Developing technology for upland farms in Northern Mindanao [Philippines]
1986
Mandac, A.M. | Genesila, M.P. | Flinn, J.C.
Upland farmers' production system, based on baseline survey data for CY 1983-84 in Northern Mindanao [Philippines] is described. The dominant cropping patterns were maize-maize, rice-fallow, maize-fallow, cassava and perennial crops such as coffee, cacao and coconut. Seventy percent of farmers grew local maize and only 4 percent of the farmers grew MV rice. Few farmers used fertilizer and insecticides at approximately recommended levels. Mean yields of maize varied between 1.0 t/ha traditional variety (TV) and 1.4 t/ha modern variety (MV). Farmers reported local rice yields of 1.5 t/ha. On-farm cropping pattern trials during CY 1985-86 showed that crop production on upland farms could be increased by 3.8 t/ha/yr by changing variety, applying more fertilizer and better pest management. On average, net gain increased from P3,315 to P5,767/ha/yr. The CP-MZ [cowpea-maize] pattern gave the highest increase in net gain of P6,142.00 or 185 percent. Production, net gain and returns to scarce factor considerations indicate that the improved technologies are better than the traditional technology. Potential socioeconomic constraints to adoption of improved technologies at the site include: (a) weak market position; (b) very limited cash for investment in the production system; and (c) the disincentive imposed by share tenancy resulting in reduced operators' surplus. Input-output and credit market systems development, better farm to market roads, completion of land reform on rice and corn areas in the site are essential for the potentials of the new technologies to benefit the small farmer
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