Assessment of organic fertilizer use in Cagayan Valley [Philippines]
2012
Benabisea, M. | Navalb, R. | Bancilesc, H., Quirino State Coll., Diffun, Quirino (Philippines)
Organic farming is becoming popular in Cagayan Valley. The organic fertilizers known and used by farmers are limited to organic compost, vermi-based, animal manure, bio-organic, plant-by products, and bat guano. The study aims to assess the demographic and farm profile of farmers; their level of awareness to the environment, health and nutrition and economic benefits; their awareness status as compared to their level of adoption; problems and constraints that affect the use of organic fertilizer. There were 720 respondents drawn from the three provinces of Cagayan Valley using purposive, quota and convenience sampling. Data gathered were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Program. The respondents are mostly females with a mean age of 44.28. Majority received formal education and had been using organic fertilizer for four years; most of the farms are rolling, with clay loam and sandy loam soil and receives irrigation from NIA and communal irrigation system. The farms located on top of the rolling hills not reached by the irrigation systems are rainfed. The farmers owning small parcel of land, planted crops like leafy vegetables applied with organic fertilizers while the farmers owning more than one hectare farm planted rice if the area is irrigated and corn for the areas with no irrigation. The farmers are more aware on the environmental impact of organic farming than its economic and health benefits. The DA technicians are the main source of information for the environment and economic benefits of organic farming while the health workers, television and radio for the health and nutrition benefits. Organic compost registered the highest level of adoption as against their level of awareness. Slow effect of organic fertilizer is the pressing problem encountered while lack of skills and technical know-how in preparing organic fertilizers is the top constraint.
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