Working Paper No. 2018-12

CHARACTERISTICSMaria Cristina Alvarez,Agnes OC.F Rola,RURAL Aileen HOUSEHOLDS V. Lapitan,Purisima ING. BayacagISLAND, Ivee V. COMMUNITIES: Fuerzas, Joy C. Lizada, THE Virgilio CASE Julius OF Manzano Jr., Catherine Cervantes, Teresita Espinosa, Fitz Jimenez, DaiseiriePungtilan, and Ralf Tabanyag

Therese R. Olviga

Center for Strategic Planning and Policy Studies (formerly Center for Policy and Development Studies) College of Public Affairs and Development University of the Los Baños College, 4031 Philippines

Telephone: (63-049) 536-3455 Fax: (63-049) 536-3637 Homepage: https://cpaf.uplb.edu.ph/

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The CSPPS Working Paper series reports the results of studies by the Center researchers and CPAf faculty, staff and students, which have not been reviewed. These are circulated for the purpose of soliciting comments and suggestions.

The views expressed in the paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of CSPPS, the agency with which the authors are affiliated, and the funding agencies, if applicable.

Please send your comments to:

The Director Center for Strategic Planning & Policy Studies (formerly CPDS) College of Public Affairs and Development University of the Philippines Los Baños College, Laguna 4031 Philippines Email: [email protected]

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ABSTRACT

This paper reports the results of the household surveys conducted in lowland and upland communities in Milagros, Masbate. The household surveys aimed to establish a baseline of the socio-demographic profile and farming practices of the rice farmers in the study areas before the intervention of the CRDES Project. A total of 240 farmers were surveyed – 150 from lowland communities (Narangasan, Capaculan, Tawad, Cayabon, ) and 90 from the uplands (Matagbac, Sawmill, and San Carlos). Among the data gathered are the biophysical characteristics of Masbate, the socio-demographic characteristics of farmer- respondents and their households, and their technological practices. Milagros, a first class municipality in the second district of Masbate, is composed of 27 barangays/villages that are mostly agricultural-based. Farming and fishing are the main sources of livelihood of the people in the municipality. As of 2012, the poverty incidence in the Milagros registered at 49.6%. This implies that almost half of the households situated in the municipality of Milagros is having a hard time meeting their basic food and non-food needs. At the provincial level, the poverty incidence estimate is lower at 40.6%. From the data, it can be seen that despite being a first class municipality, a considerable percentage of the population in the province is still finding it hard to meet their daily needs. According to NSCB (2013), the poverty threshold for the country was Php 7, 890 in 2012. This amount is the income needed to meet the basic food and non-food needs of a family of five. In 2014, the poverty threshold is higher at Php 105, 336 in a year. From the baseline survey, it was discovered that 80% of the respondents have income that are below the poverty line. For the 2015 survey, on the other hand, all respondents were found out to have income that is below the poverty threshold of Php 108, 786.

Results of the survey indicate that majority of the respondents depend on agriculture for their subsistence. Majority of them are male and married. The average age of rice farmers in the lowlands and uplands is 49 and 45 years old, respectively. Most of them are elementary and high school graduates. Rice is the main crop planted in the study areas. A few also plant root crops such as cassava and sweet potato. Monocropping is the dominant farming system followed by respondents and on average, farmers in the lowlands get to plant more frequently than those in the uplands due to a number of factors which include insufficiency of water. The average area allotted for upland rice production is generally greater than the average area allotted for rainfed rice production; however, the yield per hectare of rice production is relatively higher in the lowlands than the uplands. Rice production in the study sites is affected by a variety of factors ranging from pests and diseases to climate variability. In cases where insufficiency and lack of crop yield is observed, respondents look for other sources of income. Most respondents venture in poultry and livestock production for personal consumption and additional income. Some respondents also have other non-farm sources of income which include employment, pensions, and remittances.

Regarding enhancing farm productivity and income, there is a great opportunity for improvement in both study sites. Farmers are very driven to learn new ways of farming and are very motivated to improve their yields.

