PRA Report Tayabas Quezon Philippines

PRA Report of Brgy. Ilaya Ilasan, Tayabas City for Organic Farming

(Assessment of the Potential of Ilasan Organic Farmers Association and Brgy.Ilaya Ilasan Philippines For Promoting Organic Farming)

23 February 2012

I.INTRODUCTION

The class in Agricultural Systems 145 (Participatory Methodologies in Agricultural

Systems Research and Extension) of University of the Philippines Los Baños, Agricultural

Systems Cluster – College of Agriculture, in cooperation with the local government of Tayabas

City Quezon, conducted a Participatory Rural Appraisal [PRA] in Brgy. Ilaya Ilasan. The

participants are members of Ilasan Organic Farmers Association [ILOFA]. Within the PRA a

Participatory Organization Appraisal [POA]of ILOFA was conducted as well. The PRA

supplemented by the POA will allow for the assessment of the potential of Brgy. IlayaIlasan and

ILOFA for promoting organic agriculture.

A. Objectives of the PRA

The PRA aims to assess a community’s potential for organic farming using

agricultural systems analysis while simultaneously enabling participant farmers to analyze their

own farming situation and identify points for improvement.

B. The PRA Process

The PRA team was first organized on 6th of January 2012 to set the purpose of

the PRA, and to define specific objectives. Roles were distributed among team members –

different PRA tools were assigned to be facilitated by each member.

On the 14th of January 2012, the PRA was conducted in the Barangay Hall of

Brgy. Ilaya Ilasan, Tayabas Quezon. It was attended by 15 ILOFA members [13 men, 2 women]

as well as local personnel from the Municipal Agricultural Office. The team briefed the

participants about the PRA, its objectives, what they can expect from it, and what is expected

from them. The participants were divided into 4 groups and one PRA team member was

assigned to facilitate each group. Each group was initially assigned to make one PRA tool. After

the allotted time for each tool, the groups rotated among themselves until every participants

gave their inputs in every tools.

PRA Tools Used

In order to generate the required information, choosing of PRA tools must be in line

with the objectives of the PRA. In this regard, the following tools were decided to be used.

Barangay profile

Institutional diagram

Internal and external stakeholders analysis

Village map

Livelihood matrix

Trend analysis The type and extent of information to be generated from each tool was initially

determined. This served as a guide for each facilitator, as they will know what type of

information needed from participants. Each tool and the information expected from it are as

follows:

Barangay profile: This shows the farm practice of participants – conventional farming, organic

farming, in transition, in conversion, or in reversion. It also shows the year when the

participants are in that phase.

Institutional diagram:This is expected to generate a representation of institutions and other

organizations, existing within and outside the barangay, that work with ILOFA. The linkages/

interactions between these institutions are also represented as well as their degree or extent of

interaction. This will enable the team and the participants to identify the important institutions

necessary for the ILOFA’s progress of activities, as well as potentialpartners that the association

still needs.

Internal and external stakeholdersanalysis: This tool is expected to supplement the

institutional diagram by giving specific ratings to the institutions and organizations that work

with ILOFA.

Village map: This will give an overview of the bio-physical situation of the barangay, specifically

the major crops and livestock, major resources, landmarks and infrastructures. It also

specifically showed farm areas that are organic, conventional, in transition, in conversion, or in

reversion. This tool will help in assessing the bio-physical potential of the barangay in

promoting organic farming.

Livelihood matrix: This will provide a more in depth view of the participants’ source/s of

income and their economic status. It should show their major crops and livestock as well as

their non-farm activities.

Trend Analysis:This will aide in monitoring the overall effect of organic farming to the

participants as compared to conventional farming, in transition, in conversion phase of organic

farming. It will specifically look at economic, social, and environmental indicators. It will also

project the participants’ view of these aspects after ten years.

II. DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA

A. Bio-physical Characteristics

Figure 1.Village Map of Brgy. Ilaya Ilasan Tayabas City, Quezon

From the village map, actualobservation of the location, additional information provided

by participants, andsecondary data from NSO, the following bio-physical description of the

study area was made.

Brgy. Ilaya Ilasan is found at the northeastern part of Tayabas City. The road to the

barangay is rocky with unfinished road construction. The ride to the location showed vast areas

of green rice fields. Ilaya Ilasan is bounded to the north by Mt. Banahaw and to the east by

Sierra Madre.

