Farmer-users'preferences for organic fertilizers, Buguias, Benguet, 2012.

Date

4-2013

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Piadozo, Ma. Eden S.

Abstract

The study attempted to determine the farmer-users’ preferences for organic fertilizers in Buguias, Benguet. Since Republic Act 10068 or also known as the Philippine Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 had been approved, there is now a stronger support and promotion for the country’s organic agriculture program. Specifical y, the study was conducted to: determine the socio-demographic profile of the farmer-users, the characteristics of their farm and the effect on their purchase and usage of organic fertilizers; to determine what attributes the farmer-users of organic fertilizers are looking for in this input and to come up with marketing strategies for the manufacturers of the organic fertilizers. The study utilized both primary and secondary data to analyze the farmer-users’ preferences for organic fertilizers. The study was conducted in the municipality of Buguias, Benguet using 70 randomly chosen vegetable farmer-users. The correlation coefficient was used to test if the farmer characteristics and the farm factors have positive correlation on the purchase and usage of organic fertilizers. Meanwhile, the Hedonic Price Model was used to determine the attributes which affect the price of organic fertilizers. The results of the correlation coefficient show that farmer’s age, educational attainment, years in farming and years in using organic fertilizers and the farm factors such as farm size and farm income are positively correlated with the volume of purchase of organic fertilizers. After the farmer-users were asked on what attributes they considered important, they reported that they preferred fertilizers that are less bulky, odorless, with brand and label, available and accessible, less moisture content and with low nutrient content. The Hedonic Price Model showed that the label and nutrient content are the attributes which affect the price for both animal manure and liquid foliar fertilizers. Moreover, the study revealed that after the Differentiation Importance Index (DII) was computed, the important attributes for animal manure are label, source and nutrient content while for foliar fertilizer, the nutrient content is the most important attribute. For animal manure, manufacturers can position their product in terms of putting a label and brand names and having more outlets of agricultural stores that sell manures within the area. On the other hand, for foliar fertilizers, manufacturers can position their input by lowering nutrient content. Based on the study, the researcher recommends to encourage manufacturers to label and set a packaging for their inputs, check and inspect fertilizers before selling, and register and certify organic fertilizers through BAFPS and FPA.

Language

English

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS