Profitability of Heirloom Rice Production of the Members of Blooming Hills RTFC Bauko Cluster at Mountain Province.

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the profile of the respondents; analyze the profitability of heirloom rice; describe the production and marketing practices; and identify the problems they encountered. Twenty four members not selling their produce to Revitalize Indigenous Cordillera Entrepreneurs (RICE) Inc. (c/o Ms. Vicky Garcia) were taken as the respondents. Majority of the respondents have age ranging from 41 to 60. Majorities are males and all are married. All have gone to formal education; the lowest educational attainment was elementary undergraduate. Most of the respondents have been members in the organization for four years. The common sources of income are farming and paid labor. Majority of them have an income of P10, 000 and below. Most of them are cultivating an area of 501m2 to 1,000m2 and only one is leasing. Farmers are producing glutinous and non-glutinous varieties because of low cost and its premium price. Others mentioned about their knowledge or expertise on the production of such variety, the medicinal content, the better income and its market to be the reason of their production. All their produce are sold at a price of P79 for glutinous and P65 for non-glutinous depending on the variety while its unit cost was P86.55. Their common market are the: Bontoc patopat processors, neighbors and family circle. Only one sells his produce in Baguio City. Production of heirloom rice is not profitable. A 500m2 incurred a total cost of P10, 366. The yield was estimated to be 230 kilos fresh weight palay per one cropping but the saleable or consumable quantity is only 120 kilos. Because of the very low price compared to its unit cost most especially to the non-glutinous rice which has a difference of P21.55 a kilo, there is a loss of P1222. Farmers still follow the indigenous farming in their production and sell their produce personally to their respective buyers on a cash basis. Pests such as maya, rats, and kuhol; limited drying pavements; postharvest loss, and high number of man days were the production relative problems. Low quality is their only problem in marketing.