The land area of the barangay is medium in size relative to the other barangays of

Tayabas. Most of its land is devoted to agricultural activities which is mainly rice planting. There

is one pronounced residential are that is identified by participants. The rest of the residential

areas are clustered on different areas of the barangay. There are also no major infrastructures

other than 2 churches and 2 barnagay halls [old and new]. A rice mill is also present as well as a

barangay organic “halamanan” [vegetable gardern]. The barangay is rich in water source; a

river runs through the barangay which waters their rice fields. There is also a vermicompost

[organic residues decomposed by earthworms]in the middle of the barangay. Aside from rice;

other crops planted include cassava, fruit trees,vegetables, and coconut.

The participant farmers were asked to identify their farms as well as their farming

practice – whether they are organic farming, conventional, in transition, in conversion, or in

reversion. They also identified some farms and farming practices of other non-members in the

barangay. In figure 1, the pink areas signify organic farms, orange signifies conventional, green

is in transition, yellow is in reversion. From the figure, it can be seen that more farms are in

pink or in organic farming.

B. Agricultural Activities

Table 1, livelihood matrix of Bgy.Ilaya Ilasan and Brgy. Ibabang Ilasan participants shows

the detailed crops planted and livestock raised in the barangay.

Table 1 LIVELIHOOD MATRIX Bgy.IlayaIlasan and Brgy.IbabangIlasan Participants

Name of Farmer Crops Grown

Palay Banana (puno)

Cassava (puno)

Camote Coconut (puno)

Vegetables

1. Ben Cabuyao 1.5ha 100 3000 -- 700 sitaw, patola, gabi

2. Jose Dejoras 2.0 ha 100 -- -- 500 sitaw, patola, gabi

3. Vito Ramos 1.25 ha 30 -- -- 800 sitaw, patola, gabi

4. ConradoAgudilla 1.0 ha 75 5000 10 plots 300 sitaw, talong, patola, kalabasa, gabi

5. LolitSaberola 0.25 ha 80 -- -- 200 --

6. SimplicioLaorte 0.5 ha -- -- -- -- --

7. TinongDejoras 1.0 ha 100+ 500 -- 600 --

8. Imelda Padrique 2.0 ha 100+ 6000 5000 [plant] 100 patola, lagikway,kamote, gabi

9. Norman Pagana 2.0ha(convent.) 1.0ha (organic)

30+ -- -- 40+ --

10. PoldingAcado 1.0ha 87+ -- -- 100 --

11. Teddy Ramos 2.0ha 50 -- 0.25ha 400 sitaw, talong, gabi

12. Polly Cadavido 1.0ha 20 [0.5ha] -- --

13. Juanito [Teodoro] 0.5ha 15 -- -- 150 sitaw, talong, kalabasa, gabi

14. Neil Roy Cayanan 0.03ha -- -- -- 30 --

15. TeodoroAgudilla 0.75ha 10 [0.5ha] -- -- --

Legends: -- none Puno – no. of plants

Name of Farmer Livestock and Poultry ( no. of heads) Other Sources of Income Carabao Horse Chicken Swine Cow Goat Tilapia

1. Ben Cabuyao 1 2 10 -- -- 1 -- --

2. Jose Dejoras 1 1 6 2 1 -- -- --

3. Vito Ramos 1 1 1 -- -- -- -- --

4. ConradoAgudilla 1 -- 3 -- -- -- -- --

5. LolitSaberola 1 -- 3 -- -- -- -- --

6. SimplicioLaorte -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

7. TinongDejoras 1 3 2 1 -- 4 -- --

8. Imelda Padrique 1 2 2 5 1 -- -- 2 pabo, 3 itik

9. Norman Pagana -- -- -- -- 1 -- tricycle driving

10. PoldingAcado -- -- 2 -- -- 1 [0.01ha] fruit (bearing) trees

11. Teddy Ramos 1 -- -- -- -- -- [0.01ha] store, fruit (bearing) trees

12. Polly Cadavido 3 1 7 -- -- 1 -- --

13. Juanito [Teodoro] -- 1 2 -- -- -- -- --

14. Neil Roy Cayanan 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

15. TeodoroAgudilla 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- --

The table also shows some off-farm source of income of some participants.It can be seen that

the rice farm owned by the participants vary in size from 3ha to 0.03ha. It is already established

that rice is the main crop, but the coconut production is also quite big. Those who planted

coconut has at least 30 coconut trees and the highest being 700 coconut trees.

