Open AccessThe Productivity and Profitability of Marshland Farming System: the Case of Ligawasan Marsh in Maguindanao
Author(s) -
NA Buisan,
A.C. Roxas
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
iop conference series. earth and environmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1755-1307
pISSN - 1755-1315
DOI - 10.1088/1755-1315/837/1/012004
Subject(s) - productivity , marsh , cropping , agriculture , agricultural science , livelihood , profitability index , geography , business , wetland , economics , environmental science , biology , ecology , archaeology , finance , macroeconomics
Wetlands have been used for agriculture because of their natural fertility. This is true in Ligawasan Marsh in Southern Philippines where residents have been farming as main source of livelihood. This study determines the productivity and profitability of rice, corn and mungbean as primary crops in a marshland community in Maguindanao. It was conducted during dry season combining quantitative and qualitative design. Triangulation method was applied using survey, key informant interview, focus group discussions and observation. There were 24 farmers who participated in the study. The average yields for rice, corn and mungbean were at 1.5 t ha −1 ,.78 t ha −1 , and 0.32 t ha −1 , respectively. Farmers earn Php 13,860.65 per ha for rice, 3,933.56 for corn, and Php 12,898.83 for mungbeans. Productivity and profitability is low compared to established data on yield and net income. Farmers, however, are spending very minimal which make them less dependent from external input. The average cost of production is lower than the established production cost. Farming in a marshland community is considered as low external input agriculture. There is a need to diversify farmers’ income including vegetable gardening, duck raising, and fishing and adopt a better cropping calendar.