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 Baos, 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 communitys 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 ILOFAs 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 Palay 1. Ben Cabuyao 2. Jose Dejoras 3. Vito Ramos 4. ConradoAgudilla 5. LolitSaberola 6. SimplicioLaorte 7. TinongDejoras 8. Imelda Padrique 9. Norman Pagana 10. PoldingAcado 11. Teddy Ramos 12. Polly Cadavido 13. Juanito [Teodoro] 14. Neil Roy Cayanan 15. TeodoroAgudilla 1.5ha 2.0 ha 1.25 ha 1.0 ha 0.25 ha 0.5 ha 1.0 ha 2.0 ha 2.0ha(convent.) 1.0ha (organic) 1.0ha 2.0ha 1.0ha 0.5ha 0.03ha 0.75ha Banana (puno) 100 100 30 75 80 -100+ 100+ 30+ 87+ 50 20 15 -10 Cassava (puno) 3000 --5000 --500 6000 ---[0.5ha] --[0.5ha] Crops Grown Camote ---10 plots ---5000 [plant] --0.25ha ----150 30 -Coconut (puno) 700 500 800 300 200 -600 100 40+ 100 400 Vegetables sitaw, patola, gabi sitaw, patola, gabi sitaw, patola, gabi sitaw, talong, patola, kalabasa, gabi ---patola, lagikway,kamote, gabi --sitaw, talong, gabi -sitaw, talong, kalabasa, gabi ---

Name of Farmer 1. Ben Cabuyao 2. Jose Dejoras 3. Vito Ramos 4. ConradoAgudilla 5. LolitSaberola 6. SimplicioLaorte 7. TinongDejoras 8. Imelda Padrique 9. Norman Pagana 10. PoldingAcado 11. Teddy Ramos 12. Polly Cadavido 13. Juanito [Teodoro] 14. Neil Roy Cayanan 15. TeodoroAgudilla Legends: -- none Puno no. of plants Carabao 1 1 1 1 1 -1 1 --1 3 -1 1 Horse 2 1 1 ---3 2 ---1 1 ---

Livestock and Poultry ( no. of heads) Chicken Swine Cow 10 --6 1 3 3 -2 2 -2 -7 2 --2 ----1 5 -------1 -----1 1 -------

Goat 1 -----4 --1 -1 ----

Tilapia ---------

Other Sources of Income -------2 pabo, 3 itik tricycle driving

[0.01ha] [0.01ha] -----

fruit (bearing) trees store, fruit (bearing) trees -----

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 1. Polly Cadavido 2. Juanito T. Mora 3. TeodoroAgudilla 4. Neil Roy Cayanan 5. Ben Calayag 6. Jose Dejoros 7. Jovito Ramos 8. LolitSaberola 9. ConradoAgudilla 10. SimplicioLacorte 11. Norman Pagana 12. Teddy Ramos

Pananim palay palay palay casava palay palay palay palay palay Palay palay palay luya talong palay palay palay

Conventional 1980-2007 1965-2007 1970-2008 -1970-2006 1970-2006 1990-2009 -1978-2007 1980-2007 1980-2007 1970-2007 1970-2007 1970-2007 1980-2007 1970-2007 1960-2007

In Transition ----2007-2012 2007-2012 2010-2012 1970-1979 --2008-2012 2008-2012 2008-2012 2008-2012 --2008-2012

In Conversion 2008-2009 2008-2009 2009-2010 ----1980-1981 ----------

Organic Agriculture 2010-2012 2010-2012 2011-2012 2009-2012 ---1982-2012 2008-2012 2008-2012 ----2007-2012 2008-2012 ----

Reversion ------------------

13. Imelda Padrique 14. LeopoldoOcado 15. CelestinoDejoros

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 didnt 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 ECONOMICS Kita Input -chemical - organic Labor requirement Ani SOCIAL PansarilingKalusugan PampamilyangKalusugan KatayuangSosyal PansarilingPag-unlad PagkainsaBahay ENVIRONMENT DamingInsekto Damingisda/hipon Pananda:

