Evaluation of the operation and effect of the swine dispersal program on the income of the swine farmer beneficiaries in Taal, Batangas, 2011

Date

4-2012

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Marilyn M. Elauria

Co-adviser

Corazon T. Aragon

Committee Member

Corazon L. Rapera, Arvin Vista

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the operation and effect of the Swine Dispersal Program on the income of the swine farmer-beneficiaries in Taal, Batangas. Specifically, it aimed to: a) describe and assess the operation of the Swine Dispersal Program, b) describe the socio-economic characteristics and swine business operation of the program-beneficiaries, c) determine the effects of the technical assistance components of the program on the farmer-beneficiaries’ farm practices and input use, d) evaluate the effect of the Swine Dispersal Program on the mean production cost, gross income, and net income of the program- beneficiaries, e) to assess the loan repayment performance under the Swine Dispersal Program, and f) identify the problems encountered by the beneficiaries and implementers, and recommend possible solutions to address these problems. The study utilized both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through personal interviews with the respondents using pre-tested interview schedules. Complete enumeration of 40 swine farmer-beneficiaries was employed in the study. The 40 beneficiaries were classified into two groups namely: one-time adoptor and continuous adoptor. Secondary data were collected from Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), which was responsible for implementing the program. Several analytical tools were employed in the study. These included descriptive analysis, cost and returns and t-test of means for paired samples. Swine Dispersal Program’s main objectives are: to enhance farmers’ productivity and income; to improve the nutritional standard of the family of the farmer-beneficiaries; and to provide additional income. The scheme is to disperse a female piglet as a loan in kind to the bonafide residents of Taal who completed the necessary requirements set by the office. Findings of the study revealed that loan application for the program was easy as reported by 88% of the beneficiaries. There was a delay in the release of the loan-in-kind for the applicants because of delays in the repayment of the previous beneficiaries. Majority (90%) of the respondents had no objections with the collection and repayment policies set by the Municipal Agriculture Office. Majority of the swine farmer-beneficiaries failed to adopt the recommended feeding management due to lack of capital. Farmers cannot purchase adequate amount of feeds for their swine. The management practices for piglets and sow before program availment were compared to the recommended management practices. Findings revealed that majority of the recommended management practices for piglets and swine were practiced even before the program availment. Results of the cost and returns analysis and t-test of means revealed that the mean real production cost of production per farm significantly increased at five percent probability level from PhP 57,900 to PhP 82,577 with a difference of PhP 24,677. The vi mean real gross income also increased after program availment from PhP 60,891 to PhP 81,600 with a difference of PhP 20,709. On the other hand, farmer-beneficiaries incurred a loss (PhP -977) after program availment. The net income of the farmer-beneficiaries did not improve. In the analysis on a per head basis, it was revealed that the mean real production cost, mean real gross income, and mean real net income did not improve after the loan availment. Majority (77.5%) of the farmer-beneficiaries were able to fully pay their loan-in- kind and return the required number of piglets. Out of the nine beneficiaries who failed to pay the loan, two were able to return the proper amount set by the office; seven did not pay any amount because they bought piglets from other farms; and the remaining three had not returned any payment for the loan. The most critical problem in the swine business as reported by beneficiaries during their production was the lack of capital (62%), followed by the high cost of feeds (56%), low selling price of produce (29%), and occurrences of diseases (27%). Problems encountered in the program were also identified. These include the low reproductive performance of the sow (41%) and delay in the visit of the technician (38%). The technician of the Municipal Agriculture Office said that returning of the required number of piglets by beneficiaries and providing training-seminars were the problems they encountered. The following recommendations are suggested in order to help the program in its implementation and to achieve its objective of helping the farmer-beneficiaries’ income: a) stricter procedure in selecting the farmer-beneficiaries of the program and minimize favoritism in the choice of the farmer-beneficiaries; b) strict implementation of repayment and collection policies of Municipal Agriculture Office; c) the Municipal Agriculture Office should tap different organizations which can support the program in conducting training-seminars and providing necessary inputs for beneficiaries; and lastly d) it is recommended that the Swine Dispersal Program should provide loan to be used as operating capital for the purchase of feeds and other supplements to address the limited operating capital of the backyard hog raisers.

Language

English

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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