm products that reach the market.

Tramline technology in farming is an alternative means of hauling farmers' produce using cables and pulleys to transport products from inaccessible farms to the nearest road network.

BPRE, which is lead agency for promotion and implementation of the technology, said that agricultural tramlines are most ideal in mountainous areas, where access by road is not possible. 

Tramlines are primarily designed “to eliminate the drudgery of manual hauling” and to reduce transport costs that would increase farmers' productivity and income. Upland farmers said that about 30 to 40 percent of the market value of their products went to hauling alone.

The DA and the BPRE have so far introduced the tramline system to four towns in the country.  These are Buguias and Atok in Benguet, Alimodian in Iloilo and Carranglan in Nueva Ecija.

The Western Polacion Farmers Association in Bugias, Benguet received two units of agricultural tramline from DA in February 2005, after a planning workshop was conducted.

In Atok, Benguet, BPRE is now working on the rehabilitation of the four existing tramline systems which suffered breakdown because of some technical problems.

Establishment, repair or rehabilitation of agricultural tramlines are provided for through DA's program called the Ginintuang Masaganang-ani for High Value Commercial Crops (GMA-HVCCV).

In Carrangalan, Nueva Ecija, efforts are under way to provide for a pilot agricultural tramline system that would enable organized groups of farmers to improve their transport and handling capabilities to minimize losses.

In Alimodian, Iloilo, a bi-cable tramline system was put up in the “Seven Cities”, through the technical assistance of the BPRE, intended to help improve production of high value crops in the area.

Two thirds of the population of Alimodian depend on farming for their livelihood.

Municipal Agriculturist Roberto Alcudia said that the tramline system in his town has been helping much in bringing farm products to the market in a faster way, especially during times when public jeepneys cannot easily reach the far flung mountainous barangays.

He also said that the tramline is still on its test period of implementation and they are studying more ways to put it into maximum use.  (PIA 6)