Philippine Journal of Crop Science 2001, 26(2): 41-49 Copyright 2001, Crop Science Society of the Philippines Released July 2003

COMPARATIVE PRODUCTIVITY & PROFITABILITY OF COTTON GROWN AFTER RICE (LUZON) & AFTER CORN (MINDANAO) IN THE PHILIPPINES'

CANDIDO B DAMO2 & TEODORO C MENDOZA3 'Portion of the doctoral dissertation of the senior author. Funded by National Research Council of the Philippines(NRCP) and Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE) 'Chief Agriculturist and Head, Technical Services Division, Cotton Development Administration (CODA), Pasig City, Metro Manila, Phillippines (e-mail: [email protected]) Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, UP Los Banos, Laguna (e-mail: [email protected]).

Cotton production in Luzon incurred additional expenses for irrigation (45,000-6,000/ha) and for more intensive spraying of insecticides (A8,549/ha), the latter being 30% of the total production cost. Farmers growing cotton in Mindanao had to endure erratic rainfall. Drought decreased cotton yields while rainy weather provided a favorable environment for infestation (by bollworm & boll weevil), and boll rotting, which decreased yield and lint cotton quality. Price of cotton was lower in Mindanao (A17/kg) than in Luzon (A20/kg). The farms where cotton was grown in Mindanao had shallower topsoils and were highly acidic, which rendered applied fertilizer (NPK) less efficiently utilized by the crop especially under drought conditions.

There were cotton farmers who achieved high yields with the lowest costs of production and highest net incomes. In Luzon, two were Rosendo Daradar (in Bata() with 3.3 t/ha at a cost A 7.53/kg who netted A41,290, and Venancio Siggaoat (Batac) with 3.23 t/ha at A 10.55/kg who netted A 29,560. In Mindanao, Antonieto Batonginog (Tampakan) had a yield of 1.66 t/ha at a cost of A 7.68/kg and netted A15,060, and Emilio Maglapit (Tampakan) had 1.41 t/ha at a cost of A 9.10/kg and netted A11,060. The average cost to produce a kilo of cotton was A16.81 in Luzon and p14.07 in Mindanao. The break-even yield was 1,400/kg in Luzon and 645 kg/ha in Mindanao. While cotton yields were higher in Luzon, more farmers (9 out of 20, or 45%) were getting negative income than in Mindanao (4 out of 18, or 22%). This indicates that no place exhibits a unique advantage for cotton. As a whole, cotton can be a competitive crop to grow in both places depending on a combination of farm practices.

The best farm practices included the use of manure and crop residue recycling, timely irrigation, judic ous use of pesticides or flower- by-flower insecticide application, use of Trichogramma as biological pest control, quality cottonseeds, and wider plant spacing (100 x 50 cm). Farmers who owned their lands were more motivated to adopt cost-reducing and soil quality- improving practices; as expected, they obtained higher cotton yields and net incomes.

Keywordsacidic soils, BAR, best practices, boll rotting, boll weevil, bollworm, break-even yield, CODA, cotton production, erratic rainfall, fertilizer, infestation, intensive spraying, irrigation, net incomeproductivity,Luzon,Mindanao,NPK,PhilRice,profitability,qualityseed, Trichogramma

INTRODUCTION cotton growers decreasing. From a high of 35,284 ha in crop-year 1991-1992, cotton hectarage dwindled to about Clothing is as basic as food; cotton can be made into a 4,166 ha, or an 88% decrease, in crop-year 2001-2002. Low wide variety of fabrics, which explains why cotton is yield and/or income, high costsof production and cultivated in at least 30 countries (Cruz 1997). Where it is perceived higher profits from other crops may have been grown, cotton generates employment and saves precious some of the major reasons for the erosion of farmers' dollar reserves if otherwise imported. Cotton had been interest in growing cotton. Nonetheless, cotton remains grown in the Philippines before the Spaniards came highly valued as material for wear, home furnishing and (Echivarria 1974); it was largely for home consumption. industrial uses. Commercial cotton growing started in the early 1970s and In the country, cotton is generally planted towards the flourished in the 1990s. dry season. In Northern Luzon, it is grown after wet- Although its tropical climate is favorable for growing season rice, in Central Mindanao, after wet-season corn. cotton, the Philippines recently saw the number of her The soils and climates where cotton is grown vary considerably in the Philippines. No comparative study has jackfruit (Artocarpus hetcro phyllus), rambutan (Nephclium been done in the past to examine where cotton production lappaceum), guava (Psidium guajav a), papaya (Carica papaya) is most favorable in the islands. This study was conducted and other fruit-bearing trees. to compare the productivity and profitability of cotton grown in two (2) contrasting environments: (a) cotton Selection of farms Cr farmer respondents after rice - in previously submerged paddy fields of From the list of all cotton farmers in a location, at least Northern Luzon with its distinct wet and dry seasons, and one percent of the population, or a maximum of 10 farmer- (b) cotton after corn - in the upland fields of Central respondents were selected. The following criteria were Mindanao with its almost even distribution of rainfall. used to select each farmer-respondent in each location: Also, the study aimed to identify best practices that may be 1. His farm was representative of the location in topo- the cause of differences (high or low) in yields obtained by graphy, color, texture and related soil farmersgrowingcottoninthetwocontrasting characteristics. environments. 2. He had been a cotton farmer foratleast3 consecutive years. MATERIALS & METHODS 3. He was willing to participate in the research process. Selection & description of study areas In Batac, there was a total of 29 farmers growing The study was conducted in 4 diverse municipalities, cotton in barangays Capacuan (12 farmers) and San Mateo namely (1) Batac, Ilocos Norte and (2) Candon, Ilocos Sur, (17). Following the selection criteria, 10 farmers were both in the Ilocos Region in Northern Philippines; and (3) selected: 4 in San Mateo and 6 in Capacuan. Tampakan and (4) Polomolok, both in South Cotabato in A total of 94 farmers were planting cotton in the 3 Southern Philippines. These selected areas were former barangays of Candon, Ilocos Sur; using the same selection sites of rice/corn-cotton research and development (R&D) criteria as above, 10 farmer-respondents were selected: 3 in projectsofthe Cotton Development Administration Paypayad, 3 in Darapidap and 4 in San Nicolas. (CODA), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and There were 15 cotton farmers in Barangay Kipalbig in Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) for crop-years 1997- Tampakan, Southern Cotabato. Of the 15, 7 were new or 1999. The first two locations, in Luzon, are in flat and returning cotton farmers. Chosen as farmer-respondents lowland areas, where the farmers practice rice-cotton were the 8 farmers who had continuously planted cotton cropping systems, while the last two locations,in for the past 3-5 years. Mindanao, are slightly rolling areas, where farmers grow In Polomolok, there were a total of 25 cotton farmers cotton after corn. Rice-cotton and corn-cotton are the two in the 3 barangays (Silway 7 & 8 and Klinan 10). Ten dominant cropping systems in cotton production areas in farmers were new and 5 were old cotton farmers who had the country. These locations are representative of cotton just returned to cotton planting. The 10 farmers who had producing areas in Northern and Southern Philippines. continuously planted cotton for the past 3 to 5 years were Northern Philippines is characterized by distinct dry selected as farmer-respondents in the study. and distinct wet seasons. Dry season starts in the month of November and lasts up to April; the remaining months are Data collection & analysis the rainy season, with rainfall peaks in August. Air Actual measurement was resorted to in gathering data temperature ranges from 25°C to 28.7°C. The hottest on soilquality. The interview method was used in month is May while the coldest month is January. Farms gathering data on cotton productivity. Past production are rainfall-dependent during the first crop (rice or corn), levels, costs of production and other pieces of information and irrigated by pumping of underground water during the related to cotton production were gathered from the secondcrop(tobacco,cottonand/orvegetables). records of cooperatives, the local CODA office, and/or Generally, farms are in-between mountains, some elevated. agricultural technicians assigned in the area. Farmers were Tampakan and Polomolok in Central Mindanao, in interviewed as to their farming practices. contrast, are characterized by even distribution of rainfall Cotton yield data were analyzed using analysis of throughout the year. High monthly rainfall events occur variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's Multiple Range Test during the months of May to October (ranging from 153.63 (DMRT) for the mean comparisons. For profitability, the mm to 188.53 mm). Then, rainfall declines from January to following indicators were computed: total production cost, April (69.58 mm to 90.59 mm), and rises again in May. Air gross income, net farm income (NH), break-even yield temperature ranges from 25.23°C to 26.93°C. Farms are flat (BEY) and cost to produce 1 kg of cotton. and endowed with volcanic soils. Soils are sandy loam and Gross income was computed as the product or yield acidic, with pH ranging from 3.57 to 4.17. Corn-cotton, (kg/ha) times the price of cotton/kg. Total costs included corn-corn and corn-legumes are the major cropping the variable and fixed costs. Variable costs included labor, patterns. Other areas are planted to banana and trees like material and landowner share (in a sharing system). Fixed durian (Huh() zibethinus), mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), costs included land tax and depreciation of farm tools and

42 Comparing Cotton Productivity & Profitability In Luzon & Mindanao implements like plow, harrow, sprayer and water pump. Table I. Variations in seedcotton yield in Luzon and Mindanao, Philippines Cost to produce 1 kg of cotton. This is a clear measure of the profit that can be realized by the farmers. It was computed Location SEED COTTON YIELD t/ha as follows: Mean Lowest Highest CV Cost/kg cotton = Total Cost/haTotal Yield/ha. Luzon Break-even yield (BEY). This is the yield that is just Batac, Ilocos Norte 2.18 0.410 3.312 25.77 enough to pay for all costs. It was computed as follows: Candon, Ilocos Sur 1.38 0.664 2.821 48.72 BEY = Total CostsUnit Price Average 1.78 0.537 3.066 37.24 = Wha A/kg cotton = kg/ha Mindanao Net Farm Income (NFI). This indicator reflects how much Tampakan, South 0.96 0.546 1.663 17.28 money is retained after deducting all the expenses and is Cotabato presented per hectare per farmer. The formula used in Polomolok, South 0.80 0.484 1.129 27.58 computing NH is as follows: Cotabato 0.512 1.396 NH = Average 0.88 22.43 (Yct x Pct + Yr,c x Pr,c) - (TCct + TCr,c) where: NH = Net farm income Yct = Seedcotton yield/ha (kg) Luzon was higher at A 6,579/ha than in Mindanao at Pct = Farmgate price of cotton (A/kg) A 4,109/ha. What is significant to note is the variation in Yr,c = Grain yield of rice or cotton/ha (kg) net incomes obtained by the farmers in Luzon and Pr,c =Farmgate price of rice or corn (A/kg) Mindanao. The highest net income in Luzon (A 41,292/ha) TCct = Total cost of cotton production (A/ha) was 2.74 times higher than what farmers in Mindanao TCr,c = Total cost of rice or corn production (A/ha) earned the most (A 15,085/ha). If net income is the sole criteria for evaluating cotton production efficiency, then it RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS can be inferred that the best farmer in Mindanao is only an average farmer in Luzon. Yield Cr profitability indicators However, of the 20 farmers (in Luzon) involved in the Table 1 shows the yield of cotton grown after rice in study, 9 (45%) farmers (7 in Candon and 2 in Batac) were Luzon and grown after corn in Mindanao. The average losing money ranging from2,000 to 7,000/ha while of the yield of cotton in Luzon was 1.78 t/ha while it was only 18 farmers in Mindanao, only 4 (22.2%) (3 in Polomolok 0.88 t/ha in Mindanao. The highest individual yield of 3.31 and 1 in Tampakan), were losing money, ranging from t/ha was obtained in Luzon at Batac, Ilocos Norte and also 1,600/ha to3,604/ha. On the average, 6 out of 10 cotton the highest average yield for all 4 locations at 2.18 t/ha. farmers in the Philippines (4 out of 10 Luzon and 2 out of However, the lowest yield of 410 kg/ha was also obtained 10 in Mindanao) were losing money on cotton. Cotton in Batac. costs higher to be produced in Luzon, at16.81/kg, than in In general, seedcotton yield was about 202% higher in Mindanao, at only14.27/kg, or a difference of2.54/kg Luzon (average yield) than in Mindanao and 219% higher if (Table 2). the highest yield of 3.31 t/ha was considered. The highest The breakdown of the data on yield and profitability yield at 1.66 t/ha obtained in Mindanao was even lower indicators for Luzon is shown in Table 3. than the average yield at 1.78 t/ha obtained in Luzon. Batac. The highest yield was obtained by Rosendo The profitability indicators of cotton production in Daradar at 3.31 t/ha; the lowest yield was obtained by Luzon and Mindanao are shown in Table 2. Although Nestor Sapaden at 0.410 t/ha. The most cost-efficient yields were higher in Luzon, the cost of growing cotton farmer was also Daradar, who produced cotton at A (A 28,554/ha) was also higher than in Mindanao (Al2,920), 7.53/kg; he also gained the highest income at A 41,292/ha. ie, 2.2 times higher. Because of the higher cost in Luzon, The most expensive cotton was produced by Sapaden at A the break-even yield (BEY), which is the yield level that 33.50/kg, resulting in the highest negative net of A 5,540 just offsets the cost of production, was also higher in among Batac cotton farmers. Luzon. The mean BEY in Luzon was 1,400 kg/ha (1,554 Candon. The highest yield was obtained by Ruz kg/ha in Batac and 1,247 kg/ha in Candon). The mean BEY Valdez at 2.822 kg/ha, the lowest by Tomas Calamaan at in Mindanao was only 645 kg/ha (683 kg/ha in Tampakan 0.664 t/ha. The most cost-efficient farmer was Alfonso and 608 kg/ha in Polomolok, South Cotabato). The break- Castro who produced cotton at A 11.93/ha; the highest even yield in Luzon was more than 2 times (2.17) higher income was at 18,564/ha, obtained by Valdez who than in Mindanao. produced cotton at13.42/kg, the second lowest, while The gross income was 2.21 times higher in Luzon due Castro obtained only A 5,241/ha. The lowest income was to the higher yields (Table 2). The average net income in obtained by Benjamin Gasalao at7,372/ha. This suggests

