Tài liệu Environmental management practices applied in intensive farming by selected rice farmers in victoria laguna, philippines

THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY JOHN LESTER M. LAGANSUA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES APPLIED IN INTENSIVE FARMING BY SELECTED RICE FARMERS IN VICTORIA, LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES BACHELOR THESIS Study Mode: Major: Faculty: Batch: Full-time Environmental Science and Management Advanced Education Program Office 2015-2018 Thai Nguyen, 15/11/2018 DOCUMENTATION PAGE WITH ABSTRACT Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry Degree Program Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management Student Name John Lester M. Lagansua Student ID DTN1454290083 Thesis Title Environmental Management Practices Applied in Intensive Farming by Selected Rice Farmers in Victoria Laguna, Philippines Supervisors Assistant Professor Maricel A. Tapia Dr. Nguyen Huu Tho Supervisors’ Signature Abstract: Intensive farming has been seen as a problem to the environment mainly because of the amount of chemical used. There are certain environmental consequences of intensive farming and these are loss of natural habitats and the associated impact on the biodiversity, soil degradation such as erosion, depletion, and pollution (air and water) and especially it contributes to some climatic changes. The study aims to assess the environmental management practices applied in intensive farming by selected rice farmers in three barangays in Victoria, Laguna, namely, Masapang, San Benito and San Roque. The study employed mixed methods which gave emphasis to both qualitative and quantitative aspects. As for the qualitative part, the study conducted the FGD wherein in-depth interviews were done. The quantitative part, on the other hand, utilized survey questionnaire to determine the socio-demographic and socio-economic profile of the respondents, and their agricultural and environmental management practices. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data, which was given context through qualitative data analysis. Results revealed that different agricultural practices were practiced throughout the crop cycle, including manual or hand weeding, puddling of soil, application of urea fertilizer, application of complete 14-14-14 fertilizer, application of herbicide, spraying of pesticide, rice straw burning, flood irrigation and sprinkler irrigation method. Associated with these practices are the environmental/ecological impacts caused by intensive farming on air, water, soil, biodiversity and climate change. The research revealed that the most experienced impacts of the respondents are climate and air impacts, wherein climate change and foul smell were experienced by 100% of the total number of respondents. As for the management practices, most farmers already perform mitigating measures, which were perceived to be effective. However, not all the environmental management practiced tackles the environmental impacts that were determined. Among those different environmental sectors, climate and air management practices really target the actual problem of environmental pollution and perceived to be effective because of ii improvements observed. On the other hand, management practices for the associated water pollution from intensive farming (such as eutrophication and water contamination) did not seem to address the actual problem as the strategies implemented were for conservation purposes only. Keywords: Intensive farming, Farm characteristics, Agricultural practices, Environmental Impacts, Environmental management practices Number of pages: 109 Date of November 15, 2018 submission: iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This odyssey would not have been this successful without the help and support of my home university, Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry especially all the staff and professors of the Advanced Education Program’s office who have showed their support in accomplishing this study, and the director of the International Program’s Office, Dr. Duong Van Thao for giving me the opportunity to explore and to step out of my comfort zone by studying abroad. Also, I want to thank the University of the Philippines Los Baños and all the staff especially Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. for allowing me to conduct my undergraduate thesis in the host university. I sincerely thank Asst. Professor Maricel A. Tapia of Department of Social Forestry and Forest Governance, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños for expressing her willingness to supervise me. Her substantial comments, suggestions and obliging censures are greatly valued and appreciated. I would also like to thank my Vietnamese adviser Dr. Nguyen Huu Tho, Director of Office of Research and International Affairs, Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry for his support and guidance. Without their assistance and determination to be involved in every step of the way throughout its process, this paper would have never been accomplished. I also want to acknowledge Mr. Emmanuel C. Atas, municipal agricultural officer and Mr. Apolinario H. dela Cruz, secretary of the Sangguniang Bayan of the municipality of Victoria Laguna for providing all the documents needed for this research, including the list of all rice farmers in their town, and the list of agriculture-related policies and regulations. Also, I want to extend my deepest appreciation to ninety (90) rice farmers from three selected barangays of Victoria; Masapang, San Benito and San Roque who wholeheartedly participated during the process of data gathering. iv I would also like to show gratitude to my Vietnam buddies; Luis, Enzo, Jessica, Pau, Joy, Vea, Kristina and Francina, to my “tropang tinder” and to my “forever tropas”; Jai, Min, Angge, Cha, and Rona