Filipino Farming: Expenses and Farmer Profile

• Introduction to agriculture

Average Filipino Family Expenses (1999 vs. 2020)

• Food expenses decreased from 43.9% in 1999 to 39.2% in 2020
• Education expenses increased from 3.7% in 1999 to 9.8% in 2020
• Medical care expenses increased from 2.2% in 1999 to 18.4% in 2020
• Housing expenses decreased from 15.4% in 1999 to 3.7% in 2020
• Clothing and shoes expenses increased slightly from 3.3% in 1999 to 7.2% in 2020
• Other expenses decreased from 31.5% in 1999 to 21.7% in 2020
• The total expenses are 100%
• A note indicates that lower income correlates with a greater proportion spent on food

Typical Filipino Farmer Profile

• The farmer's educational level is below average
• The average family size is above average, typically with four or more members, which means more farm labor
• The farmer's age is above average, possibly due to the decreasing appeal of farming to younger generations
• Average farmer's age is 57 years old
• They tend to have leaner bodies and sunburned skin because of vegetable-based diets
• They are generally spiritual and superstitious
• They are hardworking
• In general the farming profession provides small income

Challenges of Philippine Agriculture

• Decreasing funds are allocated to agriculture
• The Philippines is vulnerable to natural disasters
• State control in agriculture is being removed
• There is small land tenure (small farm size)
• There is land conversion and utilization
• Critical programs in areas like irrigation and pest management are absent
• Engagement in agriculture is decreasing
• Farm tools and equipment are expensive
• Technology transfer is inadequate

Philippine Country Overview (July 2020)

• Land area: 300,000 km², with 41.7% being agricultural land
• 9.3% of the GDP came from agriculture and fishing in 2018
• Population: 110 million people, with 53% residing in rural areas
• Adjusted income per capita: US$3,835
• First recorded COVID-19 case: January 30, 2020
• COVID-19 statistics (as of July 31, 2020): 89,374 known cases and 1,983 recorded deaths, with Metro Manila as a hotspot
• A state of public health emergency was declared March 8, 2020
• Travel, schools, and work attendance were suspended in the capital
• Enhanced Community Quarantine in Metro Manila and Luzon was implemented
• Top staples in agriculture and fisheries include cereals, rice, coconuts, bananas, and maize
• Agricultural production and fisheries are declining
• Compared to similar ASEAN countries farm productivity is low
• The Philippines is one of the top fish producers
• There is need for more sustainable practices
• Agricultural pests and diseases are key risk multipliers
• The country is subject to frequent tropical cyclones (typhoons) each year

Growth Points on Agricultural Production

• Agriculture was the only industry with a positive increase during the pandemic (1.04% from 2019-2021)
• Fertilizer products (solids) are projected to remain high until the 3rd quarter of 2022
• The pesticide industry for 2019-2021 reached $363M per annum: 45% was insecticide, 35% fungicide, and 20% herbicide
• The fertilizer industry for 2019-2021 reached $212M per annum: 60% was solid, 30% foliar, and 10% biological
• The plantation industry is steady market for agricultural inputs - making up a 36% market share with bananas, pineapples, sugarcane, and fruits
• Higher inputs are expected due to the insertion of High Yielding Varieties (HYV) for corn and veggies, averaging a 20% increase
• Crop nutrition redirection from solid fertilizer to foliar due to high solid costs, decreasing labor force, and increasing labor costs

Soil Science and Soil Definition

• Soil science is a body of knowledge evolved from the study of soils through chemistry, physics, biology, and geology.
• Soil is a natural, dynamic body on the land surface, comprised of a porous mixture of organic and inorganic materials
• The composition and properties influence plant growth
• Soil is a three-dimensional body with length, width and dept - also known as a pedon
• The soil profile represents a vertical section from the ground surface down to the bedrock

Fields of Study in Soil Science

• Soil fertility studies the status of soil with respect to the form, amount, and availability of nutrient elements
• Soil conservation and management protect the soil against physical loss by erosion or chemical deterioration
• It includes tillage operations, cropping practices, and fertilization/liming on soil for crop production
• Soil microbiology characterizes microorganisms in the soil and their impact on physical/biochemical changes
• Soil genesis, morphology, and classification explores structural characteristics, origin, and arrangement of soils
• Soil physics examines the characteristics, properties, and reactions of soil caused by physical forces, and how those can be expressed by equations
• Soil chemistry and mineralogy study the original rocks/minerals that constitute the material soils are derived from
• Characterization happens through the reaction of the nutrients in the soil and in the soil solution
• Land use covers the utilization or allocation of lands for broad purposes like agriculture, forestry, settlement, and military reservations