It can also be deduced that livestock raising is not a popular venture in the barangay, or at least

to the rice farmers. Aside from carabao, which almost every participant has at least one to plow

their rice field, there is no other distinct livestock or poultry that is raised in the barangay. But it

is noted that tilapia raising is present, 2 participants are identified to have their own fish pen.

Planting vegetables is also present but production is quite small; it is mainly backyard gardening

for home consumption. There are no distinct vegetable plots identified aside from the

brgy.organic “halamanan”.

C. Socio-Cultural-Economic Characteristics

Brgy. Ilaya Ilasan is 1 of the 66 barangays of Tayabas City, Quezon. Relative to the other

barangays of the city, it is medium in land area [542.99ha]. With a population of 1797 from 392

households, it has a population density of 3.309 persons per 1hectare of land.

Table 2 shows the Brgy.profile of Ilaya Ilasan. It shows the farm practice of participants –

conventional farming, organic farming, in transition, in conversion, or in reversion. It also shows

the year when the participants are in that phase in order to assess how long they stayed in that

phase before completely shifting to organic farming.

Table 2. Barangay IlayangIlasan, Tayabas City

Barangay Profile: Population: 1797_ No. of Households (HH): 392__

Pangalan Pananim Conven- tional

In Transition

In Conversion

Organic Agriculture

Rever-sion

1. Polly Cadavido palay 1980-2007 -- 2008-2009 2010-2012 --

2. Juanito T. Mora palay 1965-2007 -- 2008-2009 2010-2012 --

3. TeodoroAgudilla palay 1970-2008 -- 2009-2010 2011-2012 --

4. Neil Roy Cayanan casava -- -- -- 2009-2012 --

5. Ben Calayag palay 1970-2006 2007-2012 -- -- --

6. Jose Dejoros palay 1970-2006 2007-2012 -- -- --

7. Jovito Ramos palay 1990-2009 2010-2012 -- -- --

8. LolitSaberola palay -- 1970-1979 1980-1981 1982-2012 --

9. ConradoAgudilla palay 1978-2007 -- -- 2008-2012 --

10. SimplicioLacorte Palay 1980-2007 -- -- 2008-2012 --

11. Norman Pagana palay 1980-2007 2008-2012 -- -- --

12. Teddy Ramos palay luya

talong

1970-2007 1970-2007 1970-2007

2008-2012 2008-2012 2008-2012

-- -- --

-- -- --

-- -- --

13. Imelda Padrique palay 1980-2007 -- -- 2007-2012 --

14. LeopoldoOcado palay 1970-2007 -- -- 2008-2012 --

15. CelestinoDejoros palay 1960-2007 2008-2012 -- ---- --

Note:Conventional- use of chemical inputs

In transition- mix/ combination of chemical and organic inputs

In conversion- no chemical inputs for less than a year

Organic agriculture- all organic for more than a year

Reversion- had practiced organic agriculture before but went back to conventional farming

Based on the table, most of the farmers started at conventional farming back in the year 1960s/

1970s. Conventional farming lasted until 2007. Most of the farmers shifted from ‘conventional’

to ‘in transition’ in the year 2008 after ILOFA was founded in the year 2007. There are two cases

that shifted in the same year that the organization was founded. One of the participants shifted

to transition just in the year 2010. In the case of Mrs. Lolit Saberola, she have started with a

farming practice of using a combination of chemical and organic inputs from 1970 and

remained in transition for ten years before shifting to in conversion. Eight of the participants

didn’t undergo the transition phase. They either went to conversion or organic farming from

conventional.Six of them still remainsin transition until the present time.

Among the farmers who are currently at the ‘organic agriculture’ phase, 4 of them have

undergone ‘in conversion’ phase meaning they excludes the use of chemical inputs for less than

a year. Among this 4, only one undergone the transition phase and the rest shifted to

conversion directly from conventionalfarming.

