Lending a hand to farmers: DOST improves riding-type rice transplanter's gear transmission system design
Seeking to reduce famers’ cost in rice production, the Department of Science and Technology-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) completed another research and development project aimed at improving the gear transmission system design of a riding-type rice transplanter.

DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said the project was focused on improving the gear transmission system of the riding-type rice transplanter, which seeks to cut the cost on labor as well as the farmers’ seed requirement.
"This project is part of DOST-MIRDC’s effort to level up farm mechanization capabilities of the country,” he said during his weekly report on Friday, May 21.
The DOST-MIRDC and an industry partner, the Rollmaster Machinery and Industrial Services Corp pursued the pro-farmers’ project, he said.
"The team of engineers and technicians from the DOST-MIRDC utilized state-of-the-art software to develop the gear design,” he said.
The DOST chief said fabrication was done in the MIRDC’s Gear Making and Assembly Facility using the CNC 5-axis Machining Center.
"The MIRDC, Rollmaster, and Philippine Rice Research Institute are now preparing to work on a new project for the pilot testing of a much improved local riding-type rice transplanter,” de la Peña said.