DELIVERING STATISTICS THAT MATTER TO EVERY FILIPINO

PMAS AND FRK: DELIVERING STATISTICS THAT MATTER TO EVERY FILIPINO
FARMER
by
Ermina V. Tepora1, Alegria A. Mota2 and Cynthia P. Donato3
ABSTRACT
The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) under EO 116 is designated as official
statistical agency for agriculture and fisheries. On top of this, it is mandated to provide
technical assistance to end-users specifically the agricultural producers in accessing,
analyzing and interpreting the product and market information and technology under the
Republic Act 8435 or “Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA)”. The BAS
addresses this mandate through its two (2) services namely, the Production and
Marketing Analysis Service (PMAS) and Farm Record Keeping Project (FRKP).
The PMAS is the BAS’ attempt to reach out to farmers and to transform them as
frequent users of information. This service envisions empowerment of small farmers
through the use of production and marketing statistics that can guide them in making
plans and decisions with respect to production and marketing. This information can help
minimize the risk in production and improve farmers’ bargaining power.
On the other hand, through the FRKP, the farmer-cooperators are being taught
on how to keep account of their farm activities, income and expenses. These information
may render valuable basis in making future decision for increased productivity, income
and efficient use of available resources for a certain period of time.
This paper intends to present the processes, strategies and outputs of the PMAS
and FRKP for the delivery of statistics and services that matter to the Filipino farmers.
I. INTRODUCTION
The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) is the official statistical agency for agriculture
and fisheries as designated by Executive Order 116. Its function is carried out through the
following mandates: 1) collect, compile and release official agricultural statistics, 2) exercise
technical supervision over data collection centers and 3) coordinate all agricultural statistics and
economic research activities of all bureaus, corporations and offices under the Department of
Agriculture (DA).
In 1997, the BAS was mandated under Republic Act 8435 (Agriculture and Fisheries
Modernization Act or AFMA) to serve as the central information source and server of the
National Information Network (NIN) of the DA and to provide technical assistance to end-users
in accessing and analyzing product and market information and technology. In response to the
second mandate, the BAS has institutionalized the implementation of the Production and
Marketing Analysis Service (PMAS) in selected provinces. Being the repository of agricultural
statistics the BAS attempts to reach to farmers and to transform them as frequent users of
information through the implementation of PMAS. The PMAS envisions empowerment of small
farmers through the use of production and marketing statistics that can guide them in their
1
Chief, Agricultural Marketing Statistics Analysis Division
Chief, Marketing Studies and Dissemination Section
3
Chief, Economic Accounts Section, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics
2
Page 1 of 36
decision-making. This information can help minimize the risk in production and improve
farmers’ bargaining power.
On the other hand, Farm Record Keeping (FRK) is not an entirely new activity at the
BAS. This was one of the socio-economic survey of the then Bureau of Agricultural Economics
(BAEcon), the activity but was not regularly undertaken for some periods.
In 2011, a project entitled “Enhancing Farmers Capacity to Access, Analyze and Utilize
Statistical Information” with funding assistance from the Government of Japan (GoJ) was
launched. Under the project, the PMAS implementation is enhanced and the FRK activity of the
BAS had been revived.
This paper intends to present the processes, strategies and outputs of the PMAS and
FRK for the delivery of statistics and services that matter to the Filipino farmers.
II. THE PRODUCTION AND MARKETING ANALYSIS SERVICE (PMAS)
1.
Historical Background
In 1995, the Agribusiness System Assistance Program (ASSIST) of the Philippine
Statistical Association (PSA) pilot-tested the Local Area Production and Marketing Analysis
System (LAPAMAS) project in Misamis Oriental and Davao City through funding assistance
from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Its thrust was to
strengthen the dissemination strategies for the localized information in said areas. In 1998, the
National Agriculture and Fishery Council (NAFC) approved the expansion of the project in four
(4) more areas, namely, Cebu, Zamboanga City, Pangasinan and Batangas, but was renamed
to Production and Marketing Analysis Service or PMAS. It was expanded in Ifugao and Nueva
Vizcaya in 2000 under the CECAP and CASCADE projects, respectively. Due to the demand
for this kind of service, PMAS was replicated in other sites.
Under the BAS-GoJ-NAFC Project, PMAS has been continuously implemented in its
twelve (12) existing sites. This project also enabled the BAS to explore the possibility of
replicating the implementation of PMAS activities in other areas in line with the expansion plan
of PMAS coverage from 12 to 15 provinces.
At present, PMAS is being implemented in the provinces of Ifugao, Mt. Province,
Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Iloilo, Capiz, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Leyte, Misamis Oriental,
Bukidnon, and Palawan and in its expansion areas in the provinces of Albay, Agusan del Norte
and Davao del Sur.
2.
Legal Basis
Chapter 5 Section 44 of the Republic Act (RA) 8435 or AFMA authorized BAS to provide
technical assistance to end-users specifically the agricultural producers in accessing, analyzing
and interpreting the product and market information. PMAS is the Bureau’s response to this
mandate. The information contained in its technical bulletin called the StatGuide for Farmers is
perceived to be useful as guides in making plans and decision with respect to production and
marketing.
3.
Goals
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One of the goals of PMAS is to establish a strong linkage with the local partners in its
implementation. PMAS also aims to train its local implementors and farmer-leaders to become
a “community level statisticians” through the use and interpretation of production and marketing
information. Eventually, it is envisioned that PMAS implementation at the local level be
institutionalized. This would promote the PMAS as an empowerment tool for small farmers’
organizations through the use of production and marketing information.
4. Standards
Prior to the implementation of the PMAS in the target provinces, an environmental
scanning is being conducted to identify the prospective local partners, potential beneficiaries
and their information needs. The strategies include gathering of primary and secondary
information, most particularly on agricultural production and marketing.
The prospective local partners shall be those who are willing to support in terms of data
and resource sharing, willing to assist in coordinating and inviting target training participants and
willing to participate in the conduct of PMAS consultative training sessions.
A set of criteria is being followed in the selection of potential beneficiaries. As much as
possible farmer-beneficiaries would be those producing crops for commercial (trading)
purposes. In case of farmers’ group or organization, it must have a strong leadership which
could be able to draw-up and implement projects that are beneficial to majority of its members.
Its leaders must be willing to acquire and learn information that can be useful for their
production and marketing activities and who are good communicators and potential trainers.
The initial identification of priority commodities is in accordance with the following
criteria: 1) major commodity produced in the province and common among potential
beneficiaries and local partners, not to mention the BAS data systems; 2) national/provincial
priority; 3) high value crops with market potential; 4) substantial price fluctuations; 5) major
contributor to agriculture performance; and 6) with heavy demand information.
5. Strategies
The PMAS undertakes four major activities in continuous and cyclical fashion: 1) data
organization; 2) data analysis/information packaging; 3) conduct of training; and 4) information
dissemination/transfer. The first two activities are undertaken by the BAS while the last two are
done in collaboration with the local government units and national agencies as well.
5.1. Data Organization
Production and marketing-related data for the commodities to be featured in the StatGuide
for Farmers as per recommendation of the local partners and beneficiaries are gathered and
organized. These data are taken from the BAS databases and are organized into tabular and/or
graphical presentations. Other data taken from other sources are properly recognized and
acknowledged.
5.2. Data Analysis and Information Packaging
The information gathered and organized are being analyzed and interpreted in a way that
the target users could easily understand. These information are packaged into a technical
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bulletin called the StatGuide for Farmers. Its contents are site/province specific and also reflect
information from the trading partners and competing provinces.
