Setting up a carabao plow
Background
Our intent is to plant rice on the lower terraces but plow to kill the weeds first. This article describes how Stargrazer, our farm carabao was equipped to plow.
Dhodie, a farm worker gifted a “yugo” that he no longer used on his farm. We suggested purchasing it but my understanding is that he wanted to gift it.
This goes over a carabao’s shoulders like a yoke.
Our options were Vargas brand or Pony (6k php). Vargas is heavier duty and slightly cheaper but we were advised that it is better suited for male carabao and our female carabao would struggle. We were quoted 6k in Roxas by 2 different people.
We came to understand that the plow was manufactured in a nearby town and suspected a better price could be found if we went there.
Even in the town where the plow is manufactured, the price was 6k.
Building a pahulan
Attach the pahulan to the plow via a rebar chain.
This was used for 8 years almost every day to plow, move bamboo and take rice to the mill.
It is made from old kakawate wood.
Create loops and attach them to the pahulan.
Everything is ready for testing
The blade he is wearing is longer than typical and is called a talibong. My understanding is that they are traditionally a fighting sword but I am told the longer length is good for clearing grass.
Next Steps
The yugo did not fit quite right so Dhodie is making a new one.
Our carabao also instead of plowing stops to eat. Ideas from the team include adding a net over her mouth, add blinders or use a nose ring.
