Production and Postharvest Practices of Corn Farmers in Barangay Sta. Maria, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao

Abstract

The study was conducted in Sta. Maria, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao with 70 selected respondents chosen from the farmers whose main source of income is corn production. It was conducted to determine the profile of the selected farmers, management and postharvest practices in corn production, and problems encountered by the farmers in corn production. A survey questionnaire and personal interview was used in collecting the data. Data gathered were interpreted through the use of percentages and ranks. The results shows that majority of the respondents are at the working ages or relatively young, male, married, and undergone formal education and 45% had an annual income of Php. 51,000 to Php.70,000. Hybrid corn was the common variety cultivated by the respondents. The farmers prepared the land mechanically and apply inorganic fertilizer. All of the respondents planted their crop using planter devices. They cultivated an area of more than 1 hectare or more. Majority of them are owners of the land they cultivating. The corn produced by the farmers is transported to the market in hired trucks soldto wholesaler on cash basis. The common production, postharvest and marketing problems encountered were; drought caused by El Niño, high Cost of input materials, occurrence of pest and diseases, lack of drying pavement/panel, postharvest losses, low market price, poor farm to market road and high interest cost of interest.