5.3. Conduct of Consultative Training Sessions
The conduct of consultative training sessions (CTS) in the PMAS sites is done regularly on
a quarterly basis. This is the mechanism where the production and marketing information
contained in the StatGuide for Farmers are presented to the farmer-participants. Through this
session, they have the opportunity to access and learn how these information can be utilized in
their farming and marketing decisions. The local partners, particularly from the local
government units have a significant role in the conduct of the CTS. Because they have regular
contact with the beneficiaries they are requested in identifying and inviting the farmer to attend
the sessions. To some extent they are also being asked to act as resource persons for some
topics outside BAS mandates and to lead the dissemination aspect.
5.4. Information Dissemination and Transfer
In the course of conducting the CTS, it is envisioned that some if not all of the farmerleader participants will be trained on the analysis and interpretation of production and marketing
statistics. They in turn are expected to apply these information in their own farming activity and
to disseminate the learnings to the rest of the members of the organization they belong. In this
way, the goal of promoting the PMAS as an empowerment tool for small farmers’ organizations
through the use of production and marketing information will be achieved.
6. Statistical Information Provided through the PMAS
The commodities included in the StatGuide for Farmers are generally crop-based,
although there were already instances when some livestock commodities had been requested
for provision. These are not limited to those that the reconnaissance team has recommended
but also those requested by the farmer-participants who attended the CTS. Examples are:
a) Cereals - rice, corn
b) Tropical Vegetables - ampalaya, eggplant, stringbeans, etc.
c) Temperate vegetables - cabbage, wongbok, etc.
d) Condiments - garlic, onion, bell pepper
e) Fruits - banana (all varieties), mango, pineapple
f) Rootcrops - white potato, carrots, gabi
g) Commercial crops – coffee, coconut
h) Livestock - hogs, cattle, goat
i)
Poultry – chicken, chicken eggs
6.1. Commodity Description
Specifications include variety, class, size, color, texture, shape and unit of measure
of commodity. These serve as indicators on the specifications/quality demanded by the market.
In this topic, the following are discussed:
a.
Varieties grown in the province
b. Origin, appearance and local name
c. Uses and importance
d. Nutrient contents
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Possible sources of information are Marketing and Information Needs Assessment
(MINA) reports from the BAS, Philippine Recommends publications from Philippine Council for
Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD). Other
sources of these information are DA and the National Nutrition Council (NNC).
6.2. Production, Area and Yield
The concepts and definition of these statistical information are discussed during the
CTS. Production, area and yield of the top ten producing provinces (as well as of the PMAS
province, in case the province is not included in the top ten) for the past three years are
presented. This is to situate the performance of the PMAS province compared to other
provinces and its contribution to the total regional and national production and area harvested
for a certain commodity. This would give an idea on how a province stand in terms of the
regional and national production.
Production - the quantity produced and actually harvested for a particular crop
during the reference period. It includes those harvested but damaged,
stolen, given away, consumed, given as harvester’s share, or reserved for
some purposes. Excluded are those produced but not harvested due to
low price, lack of demand and force majeure or fortuitous events, etc.
Area Harvested - the actual area from which harvests are realized. This
excludes crop area totally damaged. It may be smaller than area planted.
In crop statistics, this applies to temporary crops.
Number of Bearing Trees - refers to the number of trees/hills/vines where
harvesting has been made in the past but may or may not have borne
fruits or been productive during the reference period due to cyclical
production pattern of the crop. Hill applies to banana.
Livestock and Poultry Inventory - refers to the actual number of animals (in
head) present in the farm as of a specific reference date, also called as
livestock and poultry numbers, stocks or population.
Yield - an indicator of productivity derived by dividing the total production by the
area harvested for temporary crops or by the total bearing trees among
permanent crops. Unit is in metric ton per hectare or kilograms per
bearing tree. Yield is an important information because it indicates the
capability of the province to produce given a certain area. There are
provinces with large production but has a small area devoted to a certain
crop and provinces with large areas but produce less. If yield is not
computed, there is the tendency to assume that provinces with large
areas produce more.
6.3 Average Production Costs and Returns
Production costs are categorized according to the nature of outlay made by the
producers: cash costs, non-cash costs and imputed costs. Profitability can be measured by
determining the gross (which is the sum of all income received from farming; this can be in the
form of cash and non-cash receipts) and the net returns. The gross returns are determined by
Page 5 of 36
multiplying the total production by the farmgate price, while the net returns is estimated by
deducting the total costs from the gross returns.
The net profit-cost ratio determines the rate of return to the farmers. It reflects how
much the farmer earned for every peso he invested in producing the commodity.
To help farmers think of increasing the net profit-cost ratio, they are encouraged to do
the recording of their expenses so that they can do adjustments in reducing the use of inputs.
Aside from making their yield performance better, the farmers should know what the level of
prices they have to sell their produce – i.e., price level not lower than the cost per kilogram.
The details of this recording activity and related concepts are discussed in Part III of this
paper.
6.4. Per Capita Consumption and Food Requirements
Per capita consumption refers to the food consumed by the households during the
period under study. It is expressed in terms of kilograms per year per person. Food
requirements for a commodity can be derived by multiplying the estimated per capita
consumption by the projected population divided by 1000.
The estimated food requirement is being compared against the total volume
produced within the province and/or the region. This indicates the area where the production is
lesser than its food requirement which can give the idea on where to market their produce.
6.5. Seasonality of Trading and Harvesting of a Commodity
This information is presented in matrix form that shows the months when the commodity
is harvested and traded in the top producing provinces, trading partner provinces as well as the
provinces in the region where the PMAS province belongs. It can give an indicator of the
abundance or the scarcity of certain commodity in the market. It also serves as guide to the
farmers when to plant.
6.6. Geographic Flow of a Commodity
This is a diagram showing the source/s of commodity or supply areas, the trading center
or the place where the buying and selling activities take place and the destinations of
commodity (within and outside the province) or the demand areas for a certain commodity.
6.7. Marketing Channels for a Commodity
Marketing channel refers to the course/flow through which produce is carried out from
production areas to demand areas. This chart shows various options on the disposition/selling
of the product. The farmer may sell his produce to the assemblers or directly to the
wholesaler/retailer. Both the geographic flow and the marketing channels may give the farmer
an idea on where to sell their produce.
6.8. Prices
Price is the amount or value paid in exchange for the commodity or a service rendered.
A price influences the production (supply) and consumption (demand) of agricultural products.
Page 6 of 36
High prices inspire farmers to produce more and consumers to consume less while, low prices
discourage production but stimulate consumption.
6.8.1. Types of Prices
Farm Prices refer to the prices received by farmers and livestock raisers
for the sale of their produce at the first point of sale, net of freight costs. It is an
essential factor in the formulation of economic programs and policies. It helps
farmers in the stage of production, planning and decision-making with regards to
optimizing their profit.
Wholesale Prices can either be wholesale buying and/or wholesale
selling prices. Wholesale Buying Price (WBP) is the price that traders pay for
commodities they buy in bulk from farmers/raisers/fishermen and fellow traders.
Wholesale Selling Price (WSP) refers to price at which traders or distributors sell
their commodities in bulk to retailers and other distributors.
Wholesale price serves as guide to consumers who want to buy
commodities at a cheaper price. It is advantageous for customers who want to
buy in bulk. It serves as guide to farmers if they will increase their farm price or
settle with their current price.
