Comparative Analysis of the Profitability and Productivity of Small-Scale Organic and Conventional Rice Farming in Tumauni, Isabela, 2021

Date

6-2022

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Jaymee A. Cabangbang

Committee Member

Jaymee A. Cabangbang, Julieta A. Delos Reyes, Agham C. Cuevas

Abstract

The study was conducted to compare the profitability and productivity of small-scale organic and conventional farming in Tumauini, Isabela. The specific objectives were to: (1) characterize the small-scale organic and conventional rice farmers; (2) compare the cultural management practices of small-scale organic and conventional farmers; (3) determine the profitability of small-scale organic and conventional rice farming; (4) assess the level of productivity of small-scale organic and conventional rice farming; and (5) to draw policy implications and recommendations based on the findings.

A total of 62 farmer-respondents – a complete enumeration of 32 organic rice farmers and a randomly selected 30 conventional rice farmers – were interviewed. The study used both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through pre-tested questionnaires administered through personal interviews. Meanwhile, secondary data on the master lists of organic and conventional rice farmers were collected from the Tumauini MAO.

The analytical procedures utilized in this study included descriptive analysis, comparison of two independent sample means, cost and returns analysis, gross & operating profit margin ratios, stochastic frontier analysis, and total factor productivity.

Results showed that most of the small-scale organic and conventional rice farmers are middle-aged, male, married, landowners, have a household size of five (5), and have other sources of income aside from rice farming. Meanwhile, organic farmers are more experienced and had better access to education, training, and seminars compared to conventional farmers. On the other hand, there are more conventional rice farmers than organic rice farmers who availed credit. The cultural management practices of these farmer-respondents for both farming methods include land preparation, seed preparation and planting, water management, weed management, fertilizer application, pesticide application, harvesting, and drying. Whereas the activities exclusive to organic rice cultivation were fertilizer and pesticide making.

It was also found that small-scale rice farmers in the study area encountered problems during their production. These problems include pests and diseases, lack of capital, marketing, natural calamities, and irrigation that negatively affected their rice yield and sales.

The profitability and productivity analyses showed that small-scale organic rice farming is more profitable and productive than small-scale conventional rice farming. This information would help convince the conventional rice farmers who are still reluctant in shifting their farming methods. Also, policymakers should use this as a basis for developing strategies and implementing programs for the promotion of organic agriculture within the province as mandated by the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.

Language

English

LC Subject

Agriculture

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2022 A14 Y34

Document Type

Thesis

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