Sustainable Corn Production in Sloping Areas in Quirino, Philippines: Viable Farming in Upland

Abstract

Soil erosion depletes fertility in sloping areas affecting yield and income of farmers. This project aimed to showcase SCoPSA as sustainable and viable farming in the uplands, determine reduction in soil erosion, and compare yield and income. Eight farmers showcased technologies on contour farming, planting of hedgerows, double-row planting using jabber, nutrient management, and agro-waste utilization from CY 2017-2019. Descriptive and T-Test analyses were used in data analysis. Contour farming and planting of hedgerows (banana, pineapple, citrus, pigeonpea) reduced soil erosion by 0.634 m3 /ha/year from 1.593 m3 /ha/year to 0.959 m3 /ha/year. Transformed 32.29 ha into SCoPSA involving 31 farmers, hence, soil erosion reduction of 20.47 m3 /year. The double–row using jabber in planting and appropriate nutrient management increased yield by 1.4 mt/ha from 2.0 mt/ha to 3.4 mt/ha, 2.04 mt/ha from 4.16 mt/ha to 6.2 mt/ha and income by Ᵽ8,327.0/ha and Ᵽ8,255.50/ha during dry and wet seasons, respectively. Farmers utilized agro-waste into mushroom and vermicompost production as an additional income. The LGU Maddela and BLGU Divisoria Sur approved ordinances implementing SCoPSA. These findings would help the community to sustain upland farming, hence, municipalities with sloping areas to adapt/commercialize, approve policies implementing SCoPSA, and mainstreaming it in LGU programs.