Retail price is the price at which retailers sell their goods or commodities
to consumers in the marketplace. The commodities are bought at a more
expensive price but consumers can select the commodity they just want to buy.
6.9. Seasonal Indices for a Commodity
The ten-year price series at the farmgate, wholesale and retail levels for the different
provinces are organized where the seasonal variation or seasonality – regular periodic pattern
of fluctuations that repeats from year to year – are computed to an index. These indices
indicate what month the price has the tendency to increase (above 100%) or decrease (below
100%) due to effect of seasonal factors. If there were no seasonality, the index would be 100%
which can be considered as stable or being at the normal level.
Seasonal index is very helpful to the farmers on what and when to plant so that they
can harvest in time when the commodity commands a better price.
6.10. Import and Export Data
For tradable commodities, an update on the country’s agricultural trade performance exports and imports and its corresponding value (in US $) - is contained in the StatGuide. The
source of the basic data is the National Statistics Office (NSO). This information may help the
farmers think of possible alternative market outlets of their produce.
Page 7 of 36
7. Sample Contents of a StatGuide
Commodity Features
Commodity Group: Cereals
Description
Palay



According to moisture content: wet, semi-dry, dry
According to size: short or long grains
According to variety: fancy and other varieties
Rice



By type: special, premium, WMR and RMR
By milling degree: over-milled, well-milled, regular-milled.
By variety: IR-Series, C-Series, RC-Series, Milagrosa,
Dinorado, etc
Usage
Palay
 For food and animal feed ingredient
Rice
 Staple food, essential ingredient in making puffed rice,
noodles, rice flakes, and native delicacies
Nutrient Contents

Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Crude Fiber, Ash, Calcium,
Phosphorus, Iron, Carotene, Vitamin A, Thiamin,
Riboflavin, Niacin and Ascorbic Acid
Page 8 of 36
Fig. 1. Production of Palay in top producing provinces and Albay, 2009-2011
Fig. 2. Percentage share in the production of Palay of Bicol Region
to Philippines, 2011
Page 9 of 36
Fig. 3. Percentage share of Bicol Region provinces in the total
regional production of Palay, 2011
Fig. 4. Area harvested for Palay in top producing provinces
and Albay, 2009-2011
Page 10 of 36
Fig. 5. Percentage share in the area harvested for Palay of Bicol region to
Philippines, 2011
Fig. 40. Percentage share in the area harvested for Palay of
Fig. 40. Percentage share in the area harvested for Palay of
Bicol
Region
to Philippines,
2011 2011
Bicol
Region
to Philippines,
Other
Regions
Other
Regions
93%
93%
Bicol Region
Bicol Region
7%
7%
Region
Region
Bicol Region
Bicol Region
Other Regions
Other
Regions
Philippines
Philippines
Area harvested (ha)
Area harvested (ha)
318,361
318,361
4,218,281
4,218,281
4,536,642
4,536,642
Fig.
41.
Percentage
Bicol
Regioninprovinces
in the
total
Fig. 6.
Percentage
share share
of Bicolof
Region
provinces
the total regional
area
Fig. 41. Percentage
share
of Bicol
Regionfor
provinces
in the total
regional
area
harvested
Palay, 2011
harvested
for
Palay,
2011
regional area harvested for Palay, 2011
Catanduanes
less than 0.01%
Catanduanes
less than 0.01%
Masbate
13%
Masbate
13%
Camarines Sur
47%
Camarines Sur
47%
Province
Albay
Province
Camarines Norte
Albay
Camarines Sur
Camarines
Norte
Catanduanes
Camarines
MasbateSur
Sorsogon
Catanduanes
Bicol Region
Masbate
Sorsogon
Bicol Region
Sorsogon
Sorsogon 11%
11%
Albay
17%
Albay
17%
Camarines
Norte
Camarines 7%
Norte
7%
Area harvested (ha)
Yield (mt/ha)
55,269
3.64
Area harvested (ha)
Yield (mt/ha)
21,428
3.60
55,269
3.64
150,652
3.45
21,42815,152
3.60
2.90
150,65241,091
3.45
2.76
3.31
15,15234,769
2.90
318,361
3.36
41,091
2.76
34,769
3.31
318,361
3.36
Page 11 of 36
Fig. 7. Average yield for Palay in top producing provinces and Albay, 2009-2011
Page 12 of 36
Table 1. Average production costs and returns of Palay, Philippines, 2009-2011
Table 1. Average production costs
and
(in pesos
perreturns
hectare) of Palay, Philippines,
2008-2010 (in pesos per hectare)
ITEM
2009
2010
2011
15,880
15,663
16,859
Seeds
Fertilizer
Pesticides
Hired labor
Land tax
Rentals
Fuel & Oil
Interest payment on crop loan
Irrigation fee
Cash Costs
807
4,380
1,476
5,039
169
243
713
302
322
813
3,879
1,478
5,099
170
250
804
332
325
829
4,528
1,453
5,402
172
260
902
365
332
Food expense
Repairs
Others
646
1,231
551
673
1,268
572
711
1,307
598
4,671
4,929
5,113
763
32
769
27
785
31
1
1
1
Non-cash Costs
Seeds
Fertilizer
Pesticides
Hired labor in kind
632
662
701
Harvesters' share
Threshers' share
3,242
2,879
3,470
3,081
3,595
3,192
Landowner's share
Rentals
Interest payment on crop loan
Irrigation fee
3,015
722
137
278
3,038
729
150
281
3,099
746
165
287
Others
1,348
1,401
1,465
4,696
343
109
22
1,792
1,647
177
4,705
345
96
22
2,191
2,122
215
4,970
352
111
22
2,321
2,249
228
619
1,874
2,166
38
680
1,803
2,182
40
748
1,954
2,226
42
25,247
25,297
26,942
50,324
34,444
53,859
38,196
55,795
38,936
21,393
12,608
24,587
14,891
24,869
14,616
Imputed Costs
Seeds
Fertilizer
Pesticides
Operator labor
Family labor
Exchange labor
Depreciation
Interest on operating capital
Rental value of owned land
Others b/
TOTAL COSTS
1/
GROSS RETURNS
RETURNS ABOVE CASH COSTS
RETURNS ABOVE CASH
AND NON-CASH COSTS
NET RETURNS
NET PROFIT-COST RATIO
2/
3/
COST PER KILOGRAM
YIELD PER HECTARE (KG)
FARMGATE PRICE (PESO/KG)
1/
Gross Returns = Yield x Farmgate Price
2/
Net Profit-Cost Ratio = Net Returns / Total Cost
3/
Cost per kilogram = Total Cost / Yield
0.50
0.59
0.54
11.06
3,409
15
10.76
3,622
15
11.20
3,678
15.17
Page 13 of 36
Table 2. Harvesting
and trading
months
of of
Palay
inintop
provinces, 2012
Table 8. Harvesting
and trading
months
Palay
top producing
producing provinces,
2012
Province
Jan
Nueva
Ecija
H
T
Isabela
H
T
Iloilo
H
T
Pangasinan
H
T
Cagayan
H
T
Leyte
H
T
North
Cotabato
H
Negros
Occidental
H
T
Tarlac
H
T
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug Sep
Oct
Nov Dec
T
Source: FPS 2012, BAS
Legend:
H: Harvesting
T: Trading
Peak Harvesting
Lean Harvesting
Peak Trading
Lean Trading
Table 3. Harvesting and trading months of Palay, Bicol provinces, 2012
Table 9. Harvesting and trading months of Palay, Bicol provinces, 2012
Province
Jan
Albay
H
T
Camarines
Norte
H
T
Camarines Sur
H
T
Masbate
H
T
Sorsogon
H
T
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug Sep
Oct
Nov Dec
Source: FPS 2012, BAS
Legend:
H: Harvesting
T: Trading
Peak Harvesting
Lean Harvesting
