Documentation and needs assessment of the introduction of sustainable agriculture in Barangay Bungahan, Lian, Batangas

Date

4-2009

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Major Course

Major in Agronomy

College

College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Ma. Lourdes Edaño

Co-adviser

Fatima Mercado

Abstract

The farm practice was conducted in Barangay Bungahan, Lian, Batangas during the summer of 2008. The traditional and existing farming practices of the barangay based on Sustainable Agriculture framework were analyzed. General characterization of the condition of the community were identified and strengths, weaknesses, problems opportunities and needs of the community were identified which could be used in the establishments of appropriate farming systems and recommendations of activities or practices that will improve the current farming systems of the community were provided. An ocular inspection, individual interviews and focused group discussion with the respondents were conducted to gather the primary data. Secondary data were gathered through municipal records.

The farmers are rice and sugarcane growers. Pampanga, Mabolo, Bacolod, 226 and FVR are the varieties used by the sugarcane farmers. The farmer respondents use tractor to cultivate the soil during land preparation prior to planting and they ratoon the crop of three years. The tradition and the stability of market due to the presence of the sugar mill led the farmers to plant sugarcane. The top five rice varieties used by the farmer on the other hand are Rc64, Rc28, Rc34 and Rc82. The use of the said varieties is due to high yield potential and moderate to high resistance to pests. Other varieties used are Rc30 Rc32, (Burdagol), Rc40 Rc54 and Rc100.

High cost production, low soil fertility and limited number of trucks that will transport harvest to the CADP mill were the problems identified. Low soil fertility of the farmer's field is due to high dependence of synthetic fertilizers. Large amount of farm residues within the farm are not utilized. Heavy infestation of weed, white grub rice bug caused significant decrease in yield. Dependence on rain and improper distribution of irrigation water are the constraints of sugarcane and rice and rice farmers respectively which significantly affects production particularly during the critical period growth.

Proposed options to improve productivity of the farm include composting, use of carbonized rice hull (CRH), detrashing, bio-intensive gardening (BIG), proper land preparation, propping, alternative pest management, use of indigenous microorganisms (IMO), trainings and seminars on sustainable agriculture and organic farming, adoption of horizontal conversion to sustainable agriculture, construction of non-farm water reservoir, improvement of road network and establishment of a committee in the organization that will take care of the schedule of trucks.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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