Keywords: household survey, rice farmers, upland, rainfed, Milagros, Masbate

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Page I. Introduction 1 II. Methodology 1 III. Economic conditions and agriculture in Masbate 1 IV. Results of the baseline survey 4 4.1 Socio-demographic characteristics of farmers and their households 4 4.2 House ownership and household utilities 5 4.3 Household assets 6 4.4 Climatic conditions and farming environment in Milagros, Masbate 8 4.5 Farming and farm-related characteristics 11 V. Summary and Conclusion 17 VI. References 18

List of Tables Page Table 1. Selected socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, Milagros, 5 Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent Table 2. Household characteristics of respondents, Milagros, Masbate, 6 2014 and 2015, in percent Table 3. Percentage of farmers with the following household assets, 7 Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015 Table 4. Sources of income, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015 7 Table 5. Start and end of wet season, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in 8 percent Table 6. Farmer’s description of wet season, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 8 2015, in percent Table 7. Frequency of natural flooding during rainy season, Milagros, 9 Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent Table 8. Degree farms by respondents are affected by floods, Milagros, 9 Masbate, 2013-2014, in percent Table 9. Start month of dry season, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in 9 percent Table 10. Farmer’s description of dry season and soil moisture, Milagros, 10 Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent Table 11. Percentage of farmers with soil fertility indicators, Milagros, 10 Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent Table 12. Soil fertility indicators of farmers, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 11 2015, in percent Table 13. Status of soil and soil conservation practices of respondents, 11 Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent Table 14. Percentage of farmers with the following major farm assets, 12 Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent Table 15. Number of parcels of land, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in 12 percent Table 16. Average size of farm/holding of respondents, Milagros, Masbate, 12 2014 and 2015 Table 17. Ownership of primary parcel of land, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 13

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2015, in percent Table 18. Crops planted by respondents in their primary parcel of land, 13 Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent Table 19. Livestock raised by farmers, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in 14 percent Table 20a. Information on livestock raised, lowland, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 14 Table 20b Information on livestock raised, upland, Milagros, Masbate, 2015 15 Table 21. Animal tending practices, livestock, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 15 2015, in percent Table 22. Poultry raised by farmers in Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in 16 percent Table 23. Average number of poultry raised by farmers, Milagros, Masbate, 16 2014 and 2015 Table 24. Reasons for raising fowls, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in 16 percent Table 25. Feeds used for fowls, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent 16 Table 26. Fowl tending practices, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in 17 percent Table 27. Information regarding fish culture integration, Milagros, Masbate, 17 2014 and 2015, in percent Table 28. Percentage of farmers who think fish integration is possible in their 17 farm, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015

List of Figures Page Figure 1. Rice production in metric tons, Masbate, 2006-2017 3 Figure 2. Area allotted for rice production, Masbate, in hectares, 2007-2017 3 Figure 3. Yield per hectare in metric tons, Masbate, 2007-2017 4

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CHARACTERISTICS OF RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN ISLAND COMMUNITIES: THE CASE OF MASBATE Therese R. Olviga

I. Introduction

This chapter reports the findings of the household surveys conducted in Milagros, Masbate before the intervention of the CRDES Project. The survey was undertaken to provide baseline data on the characteristics of respondents and their households, their farming practices, farming and farm-related characteristics, and yield. The generated data were used in the monitoring and evaluation of interventions and were also integrated into the modules used in the Climate Field Schools in the study sites. The province of Masbate is predominantly agricultural. A notable percentage of the population in Masbate is engaged in farming wherein farm lands are often planted with rice, corn, root crops and coconut. Aside from lands dedicated to farming, a large portion of Masbate’s land area is devoted to cattle-raising while fishing dominates the coastal areas. Aside from being an agricultural province, Masbate, which is also rich in gold, is considered to have the biggest mining operation in the . The province is also rich in minerals such as manganese, copper, silver, iron, chromite, limestone, guano and carbon and is described by geologists as a province sitting in a “pot of gold”. (Milagros ICRM Plan, 2010)

II. Methodology

Two sets of household surveys were conducted in Milagros, Masbate. The first set included five (5) rainfed lowland barangays while the second set included three (3) upland barangays. Upon consultation with the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Milagros, Masbate, it was decided that lowland barangays will be chosen for the first year of the project. Barangays Narangasan, Capaculan, Tawad, Cayabon, and Bacolod were selected in accordance with the criteria set by the UPLB and MAO- Milagros. Criteria included the area allotted for rainfed rice production, poverty incidence, and farmers’ receptiveness to interventions. After the first batch of techno- demo sites, it was decided that upland barangays will be the next beneficiaries of the project. With the same criteria, barangays Matagbac, Sawmill, and San Carlos were selected as the 2nd batch of CRDES beneficiaries by the MAO-Milagros. The first set or survey was conducted on March 12-18, 2015 while the second set was conducted on June 4-6, 2016. A total of 240 farmers were interviewed in Milagros for the whole duration of the project - 150 farmers for the first set of survey and 90 for the second set. The respondents were selected through purposive sampling.

