Characteristics of tobacco flue-curing barns in Ilocos Norte / Federico R. Recta, Jr.

Date

1987

Abstract

The characteristics of tobacco flue-curing barns in the province of Ilocos Norte were determined through a survey. The dominant materials used in barn construction were identified. Barn capacities, dimensions, specifications, fuelwood-use efficiency, and economics were also analyzed. The most popular type of curing barn has clay walls, cogon roof, used metal containers as primary flue-tube and galvanized iron pipes as secondary flue-tubes, Flue systems are either single-pass or double pass although some do not have a secondary flue-tube. Average barn size is 3.38 m long, 2.96 m wide and 4.14 m high with a capacity of 668 sticks or an equivalent of 159 kg cured leaves. About 77% do not follow the recommendation for tier spacing and 99% for the distance of first tier to the ground. Majority of the barns have one top vent located at the ridge of the rood and four sets of bottom vents located at every corner of the barn. Majority of the barns have inadequate bottom and top ventilators. Non satisfy the recommended size of the bottom vents and barely 1% satisfy that for top vents. Barns with no ventilators were also observed. Fuelwood and energy usage is significantly different among the different types of tobacco flue-curing barns in Ilocos Norte. Clay barns are more efficient than concrete-walled barns. Use of double-pass flue system decreased fuelwood-to-cured weight ratio (FCR), which means higher fuelwood use efficiency. There are no significant differences on capital recovery cost for the different types of barns. The annual cost of repair and maintenance for concrete-walled barns is significantly higher than clay-walled barns. Differences in terms of fuelwood cost per curing using different types of barns is also significant. The bulk of the total cost of curing is contributed by cost of fuel. Comparing the annual worth of total cost of curing, clay-walled barns have an advantage over concrete-walled barns. Investment in any type of barn is profitable. In all barn types, internal rate of return (IRR) is greater than the minimum attractive interest rate of 16%. Generally, the IRR of clay-walled barns is higher compared with concrete-walled barns. All barn types except concrete-walled barns is less than one year while concrete-walled barns is less than two years. Nonetheless, the time of capital recovery is short enough to favor investment.

Document Type

Master Thesis

Language

English

LC Subject

Tobacco curing

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 995 1987 A2 R43

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