Calamansi Production Practices and Efficiency in Buenavista, Guimaras

Abstract

 Calamansi or calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa) is one of the focus commodity of the Municipality of Buenavista, Guimaras. This had been a promising industry that had greatly improved the quality of life of the Buenavistahanons. However, with due to various constraints, this industry weakened for several years. The industry is still hoped to bring quality life to the calamansi farming community. Hence, this study was conducted municipal-wide to determine the latest status of the industry last November-December 2017. This aims to determine the profile and production practices of calamansi growers, economic efficiency of calamansi industry and the problems met and production constraints met by the calamansi growers. Majority of the respondents were already senior citizens with ages ranging from 60 years old and above. They were mostly male, married and generally have 2 children. Most of them were high school graduates. Their top three occupations noted were farmer, housewife, and laborer. The largest numbers of calamansi farms were located at Barangay San Nicolas. The largest numbers of respondents were into calamansi farming operations for 6 to 15 years but most of the respondents were not affiliated to any organization and were not able to attend any training or seminar. Almost all respondents sourced-out planting materials within the province. All respondents manually prepared their lands, propagate the calamansi plants through marcotting and planted seedlings on a manual basis. Fertilizer application is generally transitional, where farmers apply combinations of organic and commercial synthetic fertilizers. Majority of the respondents practiced conventional method in controlling or preventing pests and diseases. They generally raised calamansi under rainfed condition but some irrigate the farm with water sources from deep wells, streams or rivers. They generally harvested calamansi fruits on monthly basis or twice a month. Nearly all of the respondents practiced composting to manage residues in the farm. As to farm products, the majority of the respondents produce also rice, coconut, and banana. Other respondents also produce mango, papaya, and other native fruits. Majority of the respondents operated calamansi farms of less than 1 ha that were generally owned by the respondents. A hectare of calamansi yielded generally yielded 101 to 500 kgs of calamansi fruits per hectare. The farm gate price of calamansi fruits during the study was generally PhP 16-25. Majority of the respondents noted that they spent PhP 1001 to PhP 5000 per hectare and they generally employed one (1) worker on the farm. Majority of the respondents depended on wholesaling when selling their products they also noted that marketed products were generally paid in cash. The respondents noted drought, propagation constraints, pest and disease management, stray grazing livestock and the significantly low farm gate price during peak season as the most important problems and production constraints in calamansi production