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Influence
of traders, processors and consumers on
sweetpotato (
Ipomea batatas) production
in
Central Luzon, Philippines Irene
M. Adion1, Clarita J. Aguilar2 and Fe
Porciuncula3
ABSTRACT This
study was conducted to determine the influence of traders,
processors and consumers on sweet potato ( Ipomea batatas)
production, as well as presents
the methodological issues in undertaking
participatory research,
in analyzing constraints and opportunities in sweet potato
production, marketing and utilization in Central Luzon. To
assess the influence and degree of participation of key actors in
sweet potato production, tools from the PRA (Participatory Rural
Appraisal) approach were used. From among these tools, Key Informant Interview (KII)
and review of previous studies were employed to assess and validate
roles and incentives of key actors
(i.e. producers, tipsters, local traders/agents, truckers,
kargador, washers, store helpers, as well as retailers)
in sweet potato trading in Central Luzon. Results
showed that, producers grow, harvest and sort the crop,
getting an incentive of approximately
10,000.00 to 30,000.00 pesos per hectare of harvest. On the other
hand, seasonal tipsters,
serve as point person to local traders,
regarding location and quantity of harvestable roots,
receiving an incentive of P10.00 per sack of roots traded. Truckers,
transport roots from the production site to the trading
center, and kargador, hauls roots from the truck or stalls to the buyer’s
place or vehicle, receiving
an incentive of P20.00 and 5.00 pesos, respectively. Washers on
the other hand, wash
off dirt from the roots and repack in 10kg bags receiving an
incentive of P10.00 pesos per sack.
In addition to this, store helper,
assists trader in trading and storekeeping receiving an
incentive of 200.00 pesos per day, while
retailers buy washed and repacked roots from the traders on cash or consignment basis paying roots at prevailing price
range. Likewise,
traders, maintain
social network as it provides a “life-support system” not only
to producers, but also
to other people who play crucial roles in the trading process.
Traders as motivators influence the production system by motivating
producers to produces more thus, giving the producers a feeling of
security in marketing their roots, since market is considered a
major problem. Traders set standards on the production
(i.e. deciding on the area to be planted, selecting variety
of planting materials, fertilizer to be used and soils management as
well as harvest schedule, sorting , storing and packing practices).
They are the ones that dictate prices. Producers
give what traders need. Producer is left with no choice but to sell
his roots or else, it
will rot. He has to pay his loans. Otherwise, nobody will lend him
money the next year. He has to plant sweet potato, other wise, his
opportunity to earn is wasted. In the light of the findings, the following recommendations were drawn:
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Influence of traders, processors and consumers on sweetpotato (
Ipomea batatas) production
in Central Luzon, Philippines (KEY
ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN UNDETAKING PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH) Irene
M. Adion1, Clarita J. Aguilar2 and Fe
Porciuncula3
ABSTRACT This
study was conducted to determine the influence of traders,
processors and consumers on sweet potato ( Ipomea batatas)
production, as well as presents
the methodological issues in undertaking
participatory research,
in analyzing constraints and opportunities in sweet potato
production, marketing and utilization in Central Luzon. To assess the influence and degree of participation of key actors in sweet potato production, tools from the PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) that were used includes : agroecosystems analysis; focus group discussion; matrix ranking/scoring; flow chart; key informant interview; as well as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis). From these tools, the key issues related to Participatory Research & Development (PR&D) facing the project were assessed, as follows:
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WOMEN’S ROLE IN SWEETPOTATO FARMING HOUSEHOLDS Paper presented during the CLARRDEC Research Symposium held in RMTU, Zambales on August 16, 2002
Irene M. Adion Researcher and Center Chief III at CLIARCLD, Tarlac City
ABSTRACT The study aimed to determine the role women play in sweetpotato farming households. It also hoped to identify the opportunities and constraints they faced in the context of the sweetpotato livelihood system. It also attempted to determine the contribution of sweetpotato to the farming household. The study was conducted in Bagac, Bataan. Descriptive research method and case study were used. Participatory Research tools such as focus group discussion, charting, and matrix scoring were utilized in the study. Secondary data analysis , field observations and community validation workshop were also used to validate data and information. Sweetpotato was well suited in the agro-ecological setting of Bagac, Bataan. It was planted either as maincrop or secondary crop. It complemented with other farming system components due to its diverse use such as for food, feed, fertilizer and mulch. The income generated from sweetpotato farming constituted 30 percent of the total family income. Women played crucial roles in sweetpotato farming. They contributed 29.9 percent for total labor requirement in sweetpotato root production. In processing, they did 75 percent of the tasks in feeding sweetpotato roots to animals while the men did 92 percent of the tasks in feeding sweetpotato vines. Women did 92.85 percent of the tasks in processing sweetpotato roots into suman. Among the opportunities for women identified were women’s ability in social networking can be tapped to improve access to resources and services such as technology, capital, and market; as potential manager of home-based sweetpotato enterprises, she can lead the household in income generating activities. Factors which constrained women’s participation in sweetpotato farming included: biological and social limitations; and gender biases. It was therefore recommended that sweetpotato production efficiency be improved in order to increase its contribution to the livelihood of the farming household. Some of the ways to do this may include the establishment of an effective research , extension and regulatory mechanisms for the prevention and control of pests and diseases affecting sweetpotato, dissemination of utilization/processing technologies to improve sweetpotato consumption as food and feed, and to install a responsive LGU- led support service system catering to the needs of resource poor households. Research
and development agenda should be made gender sensitive in order to
harness men and women’s capability and potentials as
managers, farmers and entrepreneurs.