Peak Trading
Lean Trading
Page 14 of 36
Fig. 8. Geographic Flow of Palay/Rice, Albay, 2012
SUPPLY AREAS
OUTSIDE THE PROVINCE
Camarines Sur
WITHIN THE PROVINCE
Libon, Polangui,
Ligao City, Oas,
Malinao
TRADING CENTERS
DEMAND AREAS
Tabaco City,
Legaspi City
Camarines Sur
Catanduanes
Masbate
Sorsogon
Page 15 of 36
Legend:
Palay
Rice
Fig. 9 . Imports of Rice, by country of origin, 2012
Country
Vietnam
India
Other Countries
Total
Quantity (mt)
812,794
99,648
93,407
1,005,849
C.I.F. Value ('000 US$)
346,196
39,307
38,521
424,024
Fig. 10. Imports of Rice, by country of origin, 2011
Country
Quantity (mt)
Vietnam
578,933
306,929
Thailand
118,509
62,749
Other Countries
Total
C.I.F. Value ('000 US$)
6,089
3,066
703,531
372,744
Page 16 of 36
Fig. 11. Annual Rice Imports, Philippines, 2011-2012
Fig. 12. Monthly average farmgate prices of Palay, selected areas, 2012
Fig. 45. Monthly average farmgate prices of Palay, selected areas , 2012
22.00
Price (peso per kilogram)
20.00
18.00
16.00
14.00
12.00
10.00
Albay
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
13.54 14.34 14.77 15.08
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
13.38 13.47 13.04
Nueva Ecija 19.35 19.10 17.19 18.66 18.24 19.44 19.50 17.27 16.72 17.31 17.51 18.19
Isabela
16.18 15.64 15.29 15.16 15.67 16.41 16.55 15.87 15.54 14.96 15.07 16.32
Pangasinan 18.05 17.66 17.75 17.33 17.55 17.53 18.02 17.98 17.51 16.50 16.59 16.72
Page 17 of 36
Fig. 13. Monthly average wholesale prices of Well-Milled Rice,
selected areas, 2012
Fig. 46 . Monthly average wholesale prices of Well-Milled Rice, selected areas, 2012
36.00
Price (peso per kilogram)
34.00
32.00
30.00
28.00
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Albay
29.60
30.00
29.60
29.55
30.00
30.00
30.50
30.50
30.24
30.00
30.00
30.00
Camarines Sur
32.00
32.00
32.00
32.00
32.00
32.00
32.00
32.00
32.00
32.00
32.00
32.00
Sorsogon
31.00
31.00
31.00
31.00
31.00
31.00
31.00
31.00
31.00
31.00
31.00
31.00
Pangasinan
35.00
35.00
35.00
34.00
34.00
31.00
31.25
32.00
32.00
32.00
32.00
32.00
Metro Manila
31.65
30.90
30.72
30.40
30.40
30.40
30.40
30.40
30.88
30.50
30.45
30.44
Fig. 14.Fig.
Monthly
average
retail
prices
of Well-Milled
areas,, 2012
2012
47. Monthly
average
retail
prices
of well-MilledRice,
Rice, selected
selected areas
38.00
Price (peso per kilogram)
36.00
34.00
32.00
30.00
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
34.00
34.00
34.00
34.00
34.00
34.00
34.00
34.00
33.40
33.00
33.00
33.60
35.00
Camarines Norte
35.00
35.00
35.00
34.25
33.00
33.00
34.00
34.00
33.25
33.00
33.00
Camarines Sur32.00
32.25
32.40
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
33.00
Metro Manila 35.00
35.00
35.00
35.00
35.00
35.00
35.00
35.00
35.00
35.00
35.00
35.00
Albay
Sorsogon
Page 18 of 36
Figs. 48a-48c. Seasonal farmgate price indices for Palay, 2003Figs. 15. Seasonal farmgate price indices for Palay, 2003-2012
2012
180
160
 Slightly
above
normal
indices were
recorded
from March
to August
Index
140
120
100
80
60
Isabela
40
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr May Jun
Jul
Aug Sep
Oct
Nov Dec
Month
Figs.
16. 49a-49b.
Seasonal wholesale
price
indices for
Well-Milled
Rice,
2003-2012
Figs.
Seasonal
wholesale
price
indices for
Well160
Milled Rice, 2003-2012
 Lower
140
140
prices
indicated by
Cheaper
120
well-milled
the indices
rice was
from from
noted
September
February to
to
April and
December.
Index
120
100
Index
80
September to
December.
100
60
Nueva Ecija
40
80
20
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr May Jun
Jul
Aug SepAlbay
Oct
Nov Dec
Month
60
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Month
180
140
 Prices were
Figs. 51a-51c.
Seasonalretail
retail
price
indices
Well-Milled
Rice,
Figs. 17. Seasonal
price
indices
for for
Well-Milled
Rice,
From
above normal
2003-2012
above
2003-2012
160
normal
level inlevel
in January,
January and
prices

Indices
March to
dropped
to
showed
slight
below
normal
August.
level from
price
February
fluctuations
until
throughout
December.
120
Index
Index
140
140
120
100
100
120
Index
80
80
Pangasinan
60
100
the year.
60
40
40
80
Jan
Jan
Feb
Feb
Mar
Mar
Apr May Jun
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Jul
Month
Camarines Sur
Aug Sep
Aug
Sep
Oct
Oct
Nov Dec
Nov
Dec
Albay
Month
60
Jan
140
120
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug Sep
Oct
Nov Dec
Month
Page 19 of 36
 Prices
moved in
similar
trend with
III. FARM RECORD KEEPING (FRK)
1. Background
Farm Record-Keeping is an important tool for small farmers necessary for farm planning
and management. This also provides information needed in assessing the physical and financial
performance of the farm. The record will provide farmers the tools to manage his farm better
specifically in analyzing, organizing and planning his farm operations towards achieving higher
income and productivity. This is useful to the agricultural extension officers to better understand
the farmers’ situations and problems to render effective and appropriate farming advice.
FRK is a farmer-based activity wherein a participating farmer is made to record all his
transactions and expenses relative to his/her production activities.
The first FRK Project was undertaken by the then BAECON in the late 70s covering six
provinces. The second one was in 1986 covering corn and peanut only for La Union. These
two FRK projects extended solely to farm record keeping activity of farmers’ operations. In
1990, the third FRK Project was funded by the FAO covering Davao City and Bukidnon
provinces. In this project, automated processing was set in place. However, the generation of
output tables was not fully realized. The training on data utilization materialized using both BAS
survey-based data and partial results of farmers’ records.
2. Features
A typical farm record has the following features:
Farm and Farmer’s Particulars – provides the data and information pertaining to the
attributes of the farmer and members of his household like age, sex educational attainment,
farming experience, occupation and income sources. These information will determine farmer
and farm attributes and features which will affect the farm operations significantly.
Farm Information – provides parcel-related information such as location, tenurial status,
farming system, crop/s planted for temporary and permanent crops, livestock and poultry, and
fisheries information.
Farm Investments – this refers to the investment owned and used like farm land, farm
machineries and farm tools and equipment. This covers the beginning and ending inventories
which will show how the financial position of the farmer has changed after one production year.
