Market Study of Lowland Vegetable Seedlings in Selected Areas in Laguna

Date

12-2018

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Dia Noelle F. Velasco

Committee Member

Nanette A. Aquino, MAr B. Cruz, Agnes T. Banzon, Normito R. Zapata, Jr.

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the market potential of lowland vegetable seedlings among the vegetable farmers in Laguna. Specifically, it aimed to: (1) describe the potential market for vegetable seedlings in Laguna; (2) determine the perceptions, awareness, and willingness of the market to buy vegetable seedlings; (3) evaluate the factors that influence vegetable farmers decision to buy vegetable seedlings; (4) estimate the market potential requirement for vegetable seedlings; (5) identify market-related issues, challenges, and opportunities in the marketing of vegetable seedlings; and (6) recommend strategies to address the issues, challenges, and opportunities identified.

A market survey was conducted in Calamba, Magdalena, and Majayjay, Laguna. Convenience and snowball sampling method were used in finding the target respondents. A total of 92 lowland vegetable farmers were interviewed. Both descriptive and experimental research design were used in the study. The results of the market survey were analyzed through frequency counts, evaluation of factors that might affect the willingness of the lowland vegetable farmers to buy vegetable seedlings through the chi-square test of independence and percentage distribution.

Based on the results, not all vegetable farmers are aware of commercial vegetable seedlings with 72% of the total respondents are aware. The source of awareness towards commercial vegetable seedlings was from other farmers with 48% of the total aware respondents. Based on the results, other farmers were the most important source of information in the buying decision of lowland vegetable farmers with a mean rating of 6.88 out of 8. Most (31%) of the respondents who have tried buying vegetable seedlings got the seedlings from East West Farm and they were influenced by either the dealer (31%) or other farmers (31%). The respondent who was regularly buying vegetable seedlings were asked to evaluate the vegetable seedlings while the other respondents were asked about their perceptions towards buying vegetable seedlings. The evaluation has a positive result while the perceptions have negative results. Most of the respondents have used different farm practices before. According to the findings of this study, the attribute of vegetable seedlings that vegetable farmers give the highest importance is the variety with a mean rating of 7.5 out of 8. Variety was also given the highest importance by the vegetable farmers among the different attributes of vegetable seeds that they consider when buying having a mean rating of 7.6 out of 8. However, the respondents said that they will be willing to buy vegetable seedlings if only if they have capital. The expensiveness of vegetable seedlings compared to vegetable seeds is identified as the greatest issue in the commercialization of vegetable seedlings since 33% of those who were not willing to buy vegetable seedlings said that costliness was the main reason of their unwillingness. However, if the price of vegetable seedlings will be cheaper, a lot of vegetable farmers will be willing to buy vegetable seedlings. The most common vegetable demanded by the respondents is eggplant with 35% of the total willing respondents. Followed by tomato (34%), bitter gourd (17%), hot pepper (12%), and squash (2%).

Increasing the level of awareness of the lowland vegetable farmers towards commercial vegetable seedlings is a key in increasing the potential market. The potential producers of vegetable seedlings must be able to meet the demand of the lowland vegetable farmers. Moreover, they could collaborate/partner with seed companies that produce certified seeds to meet the requirements of the market. Ties with government and research agencies should be strengthened through coordination with their programs for the improvement of the vegetable seedlings industry in the country thus, possibly reducing the negative perceptions of the market towards commercial vegetable seedlings.

Language

English

LC Subject

Seedlings--Evaluation, Vegetables--Seeds

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993 2018 M17 M65

Notes

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Document Type

Thesis

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