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Performance
Evaluation of Feeder Cattle On a
Corn-Based By-products
Dr.
Orlino A. Mercado, Dr. Salvador C. Manalili, Dr.
Teresita G. Flores, Ernesto E. Samson Cristina
D. Ingal, Ramon F. Timbol, Demetrio
Parungao, Arthur D. Dayrit ABSTRACT
A study was conducted to determine the feeding value and acceptability of corn by-product mixed and supplemented with concentrate and molasses to feedlot cattle and then compared to farmer’s practice. Furthermore, the study showed a significant difference between the
animals fed with cornhusk and corn Stover to that of the animals fed
with fresh roughages in terms of voluntary feed intake per day and
feed conversion ratio. The recorded voluntary feed intakes are 8.16,
8.38 and 20.77 kg per day respectively and for feed conversion
ratios are 10.65, 10.46 and 22.62 kg respectively. On the basis of the findings, it is concluded that corn by-products
(corn Stover & corn husk) can be use as substitute to roughage
with comparable results especially during the dry months were
roughages such as grasses are very much scarce. Key
words: Feeder cattle, Cornhusk
Assessment on the Profitability of Small-Scale and Backyard
Cattle Raising Dr.
Teresita G. Flores, Cristina D. Ingal Ramon
F. Timbol, Arthur D. Dayrit
ABSTRACT
An assessment on the profitability of small-scale and backyard
cattle raising was conducted to determine if smallholder cattle
raisers still gain profits. This
was conducted region wide with 150 respondents.
Result of the study show that the average cost of production
for one-head fatteners is P 10,186.53 with a gross sale of P
15,952.66 and an average net profit of P 5,766,13head.
The computed ROI is at 56.61%.
Assessment on the Profitability of Small–Scale and Backyard Swine Raising Dr.
Teresita G. Flores, Cristina D. Ingal Ramon
F. Timbol, Arthur D. Dayrit
ABSTRACT An assessment on the profitability of small-scale and backyard swine
raising was conducted to determine if smallholder swine raisers
still gain profits. This
was conducted region wide with 133 respondents.
Result of the study show that the average cost of production
for one-head fatteners is P 3,789.37 with a gross sale of P 4,639.83
and an average net profit of P 850.46/head.
The computed ROI is at 22.44%.
Furthermore, the study also revealed that weanling production
is much profitable than fattener production.
In weanling production the average cost of producing a head
of piglet is P 630.16 with an average gross sale of 1,1172.28 and a
net profit of P 542.12. The
computed ROI is about 53.76%
Reproductive Performance of Heat Synchronized and Artificially
Inseminated Cattle and Carabaos Dr.
Teresita G. Flores, Cristina D. Ingal Ramon
F. Timbol, Demetrio Parungao, Bienvenido
Gonzales, Arthur D. Dayrit ABSTRACT
A
research study on the use of Lutalyse
hormone (Prostaglandin F1) was conducted to determine its effect on
the reproductive performance of artificially inseminated cattle and
carabaos. This method
was compared to natural heat. Results
show that all the animals both in natural and heat synchronized got
pregnant. However,
there were cases of abortion in both methods. Animals expected to
give birth by June 1999 resulted in 100% calf drops, for cattle that
are expected to give birth to September 1999 have resulted in 100%
calf drop for natural heat, for heat induced cattle calf drops has
resulted to only 20% calf drops.
Performance
Evaluation of Upgraded Native Chickens
Dr.
Teresita G. Flores, Cristina D. Ingal Ramon
F. Timbol, Arthur D. Dayrit ABSTRACT
A research on performance of upgraded native chickens was conducted to determine which crosses of native and exotic breed could give higher egg production rate and carcass quality. Based
on the results of the study, the crosses of Native x New Hampshire,
Native x White Plymouth Rock and Native x White Rock have better
performances as to egg production rate, egg weight and carcass
quality and therefore these are recommended for egg and meat
production purposes. However, a cross of Native x White Cornish is
also recommended for meat purposes for they show higher growth rate
and dressing percentage.
Utilization
of Neem Leaf Meal as Feed Ingredient in Layers
Dr.
Teresita G. Flores, Cristina D. Ingal Ramon
F. Timbol, Arthur D. Dayrit ABSTRACT
A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of Neem Leaf Meal (NLM) in layers diet. The treatment levels used were 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% NLM and it was used to substitute for rice bran D1. The egg production, feed consumption and feed conversion efficiency, onset of production and mortality were evaluated.
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