Farm Operations and Expenses – this covers the actual farm operation for daily
recording of farmer or members of his household who will assist in the recording. This covers
information on the farm parcel and all farm activities for each crop that the farmer decide to
cover in his recording. Such information includes area, labor information, material inputs used,
other expenses incurred in his farming activity and the volume of production.
3. The Current FRK Activity
Currently, the FRK is undertaken by the BAS through the BAS-GoJ-NAFC Project which
started in 2011 alongside with PMAS. Under this project, FRK aims to teach farmers how to
keep an account of:
a) their farm activities/operations;
Page 20 of 36
b) income and expenses which may render valuable basis in making future
decisions for increased productivity; and
c) income and efficient use of available resources for a certain period of time.
The importance and uses of a FRK activity can be viewed in three dimensions – its
usefulness to the farmers, to the participating cooperatives and to the BAS as a statistical
organization.
For the farmers:
a)
b)
c)
d)
determine income from farm operations;
help select farm enterprise which brings in higher profits;
determine the best use of resources;
formulate future farm plan and budget designed to increase the efficiency and
profitability of the farm business
For the Cooperative/Association:
a) to understand the information generated such as production, use of
resources, schedule of harvesting and marketing, market information and
commodity mix; and
b) through the cooperative, other farmer members can benefit from the
information produced by the farmer-cooperators. It is expected that the
farmer-cooperators participating in the project will cascade the farm-record
keeping system to other farmer members of the cooperative/association. The
partner LGUs can also teach other cooperative in the other barangays to do a
record-keeping activity.
For the BAS
a) is a means for validating/updating current data holdings;
b) can be a data check for cost of production statistics; and
c) can be a reliable source of data for input usage used in the updating of cost
of production data.
3.1. Implementation Strategies
3.1.1. Selection of Province. Currently the FRK project covers five (5)
provinces which are Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Capiz, Leyte and Bukidnon. The
basic criteria in the selection of these provinces is that these are PMAS
provinces. Secondly, the capability and resources of the Provincial Operations
Centers (POCs) were taken into consideration.
3.1.2. Site Selection. This refers to the cooperative chosen to be beneficiary.
The following criteria were applied in order to determine the Farm Record
Keeping sites:
a) There is willingness among leaders of cooperative/association to
monitor the recording of farm transactions of farmer-cooperators and to
allow the staff to undergo training on processing and table generation;
Page 21 of 36
b) The cooperative/association is strong and active and is maintaining
operational linkages with the LGUs and other related institutions;
c)
The cooperative/association is accredited with the Cooperative
Development Authority (CDA);
d) The cooperative/association has existing office and space for the
computer.
Accordingly
project
sites
chosen
and
their
respective
cooperative/association are the following:
a) Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya - Kingbiks Multi-purpose Cooperative
b) Quezon, Palawan - Tabon Rural Agricultural Development Association
c) Panay, Capiz – Calitan Multi-purpose Cooperative
d) Ormoc, Leyte - Ormoc City Federation of Vegetable Growers, Inc.
e)Impasug-ong, Bukidnon – Kibenton United Farmer’s Association
3.1.3. Selection of Participants (Farmer-Cooperators)
The decision to choose farmer-cooperators were given to the officials of
cooperatives/association since they will be the one to monitor and coordinate
directly on the smooth implementation of the project activity.
A total of thirty-five (35) farmer-cooperators for each site were selected
through the combined efforts of the officers of the cooperative/association and
the Local Government Units (LGUs) and the project implementors. The main
criterion is willingness of the farmer-cooperators to undergo training on farm
recording and complete participation in the project particularly on farm recording
of their farm operations.
3.1.4. Provision of IT Equipments
The BAS POCs and cooperative/association sites were provided with IT
equipment and peripherals with complete inputting and processing programs.
3.1.5. Development of Forms
The team from the CO developed Record form specifically for this
activity. This consisted of Farmer’s Profile (pages 1-5) and Recording Form
(pages 6-7) (Annex 1). These forms were translated to Ilocano, Hiligaynon,
Cebuano and Tagalog.
3.1.6. Development of Processing Program
Excel-Based Program for data entry and data processing was developed
by an IT Development Specialist. Relatedly, a separate training for the project
implementors, POC staff, cooperative/association encoders and officials and
some LGU staff was conducted.
A complete data entry and processing manual were also developed for
proper guidance of the project encoders. During the project life, the IT
Page 22 of 36
Development Specialist will maintain and continuously update the installed
programs at the cooperative sites, POCs concerned and CO.
3.1.7. Continuous Visits/Monitoring
The C.O. –based project implementors maintained an opencommunication with the staff and encoders both at the POCs and cooperative
sites. In cases there is a need for another briefing/meeting concerning the farm
records, the project implementors had to make visits and do individual
mentoring for the farmer-cooperators for the smooth implementation and
processing of records.
The POC-based project implementors for the project frequently visit the
cooperative sites and farmer-cooperators for verification and validation on the
encoded farm records.
3.1.8. Training on Data Utilization
This is undertaken in order to teach farmers on how to interpret the
data generated from their own farm records, particularly the Cost and Returns
(CRS) tables. This training is done after recording of a full cycle of farm
operation, that is, from planting to harvesting for each crop,
The farmer’s farm recording were reviewed, edited by the encoders
assigned by the cooperative. Then the encoded data were transmitted to the
C.O.-based project team for another round of review before table generation.
The following tables were generated for each individual farmer:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Farm Business Summary
Individual Investment Table
Labor Utilization Table
Average CRS Table (Per Farm, Per Hectare, Per Kilogram)
During the workshop, the farmers were given tables to analyze after the
lecture was given on how to analyze the COP tables. They were instructed to
compare these to their individual COP tables. The farmers were able to give
comments and critical analysis from seed usage to prices received from their
produce. They really had fun during the workshop as they were able to
determine their strengths and weakness concerning their farm activity. They
even had to explain to their co-farmers what happened since some farmers had
negative returns during the period. In addition, the farmer themselves were able
to decipher that they have some errors on their recording process.
The following concepts were imparted to the farmers during the training:
Cash Costs –refer to direct cash outlays or cash payments for the use of
different factors of production such as hired labor, fertilizers, chemicals,
etc.
Non-Cash Costs – are expenditures which are paid in kind. Valuation is by
means of the prevailing prices in the community. Generally, these are
Page 23 of 36
non-cash costs represent the portions of the farmer’s production that
serve as payments for the use of particular factors of production.
Imputed Costs – are expenditures that do not involve actual outlays in cash or
in kind; they represent the opportunity costs using owned resources in a
particular activity and are given by the values of the best alternative
uses foregone.
Depreciation – cost of wear and tear of farm tools and equipment, machinery
and other farm facilities and structures. The straight line method is
used in computing for depreciation where the cost of acquisition is
divided by the estimated life span of farm equipment.
Fertilizer – any substance, solid or liquid, inorganic or organic, natural or
synthetic, single or combination of materials that is applied to the soil or
on the plant to provide one or more of the essential elements to improve
plant nutrition, growth, yield or quality, or for promoting a chemical
change that enhances plant nutrition and growth.
Food expenses – expenditures incurred in providing food to farm laborers.
Fuel and Oil – the cost incurred for the use of gasoline, oil and other related
inputs.
Interest on Operating Capital – cost of capital foregone for the purchase of
seeds, fertilizers, chemicals and payment for hired labor; this is derived
by multiplying the total cash outlays by the prevailing BSP lending rates.
Interest Payment on Loan – payment for the interest on borrowed capital used
in the farm operations.
Irrigation Fee – payment for irrigations services reported by the sample famers
during the reference period.
Labor, Family – labor rendered by the farmer’s family members who take part
in any production activities. Mandays of labor are valued at prevailing
wage rate in the locality.
Labor, Hired – labor rendered by a person who is paid by the farm operator.
Payment of wages is either cash or in kind on the agreed basis of
payment. It includes man or animal, machine or any combination.
Labor, Operator – imputed wages as payments to labor contributed by the
operators.
Land Tax – amount of tax paid by the owner-operator for the farm land.
Landowner’s Share – portion of the farmer’s production that goes to the owner
of farm land based on the agreed sharing system.
Pesticides – all types of yield-protecting form of chemicals purchased and paid
in cash by the farmer.
Page 24 of 36
Rental– payments for the use of land, machine, animal tools and farm
machineries.
Repairs – cost incurred for all repairs and improvements made on tools and
equipment and other facilities.
Seeds/planting materials – plant materials used for sowing purposes for the
production of food.
Harvester/Thresher’s Share – portion of the farmer’s production that serves as
payment to farm laborers who perform the harvesting and threshing.
Soil Ameliorants – elements placed or mixed into the soil to replenish depleted
soil nutrients for better plant growth.
Transport of Inputs – expenditures incurred in transporting farm inputs to the
production sites.
Gross Returns – is the gross value of production, it is derived by multiplying
total volume of production by the farmgate or producer price.
Farm Profitability Measures
GROSS RETURNS = Total Production x Farmgate Price
RETURNS ABOVE CASH COSTS = Gross returns – Cash Costs
RETURNS ABOVE CASH AND NON-CASH COSTS = Gross Returns –
(Cash Cost +Non-cash costs)
NET RETURNS = Gross Returns – Total Costs
TOTAL COSTS = Cash Costs + Non-Cash Costs + Imputed Costs
NET PROFIT-COST RATIO = Net Returns/Total Cost
3.1.9. Wrap-up Workshop
In every site, a wrap-up workshop is conducted to undertake the following
activities:
a) Distribution of individual statistical output tables.
b) Distribution of Certificates of Appreciation for the farmer-cooperators and the
Local Government Unit (LGU) counterparts who in one way or another gave
their full support for the smooth implementation of the project.
c) Taking impressions about the project.
d) Getting commitment to the continuation of the Farm Recording.
By the Cooperative – to be cascaded to other members of the
cooperative/association
By the Farmer-Cooperators – to continue their recording even after the
project life and to teach other farmers on the importance of farm
Page 25 of 36
recording.
By the LGUs - for the model site to be expanded to
barangays/municipalities.
other
By the BAS - to continue their assistance in the recording process.
3.2. The FRK Data
This section provides the list of tables generated out of the recording of farmers.
These include among others:
3.2.1. Farm Business Summary
3.2.2. Individual Investment Table
3.2.3. Labor Utilization Table
3.2.4. Average CRS Table (Per Farm, Per Hectare, Per Kilogram)
Page 26 of 36
Farm Business Summary – is like an Income Statement used in business
accounting applied to farm accounting where receipts and expenses are indicated for
cash and non-cash costs items. The data needed for calculating these measures are
obtainable from the records of receipts, expenses, production and disposal, labor and
the farm inventory.
FARM BUSINESS SUMMARY OF Farmer-Cooperator A., CAPIZ, 2011-2013
Items
Quantity
1. TOTAL CASH FARM RECEIPTS
Palay
11,421.00
2. TOTAL CASH FARM EXPENSE
Hired Labor
Crop Expense
Seeds/Planting Materials
Fertilizer
Solid
Liquid
Chemicals
Solid
Liquid
Unit
kg
Amount
150,090.00
150,090.00
47,720.00
14,520.00
66.75
325.00
kg
5,600.00
550.00
6.00
kg
kg
14,500.00
2,050.00
1.94
10.50
kg
kg
1,976.00
5,920.00
Other Cash Farm Expense
Fuel and Oil
Food Expense
Transport Expense
Repairs
2,064.00
400.00
60.00
630.00
3. NET CASH FARM INCOME (1 - 2)
102,370.00
4. TOTAL CASH INCOME OF THE FAMILY
On Farm Income
Off Farm Income
Non Farm Income
Other Income
464,000.00
80,000.00
12,000.00
135,000.00
237,000.00
5. NET FAMILY CASH INCOME (3 + 4)
6. TOTAL FARM INCOME IN KIND
Production
Used at Home
Paid in Kind to Labor
Sold/To be Sold
Less: Decrease in Inventory
566,370.00
148,730.00
611.00
1,316.00
9,588.00
7. NET FARM INCOME (3 + 6)
8. LESS: OPPORTUNITY COST OF FARM CAPITAL
9. OPERATOR'S LABOR AND
MANAGEMENT INCOME (7 - 8)
10. LESS: VALUE OF OPERATOR'S FARM LABOR
11. RETURN TO FARM CAPITAL (9 - 10)
Page 27 of 36
7,990.00
17,300.00
126,020.00
2,580.00
251,100.00
9,858.58
9.50
241,241.42
1,340.00
239,901.42
Farm Investment Table – listing of all physical assets of farm properties at a
specific date usually at the beginning of the year. It is essential at both the beginning
and end of an accounting year. The comparison of the beginning and ending
inventories will show how the financial position of the farmer has changed after one
production year.
Farm investment of farmer cooperator B., CAPIZ , 2011-2013
Beginning Inventory (as
of 9/1/2011)
Ending Inventory
(as of 1/1/1900)
Land
Buildings
Machines
Equipment and Tools
Draught Animals
Other Animals
45,000.00
28,000.00
22,050.00
-
45,000.00
36,000.00
24,050.00
-
45,000.00
32,000.00
23,050.00
-
All Investment
95,050.00
105,050.00
100,050.00
Increase in Inventory
10,000.00
Item
Page 28 of 36
Average
Investment
Labor Utilization table - indicates the amount of labor input used on the farm for
various farm operations. It is generally measured in terms of mandays. Majority of the
small farms utilized family and operator labor and hired labor or combination of all types.
Average labor utilization of farmer cooperator Calitan Multi-Purpose
Cooperative, CAPIZ, 2011-2013
Crop: (EGGPLANT)
CYCLE PERIOD 1
Farm Operation
Operator
Hired
Total
Land Preparation
Planting/Transplanting
Fertilizer Application
Chemical Spraying
Harvesting
(mandays per hectare)
20.00
40.63
135.00
10.00
5.00
20.00
40.63
135.00
10.00
5.00
All farm operations
5.00
210.63
205.63
CYCLE PERIOD 2
Farm Operation
Land Preparation
Planting/Transplanting
Fertilizer Application
Chemical Spraying
Harvesting
All farm operations
Operator
Hired
Total
(mandays per hectare)
20.00
1.88
30.00
3.75
106.25
6.25
5.00
16.88
156.25
20.00
31.88
110.00
6.25
5.00
173.13
CYCLE PERIOD 3
Farm Operation
Operator
Hired
Total
Land Preparation
Planting/Transplanting
Fertilizer Application
Chemical Spraying
(mandays per hectare)
20.00
1.88
30.00
3.75
3.13
20.00
31.88
3.75
3.13
All farm operations
8.75
58.75
Page 29 of 36
50.00
Cost of Production Table – indicates the summary of costs and returns during
an accounting period of full cropping cycle. Costs are classified into Cash, Non-Cash and
Imputed Costs. Profitability measures are also presented.
