OE-NADA of the proposed ARCCESS sub-project: rice productivity improvement in Pinagsibaan/Puting Kahoy, Batangas (final report)

Date

12-2014

Abstract

The proposed sub-project of the Department of Agrarian Reform entitled 'Rice Productivity Improvement in Pinagsibaan/Putingkahoy ARC 'aims to improve the ARB's farm productivity and income as well as develop viable support enterprise owned and managed by the ARBOS. Specifically, the sub-project aims to 1)increase the yield of palay from 3.75 to 5.0 metric tons per hectare per cropping by 2016; 2)increase the ARBs net income from P28,750 to 45,000 per hectare per year; 3)upgrade the knowledge and skills of ARBS and other farmers on palay production technologies and practices; and 4)develop a viable business on farm mechanization services. The project has two major components, namely, palay production and farm mechanization services. About 172 farmers, ARBs and non-ARBs, covering more or less 100 hectares of irrigated lands will be provided with agri-extension services through a service provider. Meanwhile, the Panagsibaan Farmers Development Cooperative (PIFADECO) will be operating the farm mechanization services. It will be provided with 2 units of 4WD 35hp tractors, 5 hands tractors, and 5 threshers. It will be provided also with business development services. To determine the relevance, feasibility, and acceptability of this sub-project, the Organization and Enterprise Needs Assessment and Design Assessment (OE-NADA) was conducted. It employed focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and review of secondary data. Results of the OE-NADA show that there are insufficient 4WD tractors (35 HP) and hand tractors in the ARC that can be used during the land preparation period thereby delaying planting activities of rice farmers. Moreover, since farmers harvest at the same time, the lack of threshers was also stressed. Marketing of palay does not appear to be a major problem since buyers abound the ARC. Farmers are renting out from the ARBO and/or private individuals. Based on the FGD conducted, ARBO officers and members are very interested to engage in farm machinery rental. Although the Cooperative has already started such business in 2005, the farm machineries owned by the ARBO are not enough to accommodate the demands of ARBO members and non-members, simultaneously. There are also a few private individuals who own and are renting out their equipment. Hence, the proposed farm mechanization services will greatly benefit the farmers. This will also provide additional income to the ARBO. According to ARBO officials and members, farmer members of the Cooperative are already sure market of this business. With the consistent good performance of the Cooperative for the last seven years, as shown by its high OMA rating of 5, the Cooperative has the capacity to implement the project successfully, provided the technical and agricultural extension services will also be provided. Given the high demand for the 35 HP 4WD tractor, hand tractors and threshers, it is recommended that these common service facilities be granted to Pinagsibaan Cooperative. However, with the ARBO having slight problems on its liquidity and debt management, it is imperative that a business development service provider be hired to ensure the sustainability of the proposed project.

Language

English

Document Type

Article

Pages /Collation

34 leaves

En – AGROVOC descriptors

RICE; PLANT PRODUCTION; EQUIPMENT; TRACTORS; MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVES; EXTENSION ACTIVITIES; EQUIPMENT; PHILIPPINES

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