III. Economic conditions and agriculture in Masbate The growth of the economy of the Philippines can be characterized by a series of boom and bust cycles. The moderate decline in poverty can be attributed to the high

1 rate of inequality across income brackets, regions, and sectors; and rapid population growth. Among the disadvantaged groups are those in the agriculture sector which includes farmers and fishermen. (ADB, 2009) As of 2012, the poverty incidence in the country registered at 19.7 which means that 19.7% of the total population in the country is unable to meet their basic food and non-food needs. In the Bicol region, the poverty incidence was even higher with 32.3% of its population being below the poverty line. As we further broke down the levels into smaller sections, the poverty incidence continued to increase i.e. as we move from the national level to the regional, provincial, and municipal level, the poverty incidence increases. In the provincial level, the poverty incidence registered at a relatively higher percentage of 40.6%. Looking further at the municipal level, the poverty incidence in 2012 was discovered to be 49.6% - a figure that is almost half of the total population of the municipality. The high percentage of poverty incidence implies that a great percentage of the population in Milagros have income that is not enough to meet their daily needs. According to NSCB’s report, the poverty threshold in the country for 2012 was Php 5, 513 per month. This amount is the income that a family should have to meet its basic food needs. If non-food needs are to be included, the threshold will go up to Php 7, 890 per month. In 2014, the poverty line was Php105, 336 in a year. This is the minimum income needed to meet both basic food and non-food needs. Results of the baseline study conducted in the lowland areas in the municipality showed that 80% of the respondents have income below the poverty threshold. For the 2015 survey, all respondents have income below the poverty threshold of Php 108, 768. Monocropping is the main farming system followed by respondents and rice is their main crop. Their yields are primarily allotted for consumption and are only sold if need arises or if there are excess to daily dietary needs. For the disposable income of the respondents, majority are sourced from livestock and poultry production. From 2006 to 2017, the rice production in the province was increasing. Figure 1 shows that production of rainfed rice in Masbate is relatively higher than that of irrigated rice. In 2014, Masbate had the highest production growth among other provinces in the Bicol region. According to former DA Regional Director Abelardo Bragas, and Masbate are the only provinces in Bicol region that are rice self-sufficient – Camarines Sur is 166.34 percent rice sufficient while Masbate is 105.42 percent rice sufficient. As a whole, Bicol region is rice sufficient with 118.19 percent of rice self-sufficiency1.The average yield of a farmer, when converted to cash, however, is still below the poverty threshold.

1http://www.bicolmail.com/2012/?p=14381

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Figure 1. Rice production in metric tons, Masbate, 2006-2017 Source of basic data: Philippine Statistics Authority The existing land use in the municipalities comprised of residential (229.20 hectares), commercial (15.05 hectares), fishpond (252.98 hectares), agricultural (12,471.47 hectares) and pasture (3,005.95 hectares). A great percentage of the land in the municipality is allotted to agriculture and it was validated in the Participatory Rural Appraisal that was also conducted by the UPLB staff. Figure 2 shows the area allotted to rainfed and irrigated rice production in the municipality from 2007-2017. It can be seen that rainfed areas are still bigger than irrigated areas. The average yield per hectare, however, is evidently greater in the irrigated areas. (Figure 3)

Figure 2. Area allotted for rice production, Masbate, in hectares, 2007-2017 Source of basic data: Philippine Statistics Authority

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Figure 3. Yield per hectare in metric tons, Masbate, 2007-2017 Source of basic data: Philippine Statistics Authority

IV. Results of the baseline survey

4.1 Socio-demographic characteristics of farmers and their households

Almost all respondents are male and married with an average age of 49 years in the lowlands and 45 years in the uplands. (Table 1) Most of the respondents are the head of their household and are being helped by their respective spouses and children in farming. For most of the respondents, the average household size of 6 (lowland) and 5 (upland) is a nuclear family. In terms of educational attainment of the respondents, most of them are elementary and high school graduates. Noticeably, respondents from upland areas have higher percentage of college graduates as compared to respondents from lowland areas. In general, only a few were able to finish college. Some farmers, however, were able to finish vocational courses which are being provided by the TESDA located at the Masbate School of Fisheries in Cayabon.