There are 9 of the participants who are currently at the ‘Organic agriculture’ phase. Eight of

them shifted directly from conventional into ‘In conversion’ and later to ‘organic agriculture’

phase except for one casewho have gone through transition before being in the ‘in conversion’

phase.

At present, none of the 15 farmers have reverted back to conventional farming.

It should be noted that all of these participants have their own land to plow and use for

agricultural purposes. They have sole farm decisions, particularly their choice of farm practices.

Among non-members of the association however, there are still landholding issues in terms of

choice in farming practice. There are cases identified wherein some tenants want to shift to

organic farming but land owners prefer the conventional approach.

To monitor and assess the overall effect of organic farming to the participants as

compared to conventional farming, in transition, and in conversion phase of organic farming,

table 3.3 shows the trend analysis ofBrgy. IlayaIlasan.

Table 3 TREND ANALYSIS

Brgy.IlayangIlasan, Tayabas City

ASPETO Conventional In Transition

In Coversion

Organic Agriculture

After 10 years

ECONOMICS Kita Input -chemical - organic Labor requirement Ani

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

SOCIAL PansarilingKalusugan PampamilyangKalusugan KatayuangSosyal PansarilingPag-unlad PagkainsaBahay

── + ── ── ──

-- --

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

+ + + + +

++ ++ ++ ++ ++

ENVIRONMENT DamingInsekto Damingisda/hipon

──

--

--

--

--

Pananda:

-mas marami (—) negatibong epekto

-marami + positibong epekto

-mayroon ++ mas positibong epekto

Major phases/ trends in organic farming practice such as conventional, in transition, in

conversion, organic agriculture and future (after 10 yrs.) are used are reference points for Table

3, trend analysis. Aspects such as economic, social, and environmental and its indicators were

used to determine and analyse changes or impacts that occurred during those phases. Since

the group of farmers who have made this trend analysis doesn’t undergone ‘in transition’ and

‘in conversion’ phases and are all currently at the organic agriculture phase, indicators were

analysed only under conventional, organic agriculture and future (after 10 yrs.)

Under the economic aspect, the indicators such as yield, inputs, labor requirement and

income were used to compare the impacts on conventional and organic agriculture as well as

the changes that occurred in those phases with reference to the indicators. Visions of the

future (after 10 yrs.) in terms of economic aspect were also considered. In terms of input, under

conventional, more chemical inputs and no organic inputs are used while under organic

agriculture, there are no chemical used but more organic inputs. Income under the 2 phases is

almost the same. Although there is more yield under conventional farming (as indicated in the

table), still the income under the 2 phases doesn’t show significant differences. This is because

yield less the costs of inputs [income = yield – input cost] are being considered in the income

generation. Since costs of inputs are higher under conventional while lower under organic

agriculture, the income is almost the same. However, the participants shared that under

organic agriculture they avail less credits compared to conventional farming where they acquire

large amount of debts in order to sustain their chemical inputs.

Still from table 3, organic agriculture has better impacts in terms of social aspects

compared it conventional. It is also more likely to have much positive effects in the future. This

is manifested in all the social indicators such as personal and family health, social status,

personal development, and food sufficiency. Improvement of health status is, of course, not

surprising in organic agriculture as it is one of its main benefits. The improvement in social

status however, also has significant increase for the organic farmers. This is indicated by the

fact that an organic farmers association was established, allowing the farmers to practice and

improve their own leadership and social skills.

For the environmental aspect, the indicators that were used are the number of insects

and number of aquatic animals, specifically the beneficial ones. Both of which are indicators of

a good environment because it means lack of chemical residues in the air and in rivers. Organic

agriculture shows more insects and aquatic animals, enough to deduce that the environment is

safer and healthier compared to conventional farming.

Generally, the farmers thought that there will be more positive impacts or changes in

the future if the present trend of organic farming continues. This is true for all of the aspects

being considered.

In terms of non-farm sources of income, table 1 livelihood matrix, shows that among 15

participants, only 2 has an off-farm source of income [tricycle driving, and a store]. However, it

is not determined whether farming generates enough income for the farmers or non-farm

sources of income are really limiting or unpopular in the community.

