Home⇛Isabela State University Linker The Journal of Emerging Research in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry⇛vol. 5 no. 2 (2025)

Quantification of Nitrous Oxide, Methane, and Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Agricultural Machinery in Tropical Lowland Rice Farming Systems

Sarah B. Aquino | Joyce Anne P. Galamgam | Eva V. Eslava | Brian Jay Valdez | Fevie Rica A. Ancheta | Gerly T. Zulueta | Kay S. Olivas | Rose Mary G. Aquino

Discipline: agricultural sciences

 

Abstract:

The study quantified nitrous oxide (N?O), methane (CH?), and carbon dioxide (CO?) emissions from key agricultural machineries used in rice farming systems across the tropical lowland regions, particularly Cagayan Valley. Fuel consumption and machinery data were obtained from the Department of Agriculture – Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (DA-RAED). Emissions were estimated using IPCC Inventory Software (2006 Guidelines, Tier 1- 2 methodologies), with disaggregation by machinery, gas, and province. Total emissions from the agricultural machinery under study amounted to 143.66 Gg, dominated by hand tractors (130.71 Gg; 90.99%), followed by four-wheel drive tractors (8.37 Gg; 5.83%), rice combine harvesters (4.37 Gg; 3.04%), mechanical rice transplanters (0.10259 Gg; 0.07%), and precision seeders (0.09703 Gg 0.07%). At the provincial level of tropical lowland settings, Isabela and Cagayan recorded the highest emissions (77.75 Gg; 53.04% and 66.03 Gg; 45.02%, respectively), while Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino accounted for the lowest (1.80 Gg; 1.23% and 1.06 Gg; 0.72%, respectively). These findings highlight the environmental impact of mechanization in rice farming and emphasize the need for climate-smart strategies, including improved energy efficiency, adoption of low-emission technologies, and integration of renewable energy sources.



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