| This study reviews the situation of farm mechanization in rice production. Factors affecting labor productivity in rice production, both first and second cropping seasons in 2010/2011, was analyzed using quantile regression and ordinary least square models. The results reveal that increasing farm size would increase labor productivity in both first and second cropping seasons while laborsaving technology would increase labor productivity only in the first cropping season. Thus, increasing farm size, investment in research and development of labor-saving technology, and supporting the appropriate use of labor-saving technology will improve labor productivity in a labor shortage situation. |
