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Ficus diversity and structure along the Ulot River riparian zones in Samar Island Natural Park
No full textFicus species are keystone components of riparian ecosystems in Southeast Asia. Hence, studying their abundance and diversity in riparian areas can provide insights on the health and functions of the ecosystem. In this study, the diversity of Ficus along the riparian zone of Ulot River in Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) was evaluated by sampling across the upstream, midstream and downstream sections and using diversity indices and descriptive statistics to analyze the data. The Ulot riparian zone supports a phylogenetically diverse Ficus flora composed of 13 species representing five of the six subgenera. Three endemic species were observed namely, Ficus cassidyana, F. pseudopalma and F. ulmifolia. Regular monitoring is needed for all the three sections, as they exhibit comparable levels of species diversity, and each section contains rare unique species. The upstream section should be further studied as it is a key area for biodiversity having the highest number of individuals, and sheltering all the five subgenera. The least disturbed midstream section has the lowest number of individuals, greatest growth in terms of mean diameter at breast height (dbh), and highest species diversity (resulting from high evenness). Contrastingly, the downstream section characterized by high levels of disturbance displayed the lowest species diversity, and the least growth as evidenced by their lowest mean height and mean dbh. These patterns suggest the impact of anthropogenic disturbance (e.g., farming) on the growth, abundance, distribution and diversity of Ficus species in the Ulot riparian sections. The results produced from this study can serve as reference data in species monitoring and in developing conservation and management strategies for the Ulot riparian zone in SINP
A Case Study on Cafe Amadeo Development Cooperative (CADC)
No full textThis study provided a comprehensive assessment of the current performance and strategic opportunities for Café Amadeo Development Cooperative (CADC), a multipurpose cooperative in Brgy. Dagatan, Amadeo, Cavite, established in 2002 to uplift the coffee industry in the country. CADC, which started with 20 members and has grown to 532 members by December 2023, is known for its signature Pahimis Blend, a mix of Robusta, Arabica, Liberica, and Excelsa. The name of their signature coffee blend came from the annual festival celebrated in Amadeo. CADC’s product offerings not only focus on their coffee beans and coffee grounds, but also include freshly made beverages by their baristas, and non-coffee goods, such as local delicacies and souvenir items.
The primary objectives of this study were to present CADC’s current background, evaluate its internal and external environment, assess its performance across its functional areas: marketing, operations, human resources, and finance, analyze the identified business issue of the cooperative along with the alternative courses of action to solve it, and ultimately to recommend actionable strategies to be implemented.
The study utilized a mixed-methods research design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches to gain in-depth insights into CADC’s performance. Primary data were collected through observations in the store building and processing facility and through interviews and survey questionnaires distributed to the cooperative’s member employees and customers. Secondary data, including financial statements provided by the Cooperative Development Authority and other cooperative documents, gave additional context. The case study involved examining global, national, and local coffee industry trends, PESTLE Analysis, Porter’s Five Forces, Competitive Profile Matrix, vertical and horizontal analysis, financial ratios, Internal and External Factor Evaluation Matrices, SWOT Analysis, and Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix. The information gathered from the cooperative is limited to what they were willing to provide. This study\u27s data collection focuses on the period up to May 2024. Consequently, any changes or developments in the cooperative\u27s operations or market conditions that occur after this date are not addressed in this study. Furthermore, a more in-depth analysis of community dynamics, technology adoption, and environmental impacts was beyond the scope of this research.
Politically, the cooperative benefits from government funding, and support for MSMEs facilitated by local government units and national government agencies. Economically, the presence of industrial estates and economic zones in Cavite provides opportunities for local trade, while crop production remains crucial to the cooperative’s supply chain. Socio-demographically, Filipinos\u27 strong coffee consumption habits and the prominence of coffee in households create a robust market. Events like the annual Pahimis Festival further promote the local coffee culture and enhance community engagement. Technologically, the Internet of Things demonstration farms improve agricultural practices and productivity. Legally, compliance with regulations and agrarian reform laws ensures adherence to standards and governance requirements. Finally, coffee farmers are adapting their practices to maintain long-term productivity and sustainability in an evolving environment. The Five Forces analysis reveals high competitive rivalry in the market and high significant threats from new entrants due to low barriers and evolving trends. Substitute products pose a moderate challenge. Supplier bargaining power is high due to reliance on external sources, highlighting the need for effective supply chain management. Customer bargaining power is moderate, influenced by price sensitivity, but CADC\u27s strong reputation and cooperative model enhance its position. Comparatively, competitors like Gourmet Farms and Café Agapita outperformed Café Amadeo, excelling in factors such as product quality and consumer safety.
The Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) matrix shows that the cooperative’s greatest strength is its signature coffee blend while its key weakness is the high bargaining power of suppliers. CADC achieved a total weighted score of 3.10 in the IFE matrix, suggesting that it is performing above average internally. The External Factor Evaluation (EFE) matrix on the other hand reveals the increasing demand for coffee among Filipinos as the top opportunity for the cooperative, while a potential shift in consumer preferences was regarded as the most significant threat. CADC’s total weighted score from the EFE matrix was 2.53, indicating that it has been responding to external factors on average.
While their Facebook page serves as a platform for member announcements, their digital engagement can be improved to attract a wider audience through more effective promotional content. In operations, leveraging its large network of coffee farmers more effectively could increase in-house production, while addressing equipment inefficiencies would improve production timelines and product quality. Greater member engagement in general assemblies would strengthen communication and collaboration, fostering a stronger sense of community. Financially, focusing on controlling rising expenses and improving cash flow consistency would help stabilize the cooperative’s budget and resource planning.
CADC struggles to maintain a stable financial foundation due to the misalignment between expenses and revenue generation. Collectively, CADC’s core issue of disproportionate revenue growth with its increase in higher levels of expenses underscores the need for targeted strategies to support long-term growth and resilience.
Strategic alternatives to counter the cooperative’s core problem were outlined in the SWOT matrix. Four feasible approaches that align with the core problem of CADC were identified. These strategies include developing an instant coffee version of the Pahimis blend, expanding into new geographic markets, launching a full-scale local heritage campaign to promote Amadeo’s coffee industry, and collaborating with suppliers to develop co-branded products tailored to CADC customer preferences. Although the alternatives generated from the SWOT matrix are not mutually exclusive, they are presented and evaluated separately to determine which alternatives to prioritize.
The QSPM identified collaborating with suppliers to create co-branded products as the most attractive alternative. The cooperative may ideate other products or take into consideration the recommendations of a coffee gift set and/or Pahimis blend-inspired pastries. Moreover, it was also recommended that the cooperative reconstruct its organizational chart and establish a marketing committee. Overall, implementing these recommendations is expected to support CADC
Production and Marketing Analyses of Selected Freshwater Ornamental Fish Farms in Brgy. Uwisan, Calamba, Laguna: A Multiple Case Study
No full textThe general objective of this multiple case study is to increase understanding on the local freshwater ornamental fish industry by exploring and evaluating the production and marketing functions of the selected freshwater ornamental fish farms based in Brgy. Uwisan, Calamba, Laguna – Dioquino’s Fish Pond, Traballo’s Fish Pond, and DJT Aquafarm. It undertook the following specific objectives: (1) Present an overview of each enterprise; (2) Describe the environment of the freshwater ornamental fish industry; (3) Discuss the production and marketing activities of each enterprise; (4) Assess the enterprises in terms of Production and Marketing, through individual and cross-case analysis; (5) Analyze the key problems and constraints faced by the enterprises; and (6) Formulate recommendations and solutions for the enterprises and other stakeholders.
The researcher adopted a multiple case study design to allow for analysis within and across situations, highlighting similarities and differences between cases. Such a design provides valid and generalizable insights, that can be valuable to contexts and cases outside the study. The selected cases were based in Brgy. Uwisan, Calamba, Laguna. It is a part of the CALABARZON region, which is the top producer of freshwater ornamental fish in terms of volume. The Laguna province is the main contributor behind the region’s performance, contributing 45% of the entire country’s production volume of freshwater ornamental fish). Majority of the BFAR-profiled ornamental fish farms in Laguna belong to Calamba, and from this, 19 out of 21 belong to the locality of Brgy. Uwisan. This makes it a significant location for freshwater ornamental fish production, and an ideal area of focus for the study. Both primary and secondary data were utilized to gather information for the study. Primary data was collected through a series of semi-structured interviews with the fish farm owners. Interviews with key figures from the BFAR Calabarzon Regional Office and the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) were facilitated as well. Secondary data from existing studies, as well as journals and records of BFAR and NFRDI, were assessed as well.
The analytical framework for the study was largely based on the multiple case study framework developed by Yin (2018), which emphasized performing individual case analysis first, followed by cross case analysis. Analysis on the macroenvironment focused on political-legal, economic, socio-demographic, technological, and environmental factors affecting the industry. Meanwhile, analysis on the microenvironment focused on key actors such as the suppliers, customers, competitors, and regulatory agencies. Problem discussion and analysis identified the core issues faced by the enterprises, while SWOT analysis outlined key internal and external factors, and aided in the formulation of recommendations.
The first case revolved Dioquino’s Fish Pond, which is a 500 sqm. freshwater ornamental fish farm owned by Mr. Jerry Dioquino. This fish farm’s production has been disrupted due to consecutive natural disasters, and it has then been on a path to full stability and recovery. This offers fishes such as two varieties of the Molly fish, and one variety of the Red Platy fish. The enterprise mainly caters to hobbyists and Uwisan-based producers, with Facebook as its main platform for its marketing activities. The second case revolved around Traballo’s Fish Pond, which is a 1200 sqm. freshwater ornamental fish farm owned by Mr. Rolando Traballo. The enterprise peaked during the pandemic, but has been facing stagnating sales since then. It produces nine varieties of the Molly fish, and one variety of the Guppy Fish. The business’ main customers include retailer pet shops, wholesaler pet shops, and hobbyists. Promotions for the business are done through Facebook as well. The third case revolved around DJT Aquafarm, a 10000 sqm. freshwater ornamental fish farm, which is one of the biggest in Brgy. Uwisan. It is jointly owned by Mr. Heinrich Dave Javier, Mr. Cel Christian Sanchez, and Mr. Junior Liad. The business has a wide variety of offerings, including 16 varieties of Molly fish, 6 varieties of Danio fish, and 7 varieties of TetraGlo fish.
The problem analysis identified production losses and market limitations as the core problems of the three enterprises. Shared immediate problems include damages from typhoons and dry seasons and shared root problems include inadequate response to natural events, lack of technical knowledge, and lack of strategic marketing approach. The cross case analysis highlighted similar production setups and production flows, with the main outlier being DJT Aquafarm’s more advanced practices for transport. The three fish farms’ management systems for fish health, nutrition, and quality are also similar, with the only difference being DJT Aquafarm’s interventions for diseases. Due to varying sizes of production area, their production volumes differed, with DJT Aquafarm having the largest average volume produced. As for marketing, all three fish farms targeted the domestic market, utilizing both online and physical channels, adopting market-based pricing, and having Facebook as the main platform for promotions. The key differences shown were DJT Aquafarm and Traballo’s Fish Pond’s more extensive customer base and marketing channels, compared to Dioquino’s Fish Pond.
To address the problems identified in the study, recommendations were made to each of the freshwater ornamental fish farms, to the freshwater ornamental fish community in Brgy. Uwisan, as well as to the regulatory agencies. Formulated recommendations for the individual fish farms included upskilling and pursuing technical training, diversifying species and varieties offered, and improving their use of social media for marketing. Collective recommendations for the freshwater ornamental fish community in Brgy. Uwisan included the adoption of best management practices, as well as he formation of an ornamental fish cooperative. Furthermore, regulatory agencies must improve dissemination of information of technical assistance and local programs, and make more targeted trainings that tackle management of fish health, nutrition, and water quality. There is a need for stronger institutional support to maximize the potential of the emerging freshwater ornamental fish industry
Effects of Redrying Methods on the Milling Potential, Crude Protein and Total Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant Activity of Stored Inorganic and Organically-Grown Paddy
Get PDFThis study sought to determine the effects of redrying techniques (no redrying or Control, 2-h, 4-h, and 6-h redrying with stirring every 30 min, Farmer\u27s Practice or 6-h redrying with one stirring) on grain quality of stored inorganic and organic paddy rice as well as the redrying method that gives the best quality rice. PSB Rc82 rice harvested in October 2016 was used in the experiment conducted in February 2017. Quality parameters evaluated were moisture content, brown rice, total milled rice, crude protein content in percent, total phenolic content, and 2-2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. PSB Rc82 paddy exposed to various redrying techniques had moisture contents ranging between 9.10% – 11.60% moisture content (wet basis) (MCw.b.). Brown rice (70.19% – 72.52%), total milled rice (66.37% – 69.12%), crude protein content (6.60% – 7.73%), total phenolic content (0.0783 – 0.0950 mg g-1 GAE), and % DPPH radical scavenging activity (19.53 – 26.87) of PSB Rc82 rice were all significantly influenced by redrying process and type of rice (p = 0.05). The 2-h redrying produced maximum brown and milled rice recoveries while removing the least amount of moisture from paddy samples. Control (no redrying) had the highest crude protein content. Inorganic rice had more crude protein and was more nutrient-dense than organic rice. Samples dried at 4-h redrying with 30-min stirring intervals produced the highest % DPPH radical scavenging activity. Moreover, DPPH radical scavenging activities were higher in inorganic rice than in organic rice. Variations between inorganically and organically-grown rice in terms of crude protein content and antioxidant activity with different redrying methods may be attributed to crop management. Findings from this study can help other researchers in determining the best redrying method to attain maximum grain quality and health benefits important to consumers
Method for Calibrating an Arduino-based Soil Moisture Sensor Using van Genuchten’s Equation
Get PDFInstructions on building a do-it-yourself soil moisture sensor using Arduino microcontrollers abound on the Internet. These do-it-yourself soil moisture sensors are favorite projects by both plant and microcontroller enthusiasts because the parts are affordable and the end product is functional. In the absence of proper calibration, these soil moisture sensors cannot generate usable information on the status of plant-available-water in the soil. This research demonstrates the calibration of an Arduino-based soil moisture sensor using the soil moisture characteristic curve of a clay loam soil. Van Genuchten’s model was used to generate an equation and various parameters specific to the soil. An acceptable correlation was achieved between the soil volumetric moisture content and raw sensor value, with an R2 = 0.63. A highly significant result was achieved on the correlation between the actual and predicted soil moisture tension with a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 7.5% and a p-value of less than the alpha value of 0.05. It is recommended that the technique demonstrated in this research be used by other researchers working on a similar setup
Impact evaluation of microfinance operations in selected areas of Laguna
No full textMicrofinance institutions, which provide the poor Filipinos the much-needed capital for their income-generating projects, found a niche in the Philippines. The success of these microfinance institutions can be attributed to their non-collaterized credit, low interest rate compared with other informal sources of credit, and easy accessible services.
The operation and performance of the five different microfinance institutions (MFI) operating in Laguna were reviewed. These are the: Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), Center for Community Transformation (CCT), Ahon sa Hirap, Inc (ASHI), Barangay Integrated Development Approach for Nutrition Improvement of the Rural Poor (BIDANI), and Kristiyuanong Kabalikat Lingap sa Kabuhayan at Tagumpay (KKLKT).
The MFIs were evaluated based on their credit operations, performance of the operators in extending credit to the poor; impact of the microfinance on the income and level of living of the borrowers, and the problems encountered in the implementation of the programs and their possible solutions.
Results showed that the implementation of the various projects by MFIs provided direct benefits to other members of the community in terms of stimulating trade activities among farmers, traders, sellers of consumers\u27 goods and other services. There was also significant higher additional mean real net income for those borrowers who utilized their loans for the intended purpose and an increased capacity of the borrowers to save. Most of the borrowers also claimed that the MFI uplifted their levels of living. Some were able to purchase household appliances, improved their houses, and some invested their additional income to fund new projects.
Some of the problems encountered by MFI include, transfer of some members to other micro-credit operators; group misunderstanding; and delayed repayment and/or non-repayment of loans of the borrowers.
To improve the implementation of MFIs, it was recommended that there should be careful: screening of the member-borrowers; improvement in the monitoring scheme and imposition of penalties; there should also be communication and cooperation between MFIs working in the same area to prevent overlapping; and enhancement of the role of the People\u27s Credit and Finance Corporation especially with respect to acting as governing body for microfinance institutions
Products of sequences from finite regular semigroups with idempotent products
No full textA semigroup is an ordered pair (S,*) consisting of a non-empty set S and an associative binary operation * on S. An element e of a semigroup (S,*) is idempotent if e*e=e. An element z of a semigroup (S,*) is a zero element of S if ∀a ∈ S, a*z = z and z * a = . An element a o semigroup (S,*) is said to be regular if for some element x of S, a*x*a = a. A semigroup S is regular if every element of S is regular.