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Table 1. Selected socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Item Rainfed lowland Upland (N=90) (N=150) Average age (in years) 49 46 Gender Male 97 90 Female 3 10 Civil status Married 89 87 Widowed 5 8 Single 3 2 Live-in 2 2 Separated 0 1 Educational attainment Elementary 51 36 High school 35 38 College 10 21 Vocational 3 6 No formal schooling 1 0 Household structure Nuclear 77 92 Extended 22 7 Single 1 1 Average household size (in 6 5 number)

4.2 House ownership and household utilities

Most of the respondents from rainfed lowland areas own their houses (80%), majority of which are of permanent structures (48%) and have access to electricity (71%) but use wood for cooking (87%). (Table 2) However, almost three fourths (74%) still do not have access to piped water as they get their water supply from open wells. Sixty percent use manual water sealed toilet facilities. Respondents from upland areas, similar with those from rainfed lowland areas, own their houses which are usually semi-permanent to permanent structures. Their primary sources of lighting included electricity, kerosene, and solar panels. Majority use wood for cooking and source their water from open wells. They also use manual water sealed toilet facilities.

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Table 2. Household characteristics of respondents, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Item Rainfed lowland (N=150) Upland (N=90) House ownership Owned 80 92 Rent-free 13 6 Rented 7 2 Type of house Permanent 48 47 Semi-permanent 35 46 Temporary 17 7 No response 0 1 Lighting Electricity 71 33 Kerosene 17 20 Coleman 8 9 Solar panels 4 28 Generator 0 8 No response 0 2 Cooking fuel* Wood 87 93 Charcoal 31 33 LPG 3 2 Electricity 1 0 Water system* Open well 74 89 Artesian/pump well 21 10 Piped water 13 0 Rain water 3 1 Spring/river 3 0 Toilet facility Manual water-sealed 61 72 Open pit 23 23 Flush water-sealed 16 4 *multiple responses 4.3 Household assets

The top five household assets owned by respondents from rainfed lowland areas and upland areas are the same. Most respondents own cellular phones, television sets, radios, electric fans, and VCD players. (Table 3) Only a few owns a computer and all of them does not have access to landline connection. Interestingly, respondents living near their farms have the least assets. Most of the respondents without electric fans, say for example, are those with temporary house structures that are living near their respective farmlands. When it comes to ownership of vehicles, there is a higher percentage of those who own vehicles in rainfed lowland areas compared to those in upland areas.

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Table 3. Percentage of farmers with the following household assets, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015. Household Assets Rainfed lowland (N=150) Upland (N=90) House 95 76 Appliance Cellular phone 73 63 TV 62 40 Radio 44 51 Electric fan 43 20 VCR/VCD/Component 31 16 Refrigerator 21 4 Washing machine 11 3 Computer 3 10 Hand held radio 2 2 Vehicles Motorcycle 33 18 Tricycle 12 0 Bicycle 12 2 Car 1 1 Jeep/Owner 1 0 Motor boat 0 3 Regarding sources of income, many farmers still depend on farming for their sustenance. (Table 4) It can be seen, however, that income from non-farm activities such as employment and businesses are higher than the income from farming activities – on-farm and off-farm. It is also evident that there is a big difference on the average annual income of respondents from rainfed lowland areas and upland areas. In general, farmers from rainfed lowland areas have higher income for all income- generating activities. This can be correlated to the fact that respondents from upland areas produce for personal consumption and they have lower average annual yield than respondents from rainfed lowland areas. Rainfed rice farmers also get to plant twice a year while upland farmers are only able to plant once annually. The presence of water strongly affects the frequency of rice production in the areas and it influences the income a farming household receives in a year. For disposable income, farmers depend on their livestock. Results show that farmers, most especially those from upland areas, raise livestock for personal consumption and when the need arises, sell them for additional income. Table 4. Sources of income, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015. Source of income Rainfed lowland Upland (N=90) (N=150) n Average annual n Average annual income income On farm 150 98, 852 89 28, 773 Off-farm 12 4, 383 5 10, 400 Non-farm 38 84,710 15 55, 243 Total cash generated for the year 150 120, 662 90 38, 239

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4.4 Climatic conditions and farming environment in Milagros, Masbate

Masbate City is generally dry from March to June and rainy from September to February according to previous reports about the province2; however, most of the farmers claim that the six months wet season now starts at June and ends in December, or a three month movement. (Table 5) Majority also claim that rainy season is characterized by continuous rains which can last from weeks to months (Table 6), with more than a quarter (29%) of respondents from rainfed lowland areas claiming to be rarely affected by flooding or had once been affected by flooding (26%) or occasionally affected by it. (Table 7) Respondents from upland areas, on the other hand, reported that they are rarely or never affected by flooding due to the slope of their locations. (Table 8) Table 5. Start and end of wet season, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent.

Month Start Month End Month Rainfed Upland Rainfed Upland lowland (N=90) lowland (N=90) (N=150) (N=150)

January - - 7 3 February - - 1 3 March 1 - 1 3 April 1 1 - - May 13 32 - 1 June 74 66 1 - July 7 - 3 2 August 3 1 5 2 September - - 9 1 October 1 - 2 20 November - - 5 - December - - 65 63

Table 6. Farmer’s description of wet season, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Rainfed lowland Upland (N=90) Description (N=150) continuous rains lasting weeks to 78 58 months rains several times in a month 11 9 heavy rains 9 1 intermittent rains for days 3 27 seldom rains 0 2 rain lasting hours 0 1 rains several times in a week 0 2

2http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ru5/overview/profiles/masbate city/

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Table 7. Frequency of natural flooding during rainy season, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Rainfed lowland Upland (N=90) Frequency (N=150) rarely affected 29 44 once affected 26 0 occasionally (if there are heavy 22 23 storms) Never 19 30 Often 0 1 Always 5 1

Table 8. Degree farms by respondents are affected by floods, 2013-2014, in percent. Rainfed lowland Upland (N=90) Degree (N=150) somewhat affected 42 16 very little effect 27 31 varies from time to time 13 1 not affected at all 11 50 to a very great extent 7 2

On the other hand, dry season can last for 4 months which can start between the months of January to March and end in May. (Table 9) Dry season is characterized by absence of rains lasting from weeks to months which leads to dry, cracked soil making it difficult for plants to survive unless watered regularly. (Table 10) Because of this, farmers from the uplands are only able to plant during the wet season. Finding water during the dry season is extremely hard for them because of their location and income insufficiency.

Table 9. Start month and end month of dry season, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent.

Month Start Month End Month Rainfed Upland Rainfed Upland lowland (N=90) lowland (N=90) (N=150) (N=150) January 55 51 - - February 27 7 - - March 6 26 17 8 April 2 2 19 32 May 1 - 55 37 June 1 2 6 7 July - - 1 - August 1 - - - September 1 - 1 - October 1 1 - -

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Month Start Month End Month Rainfed Upland Rainfed Upland lowland (N=90) lowland (N=90) (N=150) (N=150) November 1 1 - - December 3 - 1 1 No response - 10 - 16

Table 10. Farmer’s description of dry season and soil moisture, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Description Rainfed Upland (N=90) lowland (N=150) Description of dry season Rainless period lasting weeks to months 79 46 No rain at all 15 9 Rains rarely 4 32 Only rains once in the whole period 1 13 Description of soil moisture during dry season Dry and cracking soil; too dry for plant to 97 88 survive Lacks moisture; must be constantly watered 2 12 Can still be planted but yield is very low 1 0

Most farmers stated that they do not have soil fertility indicators. (Table 11) Notably, most respondents from rainfed lowland areas consider their farms as infertile and make use of green manure or chemical fertilizer to improve soil fertility while most respondents from upland consider theirs as fertile and use composting as soil conservation measure. Respondents from rainfed lowland areas stated that they consider their soil fertile if their harvest is good without having the need to apply much fertilizer while respondents from upland areas reported that they consider their soil fertile if their crops look healthy (Table 12 and 13). Thus, for soil fertility, respondents from rainfed lowland areas look into the quantity of their harvest while respondents from upland areas look into the quality or physical appearance of their produce. Table 11. Percentage of farmers with soil fertility indicators, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Item Rainfed lowland (N=150) Upland (N=90) Yes 21 13 No 79 87