CB Damo er TC Mendoza 43 thatcost-efficiencyisnotasufficient measureof predominantlyflat,and well-terracedtocatch and performance in cotton production in Candon. impound water. As a whole, the soil quality of the rice The data on yield and profitability indicators for paddy where cotton is grown is relatively superior (Table Mindanao are shown in Table 4. 5). Tampakan. The highest yield was obtained by The average pH of soils in Batac is 6.56, in Candon Antonieto Batonginog at 1.66 t/ha, the lowest by Edmundo 6.51, both near neutral. In Batac, the topsoil is 38.09 cm Morante at 0.54 t/ha. The most cost-efficient was also thick, organic matter is 1.62%, available P 27.58 ppm, Batonginog who produced cotton at7.68/kg, while the exchangeable K 240.42 ppm, earthworm 3.43/0.25m2, most expensive cotton was produced by Morante at bacteria 1.33x105 and fungi 2.29x x105. In Candon, the 20.00/kg. As expected, the highest net income was gained topsoil is 37.33 cm thick, organic matter is 2.07%, available by Batonginog at 15,066/ha, while the lowest was by P 37.68 ppm, K 332.83 ppm, earthworm 1.27/0.25m2, Morante at negative1,722/ha. bacteria 0.98x105 and fungi 2.23x105. Polomolok. The highest yield was obtained by Ver Mindanao. The average pH of soils in Tampakan is Guipo at 1.13 t/ha, the lowest by Pablito Amolo Jr at 0.48 3.84, in Polomolok 4.21, both acidic (Table 6). The topsoil t/ha. The most cost-efficient was Guipo at9.98/kg, while in Tampakan is 25.43 cm thick, organic matter 3%, the most expensive cotton was produced by Amolo at availableP66.33 ppm, exchangeable K 287 ppm, 24.40/kg. As expected, the highest net income was earthworm population 3.38/0.25m2, bacteria 9.7 x105 and obtained by Guipo at7,707/ha, the lowest by Amolo at fungi 6.8x x105. The topsoil in Polomolok is 31.77 cm thick, negative3,604/ha. organic matter 2.29%, available P 58.46 ppm, exchangeable The data shows that there was considerable variation K 2.37 ppm, earthworm population 0.08/0.25m2, bacteria in the costs of production and yields of cotton obtained by 9.6 x105 and fungi 20.8x x105. farmers in Luzon and Mindanao. Crop protection (or spraying Tablet Profitability indicators of cotton productio Luzon and Mindanao, Philippines insecticides) was one major cost of cottonproduction.About 30.0% LOCATION GROSS TOTAL NET COST/KG BREAK- (P 8,549) of the total cost of cotton INCOME COST INCOME COTTON EVEN production (P 28,554/ha) was due to (P) (P) (P) (P) YIELD (BEY) sprayinginsecticidesinLuzon (kg/ha) (Table 3). Itwasonly 15% Luzon (P. 1,954/ha)inMindanao whose Batac, Ilocos Norte 43,838 31,073 12,704 15.10 1,554 totalproductioncost was only Candon, Ilocos Sur 31,501 26,035 454 18.52 1,247 12,920/ha (Table4).Farmers Average 37,668 28,554 6,579 16.81 1,400 growingcottonaftercornin Lowest 8,206 12,213 (7,372) 7.53 611 Mindanao spent only 27% Highest 66,246 45,624 41,292 33.50 2,281 (P 2,318/ha) of the spraying costs of insecticidesoffarmersgrowing Mindanao cottonafterriceinLuzon(P Tampakan, South Cotabato 509,421 13,681 6,738 12.04 683 8,550/ha). Furthermore, farmers in Polomolok, South Cotabato 13,640 12,160 1,479 16.10 608 Luzon were incurring the added cost Average 17,030 12,920 4,109.39 14.27 645 of irrigating cotton till harvest at5- Lowest 8,204 10,292 (1,603) 7.68 514 6,000/ha. This was about 15% of the Highest 28,339 14,963 15,065 24.40 998 total production cost. The farmers in Luzon had to irrigate due to the long dry season. While it was an added expense, irrigation Comparing Luzon and Mindanao, where cotton is ensured good harvest. The dry weather in Luzon at harvest grown the topsoils are shallower in Mindanao than in time also ensured higher cotton quality. Mindanao had Luzon by more than 12 cm. Depth of topsoil is important even distribution of rainfall and no distinct dry and wet during dry weather, as a shallower topsoil easily loses seasons, and cotton quality was lower especially when it moisture during dry weather and stores less water for crop was rainy. The price per kg was higher in Luzon at la 20/kg uptake. The soils in Mindanao have adequate P since they than in Mindanao at17/kg. This also explains why the are above the deficiency level of 50 ppm in this region net income of farmers in Luzon was higher. while the soils in Luzon have inadequate P since they are below the deficiency level of 40 ppm in that region. Soil Soil K values in Mindanao and Luzon are above 200 Luzon. It should be recalled that cotton is grown after ppm. However, available P and exchangeable K for crop rice in Luzon and after corn in Mindanao. Generally, the uptake in Mindanao are restricted due to the very highly lowlandsoilsplantedtocottoninLuzonare acidic soil. Soil pH is important in making soil nutrients

44 Comparing Cotton Productivity & Profitability In Luzon & Mindanao Table 3. Yield and profitability indicators of cotton grown after rice in Luzon, Philippines

FARMER SEED- GROSS TOTAL SPRAYING COST/KG NET INCOME BREAK-EVEN

RESPONDENT COTTON INCOME PRODUCTION COST (i3) COTTON 024 YIELD (kg/ha) YIELD (a) COST (4)) (T/HA) Batac

Rosendo Daradar 3.312 a 66,246 24,954 6,176 7.530 41,292.67 1,248

Venancio Siggaoat 3.232 ab 64,640 35,074 8,162 10.552 29,566.00 1,754

Jose Sanguir Sr. 3.018 ab 60,360 40,279 7,607 13.340 20,081.00 2,014

Manolito Gaspar 2.502 ab 50,046 45,624 7,539 18.230 4,422.33 2,281

Aurelio Flojo 2.432 ab 48,640 26,467 5,997 10.880 22,172.67 1,323

Rodolfo Alibuyog 2.225 ab 44,506 35,156 7,607 15.800 9,350.33 1,758

Wendel Ayson 2.048 ab 40,960 38,726 7,782 18.900 2,234.00 1,936

Evelyn Yaplag 1.797b 35,933 38,495 6,326 21.420 (2,562.00) 1,924

Edwin Buguis 0.912 c 18,840 12,213 5,726 13.390 6,027.00 611

Nestor Sapaden 0.410 c 8,206 13,747 5,726 33.500 (5,540.67) 687

Mean 2.189 43,838 31,073 6,865 15.100 12,704.33 1,554 Candon

Ruz Valdez 2 822 a 56,433 37,569 7,936 13.420 18,564 33 1,893

Alfonso Castro 1973 ab 39,453 23,545 10,142 11.930 5,241 00 1,177

Bartolome Azur 1 556 ab 31,126 31,204 10,897 20.050 (77 67) 1,560

Conrado Gacusan 1 456 b 29,126 20,878 7,832 14.340 8,248 67 1,044

Benjamin Gasalao 1.169 b 23,380 30,752 10,142 26.300 (7,372 33) 1,538

Rolando Nartales 1.100 b 21,993 26,320 16,293 23.920 (4,327 33) 1,316 Estrelita Gacutan 1 052 b 21,046 22,337 9,112 21.230 (1,290 67) 1,117

