Biodiversity and economic assessments of urban agriculture in Muntinlupa City / by Rhayan C. Ramos.

Thesis (BS Environmental Science) Cavite State University.

Includes bibliographical references.

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

RAMOS, RHAYAN C. Biodiversity and Economic Assessment of Urban Agriculture in Muntinlupa City. Undergraduate Thesis. Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite. April 2007. Adviser: Professor Noel A. Sedigo.
The study was conducted in eight barangays of Muntinlupa City from August to December 2006 to assess the biodiversity and economic status of urban agriculture in Muntinlupa City. Specifically, it aimed to:(1) identify what plants are commonly planted and animals commonly raised in urban agriculture farms in Muntinlupa City, (2) determine the diversity of crops and animals in the study area, (3) identify and characterize the participants in urban agriculture in Muntinlupa City, (4) assess the economic profitability and productivity of selected urban agriculture farms; and (5) correlate the diversity to the net returns per farm. From the 79 farmers engaged in urban farming, 40 respondents were selected using purposive quota sampling. Plants commonly planted and animals commonly raised were identified by actual survey and interview. Respondents were also interviewed to determine their farming practices. Diversity analyses were done using the simple formula of richness diversity where biodiversity index is equal to the number of species in the area over the total number of individuals. Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents were determined using an interview schedule. An economic assessment was done using cost and return analysis of their fanning activities. Respondents raised 18 species of crops majority of which were kangkong, alukbati, saluyot and sweet potato. There were 11 species of fruit trees, the most common were banana and papaya. There were also 12 species of non-fruit frees, 12 species of ornamentals, 12 species of medicinal plants, and 8 species of grasses. There were also 9 species of animals. Diversity analyses revealed that seven among the 40 respondents has diverse farms with a biodiversity index of more than 0.50. Respondents are mostly married males with ages from 51-60 years old with household sizes of two to three members. Monthly income ranged from Php 1, 000.00 — Php 10, 000.00 from their major occupation. Most of the respondents used plastic pot arranged in an area of less than 100 square meters. They usually start planting in June and using organic fertilizer in their farms. The estimated income from urban agriculture ranged from Php 1000.00 to Php 2000.00 including food consumption. Interviews conducted revealed that 31 among the 40 respondents earned profit from their urban farming activities ranging from Php 25.00 to Php 8, 520.25 monthly. Correlation analyses revealed that there is significant relationship between biodiversity and net returns from urban agriculture.

Submitted to the University Library 05-10-2007 T-3472