Status, Problems, and Prospects of Arrowroot Production and Processing in Catanauan, Quezon

Date

12-2018

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Normito R. Zapata, Jr.

Committee Member

Jewe; Joanna S. Cabardo, Juan Paulino S. Trespalacio, Agnes T. Banzon

Abstract

Agriculture is the primary livelihood in Quezon province and they are known to be one of the largest producers of coconut in the country. There are numerous studies conducted regarding coconut and coconut products. However, there are other crops like arrowroot that is being grown in Quezon, particularly in Catanauan which serves as a valuable source of income. Arrowroot is a root crop filled with various nutrient content. Arrowroot is processed into flour and then used to make arrowroot biscuits, which is the currently the product of Catanauan, Quezon under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) campaign of the Department of Trade and Industry. According to arrowroot biscuit producers, the volume of biscuit they are producing is continuously increasing due to widening market of arrowroot biscuits as well as the large volume sold during holidays and special occasions like fiestas. Unfortunately, the supply of arrowroot flour in Catanauan is not sufficient for the production of arrowroot biscuits and thus they are experiencing an annual arrowroot flour shortage during the months of September to November. Thus, a study was conducted to determine the status, problems, and prospects of arrowroot production and processing. Specifically the study aimed to: to present the profile of arrowroot farmers, and processors in Catanauan, Quezon, to determine practices in arrowroot crop production, processing and marketing, identify the problems and issues being encountered in the production, processing and marketing of arrowroot, analyze key opportunities and prospects in the industry ; and to formulate recommendations for the improvement of the present situation as well as the development of arrowroot production, processing and marketing. To fulfill these objectives several tools were used to obtain and analyze data such as descriptive analysis, key success factors, profitability assessment and dominant economic traits. The source of information was mainly from survey using a pre-tested questionnaire and the sampling procedure used was convenience sampling. A total of 63 farmers and farmer-flour processors and 15 arrowroot biscuit producers were interviewed. The study found out that in Catanauan, Quezon, majority of arrowroot farmers are also the flour processors and they commonly devote 0.25 ha to 0.50 ha of their farm in arrowroot crop production. Most farmers do not use fertilizers and pesticides. There also only few farmers who own a grinder which is used in arrowroot processing, and they have to pay 0.25 kg per 2.2 kg of processed flour. In addition, according to some arrowroot farmers and farmer-flour processors the volume of arrowroot they are harvesting has been declining for the past few years, and it can be attributed to unpredictable weather condition which causes rotting, decreasing soil nutrient, and farming practices and farmers attitude. Another factor is also the decreasing enthusiasm of farmer to plant arrowroot since it takes up to seven to nine months before it can be harvested. As for the arrowroot biscuit producers, the volume biscuit produced and sold is increasing and there are few who are trying to get into exportation and thus their required volume of arrowroot flour is increasing. However, given that majority of the arrowroot flour processed by Catanauan farmers are sold to Marinduque assembler wholesaler, they are often experiencing shortage, and price fluctuation.

Language

English

LC Subject

Root crops, Coconut products

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993 2018 M17 P59

Notes

Viewing access to electronic resources is restricted solely to UP Gmail accounts. Any access and share requests from external organizations and personal email accounts will be promptly declined.

Document Type

Thesis

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS