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CONCLUSION
The farmers in Pangil did not adopt the RWCS technology. They adopted
watermelon as an alternative to rice during the DS. When there was adequate
rainfall, they substituted rice for watermelon. Although the adopters practiced the
RWCS technology, almost all cultural practices and the management involved were
carried out by a labor-contractor who had experience in watermelon production.
The results suggest that the RWCS improved farm income. When the
adopters phased out the production of watermelon in 1991, there was an apparent
reduction in income. Farmers, however, were able to compensate for the losses
through other sources. One of the farmers focused his effort on rice production and
cultivated a larger area to make up for the loss of income from watermelon. This is
most likely to happen if farmers have large farms. However, if farm size is a limiting
factor, farmers will be inclined to plant watermelon after rice.
The impact of watermelon production on income and expenditure patterns
cannot be generalized. The case study revealed that income from the sale of
watermelon was not necessarily reinvested in farm enterprises, but was spent on
unproductive household items. The case study also revealed that farmers had other
sources that could be used to augment their income if watermelon was not included
in the farming system.
Rice remained a stable component of the farming system with or without the
irrigation system. Citrus, however, has the potential to increase income. The RWCS
is a very promising alternative only while the irrigation system is not operating.
The experience in Dambo has implications for future development.
Agricultural research should not merely focus on cropping systems work or deal only
with rainfed agriculture. Research must focus on finding ways to integrate water
management into the system. In Dambo, for example, years of cropping systems
research could be wasted because of the presence of an irrigation system.
Consequently, farmers in the rainfed areas will pay more attention to the provision
of the required water and will spend excessively on water-resource facilities. This
situation has been experienced by farmers in the KABSAKA project where
investments in costly water pumps have been made to guarantee adequate water
supply. The money spent on these facilities could have been invested in a much
more profitable venture. Therefore, it is vital to establish cropping systems that will
use limited water resources in the rainfed areas while providing reasonable income.