Agosto Gramaje 1.005 b 20,106 24,554 12,246 24.430 (4,447 33) 1,277

Narcling Gacutan 0.981 b 19,620 22,580 7,607 23.020 (2,960 67) 1,129

Tomas Calamaan 0.664 b 13,273 20,314 10,142 30.590 (7,040 67) 1,015

Mean 1.378 31,501 26,035 10,235 18.520 453.73 1,247

GRAND MEAN 1.783 37,669 28,554 8,550 16.810 6,579 03 1,401 Gross Income = Seed Cotton Yield x Price of Cottonper Kg (@A20/Itg). Net Income = Gross Income - Total Costs. Cost/hg Cotton = Total Production. Costs, Seed Cotton Yield (kg/ha). Break-even Yield = Total Production Costs, Price[Com,' per hg Data in a column followed by the same letters are nof sa..ndu, Indy different.

availabletoplants.Farmersareapplying chemical (4 out of 18, or 22%). In view of that, there are two unique fertilizers but the nutrient crop uptake is still negatively questions that must be answered in pursuit of R&D: affected by the low pH and insufficient soil moisture 1) Consideringthebiophysicaland agronomic especially during dry weather. The organic matter in factors alone, where is cotton best suited for Mindanao is higher, as well as the populations of bacteria growing? and fungi. The earthworm population is high in Luzon, in 2) How do we make cotton production in both Batac at 3.43, and in Mindanao, in Tampakan at 3.38. Thus, Luzon and Mindanao competitive and attractive the much higher yields of seedcotton in Luzon than in to our farmers? Mindanao can be attributed to the climate, thicker topsoil and near-neutral pH. Where is cotton production best suited? While cotton yields and profitability are higher in IMPLICATIONS OF THE STUDY Luzon, land-use is fast becoming restrictive due to higher population density and sprawling commercial It was found that cotton was more productive in establishments that eat up arable lands. Because of market Luzon ashigherseedcottonyieldswere obtained. access, farmers have diverse options to select from and However, there were more farmers obtaining negative grow their crops in Northern Luzon. On the other hand, income (9 out of 20, or 45%) in Luzon than in Mindanao yields and profitability of cotton are lower in Central

CB Damo er TC Mendoza 45 Mindanao but lands are still available. In this part of the becomes automatically competitive. This suggests that country, compared to the high perishability of vegetables farmers should aim for a high yield. Also, farmers should and fruits, cotton is storable. Thus, cotton broadens the adopt cost-reducing practices. Daradar produced the least crop option of farmers in Mindanao considering the expensive cotton at 50% (P 7.53/kg) of the national average marketability of products. Farmers also recognize that of15.44/kg. Cotton can be an attractive and competitive cotton tolerates drought better than corn as it is deep- crop for farmers not only here in Luzon, but also in rooted. At 1.5 ton/ha of seedcotton, a net income of about Mindanao. Farmers getting at least 3.00 t/ha and an

Table 4.Yield and profitability indicators of cotton grown after corn Mindanao, Philippines

FARMER SEED- GROSS TOTAL SPRAYING COST/KG NET BREAK-EVEN RESPONDENT COTTON INCOME PRODUCTION COST (U) COTTON INCOME YIELD (kg/ha) YIELD (U) COST (U) (() (T/HA) Tampakan

Antonieto Batonginog 1.663a 28,339 13,273 1,946 7.68 15,066.00 663

Alex Raclin I.419ab 23,947 19,963 2,846 14.06 3,984.00 998

Emilio Maglapit 1.401ab 23,816 12,750 2,946 9.10 11,066.00 637

Celso Derecho 1.329ab 22,368 14,890 1,000 11.20 7,478.00 744

Orlando Albesa 1.188-ab 20,425 11,674 1,896 9.83 8,751.00 584

Dometelo Arandela 1.147ab 19,447 14,094 2,946 11.86 5,353.00 704

Uriel Albesa 0.946bc 15,824 11,889 1,950 12.56 3,935.00 594

Edmundo Morante 0.546c 9,199 10,921 2,896 20.00 (1,722.00) 546

Mean 1.205 20,421 13,681 2,303 12.04 6,738.88 683 Polomolok

Ver Guipo 1.129a 18,978 11,271 1,946 9.98 7,707.00 564

Malty Barrera 1.120a 19,145 13,855 1,946 12.37 5,290.00 693

Ignacio Ecot 0.929ab 15,936 12,815 2,500 13.79 3,121.00 640

Ed Tambanillo 0.927ab 15,730 12,267 1,948 13.23 3,463.00 613

Jesus Montinola 0.842abc 14,325 12,283 2,846 14.58 2,042.00 614

Rodrigo Tameses 0.787abc 13,410 15,013 2,846 19.08 (1,603.00) 750

Ramon Donaire 0.660bc 10,900 11,313 2,500 17.14 (413.00) 565

Roberto Lozano 0.660bc 11,136 10,292 1,946 15.60 844.00 514

Adoracion Tambanillo 0.512bc 8,637 10,685 1,950 20.85 (2,048.00) 534

Pablito Amolo Jr. 0.484c 8,204 11,808 2,896 24.40 (3,604.00) 590

Mean 0.805 13640.1 12,160 2,332 16.10 1,479.90 608

GRAND MEAN 1.005 17,030 12,921 2,318 14.07 4,109.39 645.5 Note: Gross Income =Seed Cotton Yield x Price of Cotton per Kg ( @R 20/kg). Net Income = Gross Income - Total Costs. Cost/lig Cotton =Total Production. Costs, Seed Cotton Yield (kg/ha). Break-even Yield = Total Production Costs, Price of Cotton per hg Data in a column followed by the same letters are not significantly different.

1214,000/ha can be realized. This is the net income for 7.0 average cost of la 7.5-8.0/kg and break-even yield of 1.5 t/ha t/ha yellow corn, which is very difficult to obtain during can earn as much as la 30,000/ha at la 20.00/kg cotton. dry seasonat Tampakan and PolomolokinSouth Others may point out that 3.0 t/ha is high yield for Cotabato. cotton in the Philippines. Not so.Fortunately, farm practices and yield increasing factors are known. As How can we make cotton production suggestedbyHolmbergetal (1991),identifying attractive or competitive? productivity indicators must begin at the farm level. This is It is not easy to provide readily acceptable answers to because farming practices significantly influence the status this question. In Luzon, if Rosendo Daradar, Jose Sanguir, ofthefarm.Improperfarmingpracticesreduce and Venancio Siggaoat, whose yields averaged 3.18 t/ha and productivity of a certain crop, cause alterations in the net income p 28,000/ha, are to be considered, cotton biomass and diversity of the micro- and macro-flora and

46 Comparing Cotton Productivity & Profitability In Luzon &Mindanao fauna, accelerate soil deterioration and increase hazards for devoted more time in the care and maintenance of their human occupancy(Mainguet 1991). Agricultural crop. Farmers who owned the land they were cultivating productivityisinfluencedbyseveralfactorslike diligently applied animal and crop residues on their farm to biophysical, social, economic, technical, institutional and further improve soil quality as they knew the benefits cultural (Farshad & Zinck 1993). In this study, the "best would accrue to them. In Batac, Daradar built his house practices" in cotton production employed by farmers that right in the farm he owned and applied all the manure he increased the productivity and profitability of rice-cotton couldfind.Likewise,inTampakan,farmer-owners and corn-cotton cropping systems were identified and are practiced crop-residue incorporation after harvesting. listed in Table 7. These were as follows: application of In contrast, tenant farmers were less motivated to do animal manures and crop residue recycling, useof similar work. Instead, they worked off-farm to augment Trichogrammaforbiologicalpestcontrol,judicious their income and devoted lesser time to their cotton crop. application of pesticides, availability of quality seeds, At the slight indication of pest infestation, they sprayed wider plant spacing, and irrigation. The benefits derived in pesticides, as they had no time to assess the threat of adoptingthesecottonproductionpracticesare infestation based on the current population of insect pests.

Table 5.Soil biophysical and chemical characteristics of farms devoted to rice-cotton cropping systems in Batac and Candon alocos Norte) and Candon (locos Sur)

FARMER TOP- ORGANIC AVAIL- EXCHANGE POPULATION OF SOIL ORGANISMS SOIL SOIL MATTER ABLE P -ABLE K EARTH- BACTERIA FUNGI pH WORM (Cfu/g soil) (Cfu/g (cm) (/0) (PP1B) (PP1B) (#/0.25 m2) soil) Batac

Nestor Sapaden 30.33 1.28 24.03 316.03 2.00 1.21x105 2.42x105 6.74 Edwin Buguis 39.33 1.31 18.20 312.47 3.67 0.84x105 3.45x105 7.30 Rosendo Daradar 53.33 2.05 49.25 378.50 7.67 1.58x105 4.72x105 7.16 Jose Sanguir Sr. 33.67 1.70 26.40 225.00 2.00 1.32x105 0.57x105 6.29 Rodolfo Alibuyog 39.33 1.57 28.53 184.83 2.00 1.32x105 3.33x105 6.14 Venancio Siggaoat 42.67 1.36 19.10 378.40 4.33 1.43x105 0.78x105 6.10 Aurelio Flojo 37.67 1.38 28.83 180.37 1.00 1.36x105 1.36x105 6.35 Manolito Gaspar 44.33 2.01 30.37 114.27 1.00 1.39x105 1.63x105 7.22 Wendel Ayson 29.33 1.91 33.23 132.13 5.67 1.56x105 1.15x105 6.02 Evelyn Yap lag 31.00 1.66 17.87 182.20 5.00 1.32x105 3.48x105 6.28 Mean 38.09 1.62 27.58 240.42 3.43 1.33x105 2.29x105 6.56 Candon

