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25% of the farmers generated savings from crop production. Earnings from
livestock production were a common source of income among adopters.
Production costs and incorne fro171 rice-based cropping glstem. The average
cash expenditure in rice production during the first crop was P4,048/ha (Table 1).
The highest capital outlay was spent on hired labor for both adopters (57%) and
nonadopters (62%). Expenditures on fertilizer and seeds were relatively high. Other
expenses included hauling fees, insecticides, and herbicides.
The average cost of watermelon production was P5,480/ha (Table 2).
Fertilizer cost accounted for 43% of the total production cost, hired labor for 28%,
and insecticides for 23%. Contract buyers bore the cost of harvesting, hauling, and
transportation. Net returns were shared equally between the owner and the labor-
contractor. The labor-contractor was given a cash advance that was deductible from
the sale of the produce.
The net income of the RWCS adopters was P33,036 while nonadopters
gained P17,113 only (Table 3). Not all farmers could adopt the transplanted rice -
watermelon cropping pattern because of its high capital requirement. Therefore,
credit facilities and financial support programs are important components of the
project.
Housetrold inconze and expenses. Income from on-farm, off-farm, and
nonfarm activities were the major sources of capital for crop production. However,
in most cases, the farmers could not meet the financial requirement of the
technology. Rice and watermelon were the two major crops that provided income
and capital for household and farming activities. Income from coconut and hilly land
cultivation also contributed to overall income.
Fishing was a major source of income for 46% of the adopters and 52% of
the nonadopters. Other nonfarm activities included hog raising, tricycle driving,
"sari-sari" store operation, coconut selling, rattan furniture manufacturing,
carpentry, hiring out of labor, renting out hand tractors, and cottage industries.
In terms of average monthly household expenditures, the adopters spent 16%
more than the nonadopters. The estimated household expenses of adopters was
P4,305; whereas, nonadopters S ent P3,620. The highest expenditure for both types
of farmers was on food (40%), P ollowed by education of children (20%).
Fann and housetiold assets.The adopters had more assets than nonadopters.
About 35% of the adopters owned residential lands compared with only 16% of the
nonadopters. Regardless of their categories, all farmers had appliances (e.g.,
refrigerators, radio cassettes, television sets, video recorders, stereo, sewing
machines, and electric fans). One adopter owned a tricycle.