Approaches in Studying Soils

• Pedological: Soil is considered as a natural body with major emphasis on its genesis, properties, and classification as it occurs in its environment
• Purposes include road, building, and dam construction
• Edaphological: Soil is studied in relation to agricultural production
• Explores variations in soil productivity with respect to soil fertility
• Considers soil a fundamental component of a farm

Factors of Soil Formation

• Climate
• Living matter
• Parent material
• Relief
• Time

Soil as a Resource

• Healthy soil provides clean air and water
• Soil also gives bountiful crops and forests
• Diverse wildlife and beautiful landscapes depend on soil
• Soil delivers 5 essential functions

Essential Functions of Soils

• Medium for plant growth is a key soil feature
• Preservation and advancement of human life on Earth
• Soil regulates water supplies
• It controls water in the hydrologic system
• Affects influence of fate of rainwater
• Rainwater can run across the surface and supplement surface bodies of water, and may lead to flash flooding
• Rainwater can infiltrate soil for vegetation use.
• Rainwater can flow through soil to reach groundwater.
• Soil partitions water for groundwater recharge, plant use, and animals
• Soil recycles raw materials
• Nutrients such as C, N, and P are stored, transformed, and cycled
• Nutrients transform into plant available forms
• Soils act as modifiers of the atmosphere
• Soil organic matter is a major carbon pool, which acts as both a carbon source and sink
• Soil is a habitat for many organisms
• Soil harbors much of Earth's genetic diversity
• A handful of soil may be home to billions of organisms
• Larger organisms also spend a part of their existence in soil
• The soil is required in daily life, e.g. badgers, rabbits, and reptiles
• Soil is foundation support
• Soil is used for construction

Preservation of Earth's History

• Village and town names reflect the relationship between soil and society in the past
• An example of this is Barton-le-Clay’ in the UK.

Soil Components

• Ideal soil composition:
• 25% air
• 25% water
• 45% inorganic matter
• 5% organic matter
• Soils consist of 50% space and 50% soil solids
• Variation in water, mineral, organic, and air

Soil Minerals

• Minerals are acquired from weathering of rocks
• Most important weathering products are clay minerals
• Minerals are inorganic components, sand, silt, clay
• Minerals make-up more than 90% of soil solids

Soil Organic Matter (OM)

• Soil organic matter encompasses all organic components of a soil
• Stabilized organic matter like humus makes up 33%-50%
• Decomposing organic matter makes up 33%-50%
• Living organisms make up less than 5%
• Fresh residue comprise 10%
• Organic soils have greater than 20% organic matter
• Mineral soils have less than 20% organic matter
• Most soils are classified as mineral soils

Soil Water/Soil Solution

• The soil solution contains soluble salts, organic solutes, and suspended colloids
• Water is controlled by pore size
• Small pores have a great affinity for water
• Large pores allow water to escape easily
• In soil, small quantities are often inorganic compounds, helping to supply essential elements
• Acidity/alkalinity act as a critical property of the soil
• Chemical and biological reactions are dependent on the levels of H+ and OH- ions in the soil
• These reactions influence solubility and availability of essential elements

Soil Air

• Soil has more CO2 but less O2 than the atmosphere
• Respiring organisms consume O2 and produce CO2
• Soil air always has a relative humidity near 100%
• Respiration generates water which slowly evaporates

Soil Quality

• Soil’s capacity to function within ecosystem boundaries to sustain plant and animal productivity
• Soil helps maintain and enhance water and air quality
• Farmers require a sustainable medium for growing crops
• Naturalists look at soil in ecological balance
• Homeowners see a substance that helps with building and gardening

Factors Affecting Soil Quality

• Inherent properties
• Texture
  • Organic matter
• Aggregation - Water-holding capacity - Drainage - Bulk density - Topography
• Management related properties
  • Tillage intensity
  • Compaction
  • Organic additions
  • Residue management
  • Microbial activity
  • Salts

Mechanisms and Causes of Soil Quality Degradation

• Mechanisms
  • Water erosion
  • Wind erosion
  • Chemical degradation
  • Physical degradation
• Causes
  • Overgrazing
  • Deforestation
  • Agricultural activities
  • Over exploitation
  • Industrialization
  • Related to man-made causes

Competing Uses of Soil Resources are

• Agriculture
• Human settlements
• Commerce, industry, and tourism development

Explore the expenses of the average Filipino family in 1999 vs. 2020. Understand the profile of a typical Filipino farmer, including education, family size, and age. Discover the challenges and realities of agriculture in the Philippines.