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Table 12 Soil fertility indicators of farmers, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Soil fertility indicator Rainfed lowland Upland (N=32) (N=12) if harvest is good without the need to apply much 81 8 fertilizer if the crops planted look healthy/leaves are dark green, 9 67 the soil is fertile. If plants look yellow or red, then the soil is not that fertile anymore. if the soil is dark (dark brown preferably to black) 3 0 if the soil has cracks 3 0 if crops planted are resistant to diseases 3 0 if the soil has earthworms 0 25

Table 13. Status of soil and soil conservation practices of respondents, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Item Rainfed lowland (N=150) Upland (N=90) Status of soil fertile 42 63 infertile 58 21 don’t know 0 16 Soil conservation practices* green manuring 66 16 commercial fertilizer 26 4 composting 9 49 use of animal manure 7 19 others 0 19 *multiple responses

4.5 Farming and farm-related characteristics 4.5.1 Farm assets

For most farmers, the plow and harrow is basic for land preparation as evidenced by their ownership of farm assets. Sprayer is also a common property as well as a farm house. Some respondents reported that they do not have a farm house but are living near the farm. Only a few owns a thresher as reported by farmers. (Table 14) It was discovered from the household survey results that most farmers pay for threshing and harvesting by paying labourers a portion of their harvest. Other farm assets owned by respondents included hand tractors, irrigation pumps, warehouses, 4W tractors, trailers (for rainfed lowland respondents), solar dryers, and shellers.

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Table 14. Percentage of farmers with the following major farm assets, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015. Major Farm Assets Rainfed lowland (N=150) Upland (N=90) Plow 79 72 Harrow 72 67 Sprayer 66 53 Farm house 32 42 Hand tractor 23 13 Thresher 12 7 Irrigation pump 11 1 Others Warehouses 5 4 4W tractor 2 1 Trailer 2 0 Solar dryer 1 1 Sheller 1 2

4.5.2 Number of parcels and farm size

The average farm size of the respondents from rainfed lowland areas is 2.11 hectares and 3.30 hectares for respondents from upland areas. Most respondents only have one parcel of land. (Table 15) For respondents from lowland areas, their biggest farm area is their third parcel of land which they utilize for plantation crops. Respondents from upland areas, on the other hand, utilize their biggest parcel of land as their primary parcel of land which they use to plant rice and other crops for their sustenance. In general, farmers from upland areas have bigger farm areas which they also use for grazing livestock and for aquaculture (some practice fish integration in their farm areas). (Table 16) Table 15. Number of parcels of land, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Item Rainfed lowland (N=150) Upland (N=90) Has only one parcel of 80 80 land Has two parcels of land 18 18 Has three parcels of land 2 2

Table 16. Average size of farm/holding of respondents, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Item Rainfed lowland (N=150) Upland (N=90) Farm area 1 1.67 ha 3.02 ha Farm area 2 1.99 ha 1.48 ha Farm area 3 3.87 ha 0.75 ha Average size of all parcels 2.11 ha 3.30 Ha

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4.5.3 Land tenure

Farmers either own or rent their farmlands. Those who reported that their farmlands are rent-free stated that their farmlands are not theirs but instead belongs to their relatives or other family members that lets them use it for free. (Table 17) Table 17. Ownership of primary parcel of land, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Item Rainfed lowland (N=150) Upland (N=90) Owned 49 53 Rented 41 32 Rent-free 6 13 Others (DAR) 3 1

4.5.4 Crops planted

Rice was the dominant crop planted by farmers in Masbate. Rice-rice cropping pattern was the popular mode of farming of respondents in Milagros, Masbate. Intensive rice cropping is practiced by most respondents most especially those with only one farm area. There are some respondents that practice intercropping and they usually plant rice together with vegetables such as squash, eggplant, corn, and okra. (Table 18) Table 18. Crops planted by respondents in their primary parcel of land, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Crops planted Rainfed lowland (N=150) Upland (N=90) Cereals Rice 100 100 Corn 4 7 Root crops Cassava 4 10 Sweet potato 3 4 Plantation crops Coconut 3 0 Vegetables Squash 3 1 White squash (upo) 0 1 Eggplant 2 1 Okra 2 0 Mungbean 2 0 String beans 2 1 *multiple responses

