Effects of climate variability on the business performance of pineapple growers in Calauan, Laguna, Philippines

Date

6-2016

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Maria Noriza Herrera

Abstract

Pineapple is one of the top fruit exports in the Philippines providing livelihood to a number of farmers. Calauan is one of the municipalities in the province of Laguna that is known for producing sweet pineapples. Unfortunately, the pineapples business is now affected by climate variability. According to Dinse (2011), climate change is characterized by over season?s variability and tears instead of day-to-day like weather. Some summers are colder than the others. This research was conducted in order to determine the effects of climate variability on the business performance of pineapple growers particularly in Calauan, Laguna. The general objective of this study is to assess the effects of climate variability to the business performance of pineapple producers in Calauan, Laguna. Specifically, the study aims 1) to describe the demographic profile of pineapple growers and the economic profile of the farm enterprise; 2) to evaluate the influence of climate variability on the yield and profitability of pineapple; 3) to explain the climate variability adaptation strategies of pineapple producers and; 4) to recommend adaptation strategies to the pineapple growers in Calauan, Laguna. Primary and secondary data were used in the study. Primary data were gathered through personal interview using a survey questionnaire. Out of the 17 barangays in Calauan, Laguna, Brgy. Perez and Brgy. Imok were considered in the study as most of the pineapple growers are found in the said barangays. A total of 97 pineapple farmers selected through simple random sampling were surveyed. For the secondary data, a master list of pineapple farm growers in Calauan Laguna and Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) were taken from the Municipal Agriculturist Office (MAO) and Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator (MPDC), respectively. The trend in rainfall, temperature and relative humidity for the past years (2001-2015) were gathered from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services administration (PAGASA). Out of the 97 farmers, there were 68 males and 29 females. Most of the farmers were aged 42-50 years old with an average of 0.5 hectare land. The survey results showed that climate variability, particularly prolonged drought or dry season negatively affected the whole business performance of pineapple growers in the municipality. In relation to the production aspect, climate variability resulted to poor quality and lower volume of the pineapples thereby this in turn affected the marketing aspect, specifically a decrease in price of the produce. Additional laborers were needed to work in the farm since adaptation strategies were employed due to the impacts of climate variability. As for the financial aspect, cost and return analysis (with and without adaptation strategies) was conducted. Results showed that using adaptation strategies such as covering the fruit and irrigation increased total costs but increased the net income compared to not using any adaptation strategy. The average net return with adaptation strategies resulted to P324, 944 compared to only P134, 350 average net returns for not using any adaptation strategy. Thus it was assessed that it pays to have adaptation strategies. For the third objective which is to explain the adaptation strategies used by the farmers, reducing the number of pineapple planted, using equipment , irrigation and covering of the pineapple fruit are some of the adaptation strategies done by the farmers. The common combination of adaptation strategies done by the farmers. The common combination of adaptation strategies in the area were irrigation and covering of the fruit. Researcher analyzed whether the adoption or non-adoption of adaptation strategies by pineapple farmers had an influence in their yield and profitability. Using T-Test, the mean yield of those who had adaptation strategies was found to be statistically significant ( ). The mean net income of adopters was likewise found to be significantly ( ) from non adopters. The following production-related recommendations were formulated to help sustain their pineapple business despite the effects of climate variability: employ irrigation techniques, use of new equipment (e.g. water pump) continue covering of the fruit and engaged in multi cropping. In relation to the marketing aspect, marketing to an institutional buyer should be done by the farmers. For the financial aspects: crop insurance, stock of fertilizers, and access to credit facilities are some of the recommendations. For the Municipal Agricultural Office (MAO), train the farmers to enhance farmer-customer relationships and to encourage farmers to participate in seminars to gain knowledge about climate variability for the latter to have adaptation strategies are some of the recommendation.

Language

English

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993 2016 M17 R34

Document Type

Thesis

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS