Some factors associated with marketing practices of cassava farmers in Trece Martirez City / by Benjamin C. Constante.

Thesis (BS in Agriculture Major in Agricultural Economics) Don Severino Agricultural College.

Includes bibliographical references.

College of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Natural Resources (CAFENR)

The study "Some Factors Associated With Marketing Practices Of Cassava Farmers In Trece Martires City" was conducted with the following objectives: (1) to determine the socio-economic characteristic of cassava farmers; (2) to determine the different management and marketing practices employed by farmers; (3) to find the cost of pro- duction and marketing; (4) to determine the relationship between the socio-economic characteristic and marketing practices; (5) to determine the problems encountered by farmers in producing and marketing cassava; and (6) to gather some suggestions on how cassava production and marketing could be improved to ameliorate the socio-economic condition of cassava farmers. Five barrios were selected as research areas in this study. A 40 percent sample of all possible respondents was taken after all the cassava farmers were enumerated by their respective barrio captains. The sampling was based on the farmers attendance during the time of interview. samples was 100. The total average age of the respondents was 53 years. intermediate on the average they were able to reach the level of schooling. Majority were tenants with an average number of four dependents. The average size of farm was .99 hectares. The average number of years devoted to farming was 26 years. The most common variety raised for commercial purpose was the strain locally known as Binubuy. The farm operations employed by farmers included land preparation, planting, weeding, cultivation, fertilization and harvesting. Hauling, sorting, grading, packing and transporting were mentioned as pre-sale practices. Two methods were used by farmers in selling cassava wholesale and retail by sacks. They disposed cassava at home, in the farm, and at the local market. Their sources of market information were the wholesalers, retailers, local buyers and their friends. The usual market buyers were wholesalers, retailers and contract buyers. Buyers paid the farmers in several ways but the most common method was in the form of cash. The average amount the buyers paid to the farmers was P26.60 per sack. The expenses of farmers per cropping year were varied. However, it was reported that the average expenses of the farmer including planting materials, fertilizer and labor was $875.00 per hectare. The farmer's marketing expenses were reported to be around 120.00 a year including the transportation cost, market fee and man-labor. Farmers method of sale was not affected by his age, educational attainment, number of dependents, experience in farming and size of farm. Five among the seven socio-economic Income derived from variables affected farmers place of sale. cassava farming was dependent upon the method of sale. The problem of farmers on production were occurrence of unidentified pest and diseases, lack of production inputs, long drought, lack of knowledge in controlling pests and diseases of plants, and lack of enough help from technicians. The most mentioned problems in marketing cassava were poor condition of feeder roads, high cost of transporting the products, lack of knowledge in storage, insufficient transportation facilities, and competition among growers in individual sale of the products. Suggestions mentioned by farmers to improve

Submitted to the University Library 03/10/1980 T-410