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4.5.5 Livestock production

Majority of respondents raise carabaos for farm use. Other livestock/ruminants raised by farmers include goats, cows, pigs, and horses. (Table 19) Only a few reported that they do not raise livestock due to lack of area for grazing and insufficient budget for livestock raising. For respondents from lowland areas, their top livestock raised included carabaos, pigs, and goats. Carabaos, pigs, and horses, on the other hand, are the preferred livestock of respondents from the uplands. In terms of reasons for raising livestock, both sets of surveys garnered the same reasons. (Tables 20a and 20b) They raise carabaos for farm use, cows for additional income, pigs and goats for personal consumption and additional income, and horses for farm use and transportation/service. For the tending practices, carabaos, cows, and horses are usually tethered, pigs are most of the time confined in pig pens, and goats are free- ranged. (Table 21) Table 19. Livestock raised by farmers, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Livestock Rainfed lowland Upland (N=90) (N=150) Carabao 74 71 Pig 42 41 Goat 7 19 Cow 3 11 Horse 3 21 Do not raise livestock 15 12 *multiple responses Table 20a. Information on livestock raised, lowland, Milagros, Masbate, 2014. Livestock Number Reasons for raising Feeds used of heads Pig 2 heads for personal consumption and additional rice bran, income commercial feeds, corn Carabao 3 heads for farm use Grass Goat 5 heads for personal consumption and additional Grass income Cow 9 heads additional income Grass Horse 3 heads transportation/additional income Grass (horseback riding, etc.), and attraction

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Table 20b. Information on livestock raised, upland, Milagros, Masbate, 2015. Livestock Number Reasons for raising Feeds used of heads Pig 4 heads for personal consumption and additional rice bran, income, fattening purposes commercial feeds, corn, pollard, cassava Carabao 2 heads for farm use Grass Goat 5 heads for personal consumption and additional Grass income Cow 3 heads additional income, leisure, propagation Grass Horse 2 heads farm use/used as service Grass

Table 21. Animal tending practices, Livestock, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Tending Rainfed lowland Upland Livestock Practice Confined 67 76 Pig Tethered 30 11 Free-range 3 14 Tethered 79 73 Carabao Free-range 16 20 Confined 5 6 Free-range 45 71 Goat Confined 0 18 Tethered 55 12 Tethered 40 80 Cow Free-range 60 20 Tethered 75 68 Horse Free-range 25 16 Confined 0 16 For respondents from rainfed lowland areas: pig (n=63), carabao (n=111), goat (n=11), cow (n=5), and horse (n=4) For respondents from upland areas: pig (n=37), carabao (n=64), goat (n=17), cow (n=10), and horse (n=19)

4.5.6 Fowl production

Majority of respondents from both sites raise chickens. (Table 22) Only a few reported that they do not raise any type of fowl such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys. Approximately 15 chickens and 10 ducks are raised per household in the lowlands and 11 chickens and 5 ducks in the upland (Table 23) Reasons for raising fowls are shown in Table 24. Commercial feeds and rice bran are the usual feed given to fowls raised by respondents from the lowlands while concentrates and corn are the usual feed given by respondents from the uplands. (Table 25) Some farmers from both sites also feed their fowls with leftovers. Most of the fowls raised by farmers in Masbate

15 are free-ranged and are raised mostly for consumption and additional income. (Table 5.26)

Table 22. Poultry raised by farmers in Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Fowl Rainfed lowland Upland (N=90) (N=150) Chicken 76 84 Duck 8 8 Turkey 1 3 does not raise fowls 23 14 *multiple responses

Table 23. Average number of poultry raised by farmers, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015. Fowl Rainfed lowland (N=150) Upland (N=90) Chicken 15 heads 11 heads Duck 10 heads 5 heads Turkey 4 heads 8 heads

Table 24. Reasons for raising fowls, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Reason Rainfed lowland (N=150) Upland (N=90) for personal consumption only 45 56 for additional source of income only 33 22 for consumption and for another 29 18 source of income for leisure 3 9 for consumption and for leisure 0 5 *multiple responses

Table 25. Feeds used for fowls, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Feeds Rainfed lowland Upland (N=77) (N=116) commercial feeds only 40 16.88 rice bran only 35 10.39 Leftovers 12 10.39 rice bran and commercial feeds 10.34 1.30 corn and rice bran 6.03 1.30 Corn 2.59 11.69 concentrate 0.00 29.87 rice and leftovers 0.00 6.49 Others 4.31 15.6 *multiple responses