Palay: Average cost of production, Farmer-cooperator A., CAPIZ , 2011-2013
Items
CASH COST
Seeds/Planting Materials
Fertilizer
Organic Fertilizer
Liquid
Inorganic Fertilizer
Solid
Liquid
Pesticides
Solid
Liquid
Hired Labor
Fuel and Oil
NON - CASH COST
Harvester's Share
Thresher's Share
IMPUTED COST
Operator/Family Labor
Depreciation
Interest in operating capital
1st Cropping
Quantity
240.00
Unit
kg
2nd Cropping
Amount
(pesos/ha)
29,802
5,400
Quantity
240.00
2.00
600.00
2.00
kg
liter
8.00
liter
3.00 mandays
188.00
94.00
kg
kg
8.75 mandays
15,560
270
5,480
1,000
2,092
3,780
2,520
1,260
8,413
4,100
2,476
1,837
200.00
Unit
kg
liter
kg
0.60
kg
4.00 liter
4.50 mandays
329.00
141.00
kg
kg
15.50 mandays
3rd cropping
Amount
(pesos/ha)
Quantity
17,412
5,400
150.00
540
1.25
5,200
125.00
540
2,630
960
2,142
5,500
3,850
1,650
7,749
4,260
2,476
1,012
Unit
kg
liter
kg
0.38
kg
1.88
liter
2.81 mandays
352.50
161.56
kg
kg
12.50 mandays
Amount
(pesos/ha)
10,989
3,375
338
3,250
338
1,206
600
1,883
6,344
4,350
1,994
4,251
2,100
1,548
604
ALL COST
41,995
30,661
21,584
GROSS RETURNS
RETURNS ABOVE CASH COST
RETURNS ABOVE CASH AND
NON - CASH COST
NET RETURNS
52,920
23,118
49,500
32,088
50,750
39,761
19,338
10,925
26,588
18,839
33,418
29,166
0.26
0.61
1.35
10.64
3,948
13.40
7.25
4,230
11.70
5.25
4,113
12.34
NET PROFIT - COST RATIO
COST PER KILOGRAM (P)
YIELD PER HECTARE (KG)
FARMGATE PRICE (P/KG)
Page 30 of 36
IV. Impacts to Farmers and Impressions from Beneficiaries
1. PMAS - Impacts to Farmers
1.1. IFUGAO - Mr. Nick Dulawin shared that he prepared a different planting calendar
aside from the usual planting months by utilizing his small land holding following
the ideas he learned from PMAS. He testified that the result was positive as he
had encountered lesser problems in marketing and product losses were minimized.
To sum up, for the whole year, he was able to increase his income from temperate
vegetables.
1.2. CEBU – Ms. Lucila Diclanan planted spring onion in a 0.50 hectare lot. In January
2013, she harvested 1,180 kilograms sold at P60.00 per kilogram with a total gross
return of P70,800.00. The cost of production was only P50,440.00 including noncash and imputed costs as shown in the record that she kept. The net return that
she received amounted to P20,360.00. Before planting she referred to the
StatGuide for Cebu, Vol.1 No.2, October to December 2011 issue.
Ms. Dionesia Cecilio planted 2,500 plants of cabbage in March 2013 then
harvested 1,450 kilograms in May 2013 which was sold at an average farmgate
price of P30.00 per kilogram with a total gross return of P43,500.00. She spent
P11,700.00 for production cost resulting to net return of P31,800.00. The
StatGuide used was Vol. 2 No. 4, October – December 2012 issue. Ms. Cecilio
also relates that in January 2012 she was able to sell her harvested stringbeans at
P21.00 per kilogram; this was P11.00 to P13.00 higher than the normal farmgate
price.
Ms. Teresita Dialogo planted 2,000 hills of Chinese pechay in May 2012
and harvested 162 kilograms in July 2012. She was able to sell her produce at
P35.00 per kilogram which was P23.00-P25.00 higher than the normal farmgate
price.
Ms. Carolina Asidilia planted spring onion in a 55 square meter lot in June
2012. She harvested 43 bundles in July 2012 and sold it at P 28.00 per bundle,
P14.00 to P16.00 higher than the normal farmgate price.
Chairman Pablo Mosquida practiced record keeping when he planted
cabbage in April 15, 2012 and harvested in June 15, 2012. Mr. Mosquida
encouraged his co-farmers to keep record of their production cost and putting
values to operator/family labor because illustration showed that non-cash cost was
almost equal to the expenses paid in cash. In doing so, he felt satisfied on the
income he had received in producing cabbage.
Mr. Miguel Bella shared that he delayed planting his tomato seedlings,
harvested the said crop in October-December 2011, and was able to sell it at
P20.00 per kilogram. The said price was 50% higher than the usual farm gate
price.
1.3. NUEVA VIZCAYA – Mr. Protacio Laguinday shared his experience in recording
expenses from his tomato production. He planted his tomato using the seasonal
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indices and availed the good price. He gained greater profit from his one fourth
hectare planted area. He was also encouraging the participants to use organic
fertilizers to minimize cost of production.
Mr. Laguinday said that the information from PMAS StatGuide is very useful
for them as farmers. He stressed that this will be their chance to lift up their
livelihood. He encouraged the group to review and analyze the information from the
StatGuide because those are good indicators for production planning.
Mr. Cornelio Viernes of Bone North, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya became a
narrator in November PMAS training. He told his fellow participants the outcome of
his investments on tomato following the seasonal indices. His income in tomato
production improved because of his timely harvesting where price of tomato is at
peak.
1.4. LEYTE - Mr. Fidel M. Cabale who already attended several PMAS Training in
Ormoc City shared his successful farming experiences. He now enjoys the fruits of
his success with the increased income benefiting his immediate family members
and relatives. He is very thankful to BAS for sharing the information on StatGuide
for Farmers because he is now practicing farm recording of his farming activities
and learned how to bargain his product in order to have more profit.
Mr. Romualdo V. Marcelino also shared his experiences in farming and he
now started farm recording of his jackfruit and vegetable farms.
Mr. Edgardo T. Laurente was very glad that he had been invited to attend
the PMAS training. He said that he appreciated the StatGuide for Farmers very
much. He commented that it is very informative and full of very useful techniques
that could truly help the farmers in their farming activities. He was planning to
expand his vegetable areas and try to venture on jackfruit production using the
information contained in the StatGuide for Farmers.
1.5. MISAMIS ORIENTAL - Barangay Captain Lilia Ong of Tambobo-an had spread
the news to her constituents that the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) is
conducting PMAS consultative training sessions in their barangay. She cited that
copies of Statguide for Farmers containing statistical and marketing information are
available in the barangay hall for them to study and use as guide in their production
and marketing decisions.
As a role model and leader in the community, he instructed his son-in-law,
Mr. Adolf Achas to plant cabbage during lean months as shown in the seasonal
index of cabbage prices in Northern Mindanao where from April to July is above
normal level. During harvest season, Mr. Achas successfully sold his produce at
higher price in Agora Market in Cagayan de Oro City.
Aside from seasonal index, she also studied and pay attention on marketing
channels and flow of commodities in Agora Market and in Claveria Public Market.
Such information gave her an idea of staggered planting and harvesting in order to
have continous supply in the market. He now opted to supply the daily requirements
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of retailers in the Claveria Public Market at higher price rather than producing large
quantity at one time and bringing at Agora Market at a lower price and incurring
additional expenses.
