Productivity and Profitability of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Production using Hydroponics and Traditional Farming Technologies in Selected Municipalities of Laguna, 2022

Date

1-2023

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Marilyn M. Elauria

Committee Member

Julieta A. Delos Reyes, Agham C. Cuevas

Abstract

The study analyzed the productivity and profitability of lettuce grown in hydroponics and traditional farms in selected municipalities of Laguna in 2022. Specifically, the study (1) described the farmers growing lettuce using traditional farming and hydroponics; (2) compared the farming practices under hydroponics and traditional farming; (3) assessed the difference in yield of lettuce in hydroponics and traditional farming; (4) evaluated the difference in the profitability for both hydroponics and traditional farming; and (5) came up with recommendations based on the results of the study.

The 25 respondents were found through Facebook, Google Maps, and visitations to the municipal offices. The analytical tools used were descriptive analysis, productivity analysis, cost and return analysis, and the return on investment analysis.

Based on the descriptive analysis, there were more female hydroponic growers and more male traditional growers. Younger farmers also tend to grow lettuce hydroponically while older farmers grow the traditional way. In terms of educational attainment, 88 percent of the total respondents were degree holders but 60 percent did not take a course related to agriculture. In terms of experience, traditional farmers have more experience than the hydroponic growers.

The productivity analysis showed that although traditional farms generally have larger area and higher produce than hydroponic farms, the latter had higher yield. This indicates that every area allotted to a hydroponic farm is worthy to invest on. On the other hand, the cost and return analysis seem to favor the traditional farms when the per farm values were computed. However, when the per unit area was measured, hydroponic farms have a greater value, especially in terms of the net income.

The return on investment for hydroponic farms and traditional farms are 24.01 percent and 18.66 percent, respectively, for the one month cropping season of lettuce. This indicates that traditional farms are profitable while hydroponic farms are not.

Based on the results of the study, it is recommended to use hydroponics in a relatively smaller space as this farming system would produce well even though given a small area.

Language

English

LC Subject

Lettuce industry, Traditional farming, Hydroponics

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2023 A14 M57

Notes

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Document Type

Thesis

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