D. Institutional Aspects

Figure 2 shows the institutional diagram of the barangay, particularly concerning with

the activities of ILOFA. The internal institutions/ person involved in the activities of ILOFA are

the Brgy. Chairman, Brgy.Council,ILOFA president, ILOFA Members, Farmer’s Federation,

Farmer’s President, Committee on Agriculture, and Ilasan Multipurpose Cooperative. The

external stakeholders listed by the participants are MASIPAG [Magsasaka ta Siyentipiko para sa

Ikauunlad ng Agrikultura], City Mayor, Department of Agriculture, SCFO [Small Coconut Farmers

Organization], U.P Students (Diliman), Roman Catholic Church, and Seventh Day Adventist.

Table 4 and 5 internal and external stakeholders analysis, summarizes the extent and

kind of help given by these stakeholders to ILOFA. According to the table, internal stakeholders

like the Brgy. Chairman, Brgy. Council,ILOFA president,and ILOFA Members are the active

participants in the activities of the association. While external stakeholders like MASIPAG and

City Mayor are deemed important to ILOFA by providing technical and political support

respectively.

Fig. 2. Institutional Diagram, Brgy. Ilayang Ilasan, Tayabas City

Pananda:

Malaki ang naitutulong

Hindi Masyadong malaki ang naitutulong

Kaunti lamang ang naitutulong

.

ILOFA

U.P. DILIMAN

Students MASIPAG

Roman Katolik SCFO

Mayor DA

SDA Seventh Day Adventist

Pangulo ng ILOFA

ILOFA

Members

Brgy.

Council

Farmer’s

Federation Brgy. Captain

Pangulo ng Farmer’s

Organization

Ilasan Multipurpose Cooperative

Farmers’ Committee

BRGY. ILAYANG ILASAN TAYABAS CITY

Table 4. External Stakeholders Analysis

Organisasyon/Institusyon Tulong na naibibigay Laki ng Naitutulong

1. MASIPAG - pag-aaral tungkol sa organikong pag-sasaka, binhi, seminar, pinansya

2. Mayor - pahintulot sa pagbuo ng samahan, pinansyal, kiskisan, makina, at upuan

3. Department of Agriculture -nangasiwa sa mga ibinibigayng mayor

4. SCFO - nagbibigay ng binhi ng niyog at abono

5. U.P Students (Diliman) - nagbigay ng training tungkol sa pagbuo ng samahan

6. Roman Katolik (simbahan) - ginanap ang katutubong sistema sa organikong pagkain

7. SDA (Seventh Day Adventist)

-mayroong miyembro na naggaling sa SDA at patuloy na sumusuporta sa ILOFA

Table 5. Internal Stakeholders Analysis

Organisasyon/Institusyon Tulong na naibibigay Laki ng Naitutulong

1. Kapitan - nagbigay ng tao para mabuo ang ILOFA

2. Brgy. Council - sila ang nanguna sa seminar at nanghikayat ng kasapi.

3. Pangulo ng ILOFA - masugid na tagasubaybay ng samahan

4. ILOFA Members - sila ang patuloy na nagkakaisa para sa ikauunlad ng samahan

5. Farmer’s Federation - nagbibigay ng tulong tungkol sa Vermi Compost

6. Farmer’s President - nagbibigay ng impormasyong pang-organikong pagsasaka

7. Committee on Agriculture - nangunguna sa pagsasagawa ng mga proyekto ng ILOFA at nagbibigay din ng tulong pinansyal sa samahan

8. Ilasan Multipurpose Cooperative

- nagbibigay ng pautang sa mababang interes

Pananda:

-malaki ang naitutulong

-hindi masyadong malaki ang naitutulong

-kaunti lamang ang naitutulong

III. ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY

Table 6 summarizes the potential of barangay for promoting organic farming through a SWOT matrix.

