Community participatory research on potato-based farming systems in Northern Mindanao [Philippines]
2009
Tatoy, B.F. | Salvani, J.B. | Ramos, L.A. | Lapoot, C.R. | Maghanoy, C.C., Department of Agriculture-Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Dalwagan, Malaybalay City 8700 (Philippines) | Obuyes, E.P. | Asibal, R. | Leono, R. | Maravilles, L. | Cabugsa, J., Malaybalay City, Bukidnon (Philippines)
The participatory approach to research and development of Potato-Based Farming Systems in Mindanao has assessed that the use of degenerated seeds is one of the limiting factor to white potato production in the area. High incidence of bacterial wilt and viral diseases resulted from the use of degenerated seeds, thus, low productivity. This community-based project aims to increase productivity, profitability and promote industry's sustainability in producing disease-free potato seeds through farmers' utilization of appropriate location-specific technologies. The introduced potato seed scheme (use of certified seeds (go) and crop establishment in BW-free soil) has increased yield from 10 t/ha to 22.4 t/ha; reduced BW incidence from 75% to 0-5% and increased Return of Investment (ROI) from 14.14% to 112.17%. Crop diversification system has significantly helped farmers by increasing their income from PhP 2,170.00 (monoculture corn) to PhP 56,250 (potato-corn). The project also instituted the counterparting and roll-over scheme to ensure sustainability and to extend the assistance to other qualified farmer-beneficiaries. Repayments rate was 90% and 30% in Imbayao and Dominorog from the initial project's financial assistance of PhP 86,000 and PhP 90,000, respectively. The seed production scheme was adapted by the potato farmers in both sites but seed enterprise is feasible only in Imbayao because farmers have the required capital considering the long payback period of investments. Findings reported in this paper offer initial lessons for scientists as well as private investors who are interested to engage in white potato seed production.
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