Native chicken production and marketing practices under various agro-ecosystems in Nueva Ecija, Philippines

A total of 403 native chicken raisers representing the 12 municipalities from four agro-ecosystems of the province of Nueva Ecija was interviewed. The number of respondents from rice-based irrigated, rain-fed rice-based, rice/onion and mango orchard agro-ecosystems were 98, 99, 105 and 101, respectively. Data gathered were encoded using Microsoft Excel program and were analyzed using Statistical Program for Social Science (SPSS). Descriptive statistics like frequency counts, percentages, averages, minimum, maximum and standard deviations were used. The statistical tests used in the study were chi-square test, analysis of variance, multi-linear regression and Pearson R correlation. The socio-economic characteristics, production and marketing practices and government support services were the factors postulated to affect native chicken production in Nueva Ecija. From these factors the constraints to and opportunities for native chicken production and marketing under various agro-ecosystems were identified and discussed. The factors postulated to affect native chicken production and marketing under various agro-ecosystems were identified and discussed. The factors postulated to affect native chicken production were subjected to correlation and multiple linear regression analysis to determine which of these factors significantly affect native chicken production. Results showed that the constraints to native chicken production in Nueva Ecija were: limited land area for native chicken raising, lack of knowledge in breeding and selection; high mortality rates due to pest, diseases and predators; lack of flock health program; lack of entrepreneurial skills of the raisers; limited marketing channels; lack of quality standards and supply; poor product presentation and packaging; purpose of production; existing farm production system will not permit too many native chicken; and lack of capital and government support programs. Native chicken raising in the province poses great opportunities to native chicken farmers in the province since there is a high demand and a niche market for native chicken. The mango orchard agro-ecosystem has the highest average number of native chicken among the agro-ecosystem int he province. This agro-ecosystem allows integration and provides sufficient land areA for native chicken. Rice based agro-ecosystem do not allow increase in production since native chicken compete in production. Correlation analysis shows that seven out of 18 variables have significant effect in native chicken production. These are available labor, land area, provision of feed supplements, practices selection of stocks, marketing of native chicken, rice/onion, and rice-based non-irrigated agro-ecosystem. All of these variables have direct relationship with native chicken production in rain-fed rice-based agro-ecosystems which has inverse relationship. Multiple linear regression analysis shows that only four out of 18 variables identified significantly affect native chicken production. These variables are land area, feed supplementation, provision of antibiotics, and marketing of native chicken.