In this paper, we find the smallest integer er(n) [er, 0(n)] of elements in S contains a consecutive subsequence whose product is an idempotent element
Growth and Yield of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) in Varying Irrigation Water Salinity and Leaching Fractions
No full textThis study aimed to determine the response of yield and yield parameters of the ‘Cospirina’ lettuce plant, known to be moderate salinity tolerant, to different levels of salt water applications and different leaching rates in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Hatay Province, Türkiye. Lettuce was irrigated at three different irrigation water salinity levels (EC0 = 0.5 dS m-1-control, EC2 = 2 dS m-1, EC4 = 4 dS m-1) and four different leaching fractions (LF0 = 0%, LF1 = 10%, LF2 = 20%, LF3 = 30%). Irrigation water salinity was adjusted by adding different amounts of NaCl salt to the tap water (EC0, control) with an EC value of 0.5 dS m-1. Plant water consumption (PWC) increased as the leaching fraction increased but decreased as salinity increased. PWC ranged from 7.32 – 10.5 L for EC0, 7.0 – 8.46 L for EC2, and 5.0 – 6.46 L for EC4. The mean water use efficiency (WUEy) was calculated as 31.43 g L-1, 32.12 g L-1, and 34.77 g L-1 in EC0, EC2, and EC4, respectively. Lettuce yield decreased with increasing soil salinity and the leaching fraction. Yield ranged from 182 g plant-1 (EC4LF0) to 282 g plant-1 (EC0LF2). When soil salinity increased from 0.82 dS m-1 (EC0) to 1.31 dS m-1 (EC2) and 2.09 dS m-1 (EC4), yields decreased by 10% and 28%, respectively. Increasing salinity significantly decreased the root length, root width, leaf number, number of commercial leaves, leaf width, leaf length, and biomass, while commercial head length and commercial head diameter remained unaffected
Genetic Approaches to Improving Coffee Resistance Against Diseases and Pests in the Philippines [REVIEW PAPER]
No full textThere is a huge demand for coffee in the Philippines but local supply has a long way to go at catching up. One way to aid local farmers is to develop coffee varieties with combined desirable traits including natural resistance against various diseases and insect pests. This can increase product output and reduce costs on chemical control that can, in turn, potentially increase their profits. This paper reviews and gives an overview of the genetic research on coffee toward improving plant defense. The most prominent diseases and pests plaguing plantations worldwide are noted. From studies using classical tools such as genetic marker analysis to recent ones using newer tools such as genomics and bioinformatics, global accomplishments are discussed alongside accomplishments in the Philippines. Inferences are also made from data collated from these studies. Overall, this review paper aims to assess the status of coffee research and identify gaps as well as prospects and needs for further investigation
Vitellogenin production in zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a biomarker of aquatic contamination by environmental estrogens
No full textA wide range of environmental pollutants have demostrated estrogenic activity thus raising concern on their ability to affect reproductive functions in humans and other vertebrates, including fish. A widely used biomarker that has been utilized in biomonitoring exposure to environmental estrogens (xenoestrogens) is the presence of the egg yolk precursor vitellogenin (Vtg) in the serum of male fish and juveniles. The adverse impact of Vtg synthesis on the health and reproductive capacity of fish has been demonstrated in various researches. However, ecotoxicological studies on xenoestrogens have more commonly utilized Vtg measurements as well as examination of gonadal histopathology, fecundity, breeding success and development in the evaluation of the reproductive effects of these compounds in fish. These combined parameters are said to provide a more detailed picture on the biological effects of environmental estrogens.
Quantification of the Vtg protein in estrogen-exposed male fish and juveniles more frequently makes use of the sandwich ELISA, with either Vtg or its breakdown product, lipovitellin (Lv) as antigen and standard. This immunoassay usually makes use of blood, serum samples, or whole body homogenates in fish model organisms. One of the recommended species for testing endocrine disrupting compounds is the zebrafish (Danio rerio), which has shown suitability in the analyses of Vtg and other biological responses of exposure to exogenous estrogen treatment. Its being cost-effective also makes the zebrafish a desirable test organism for local research on exotoxicology