Coping Mechanisms and Strategies of the Selected Duck Farms Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Victoria, Laguna

Date

5-2024

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Juan Paulino S. Trespalacio, Junior

Committee Member

Cris Edwin B. Bonalos, Camille Anne E. Mendoza, Melodee Marciana De Castro

Restrictions

Restricted: Not available to the general public. Access is available only after consultation with author/thesis adviser and only to those bound by the confidentiality agreement.

Abstract

Duck industry is considered the Philippines' second largest poultry industry next to chicken, with a production of 6.29 thousand metric tons, liveweight recorded from April to June 2022, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. the level of production in the previous year was at 6.81 thousand metric tons, liveweight, suggesting that there has been an annual reduction of 7.5 percent this year. Central Luzon is the biggest producer of duck in the Philippines from April to June 2022. (Philippine Statistics Authority | Republic of the Philippines, n.d.)

The objective of the study is to determine the current status and the coping strategies implemented by the duck farmers/ owners/ caretakers of the selected farms in Victoria, Laguna which hailed as the "Duck Raising Capital of the Philippines". The research was able to determine the following objectives: (1) present the current socio-demographic profiles of the duck farmers/ owners of the selected farms in Victoria, Laguna (2) determine the situation before and during the pandemic and compare the current situation of the selected duck farms in Victoria, Laguna; (3) identify the problems and challenges faced by the duck farmers/ owners/ caretakers of the selected farms; (4) identify and assess the coping mechanisms by the selected farms in Victoria, Laguna; (5) formulate recommendations related to the findings of the study.

The objectives of the study was achieved through a mixed method research design through the usage of both qualitative and quantitative data. The data gathering was conducted in 4 barangays: Brgy. San Roque, Brgy. Nanhaya, Brgy. Pagalangan, and Brgy. San Benito. The respondents were identified through the following criteria: (1) has been operating for not less than 5 years; (2) farm did not close during the pandemic; (3) Has continued its operations during and after the pandemic. A total of 20 respondents were interviewed and identified through purposive sampling and snowball and the utilization of questionnaires and interviews with each of the respondents in order to determine the state of their duck farms, the problems that they have encountered before, during and after the pandemic, and the coping mechanism/strategies implemented in order for them to stay afloat and thrive all these years.

The data was collected and analyzed through the usage of descriptive statistics for the socio-demographic variables, SWOT analysis of each of the farms along with the comparison from the past studies, Competitive Analysis through Porter's Five Forces, and the Coping Mechanism/Strategies implemented with Thematic Analysis.

When it comes to the current state of the selected duck farms in Victoria, Laguna. Most of the respondents farms were small scale (5 hectares or less). In terms of the current status of the selected duck farms, most of the farmers/ owners are middle aged - older married couples who have been duck farming for more than 10 years. Some of the respondents have had their lands passed down along with experiences and learning from one generation to another. Some of the farmers are from different provinces or municipalities but have made a home in Victoria for more than 20 years. Majority of the selected respondents hire caretakers for their farms because their farms are located far from their residence or in another barangay. Some of the respondents have customers in and outside of Victoria and some of them just sell their products in Victoria.

The observed strengths of the selected duck farms in Victoria are: (1) Duck Raising Capital of the Philippines; (2) Ideal for Duck Farming; (3) Suki Relationship; (4) Owner/Caretaker with extensive; (5) Ducks lay more regularly. The weaknesses of the selected farms are: (1) Lack of awareness on modern technology and vitamins; (2) Weak competitive edge; (3) Decreasing number of farms in Victoria; (4) Lack of support and the price of Infrastructure. The most common issue faced by the farmers were the high prices of input and the competition with the other provinces which offered a cheaper prices of input and the competition with the other provinces which offered a cheaper price for the eggs resulting in a loss of customers for the farmers in Victoria. Another important problem faced by the farmers is lack of support by the government, interest of the youth towards duck farming, and the decreasing number of duck farms in a place where it was once the haven for duck farming, and the decreasing number of duck farms in a place where it was once the haven for duck farming. The most common coping mechanism employed by the farmers was to purchase a more affordable brand of commercially available feed and make use of molasses or pulot as their vitamins because it has been used for many years now. The respondents give importance to the ways of duck farming before because they have observed the changes in the duck overtime and have made a comparison from how it used to be to how it currently is.

The duck farmers/ owners of the selected duck farms are recommended to make use of more natural feeds accompanied by feeds to ensure that the level of performance is not compromised. They could practice forward integration to gain more competitive advantage. Establishing product standards through frequent monitoring of their farms and ensuring that they keep record of the important information regarding the ducks' health and performance. The government with supporting agencies could establish and conduct training for the farmers to learn more about the advancements and proper practices in detecting diseases. It is also recommended to impose stricter regulations for the eggs coming from different provinces. They could also offer and provide financial support with effective loan repayment strategies that work.

Language

English

LC Subject

Duck industry, COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020--Philippines

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993 2024 M17 R48

Document Type

Thesis

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