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Table 26. Fowl tending practices, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Rainfed Upland Fowls Tending Practice lowland Free-range 82 74 Confined 11 24 Chicken Tethered 6 3 Some are free-ranged some are tethered 1 0 Free-range 83 71 Duck Confined 8 29 Tethered 8 0 Free-range 0 67 Turkey Confined 100 33 For respondents from rainfed lowland areas: chicken (n=114), duck (n=12), turkey (n=2) For respondents from upland areas: chicken (n=76), duck (n=7), turkey (n=3)

4.5.7 Aquaculture

Only a few of the respondents have fishponds (Table 27) and majority believes it is impossible to integrate aquaculture in their farms due to insufficiency of water in their respective areas and lack of appropriate areas for such integration. (Table 28) Farmers confessed to having tried integration but failed due to a number of factors such as climate change and unsuitability of fish culture integration in their farm areas. Table 27. Information regarding fish culture integration, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015, in percent. Item Rainfed lowland Upland (N=90) (N=150) Has fish culture integration 3 7 Do not have fish culture 97 93 integration

Table 28. Percentage of farmers who think fish integration is possible in their farm, Milagros, Masbate, 2014 and 2015. Item Rainfed lowland Upland (N=90) (N=150) Possible 10 23 Impossible/hard to integrate 90 77

V. Summary and Conclusion Findings from the two household surveys revealed that Milagros still remains to be a highly agricultural municipality where majority of the people in the rural areas still depend on agriculture as their main source of income. Despite the increase of the number of institutions in the study sites, majority still turn to rice production and

17 animal raising for their sustenance. Rice is the main crop planted by respondents and they primarily produce it for personal consumption. They only sell rice if there is excess in their produce. Rainfed lowland respondents have higher income than respondents from the uplands. Rice farmers from the uplands are only able to plant once a year due to insufficiency of water and lack of income. To recuperate from low yields, rice farmers in both areas venture into livestock and poultry production. Livestock commonly raised included carabaos, pigs, goats, horses, and cows. Regarding enhancing farmer productivity and income, there is a great opportunity for improvement. Farmers are very driven to learn new ways of farming and are very motivated to improve their yields. It is recommended that in making policies and programs, site characterization must first be conducted to promote positive results and ensure the success of highly effective programs. Participation of farmers must also be encouraged to enhance the effectiveness of interventions. More farm-specific technologies must also be developed to effectively help farmers improve their productivity and income. With these in mind, collaboration and intensive planning must be carried out in the local, regional, and national level to further utilize existing opportunities and create new opportunities for agricultural diversification and community development in general.

VI. References Asian Development Bank. (2009). Poverty in the Philippines: causes, constraints, and opportunities. City, Philippines: Asian Development Bank. Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (2015). Rice Production, Masbate, 2006-2014. Philippines: Bureau of Agricultural Statistics.

Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database. (n.d.) Retrieved June 8, 2018 from http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/ Local Government of Milagros. (2010). Integrated Coastal Resources Management Plan, Milagros, Masbate 2010-2013. Milagros, Masbate, Philippines.

(n.d.). Retrieved October 2015, from http://www.bicolmail.com/2012/?p=14381

National Statistical Coordination Board. (2013). 2012 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics. City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. National Statistical Coordination Board. (2015). 2014 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. National Statistical Coordination Board. (2016). 2015 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards. (n.d.) Map of Masbate. Retrieved June 8, 2018 from http://noah.up.edu.ph/#/ NSCB. (n.d.). Masbate City. Retrieved October 2015, from http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ru5/overview/profiles/masbate city/

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Philippine Statistics Authority. (n.d.) Palay and Corn: Volume of Production by Ecosystem/ Croptype, by Quarter, by Semester, by Region and by Province. Retrieved June 8, 2018 from http://countrystat.psa.gov.ph/?cont=10&pageid=1&ma=A10PNVCP Philippine Statistics Authority. (n.d.) Palay and Corn: Area Harvested by Ecosystem/ Croptype, by Quarter, by Semester, by Region and by Province. Retrieved June 8, 2018 from http://countrystat.psa.gov.ph/?cont=10&pageid=1&ma=O80LUAHC

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