Community-Based Development Plan for Small-Scale Processing of Coconut Wine (Tuba) in Matalom, Leyte

Date

7-2020

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Dian Noelle F. Velasco

Committee Member

Dian Noelle F. Velasco, Glenn N. Baticados, Romel M. Carlos

Abstract

Tuba production is the primary source of income of the mananggetes from Barangay Sta. Paz and Barangay Taglibas Imelda, Matalom, Leyte. This industry provided livelihood in the municipality for decades. Despite the high demand for tuba, the mananggetes remain living below the poverty threshold. They had low bargaining power; thus, they are forced to sell the tuba on the price dictated by the buyers. With this, the researcher proposed the establishment of a community-based enterprise that aims to provide sustainable livelihood to the mananggetes. The social enterprise helps in the development of the mananggetes’ social capital through a series of training and seminars that would be conducted. Through the community-based enterprise, the mananggetes could venture into the processing of other coconut-sap based products.

The study aims to provide an overview of the tuba industry, describe the socio-economic profile of the mananggetes, assess the production and marketing practices, determine the level of awareness and willingness to participate in community-based organizations, analyze the opportunities and challenges, and craft a community development plan. Proportional random sampling was used to determine the sample size from each barangay. A total of 85 meningitis were the sample size; however, only 76 were interviewed due to uncontrollable circumstances. There were 54 and 22 interviewed mananggetes from Barangay sta. Paz and Barangay Taglibas Imelda, respectively. The secondary data were obtained from journal articles, books, theses, and special problems. Descriptive statistics, specifically, percentage, frequency, mean, minimum, and maximum, were used to analyze the data.

Tuba processing is dominated by males who were elementary undergraduates, married, and belong to the prime-working age (25 to 54 years old). The average monthly income of mananggetes is Php 4, 961, and Php 5, 805 in Barangay Sta. Paz and Barangay Taglibas Imelda, respectively. This showed that they are living below the poverty threshold. They only process the tuba in their respective houses where they allot a small area for processing and storage. The mananggetes did not follow any standards in tuba production. They only rely on their expertise to ensure the quality of the product. An ix average of two gallons of coconut sap per day is collected, which would yield an average of two 24-liter containers of tuba per week. Each container of tuba is sold for Php 500 to Php 700. The income received would be used to buy tungog, another raw material needed, which costs Php 150 per kilogram.

According to the mananggetes, they only practice weeding in their coconut farms due to the lack of access to fertilizers. They solely rely on the free fertilizer provided by the Philippine Coconut Authority. However, the distribution of fertilizers is not consistent. The lack of soil fertility, presence of pests and insects, and weather affect the volume of coconut sap harvested.

The level of awareness of the mananggetes on the community-based organization was determined. Awareness influence the decision of farmers to participate in community development. Thirty-three and 14 mananggetes who responded that they are aware of community-based organizations are from Barangay Sta. Paz and Barangay Taglibas Imelda, respectively. The study revealed that managers who belong to the prime working age were elementary undergraduate and, with more experience, had a high level of awareness on community-based organizations.

A total of 53 mananggetes from Barangay Sta. Paz and 21 from Barangay Taglibas Imelda responded that they are willing to participate in the community-based organization. The study concluded that managers, who are 25 to 54 years old, married with four to six household members, are willing to participate in community-based organizations. Added responsibility of married mananggetes motivates them to join because they need a high income to provide the needs of their families. Mananggetes who are members of other farmers’ organization, answered that they are willing to participate. It can be inferred that their involvement and experience with other organizations influence their decision to join. Lastly, mananggetes, who were elementary undergraduate, mentioned that they are willing to participate in the community-based organization. The commonly perceived benefits of the mananggetes were insurance and financial assistance. However, few did not specify the benefits they perceived. They are willing to accept any aid that would improve their socio-economic status.

Integrating all the data obtained, a business was developed, which would serve as a guide in the establishment of the social enterprise. The enterprise would be called Matahum’s Tuba, which was derived from the words matahum, which means beautiful and tuba, the main product of the enterprise. The product is positioned as a high quality, healthy wine because of its vitamins and minerals, and it is also chemical-free. The products that would be sold are the 187-ml and 750-ml tuba that costs Php 198 and Php 299, respectively. In the long run, the enterprise plans to produce other coconut-sap based products such as coco cider vinegar and coco sugar.

As a social enterprise, Matahum’s Tuba aims to provide training and seminars that would enhance the skills of the mananggetes. This would also help introduce new knowledge and technologies to them. Scholarships would be provided to the college children of the mananggetes. The beneficiaries of the mananggetes should take Bachelor of Science in Agriculture or other related degree programs. The knowledge and skills gained by the students would be helpful in the improvement of the enterprise; they could also contribute to the development of agriculture in the municipality of Matalom and the province.

Lastly, the social enterprise development plan for the mananggetes could be used as a blueprint in developing a business plan for other agricultural commodities. The community-based enterprise development plan also aims to pave the way for the future development of other social enterprises in the municipality.

Language

English

LC Subject

Food enterprise, Food industry and trade

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993 2020 M17 G47

Document Type

Thesis

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