Farmers preferences,uncertainties and opportunities in fruit-tree cultivation in Northeast Luzon |
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| Authors: | D J Snelder M Klein S H G Schuren |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Environment and Development, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9518, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands |
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| Abstract: | The world production of tropical fruit was estimated at about 65 Mt in 2002, of which developing countries accounted for 98%.
Although most commercial fruit tree crops are cultivated by large-scale commercial enterprises, smallholder fruit-tree cultivation
receives much attention in projects aimed at rural development, conservation farming and agroforestry in developing countries.
In the Philippines, the integration of fruit trees in smallholder upland farming systems has been promoted since the 1970s.
The aim of this paper is to investigate farmers’ views on small-scale fruit-tree cultivation based on fieldwork conducted
in three upland villages of Northeast Luzon. The factors influencing farmers’ preferences are explored and the costs and benefits
of fruit tree cultivation compared with those for seasonal cash crops over a 10-year period. Markets for fruit-tree products
are identified, at both local and supra-local levels, and risks, uncertainties and opportunities associated with fruit-tree
cultivation are discussed. Despite extensive promotion, the adoption of fruit trees in farming systems has occurred at a relatively
low pace. In contrast, the cultivation of seasonal cash crops, particularly high-yielding rice and corn varieties, spread
rapidly in the 1970s and 1980s. These crops are planted in monocultures with high inputs of fertilizers and pesticides. Farmers
consider fruit trees as a subordinate crop much less profitable than seasonal cash crops, which is in stark contrast with
the results of economic analyses of a 10-year production cycle. The Net Present Value (NPV) for citrus (Citrus reticulate) cultivation is at least two times the NPV for irrigated rice and as much as four times the NPV for corn, even at discount
rates up to 20%. Farmers’ knowledge of tree management and species selection proved to be inadequate, contributing indirectly
to low growth rates and fruit production. Marketing opportunities are not fully utilised as evident from unstable network
channels for fruit-tree sales, lack of expertise in fruit-tree marketing and insufficient knowledge on market demands, quality
production and market location. |
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| Keywords: | Philippines Smallholder farmers Upland farming systems Tree planting Cost– benefits |
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