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Resources Appraisal, Valuation, and Productivity of the Upland Ecosystem in Bondoc Peninsula, Philippines
Abstract:
The study was conducted in Barangay Batabat Sur, Buenavista, Bondoc Peninsula, Philippines from October 1997 to September 1998. A field sampling technique involving 60 belt transects (BTs) measuring 100 m2/belt transect was developed and used. Farmers within the BTs were interviewed.
The study aimed to appraise, account, and valuate applied labor, capital, conservation measures, infrastructure, management and support services (inflow), and soil, timber and crop resources removed (outflow). Relationship of resources to productivity, plant genetic diversity (H), and socioeconomic factors were determined and analyzed. Development strategies to increase productivity, and conserve and protect resources were formulated.
Agroecosystem approach, market valuation of physical effects (MVPE), contingent valuation, and statistical analysis system (SAS) were adopted to analyze data, provide values, and describe relationships of variables.
Most areas were in slope 15-35 percent and had low nutrient levels. Biomass was significantly influenced by number of trees. Productivity in PHP/ha/year is affected by number of nuts/tree, number of trees, and weight of corn ears. Generally, productivity in PHP/ha/year (PHP12,950) was low in BTs. Low productivity was unduly aggravated by the unusually dry periods due to El Niño.
Total biomass (15 ton/ha) was highest in coconut-corn intercropping and lowest in corn monocrop. Income, however, was greatly increased with the inclusion of corn in the cropping system. Thus, corn and corn-coconut systems had a much higher gross and net income than coconut alone. Pure coconut had very low cost of production indicating that the crop was not given much importance by farmers, probably because its income potential was also very limited.
Plant genetic diversity was influenced by evenness (J) and crop cover. Monocropping practices reduced H. Original tree species (keystone species) were lost. Few financially important species affected productivity.
Farmers in BTs were mostly tenants (58%) with average landholdings of 2.8 hectares. The three cropping systems were practiced under rainfed conditions. Maximum tillage was along contour without soil conservation. Selling corn and copra to local traders at prices PHP5/kg lower than the selling price of feed millers and oil millers inhibited capital build-up. Off-farm activities and livestock production were for subsistence. Basic infrastructure, support, and institutional services were lacking.
Farmers were willing to pay and accept compensation for conservation but did not know the details of the program.
Farmers spend 25-31 percent of annual total working days in production resulting to low labor efficiency. Most of them used hybrid seeds and chemicals.
There was no deforestation in the BTs. In monocropping corn, H was low (1.15) and soil erosion (Qs) was high (120 tons/ha/yr worth PHP5, 487). Whereas in monocropping coconut, H (1.62) was significantly higher and Qs (3 tons/ha/yr) was lower. Coconut was an ideal species for soil and water conservation.
For sustainable development in Bondoc Peninsula, intensification and improvement of coconut-based farming system; suitable corn and coconut-based multicropping technology; award of land to tenants; construction of roads and farm facilities; establishment of multipurpose cooperatives; and strong partnership among government organizations, nongovernment organizations, private groups, and research and academic institutions are imperative.
