Status, problems and prospects of cococnut farms in Catanuan and Lopez, Quezon

Date

5-2016

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Nimfa Beatris D. Montes

Abstract

Coconut is one of the top agricultural commodities in the country providing a significant contribution, particularly in terms of employment and export earnings. Globally, the Philippines is included as one of the major producers of coconut and was ranked 2nd with Indonesia at first place and India as third last 2014. According to PSA (2016), the top-producing regions in the country from 2010-2014 are Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula and Eastern Visayas. Quezon has been consistently leading among all the provinces. Due to this, the province has been a frequent subject of research related to coconut and coconut products. This study aimed to determine the present conditions of the coconut farms in the top-producing municipalities in Quezon. Specifically, it intends to: 1) present the profile of the coconut farms and farmers 2) determine the status of the coconut farms in terms of their business functions 3) identify problems and issues encountered by the farms as well as opportunities available to them and 4) provide recommendations for the improvement and development of the farms, farmers and the industry. Eighty-two coconut farmers were interviewed, with 30 respondents from Lopez and 52 respondents from Catanauan. The average age of the respondents was 59 reflecting an aging workforce that can serve as a threat for the continuity of the farms. The average household size and number of children was four. Furthermore, almost half (49%) only reached secondary education. On the average, the respondents have devoted 35 years in coconut farming with varying farm performances. Majority (81%) of the respondents claimed that their major source of income was coconut, earning an average of Php 38, 026 per year. Their other sources of income were livestock production, planting intercrops, rice production, fishing, employment with DPWH, LGU and local government among others, store ownership and buying of coal. Most of the farmers were affiliated with local organizations such as Kasaganaan sa Ilalim ng Niyogan, Kaunlaran ng Bayan (KAANIB), Lapitan Ito ng Maliliit na Magniniyog ng Babaeng Silangan (LIMBAS) and farmers‟ organizations in their area. The mean farm size computed was 5.23 ha with only 4.8 ha being fully utilized. Majority (75%) of the farms were inherited by the farmers from their parents. The types of land ownership included purchased land, inherited plus purchased land and land given by institutions as well as other tenurial status such as being tenant and being a caretaker. Flat and sloping features were both present in most of the farms and the common spacing used was 7x7 meters. The average number of trees per ha was 224. Meanwhile, the average number of young trees of all the respondents was 306 and old trees, 607, existing for an average of 50 years. Most of the farmers harvest coconuts six times a year. According to the farmers, the peak month was August and the lean months, February and March. Among the three main products of the farms - copra, matured coconut and young coconut - the most labor-intensive was copra due to the additional labor and needed time for the copra making while in terms of price, it received the highest value. As for fertilizer and pesticide application, the farmers mainly relied on the chemicals provided by government institutions. Generally, the farms were located far from the main market. More than half (52%) of the producers did not incur delivery costs because their buyers picked up the former‟s harvest. The other 48% deliver their products by: renting a truck or tricycle, or using their own vehicles, or paying for horses and carabao. The farmers did not need to promote their products since all of their harvests were usually bought by the buyers. The farmers were all paid in cash after they delivered the coconuts. An average of one worker per hectare was employed by a coconut farm and were paid per day or per a certain number of pieces. The wage rate ranged from Php 200 to 350 a day or per 1000 pieces. In terms of capital use, the usual investments were land, production tools and vehicles. It was observed that the farms were lacking in terms of Management Information Systems and in Research and Development as they were still practicing the conventional farming methods. They had access only to information regarding potential market and current prices, and new technologies or processes such as new hybrids or varieties and production of coconut products, were not yet adapted in the farms. The common problems cited by the farmers were: calamities, supply of fertilizer, drought and pest and diseases for production aspect unstable and low prices, farm-to-market roads in marketing aspect loans, source of capital and low income for finance aspect and unpaid salaries and labor-intensive work for the personnel aspect. The identified problems for MIS and R&D were absence of recording system, lack of knowledge on new farming practices or technologies and reliance on subsistence farming. Some of the opportunities that the farmers can take advantage of are the high demand for coconut products in the domestic and export markets, the availability of high-yielding varieties that can replace their aging trees, and the continuous support from government institutions. The recommendation for the coconut farmers and the village traders is for them to engage in coconut processing to add value to their products and consequently increase their profits and for them to penetrate niche markets. In addition, a strong relationship with the farmers and their customers should be maintained by the village traders and byaheros for the former to be ensured of continuous supply of coconuts. Lastly, government institutions should implement programs and activities to assist the farmers financially, technically and logistically. Local organizations should link the farmers to government institutions and monitor the programs and action plans being implemented for the farmers.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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