Improved corn technology adoption and productivity through farmer-scientist training program
2007
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development, Los Banos, Laguna (Philippines)-Department of Science and Technology
To evaluate the performance of the FSTP (farmer-scientist training program), Pasaje and Pasaje (DA-RFU 7) conducted an assessment of the technology adoption and production of 158 farmer-scientists (FS in comparison with another 158 non farmer-scientists (NFS) in Cebu. Findings of the study revealed the following: Sustainable corn production technologies were introduced to the Fs after the completion of the trainings. Ten component technologies were introduced to the trainees as follows: proper plowing and cultivation; use of high yielding varieties; bio-N inoculation; planting density of 75 cm x 25 cm at one plant per hill; crop diversification; organic and inorganic fertilizer mix; integrated pest management (IPM); detasseling; corn-livestock integration; and agroecosystem analysis. The FS adopted an average number of 5.32 technologies or an adoption level of 53.2%. Such adoption level was significantly higher when compared with 2.76 technologies adopted or 27.6% mean adoption level of the NFS. The number of technologies adopted, farm size, labor input, fertilizer used, quantity of seeds planted, and participation in all three phases of the training contributed to increase corn production among FS. On the average, FS farms yielded 41.91 cavans or 2.095 t/ha. while the NFS produced only 30.96 cavans or 1.480 t/ha. Both FS and NFs also produced other commodities such as root crop, legumes, and vegetables. Varying yield levels were reported for other crops although the differences between FS and NFS were insignificant. Results of the study showed the benefits of the FSTP in promoting corn technology adoption and increasing production level in rainfed and upland areas in Cebu and neighboring provinces. Further study can be pursued to assess the program's contribution in improving farmers' income and general welfare.
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