Table 6. SWOT Matrix of the Potential of Brgy. Ilaya, Ilasan Tayabas City, Quezon for Promoting

Organic Farming

Strengths

Existing farner’s association and cooperative (Ilasan Multi-purpose cooperative)

Existing organic farmer’s association (ILOFA)

Existing Brgy. Vermicompost

Existing Brgy. Organic “halamanan”

Knowledge of organic fertilizer is not foreign to the community, introduction of further knowledge is easily adaptable

Agricultural activities are the main source of living

The brgy. Captain and brgy. Council have an active participation in agricultural development of the community

Off-farm source of income is lacking in the community

Organic farming is most relevant to small size farmers

There is rich source of clean water from rivers which is essential in organic farming

Large portion of the barangay is already in organic farming

Weaknesses

Organic farming is labor intensive

Organic products are not yet popular in the barangay

The area is quite far from poblacion

The road to the area is not yet finished

There are only few livestocks and poultry that can be a source of animal manures for organic fertilizers

Landholding issues –tenants cannot shift to organic farming if land owners prefers conventional

Only one rice mill is availbale in the barnagay for both organic and inorganic rice

The community has no market for organic products

Marketing system for organic products is still weaak compared to that of orgaanic

Opportunities

There is financial, technical, and political assistance to the community available through MAO, DA, MASIPAG, and SCFA

Organic farming is supported by the national government

There is increasing market demand for organically produced vegetables

Higher price for organically produced vegetables than conventionally produced

The City of Tayabas is now being developed as the first organic city in the Philippines

Threat

River water source may carry agro-chemical residues

availability of free synthetic fertilizers and pesticides from external institutions

threat in unstable marketing system of organic products

climate threats

V. RECOMMENDATION

Criterion Advantages Disadvantages Assessment Recommendations to overcome Disadvantage

Social or Cultural Acceptability

> organic farming is already accepted and popular among farmers

>Larger portion of the barangay is already in organic farming compared to conventional >the city of Tayabas is being developed as an agricultural city

> Organic farming is labor intensive

>Organic products are not yet popular to the brgy. and some of the products are not even familiar to them yet >Landholding issues –tenants cannot shift to organic farming if land owners prefers conventional

> The advantages outweigh disadvantages because most farmers have their own land to plow

> Give seminars to other landholders about the benefits in organic farming >have a promotion of organic products among consumers >improve the knowledge of general public on the benefits of organic products

Technical Feasibility

>The farmers already have existing knowledge on producing their own organic fertilizer >The brgy. has its own vermicompost >Organic farming is most relevant to small sized farms >There is rich source of clean water from rivers which is essential in organic farming

>There are few live stocks and crops which are source of manures >Farmers knowledge on organic agriculture is still not sufficient >The access to agro-chemical inputs is easier compared to organic inputs

>The advantages outweigh disadvantages

>improve farmers’ knowledge in organic agriculture >encourage them to raise livestocks which will not only be a source for organic fertilizers but additional source of income >improving on farmers’ capability to produce own fertilizer will reduce their need of agro-chemical inputs

Table 7. STEEP Analysis Of The potential of Brgy. Ilaya Ilasan for Promoting Organic Farming

Table 7 shows STEEP Analysis of the potential of Brgy. Ilaya Ilasan for promoting organic

farming which includes the recommendations that will improve its potentials and overcome its

disadvantages.

Economic or Financial Viability

>Off-farm source of income is lacking in the community >There is increasing market demand for organic products >Higher price for organic products

>the brgy. has no existing market for organic products >The marketing system of organic products is still weak compared to the market for products of conventional farming

>Advantages outweigh disadvantages

>take advantage of low off-farm activities to promote organic farming >develop the organic market of the brgy.

Environmental Soundness

>organic production is ecological: it is favourable to farmers health and their environment: it enhance soil productivity, preserves natural biodiversity, and mitigate greenhouse effect

>environmental soundness is not always a main concern of the community which is overridden by financial needs

>advantages outweigh the disadvantages

>improve farmers understanding of the environmental benefits of organic farming and how they can be a help towards ecological agriculture esp. how it can benefit farmers health

Political or Institutional Support

>there is existing farmer’s association and cooperative (Ilasan Multi-purpose cooperative) >There is existing organic farmer’s association (ILOFA) >The brgy. Captain and

brgy. Council have an

active participation in

agriculturaldevelopment

of the community>

organic farming is

supported by the

national government

> the community is still accessible to agro-chemical companies

>advantages outweigh disadvantages especially because of the development of Tayabas as an organic City

> policy regarding the limitation of access of agro-chemical companies in the barangay and the strict regulation of agro-chemical products should be implemented

V. DOCUMENTATION