Alfonso Castro 33.33 1.73 32.80 264.27 0.00 1.32x105 1.69x105 6.91 Conrado Gacusan 30.67 1.95 23.03 428.53 0.00 0.62x105 3.24x105 6.56 Bartolume Azur 40.33 2.05 34.87 287.50 0.00 1.05x105 1.57x105 6.75 Tomas Calamaan 36.00 2.07 32.47 316.07 0.00 1.12x105 3.48x105 6.35 Estrelita Gacutan 47.33 2.26 32.20 321.40 0.00 0.94x105 1.42x105 6.45 Nanding Gacutan 41.00 2.02 55.30 317.80 0.00 0.63x105 1.09x105 6.57 Agosto Gramaje 39.33 2.34 61.70 392.83 0.00 0.99x105 1.78x105 6.33 Benjamin Gasalao 35.00 2.20 31.60 353.50 0.67 0.75x105 2.42x105 5.95 Rolando Nartates 33.67 1.60 42.53 269.73 0.67 0.93x105 1.87x105 6.74 Ruz Valdez 36.67 2.45 30.33 376.67 11.33 1.46x105 3.70x105 6.54 Mean 37.33 2.07 37.68 332.83 1.27 0.98x105 2.23x105 6.51 summarized in Table 8. Moreover,theycouldnotadoptflower-by-flower It is also important to point out that land ownership application of pesticides as it had to be done daily for 2-3 was apparently one of the major factors that motivated weeks. farmers to adopt best practices. In particular, in Batac, it Moreover, landowners in Batac were providing 50% of was observed that owner-tillers had higher cotton yields, inputs like fertilizers and pesticides to their tenants, and ie, Daradar at 3.31 t/ha, Siggaoat at 3.23 t/ha, and Aurelio this was easily accounted for.Applying manure or Flojo at 2.43 t/ha than those of the other farmers who were recycling crop residue could not be supported with tenants. Owner tillers were motivated to increase their receipts, so the tenants could not claim such as their share cropyieldthrough cost-reducing andsoilquality- of the inputs, which discouraged them of the practice. In improving farming practices. They exerted all efforts and contrast, applying chemical fertilizer, while expensive, was

CB Damo er TC Mendoza 47 easier and the effects could be seen faster. Receipts on capacity, and are highly acidic, which renders applied chemical inputs purchase could be obtained which could fertilizer (NPK) lessefficiently utilized by the crop be presented later to the landowner for reimbursement of especially under drought conditions. Farmers in Mindanao the amount spent. have to endure erratic rainfall. Drought decreases cotton yields while rainfall provides favorable environment for SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS fungal infection (boll rotting), which decreases yield. Rainy weather also decreases cotton lint quality. On the average, cotton yield was more than 2 times The price of cotton was lower in Mindanao (P 17/kg)

Table 6.Soil biophysical and chemical characteristics of farms devoted to corn-cotton cropping systems in Tampakan and Polomololt both in South Cotabato

FARMER TOP- ORGANIC AVAIL- EXCHANGE- POPULATION OF SOIL ORGANISMS SOIL SOIL MATTER ABLE P ABLE K EARTH- BACTERIA FUNGI pH WORM (Cfu/g soil) (Cfu /g (cm) (/0) (PPIll) (PPIll) (#/.25 m2) soil) Tampakan Emilio Maglapit 27.67 2.37 23.00 119 1.33 6.2x105 5.4x105 3.82 Antonieto Batonginog 25.00 3.62 92.33 267 5.67 1.12x105 5.9x105 3.57 Dometelo Arandela 27.00 4.25 69.00 402 2.67 9.5x105 9.0x105 3.75 Orlando Albesa 22.00 2.55 56.00 315 1.00 12.1x105 2.7x105 4.04 Edmundo Morante 22.50 2.61 63.00 337 2.33 13.5x105 12.7x105 4.17

Celso Derecho 30.50 3 66.00 332 9.00 11.8x105 5.0x105 3.70 Uriel Albesa 23.33 2.57 95.00 236 1.67 13.8x105 6.8x105 3.86

Mean 25.43 3 66.33 287 3.38 9.7x105 6.8x105 3.84 'olomolok -{Deleted. Location D Ver Guipo 31.00 3.04 45.00 280 0.67 7.9x105 12.5x105 4.05 Mally Barrera 34.00 1.88 64.00 256 0.00 5.4x105 10.4x105 3.97 Jesus Montinola 20.00 2.55 94.00 162 0.00 13.6x105 22.2x105 4.00 Ignacio Ecot 29.00 1.63 57.00 315 0.00 9.2x105 72.7x105 3.91 Ramon Donaire 32.00 2.86 54.00 297 0.00 10.3x105 12.2x105 3.57 Roberto Lozano 39.67 1.08 31.00 293 0.00 7.7x105 15x105 4.75 Pablito Amolo Jr. 30.67 3.04 81.00 214 0.33 11.9x105 13.6,x105 3.69 Adoracion Tambanillo 28.67 2.34 58.00 223 0.00 6.5x105 9.5x105 5.47 Rodrigo Tameses 36.33 1.42 35.00 149 0.00 15.1x105 29x105 3.65 Ed Tambanillo 33.33 3.1 74.00 262 0.00 7.6x105 17.2x105 4.28 Adoracion Tambanillo 28.67 2.34 58.00 223 0.00 6.5x105 9.5x105 5.47 Rodrigo Tameses 36.33 1.42 35.00 149 0.00 15.1x105 29x105 3.65 Ed Tambanillo 33.33 3.1 74.00 262 0.00 7.6x105 17.2x105 4.28 Mean 31.77 2.29 58.46 237 0.08 9.6 x105 20.8 x105 4.21 higher in Luzon (1.78/ha) than in Mindanao (0.88/ha). The than in Luzon 20/kg). More farmers (4 out of 10) were highest cotton yield (3.31 t/ha) and the lowest (0.41 t/ha) getting negative income in Luzon than in Mindanao (2 out were both obtained in Luzon, a difference of 0.9 t, which of 10). Combined, the data indicates that no place enjoys a indicated the high variability of cotton yields in this part of unique advantage in the growing of and earning income the country. The cost of growing cotton was also highest in from cotton. Cotton can be a competitive crop to grow in Luzon, ie, 2.2 times at28,554/ha more than in Mindanao both places if the problems of production and marketing at 1212,920/ha. The break-even yield was 1,400 kg/ha in are solved. Luzon and 645 kg/ha in Mindanao. The cost of production Farmers in Mindanao recognize that cotton stores was 1216.81/kg in Luzon and 1214.07/kg in Mindanao. longer than highly perishable fruits and vegetables and The higher cost of cotton production in Luzon was that it is more tolerant to drought than corn. The dry due to irrigation (P. 5,000-6,000/ha) and more intensive weather of Luzon means added cost, ie, for irrigation, but spraying of insecticides amounting to 12 8,549/ha or 30% of lint cotton quality is much higher. Timely irrigation and the total production cost. Luzon farmers had higher yields use of manure and crop residue recycling are farm practices due to irrigation and better soil quality of submerged enhancing the efficient use of irrigation water. paddy fields(flat, well-terraced sites, soils with near There are cotton farmers who achieve high cotton neutral pH). The soils where cotton is grown in Mindanao yields (3.0 t/ha) and low costs of production 7-8/kg). haveshallowertopsoils,havelowerwater-holding Identified as "best practices" for increasing yield and