for all the encouragements and for somehow making this journey light and fun despite of all the outbursts and stressed moments we’ve shared together. A special mention to a very special person in my life, Allysha Joy de Castro for being my number one supporter in everything I do, for being one of the sources of my happiness every time I feel depressed in life; and for not leaving me since the beginning of this research study until the end. I would also like to encompass my deepest and sincerest appreciation to my family for their endless and abounding love, help, guidance and support as I conquer every challenge in my life. I will be forever grateful to my parents, Lodie C. Lagansua and Rachille M. Lagansua who have been supporting me not just financially but emotionally and spiritually; I salute the both of you for all the sacrifices you have made just to assure that I will have a great future ahead of me. Also, thank you for all the experiences, life-lessons and opportunities that have made me who I am today. Most importantly, none of these would be possible without the help, care and unending love of the Almighty God who has been my shield in every mishap that I had experienced in life. Truly God has blessed me with real good friends and loving family that serves as my greatest inspiration as I pursue my goals in life. I am most thankful to God for giving me the opportunity, strength, ability, knowledge and wisdom to do this kind of research study and be able to accomplish it competently, because with God, nothing is impossible. I dedicate this milestone to everyone who has been part of my journey. I must say that I am now ready to take another step as I explore the new chapter of my life. Thank you so much and may our God bless us all! Lagansua, John Lester M. v TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ...........................................................................................viii LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................... ix LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................. xi PART I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 1 1.1. Research Rationale .................................................................................... 1 1.2. Research Questions ................................................................................... 4 1.3. Research Objectives .................................................................................. 5 1.4. Significance of the Study .......................................................................... 6 1.5. Scope and Limitations............................................................................... 6 1.6. Definitions................................................................................................. 7 PART II. LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................... 9 2.1. Intensive Farming ..................................................................................... 9 2.2. Ecological/Environmental Impacts of Intensive Farming ...................... 15 2.3. Environmental Management Strategies/Practices .................................. 24 PART III. METHODOLOGY .......................................................................... 25 3.1. Research Method .................................................................................... 25 3.2. Materials.................................................................................................. 26 3.3. Locale of the Study ................................................................................. 27 3.4. Respondents of the Study........................................................................ 28 3.5. Sampling Method and Sample Size ........................................................ 29 3.6. Data Collection ....................................................................................... 30 3.7. Data Analysis .......................................................................................... 31 3.8. Conceptual Framework ........................................................................... 32 PART IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ...................................................... 34 4.1. Socio-demographic and Socio-economic Profile of the Respondents .... 34 vi 4.2. Farm Characteristics ............................................................................... 40 4.3. Agricultural Practices.............................................................................. 41 4.4. Environmental and Ecological Impacts of Intensive Rice Farming ....... 46 4.5. Environmental Management Practices and their Effectiveness .............. 53 4.6. Overall Analysis ...................................................................................... 68 PART V. CONCLUSION .................................................................................. 72 5.1. Summary ................................................................................................. 72 5.2. Conclusion................................................................................................ 75 5.3. Recommendations ................................................................................... 76 REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 77 APPENDICES ..................................................................................................... 89 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Location Map of Victoria, Laguna, Philippines.................................... 27 Figure 2. Conceptual framework of the study ...................................................... 33 Figure 3. Distribution of the respondents in different organizations ................... 37 Figure 4. Sources of irrigation .............................................................................. 41 Figure 5. Impacts on Climate and Air .................................................................. 47 Figure 6. Impacts on water ................................................................................... 49 Figure 7. Impacts on soil ...................................................................................... 50 Figure 8. Impacts on biodiversity ......................................................................... 51 Figure 9. Effectiveness of incorporation of urea fertilizer during tillage operation .............................................................................................................................. 56 Figure 10. Effectiveness of the use of insect predator to control pests ................ 57 Figure 11. Effectiveness of incorporation of rice straw into the soil ................... 58 Figure 12. Effectiveness of the efficient use of water when irrigating ................ 60 Figure 13. Effectiveness of the use of sprinkler irrigation method ...................... 61 Figure 14. Effectiveness of irrigation scheduling ................................................ 61 Figure 15. Effectiveness of draining extra water to keep rice field at saturated condition ............................................................................................................... 64 Figure 16. Effectiveness of the use of organic/animal manure or compost ......... 64 Figure 17. Effectiveness of green manure incorporation ..................................... 65 viii LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Distribution of rice farmers in different barangays in Victoria and the total number of samples........................................................................................ 30 Table 2. Summary table of the respondents’ age group ....................................... 35 Table 3. Distribution of the respondents based on their gender ........................... 35 Table 4. Distribution of the respondents based on their educational attainment . 36 Table 5. Membership of the respondents in organization .................................... 36 Table 6. Actual number of years working in rice farm ........................................ 38 Table 7. Income of the respondents from rice farming ........................................ 39 Table 8. Other source of income of the respondents ............................................ 39 Table 9. Area of the respondents’ rice farm ......................................................... 40 Table 10. Farming practices applied in the farm .................................................. 44 Table 11. Number and quantity of nutrients in rice grain and rice straw ............. 46 Table 12. Air management practices .................................................................... 55 Table 13. Water management practices................................................................ 59 Table 14. Soil management practices ................................................................... 63 Table 15. Biodiversity management practices ..................................................... 66 TABLES-APPENDIX Appendix 1.1. Result of the FGD Appendix 2.1. Survey Questionnaire Appendix 3.1. Impacts on Air Appendix 3.2. Impacts on Water Appendix 3.3. Impacts on Soil Appendix 3.4. Impacts on Biodiversity ix Appendix 4.1. Raw data of the effectiveness of incorporation of urea fertilizer during tillage operation Appendix 4.2. Raw data of the effectiveness of using insect predator to control pests Appendix 4.3. Raw data of the effectiveness of incorporation of rice straw into the soil Appendix 4.4. Raw data of the effectiveness of efficient use of water when irrigating Appendix 4.5. Raw data of the effectiveness of using sprinkler irrigation method Appendix 4.6. Raw data of the effectiveness of irrigation scheduling Appendix 4.7. Raw data of the effectiveness of draining extra water to keep rice field at saturated condition Appendix 4.8. Raw data of the effectiveness of using an organic/animal manure or compost Appendix 4.9. Raw data of the effectiveness of green manure incorporation Appendix 4.10. Raw data of the effectiveness of proper field monitoring Appendix 4.11. Raw data of the effectiveness of ensuring that irrigation canals are free of weeds x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS EMPs - Environmental Management Practices FGD - Focus Group Discussion FIA Farmers Irrigators Association - IPM - Integrated Pest Management IRRI - International Rice Research Institute MAO - Municipal Agricultural Officer MAO - Municipal Agriculture Office LGUs - Local Government Units SPSS - Statistical Package for the Social Sciences GAP - Gintong Ani Programme IRRI - International Rice Research Institute xi PART I. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Research Rationale Of the total area of the Philippines, 41% is devoted to agriculture which is equivalent to 12.23 million hectares (Courageasia, 2016). When it comes to the GDP of the Philippines, only 11% was contributed by the agricultural sector, and of the total employment, only 32% was shared by agriculture (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2012). According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (2012), the country’s agricultural sector is made up of different sub-sectors; livestock (13%), poultry (11%), fishery (19%), agricultural activities and services (7%), and farming (50%), wherein 6% are corn, 4% are coconut, 5% are banana, 2% are sugarcane, 2% are mango as well as pineapple, and the largest which is 20% are rice, and 9% are for others. Although many of the Filipinos still believe that Philippines remain to be an agricultural country despite of various plans to make it an industrialized economy (Encyclopedia of the Nations, n.d.), strictly speaking, it is not. Recent studies submit that despite of the relatively well performance in the 1960s and 1970s, Philippine agriculture wavered in the following decades. Agricultural growth decelerated and public investments for agriculture declined, and at the turn of the century, Philippine agriculture was no longer considered as a major contributor to the country’s total economic growth, although, it remains to be one of the sectors contributing to the acceleration of inclusive growth (SEARCA, 1 n.d.). Agriculture, fishery and forestry directly account for just one-fifth (20%) of the economy’s total domestic output (GDP). Ever since the 1960s, the direct share of agriculture in the GDP had fallen below one-third, and by 1981, the sector’s share had decreased to only 23% (Habito & Briones, 2005). Although the sector’s contribution to GDP has declined in recent decades, there have been recent signs of revival. Agriculture has recovered with a high of 5.28% growth in the first quarter of 2017 after several quarters of decline. Production in the farm subsector went up by 8.28% during the reference quarter. It contributed 53.66% to the total agricultural production; outputs in rice and corn farms increased by 12.38% and 23.44%, respectively. Production gains were also noted among sugarcane, banana, pineapple, tobacco, peanut, mongo, cassava, tomato, garlic, onion and eggplant. The livestock subsector posted a 3.22% growth in output in the first three months of 2017. It accounted for 16.85% of total agricultural output. The poultry subsector with its 15.35% contribution to total agricultural production came up with 1.88% increase in the first quarter of 2017. The fisheries subsector produced 0.73% more output during the period. It contributed 14.15% to total agricultural output. On the average, prices received by farmers increased by 3.34% in the first quarter of 2017. Price gains were higher in the livestock and fisheries subsectors at 5.96% and 7.17%, respectively. The crops subsector posted an average price increase of 2.01%, while prices in the poultry subsector inched up by 0.29% from the 2016 record (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2017). 2 Among those different sub-sectors, farming has become more prevalent, particularly rice farming, because rice is one of the main agricultural crops in the Philippines and also considered to be the staple food for more than 3 billion people or nearly half of the world’s population (Ricepedia, n.d.). According to the data gathered by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for 2009, Philippines is the 9th largest rice producer in the world (Nipuna Rice, n.d.), accounting for 2.8% of global rice production. In 2010, the Philippines have imported 2.45 million tons of rice, making it considered that year to be the biggest rice importing country in the world (IRIN, 2016). The major rice-producing parts of the country are Central Luzon (18.7%), Western Visayas (11.3%), Cagayan Valley (11%), Ilocos region (9.8%), SOCCSKSARGEN (7.5%), and Bicol region (6.8%). SOCCSKSARGEN is a newly created region in central Mindanao comprising North Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat provinces. Almost 70% of the total rice area is irrigated and the remaining 30% is rain-fed and upland. Much of the country’s irrigated rice is grown on the central plain of Luzon, the country’s rice bowl. Rain-fed rice is found in the Cagayan Valley in northern Luzon, in Iloilo Province, and on the coastal plains of Visayas and Ilocos in Northern Luzon. Upland rice is grown in both permanent and shifting cultivation systems scattered throughout the archipelago on rolling to steep lands (Ricepedia, n.d.). For almost three decades, farmers in the Philippines have been using chemical fertilizers, pesticides and growth regulators in their rice production strategies in order for them to sustain their harvest and to make their living. 3 Regardless of the inputs’ high cost, and the farmers’ awareness that they can unfavourably affect soil quality and structure, food quality, human and animal health, and environmental quality, they still strongly use it because there are few alternatives that would be considered practical and feasible. University-based research has strongly promoted the use of agricultural chemicals as the best means of achieving the highest possible crop yields (Mendoza, n.d.). This approach allows a stable increase of global harvests and offers an increase security of supply, however, the chemicals that go into intensive farming in the form of fertilizers and pesticides damage the environment by polluting and poisoning soil, air, water and biodiversity. 1.2. Research Questions Due to continuous high demand of rice because of the increasing population in the Philippines, the usual response is to increase production through intensive farming. Thus, to form and to implement feasible environmental management practices in relation to intensive farming would be substantial to help them improve their environmental performance. Intensive farming has been seen as a problem to the environment mainly because of the amount of chemical used. There are certain environmental consequences of intensive farming and these are loss of natural habitats by the expansion of agricultural land and the associated impact on the biodiversity, soil degradation such as erosion, depletion, and pollution (air and water) that also contributes to some climatic changes. This research sought to answer the following questions: 4 Main question: What is the assessment of environmental management practices applied in intensive farming by selected rice farmers in Victoria, Laguna Philippines? 1. What are the socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the respondents? 2. What are the agricultural practices of rice farmers in Victoria, Laguna? 3. What are the environmental impacts of intensive rice farming practices? 4. What are the environmental management practices applied to mitigate such impacts? 