Mrs. Ong’s experience for cabbage was also replicated in other commodities
like bell pepper, tomato and corn. She mentioned in one of the CTS that they have
higher returns from their investments compared from the previous years. She also
encouraged the farmers in the community to do the same and give time to study
and always be aware of the current available information related to production and
marketing of agricultural commodities. She also challenged the farmers to become
an entrepreneur.
Another PMAS participant, Ms. Grace Liponhay narrated on how she used
the information she learned during the PMAS training. Upon learning that price of
yellow corn is high in May as shown in the seasonal index, she immediately planted
corn for harvest in May. She was able to harvest as scheduled and was able to sell
at P14.00 /kg. as compared from previous harvest of P10.00/kg. She also practiced
crop rotation and she selected tomato after corn. She harvested her tomato in
September which coincides in the lean months of tomato in Luzon and Visayas. She
was able to sell at wholesale prices ranging from P14.00 to P22.00/kg much higher
from the previous price of P10.00 to P15.00/kg she got from previous transactions.
Ms. Ong, Mr. Achas and Ms. Liponhay expressed their thanks to the BAS for
the transfer of technical knowledge on how to analyze and interpret statistical and
marketing information and how to utilize these information to their daily farm
activities resulting to higher income. They also encouraged their fellow participants
to practice what they experienced to increase their income from agriculture.
Ms. Erlinda Udarbe said that she learned from the PMAS StatGuide for
Farmers that cabbage will hit high prices in the month of August. She planted only
10,000 hills of cabbage because of lack of capital. As expected, she harvested her
cabbage in August, sold at higher price at an average of P25.00 per kilogram. She
emphasized that if only financial resources were available during the time of
planting, she should had gained more.
1.6. BUKIDNON - Mr. Eric Becaro of Cabanglasan, Bukidnon reported that the 0.75
hectare planted for sweet pepper gave him a gross sales of P206,637.50. From that
gross income and given his production costs and other incidental expenses of
P105,000.00, he was able to get a net earnings of P101,637.00.
Another farmer participant in the same municipality, Mr. Joel Bartoces also
planted sweet pepper in his 0.25 hectare farm. It was beyond his expectation that
his harvest in December will be sold at higher price. He came to realize this when
he harvested 2,000 kilograms which he was able to sell at wholesale prices ranging
from P30.00 – P40.00 per kilogram. Mr. Bartoces reported a gross returns of
P70,000.00 and after deducting
his production costs and other expenses
amounting to P35,000.00, he realized a net return of P35,000.00.
These two farmer participants told the other participants that they both
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applied what they learned during the training. They rescheduled their planting and
harvesting during lean months in other areas to avail higher price as shown in the
seasonal indices and harvesting and trading matrix found in the training materials.
According to them, their income in sweet pepper farming improved because of their
awareness and use of agricultural marketing information.
Another participant in Kibenton, Impasug-ong, Mr. Henry Pag-ay had
planted tomato in his two-hectare agricultural land. He was guided with the
information in the Statguide. Three months after, he harvested his tomatoes and
reported a gross returns of P960,000.00 within a four-month period. According to Mr
Pag-ay his production costs totaled to more or less P250,000.00 in his two-hectare
farm planted to tomato and that he realized a net profit of about P710,000.00 in less
than five months.
As a farmer entrepreneur, he encouraged his fellow participants to attend
trainings like PMAS training to learn something which they could use in making
decision on production and marketing their produce. He narrated he always find
time to attend training even though he is busy attending to his farming and business
activities. He also cited that some farmers are not paying attention or giving time if
they are invited to attend training sponsored by private or government agencies,
not knowing that these trainings will help them in planning their farming activities
and in marketing their produce.
Mr. Pad-ay was very thankful to BAS as a flag carrier of PMAS training in
Bukidnon. In addition to his big profit, he also mentioned that he saves his time,
effort and money in visiting Metro Manila markets every year to observe and study
the supply and demand of high value crops like vegetables and fruits. He said he
no longer spend his resources going to Metro Manila markets but instead get in
touch with BAS POC in Malaybalay, Bukidnon for future schedule of PMAS
consultative training.
1.7. CAPIZ - PMAS consultative training creates different level of learning in Capiz.
PMAS continues to deliver positive effects and gain farmers’ receptivity. A farmer
beneficiary of PMAS, Mr. Mabini Beseno, one of the farmer leaders in the province,
had accepted to lecture on squash, using the information in the Statguide. This is an
example that PMAS serves not only to teach farmers on how to use the information
but also develop their technical ‘know how” on delivering lectures and interpreting
statistics.
1.8. AGUSAN DEL NORTE - Angelita Aguhar is very much thankful of the PMAS
training. She said that she was very fortunate to be one of the participants. From the
training she learned that harvesting and trading months should be considered.
Therefore, planning as a group should be done in order to sustain the needs of the
market.
Evelyn Cabato said that the learning from the PMAS 1st and 2nd consultative
training sessions are really of great help especially in marketing their produce and
when to produce based on previous harvesting and trading patterns.
Deomedes Guinsod stressed that through this training they have learned to
plant varieties that is really needed in the market. Also, they have learned that the
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data on harvesting and trading months of their competing provinces is of great
advantage for them to plan as a group, when to plant in order to sustain the demand
in the market and get a higher price of their produce. He also said that for them,
vegetable gardening constitutes a major source of income for many farmers
especially in Anticala, Butuan City. They know that there was a particular demand of
fresh vegetables of high quality in the market. With that they could assure the
consumers that their vegetables are safe because it is organically grown maintaining
environmental quality and public health.
2. FRK – Impressions from Beneficiaries
2.1. CAPIZ – Message from Chairman Besiño Mabini of Calitan Multi-purpose
Cooperative.
“A fruitful BAS and cooperative partnership in this farm record keeping
activity was most valued. We are most grateful for the BAS staff in this undertaking
as they gave their precious time to transfer this technology and for choosing this
cooperative as part of the project site. The farmer-cooperators who benefitted
from this project will also give their time to teach other farmers on farm recording.
Since the cooperative had participated in this project, other agencies like DAR and
BFAR started to notice our existence and were given support through provisions of
dryers, farm implements and lastly a tractor. Farm record keeping which generated
an individual Cost of Production table was very useful in our farming decisions to
improve productivity and higher income. Previously, we only rely on the Cost of
Production tables from BAS surveys which generated only the average for the
whole province. Now, we can have our own COP which can be generated through
automated data processing provided by the project in addition to the computers.”
2.2. NUEVA VIZCAYA – RASO Marlyn Estrada of Cagayan Valley stressed that the
bottomline of this project is to turn farmers into local Statisticians who know how to
analyze data and eventually turning them into entrepreneurs.
Ms. Rosita Baskial, a farmer-cooperator was very thankful to the BAS for
giving them this opportunity to participate in this big project. They feel very special
even though they are only humble vegetable farmers in a small barangay in
Dupax, Nueva Vizcaya. The learnings generated from this undertaking will very
much help them improve their level of income and ultimately their future.
2.3. BUKIDNON - Mr. Peter Pad-ay, farmer-cooperator and Municipal Councilor of
Impasug-ong gave expression of his gratitude to BAS for the great help and
assistance given to farmers through the generation of Cost of Production from the
record-keeping activity. He urged his fellow farmers to cooperate with each other
to successfully share their learnings to other members and contribute to each
other’s successes in farming. He further stressed that the farm records will be very
useful not only to them but for their future children who will benefit from the farm
records.
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