Conventional

In Transition --------------

In Coversion ------------

Organic Agriculture

After 10 years

--

--

--

+ + + + +

++ ++ ++ ++ ++

---

-mas marami -marami -mayroon

() negatibong epekto + positibong epekto ++ 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 doesnt 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 doesnt 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, Farmers Federation, Farmers 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

U.P. DILIMAN Students

MASIPAG

SCFO Farmers Federation ILOFA Members Pangulo ng ILOFA DA Farmers Committee ILOFA
.

Roman Katolik Brgy. Captain

Brgy. Council Pangulo ng Farmers Organization

Mayor

Ilasan Multipurpose Cooperative BRGY. ILAYANG ILASAN TAYABAS CITY

SDA
Seventh Day Adventist

Table 4. External Stakeholders Analysis Organisasyon/Institusyon 1. MASIPAG 2. Mayor 3. Department of Agriculture 4. SCFO 5. U.P Students (Diliman) 6. Roman Katolik (simbahan) 7. SDA (Seventh Day Adventist) Tulong na naibibigay - pag-aaral tungkol sa organikong pagsasaka, binhi, seminar, pinansya - pahintulot sa pagbuo ng samahan, pinansyal, kiskisan, makina, at upuan -nangasiwa sa mga ibinibigayng mayor - nagbibigay ng binhi ng niyog at abono - nagbigay ng training tungkol sa pagbuo ng samahan - ginanap ang katutubong sistema sa organikong pagkain -mayroong miyembro na naggaling sa SDA at patuloy na sumusuporta sa ILOFA Laki ng Naitutulong

Table 5. Internal Stakeholders Analysis Organisasyon/Institusyon 1. Kapitan 2. Brgy. Council 3. Pangulo ng ILOFA 4. ILOFA Members 5. Farmers Federation 6. Farmers President 7. Committee on Agriculture Tulong na naibibigay - nagbigay ng tao para mabuo ang ILOFA - sila ang nanguna sa seminar at nanghikayat ng kasapi. - masugid na tagasubaybay ng samahan - sila ang patuloy na nagkakaisa para sa ikauunlad ng samahan - nagbibigay ng tulong tungkol sa Vermi Compost - nagbibigay ng impormasyong pangorganikong pagsasaka - nangunguna sa pagsasagawa ng mga proyekto ng ILOFA at nagbibigay din ng tulong pinansyal sa samahan - nagbibigay ng pautang sa mababang interes Laki ng Naitutulong

8. Ilasan Multipurpose Cooperative

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.
Strengths Existing farners association and cooperative (Ilasan Multi-purpose cooperative) Existing organic farmers 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 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 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

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

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

V. RECOMMENDATION Criterion Advantages Disadvantages Assessment Recommendations to overcome Disadvantage > The advantages > Give seminars to outweigh other landholders disadvantages about the benefits because most in organic farming farmers have their own land to >have a promotion plow of organic products among consumers >improve the knowledge of general public on the benefits of organic products

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

> 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 >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 city of Tayabas is being developed as an agricultural city

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

>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

Economic or Financial Viability

>the brgy. has no existing market for organic products >The marketing >There is increasing system of organic market demand for products is still organic products weak compared to the market for >Higher price for products of organic products conventional farming Environmental >organic production is >environmental Soundness ecological: it is soundness is not favourable to farmers always a main health and their concern of the environment: it enhance community which soil productivity, is overridden by preserves natural financial needs biodiversity, and mitigate greenhouse effect Political or Institutional Support >there is existing farmers association and cooperative (Ilasan Multi-purpose cooperative) >There is existing organic farmers 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

>Off-farm source of income is lacking in the community

>Advantages outweigh disadvantages

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

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

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

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.

V. DOCUMENTATION