Quantification of Nitrous Oxide, Methane, and Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Agricultural Machineries in Cagayan Valley Rice Farming Systems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65141/tjeraff.v5i2.272Keywords:
agricultural machinery, nitrous oxide, methane, carbon dioxide, IPCC inventory softwareAbstract
Rice cultivation in Cagayan Valley is one of the major sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, having 80.61 Gg of methane (CH?) emission in 2021 from irrigated and rainfed fields (Aquino and Galamgam, 2025) yet emissions from agricultural machineries remain poorly quantified despite rising mechanization levels.
This study quantified nitrous oxide (N?O), methane (CH?), and carbon dioxide (CO?) emissions from key agricultural machineries used in rice farming systems across the region. Fuel consumption and machinery data were obtained from the Department of Agriculture – Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (DA-RAED). Emissions were estimated using the IPCC Inventory Software (2006 Guidelines, Tier 1 and Tier 2 methodologies), with disaggregation by gas type, machinery type, and province.
Results showed that Four-Wheel Drive Tractors (4WDT) and Rice Combine Harvesters (RC) contributed 64.7% and 33.8% of total emissions, respectively, while rice seeders and transplanters accounted for less than 1.5% combined. Isabela and Cagayan emerged as the highest provincial emitters due to extensive mechanization. Findings highlight the trade-off between productivity gains and increasing carbon footprint in mechanized rice farming.
This study recommends targeted interventions in high-consumption provinces, promoting fuel-efficient technologies, low-emission machinery, and renewable energy integration to achieve climate-smart mechanization. Results provide baseline data to support regional climate policies, DA mechanization programs, and the Philippines’ commitments under the Paris Agreement.
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