Socioeconomic constraints to crop diversification and intensification in Guimba Nueva Ecija [Philippines]
1990
Mandac, A.M. | Narciso, J.H. | Flinn, J.C. (International Rice Research Inst., Los Banos, Laguna (Philippines). Social Science Div.)
Farmers' management of partially irrigated and rainfed rice in Nueva Ecija [Philippines] is described. The dominant cropping patterns were transplanted rice-transplanted rice in deepwell and shallow well irrigated areas and transplanted rice-fallow in rainfed areas. Farmers grow modern varieties and apply between 71-126 kg N/ha. Mean yields vary between 3.0 to 4.9 t/ha depending on water regime and season. Cropping intensity was highest at 191% in deepwell areas and lowest (105%) in rainfed. Patterns of resource productivity were investigated via Cobb-Douglas production function. The estimates indicate that : a.) all groups of farms have over-invested in farm implements and b.) farm profits may only be increased on deepwell areas by improving land preparation and increasing use of agrochemicals. The implications of physical, environmental and socioeconomic constraints is also discussed. Typhoons and the floods they bring and insect pests are the major limiting factors on deepwell farms. By contrast, drought was the most important factor on rainfed and shallow well pump farms. Credit availability was higher under deepwell and shallow well farms; rainfed farms are generally by-passed by the government's lending program.
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