DOI: https://doi.org/10.47773/shj.1998.171.3
Impact of Intergrated Crop Management (ICM) on the Income of Small-Scale Vegetable Farmers in Cabintan, Ormoc City, Leyte
Edelyn P. Nuñez, Rhodora A. Bande, Ma. Hazel I. Bellezas and Moises Neil V. Seriño
This study aims to assess the impact of the project titled Integrated Crop
Management (ICM) implemented from 2013-2018. The ICM project aimed to
increase vegetable profitability and food security in the Philippines particularly in
Cabintan, Ormoc City, Leyte. Using quasi-experimental designs, this study
compares the income differences of small-scale vegetable farmers between
project beneficiaries (Cabintan farmers) and non-beneficiaries (Danao farmers). A
total of three hundred ninety-three vegetable farmers were surveyed, of which 253
were from the beneficiary group and 140 were from the comparison group.
Descriptive statistics show that farmer respondents are mostly men, married, with
an elementary level of education. The average age is 40 years old, with four
household members, and farm income ranging from PhP 6,000 to PhP 12,000 per
month. Women are involved in farming activities including land preparation,
seedling raising, field mulching, crop fertilization, protective cropping, irrigating,
pest control, and marketing. Multiple linear regressions reveal that the socioeconomic
background, the use of manure in production, and water management
are important factors in explaining the increased farm income of vegetable
farmers. To estimate the impact of the project intervention, the propensity score
matching with the nearest neighboring technique was used. Results reveal that the
ICM project was able to increase vegetable farm income by PhP35,098.23 per
hectare per year. Because of this, local government units and stakeholders may
consider providing training related to integrated crop management to boost the
income of small-scale farmers.
Keywords: Integrated Crop Management, Vegetable Farming, Propensity
Score Matching