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A Linear Programming Model of a Rice-based Crop-Livestock Farming System in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan
Thesis Abstract:
The study aimed to quantitatively describe a rice-based crop-livestock farming in rainfed villages using data obtained from an on-farm crop-animal system research project in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, Philippines and to evaluate this system in terms of maximizing farm income from the different components through linear programming (LP).
The farms were typically smallholding, averaging 1.3 to 1.6 ha. Crop establishment depended on rainfall, which peaks in August. High yielding varieties, notably IR-42 and IR-36, were grown with average yields of 2.90 to 3.10 t/ha. Mung bean and cowpea were introduced as dry season crops with average yields of 0.886 and 0.66 t/ha, respectively.
The average animal holding per farm were 1.1 to 1.4, with average daily gains of 0.1 0 to 0.14 kg for cattle. The low gains were attributed to the seasonal feed supply, use of animals for draft, and minimal care paid to the animals during land preparation. Feeds offered to animals comprised mostly of weeds and rice straw with very minimal and occasional supplementation of rice bran and salt.
LP analysis of the data showed that with unlimited weed supply and with one animal holding, the gross margin of the optimal plan using farmers' traditional practices was lower (P1,837.00) than the technology introduced by the project (P2,072.00). This technology consisted of improved practice through straight row method of planting rice and one animal holding plus unlimited weeds. The gross income could be further increased to P17,627.00 when the animal holding was increased to two heads. When weed supply was limited, however, the optimal plan yielded a negative gross margin of P7,747.00. The farm could barely raise one animal because the nutrient requirements cannot be satisfied. Including concentrate supplementation in the model resulted in an increased farm gross margin of P1,605.00.
The LP model formulated elicited the best choice of rice varieties from among those being grown and the number of livestock to raise, given the constraints of land resource, labor supply, minimum rice consumption requirements of the family, maximum loans available, and animal feed supply.
Some limitations of the present study included lack of data on non-ruminant animals and on animal feed resources obtained by grazing animals. Linear programming by itself was also a limitation because of its assumption of linear relationships.