5. How effective such environmental management practices are? 1.3. Research Objectives The main goal of this research is to assess the environmental management practices of selected rice farmers practicing intensive farming in Victoria, Laguna. This research aims to:  describe the socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics of each respondent from the selected barangays in Victoria, Laguna;  document the agricultural practices of rice farmers in Victoria, Laguna;  determine the actual environmental impacts of intensive rice farming practices;  identify the environmental management practices employed by farmers to mitigate the environmental impacts of intensive rice farming; 5  analyse the effectiveness of different environmental management practices towards promoting sustainability/ecological integrity 1.4. Significance of the Study As this issue becomes more widely held, different environmental management practices can be employed. Establishing effective management practices is essential to help farmers assess their environmental performance and be more productive in growing rice. This will help strengthen their ability as an individual by managing their farm rationally and effectively but with environmental consideration. In addition, this will contribute to the information of the government regarding the environmental management practices of rice farms in addressing the effect of intensive farming and will help government officials execute stronger and more effective policies and regulations. Also, it will add knowledge to other rice farms that also perform intensive farming and help them promote such good environmental management practices. Thus, farmers can produce tons of rice in a short period of time and have a higher income without rapidly terminating the environment. 1.5. Scope and Limitations This research was conducted in Victoria, Laguna, Philippines particularly in three barangays, namely Masapang, San Benito and San Roque. The study focused on the environmental management practices of selected rice farms, but also gave points to some environmental issues caused by intensive farming that the farm have experienced. 6 On the other hand, in doing this kind of research, limitations are inevitable. Some of these limitations that have been encountered during its whole process were time, because finding the exact location of each respondent is very time-consuming, and also the willingness of the respondents to be interviewed and their honesty as well when it comes to answering all the written survey questions. There are also some limitations found in measuring environmental management practices and environmental impacts. This includes the different beliefs of the respondents that affect their adaptation to such management practices. Also, it includes the different location of the respondents, for example some respondents resides far from water bodies, so there have been no impacts recorded. 1.6. Definitions 1.6.1. Intensive Farming Intensive farming is an agricultural intensification and mechanization system that aims to maximize yields from available land through various means, such as heavy use of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers (Everything Connects, 2013). 1.6.2. Environmental Impacts Environmental impacts are the possible adverse effects caused by a development, agricultural, industrial, or infrastructural project or by the release of a substance in the environment (Business Dictionary, 2018). This includes the effects on animal and human health and welfare (OECD Glossary of Statistical 7 Terms, 2001), for example, degradation of soil, water or air, changes that reduce flora or fauna habitat or make the local environment socially unacceptable (Fertiliser Association, 2012). 1.6.3. Environmental Management Practices (EMPs) Environmental management practices are the techniques, plans and actions that allow organizations especially for any agriculture-related commerce to minimize their impacts on the environment in all aspects, and serves as a tool to help them assess and improve their environmental performance. 1.6.4. Agricultural Practices Agricultural Practices means the steps involved in agriculture which can be seen generally done by farmers and gardeners. Agricultural practices such as irrigation, crop rotation, fertilizers, and pesticides were developed long ago, but have made great advances in the past century (Vidyalaya, 2012). 8 PART II. LITERATURE REVIEW This chapter introduces the framework for the case study that includes the main focus of the research described in this study. It also provides compiled literatures related to the study about intensive farming. Different studies on environmental/ecological impacts were also included. 2.1. Intensive Farming Traditionally farming involves low levels of labour in relation to the land farmed. Here the inputs like seeds, man hours, organic fertilizers, and other farming allied resources as well as the output (yield) is relatively low as compared to intensive farming. Traditional farming methods like organic farming or extensive agriculture work on the premise to ensure health of the farm land in terms of its longevity, and a high natural nutrient value. The concept of resting the land after each harvest to give it time to recuperate itself through natural processes is also a major feature of sustainable agriculture. With a changing scenario in the population curve that has just been climbing upwards and the need to support them through a large yield, traditional farming practices were forced to make way for intensive farming (Rajeev, 2010). Intensive farming is an agricultural system that aims to get maximum yield from the available land. This farming technique is also applied in supplying livestock. People could say that under this technique, food is produced in large quantities with the help of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that are 9