The Effects of Dry Spell on Eggplant Production in Batangas City

Date

5-2016

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Normito R. Zapata, Jr.

Committee Member

Dinah Pura T. Depositario, Nanette A. Aquino, Agnes T. Banzon

Abstract

This paper described and analyzed the current status and problems of eggplant farmers operating under the effects of a dry spell in Batangas City. It looked into the coping mechanisms implemented by the farmers to mitigate the negative effects of the said climatic condition. Furthermore, this study presented the socio-economic profile and farm practices of eggplant producers in Batangas City. It also described the nature and extent of dry spell in the study area and then analyzed its effects on the production and marketing practices of eggplant producers. The paper concluded by presenting recommendations that would address the negative effects of dry spell among eggplant farmers in Batangas City.

A total of seventy-one (71) eggplant farmers were interviewed in Barangays Tabangao Dao, Sto. Nino and Pinamucan East in Batangas City. The list of eggplant farmers was obtained from the Office of the City Veterinary and Agricultural Services in Batangas City. These 71 eggplant farmers are also members of the Batangas City Eggplant Growers Association.

Approximately 49% of the seventy-one farmer-respondents sell their produce to viajeros who transported the eggplants from Batangas City to wet markets in Balintawak, Quezon City. Twenty-six percent (26%) of the farmers interviewed, on the other hand, sold their produce to local wet markets, while 21% of the farmers sold their produce to viajeros and sometimes to local wet markets if whenever their harvest fell below the threshold. Moreover, the remaining 4% marketed their produce to wholesalers in Batangas City wet markets or personally sold them in their own fruit and vegetable stalls. The farm gate price of eggplants ranged from PhP5 to PhP32 per kilo. The price depended on the supply of the eggplants in the city. Oversupply would normally lead to a low farm gate price, and vice versa. Also, the price of the eggplants depended on their grade classification, i.e. whether they were classified as good, semi-good or rejects. Good eggplants were priced higher than the semi-good eggplants. Rejects, on the other hand, were not sold to the market.

The onset of dry spells in the area has affected the production of eggplants, both directly and indirectly. Because of dry spells, diminishing frequency and intensity of rainfalls can be observed, as well as an increases in temperature. An indirect effect of the dry spell on the eggplant production industry in Batangas City was the increase insect population growth. Insects proliferate faster in conditions that are dry and hot, thus, dry spells provide a very good environment for many harmful insects to grow in number. This, coupled with the diminishing amount of rainfall and increase in temperature reduced the volume of production of the farmers by an average of 105 kilograms per harvest per hectare. The farmers harvested an average of 30 times per year or per season. In terms of the quality of their eggplants, all of the farmers observed an increase in abnormalities in their produce like stunted growth of the fruit, brown lesions and streaks in the skin, and twisted-shaped fruits. This is resulted to a decrease of good eggplant, as well as an increase in semi-good and rejected eggplants, from 2013 to 2015. These, in turn, further contribute to the reduction of the income of farmers.

The eggplant farmers implemented some coping mechanisms to handle the adverse effects of dry spell. For example, they increased the usage of insecticides, and shifted the transplanting schedule of the eggplant seedlings. The farmers also changed their market channels whenever the volume of production did not meet the desired yield. Despite these efforts, the farmers were somewhat helpless in relation to the problem of high temperature and low rainfall.

Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were formulated to address the various effects of dry spell. For the Provincial Agricultural Office or Office of the City Veterinary and Agricultural Services, it is recommended that they provide a communal water source for the farmers. It is also imperative to subsidize the input costs such as insecticides and pesticides expenses. Moreover, the farmers must be linked to technology developers and agriculture experts who can help device appropriate coping mechanisms against dry spells. Finally, eggplant farmers must be encouraged to practice mulching, contour farming and crop rotation to minimize their production losses arising from dry spell.

Language

English

LC Subject

Eggplant industry, Production control

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993 2016 M17 B56

Notes

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Document Type

Thesis

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