48 Comparing Cotton Productivity & Profitability In Luzon & Mindanao income include judicious use of pesticides, flower-by- Table 7. "Best" cotton production practices employed by farmers in Luzon and Mindanao, flower insecticide application, use of Trichogramma for Philippines pest control, planting of quality cottonseeds and wider plant spacing (100 cm x 50 cm). In addition, farmers PRODUCTION FARMERS WHO REPORTED who own their lands are more motivated to adopt best PRACTICES DOING THE PRACTICES cotton production practices which are cost-reducing Application of animal RosendoDaradar, Raz Valdez, Aurelio Flojo, and soil quality-improving, hence, they obtain higher manure and crop residue Rolando Nartates, Emilio Magalpit, Antonieto cotton yields and net income. recycling Batonginog, Alex Raclin, Dometelo Arandela, Orlando Albesa, Edmundo Morante, Celso LITERATURE CITED Derecho and Uriel Albesa Use of Trichogranuna Antonieto Batonginog, Celso Derecho,Uriel Cruz, LT. 1997. Comprehensive review of the cotton Albesa, Ver Guipo and Rosendo Daradar industryinthePhilippines,1953-1996. In Judicious application of Rosendo Daradar, Manolito Gaspar, Celso Proceedings Of The Regional Seminar On pesticides Derecho, Antonieto Batanginog, Orlando Realities Of Rural Development, University Albesa, Evelyn Yaplag and Antonio Flojo Training Center, Mariano Marcos State Flower to spraying Rosendo Daradar and Manolito Gaspar University, Batac, Ilocos Norte, January 27-29, 1997. Use of certified cotton seeds All farmer-respondents because they were Echivarria, R. 1974. Rediscovery In Southern Cebu. recipients of CRDI rice/corn-cotton project Cebu City: Barbara Press. 107 pp Timely application of Rosendo Daradar, Manolito Gaspar, Venancio Farshad, A & JA Zinck. 1993. Seeking agricultural irrigation water Siggaoat, Jose Sanguir, Sr., Ruz Valdez, sustainability. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment Rolando Nartates, Bartolome Azur, Alfonso 47(1): 1-12. Castro and Conrado Gacusan Holmberg, J, S Bass & J Timberlake. 1991. Defending Wider plant spacing Alfonso Batonginog and Celso Derecho TheFuture: A Guide To Sustainable Development: Earthscan Publication Ltd. IIED. 311 pp Mainguet, M. 1991. Desertification: Natural Background And Human Mismanagement. Springer, Berlin. 357 pp

Table S.Benefits derived from adopting "best" cotton production practices

PRODUCTION PRACTICES BENEFITS

Application of animal manure Increases the populations of earthworm, bacteria, fungi and levels of and crop residue recycling organic matter, P and K Lowers the amount of N fertilizer to apply: Cluster A: 17% ; Cluster B: and 16%; Cluster C: 56% of side dress N Use of Trichogranuna as Lowers the spraying frequency by 60% in cluster C biological control agent Reduces the cost in insect pests control Judicious application of Lowers the cost of pest control insecticides Reduces insecticide residues in the environment Increasing profit Increases the population of parasites and predators Lowers the exposure of farmers to toxic chemicals Flower-by-flower spraying of Increases seed-cotton yield by 28 -30% in high populations of flower insecticide weevil Parasite and predators not exposed to insecticide Reduces the volume and costs of insecticides Use of certified cotton seeds Gives high percentage of germination and vigorous seedlings Reduces cost of replanting Timely application of Efficient utilization of irrigation water irrigation water Saves 36% seed-cotton yield loss due to drought stress Wider plant spacing Reduces the incidence of boll rot Saves the 75% yield loss due to boll rotting

CB Damo er TC Mendoza 49