University Knowledge Digital Repository UPLB (University of the Philippines Los Baños)
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Do Green Spaces Explain Green Gentrification? Assessing How Green Space Characteristics Explain Changes in Housing Prices and Household Income
No full textUrbanization has reshaped the development of Philippine cities characterized by congestion and environmental degradation. The greening initiatives to combat such issues may have implications on neighborhood compositions and displacement, or the so-called gentrification. Thus, this research focused on examining whether green space development in the country’s first eco-city development may contribute to changes in house prices and household income. Using data from the 97 randomly sampled households in Barangay Don Jose, which are within 4,000-meter radius of the eco-city, the researcher employed a hedonic pricing method and geographically weighted regression to analyze the relationship between green space characteristics and housing prices. Logistic regression was utilized to assess how green space characteristics influence gentrification, particularly examining the influence of aesthetic and the number of trees within the house to the likelihood that households will be below median income. Findings revealed that the proximity to green spaces, particularly the eco-city, significantly influenced housing prices. While the presence of trees appreciated rent prices, its effect is limited. Logistic regression indicates an association between tree presence and household income, suggesting that tree-lined streets are a standard feature in wealthier neighborhoods. However, the aesthetic characteristic does not emerge as a significant predictor, indicating that the eco-city primarily elevates property values within existing residential communities
The Economics of Digital Payment Adoption of Public Market Vendors in Los Baños, Laguna, 2024
No full textThis study was conducted to analyze the economics of digital payment adoption of the public market vendors in Los Baños, Laguna. Specifically, it aimed to: identify the public market vendors’ preference in terms of payment method for use in their business and whether the preference of public market vendors aligned with the preference of the consumers; determine the factors associated with the digital payment adoption of public market vendors; assess the capability of market vendors to adopt digital payment including the availability of equipment and other requirements for digital transaction (e.g. smartphone, WIFI connection, etc.); evaluate the effect of digital payment adoption to the economic performance of public market vendors’ stalls; analyze the cost-efficiency of digital payment adoption; and recommend better payment methods for market vendors that can maximize the economic benefits.
Both primary and secondary were used in this study. A total of 113 public market vendors and 30 public market consumers were interviewed. To support the objectives of the study, the analytical tools used were descriptive analysis, chi-square test of independence, adoption capacity level and knowledge level analysis, 5-point Likert scale, heat map, spearman’s rank correlation, partial budget, and cost efficiency analysis.
The result of spearman’s rank correlation shows that the preference of public market vendors and consumers of chicken in terms of perceived usefulness is significant while in terms of perceived ease of use, preference of rice and vegetable vendors and consumers were significant. Moreover, preference of adopters and non-adopters public market vendors show a significant relationship in terms of perceived usefulness. Meanwhile, more than 80 percent of public market vendors and consumers preferred cash as a payment method and less than 20 percent preferred both cash and digital payment, specifically GCash. The chi-square test of independence indicated that socio-economic profile particularly age, stall classification, and monthly income had significant relationship in the adoption decision. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between adoption capacity level and knowledge level as well as between the actual adoption and capacity and knowledge level of public market vendors. Partial budget analysis result implied a positive gain of PhP 9,176.70 on the monthly income when adopting digital payment. With that, adoption of digital payment is cost-efficient where at every one-peso cost, they could gain PhP 27.07. Despite that, only 34 public market vendors adopted digital payment and non-adopters have constraints in adoption. The top three adoption constraints of public market vendors were the fear of scam/hacking possibility, lack of knowledge, and not technology aware.
Based on the result, it was recommended to enhance and develop digital platforms in a way that was designed for all ages and increased its security. Moreover, the government was recommended to implement extensive intervention towards a cashless society through the enhancement of public market access to digitalization particular to the prominent adoption materials that they need
Bio-Economic Assessment of the Tilapia Cage Production in Palakpakin Lake, San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines
No full textThis study on the “Bio-economic Assessment of the Tilapia Cage Production in Palakpakin Lake, San Pablo City, Laguna 2024” was conducted with the general objective of assessing the bio-economic conditions of the tilapia fish cages in Palakpakin Lake. The following specific objectives were as follows: 1) to describe the biophysical characteristics of the lake, in particular the water quality of the lake; 2) to calculate the revenue and cost of tilapia cage production in the study area; 3) to analyze the factors that affect the tilapia cage production; 4) to estimate the optimal stocking density and feeding ration of tilapia cage production in the lake; and 5) to determine and recommend policy interventions for the lake.
The bio-economic assessment used the levels of the physico-chemical parameters to describe the biophysical condition of the lake in terms of dissolved oxygen (DO), total suspended solids (TSS), total coliform (TC) and phytoplankton. The Laguna Lake Development Authority’s (LLDA) water quality monitoring assessment provided the September to March 2024 data. The randomly selected 72 fish cage operators of Palakpakin Lake in San Pablo City, Laguna, were interviewed on the assessment of fish cages. The physical relationship between inputs and output was estimated using the Cobb-Douglas production function. The average net revenue, gross margin, financial-cost ratio, operating expense ratio, and operating profit margin were used to analyze the profitability of the fish cages. The technical, price and economic efficiency were used to assess the efficiency of fish cages. Using the marginal physical product of inputs and their price ratio, the recommended optimal values were calculated for maximization of efficiency and revenue.
The results showed that the physico-chemical parameters of the lake were within the acceptable levels set by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) for Class C waters. The technical, price and economic efficiency showed that feeding ration and labor hours should be decreased while stocking density should be increased to maximize profit. The calculation of optimization of inputs showed that a stocking density of 4,725 fingerlings and feeding ration of 1,068 kg per cropping cycle of seven months was the optimal combination of inputs to produce a yield of 1,468 kg. It can be implied that there was a good and sustainable relationship between the fish cages and the lake\u27s biological conditions, given the acceptable water quality parameters and the profitable state of the fish cages. It was recommended to do similar studies for the other seven lakes of San Pablo City, employing tilapia fish cages. Strengthening policies against illegal settlers was also recommended, because these posed potential future threats to the lake. It was also recommended for the fishermen to do a clearing of water hyacinth monthly as these invasive species could double itself within 15 days (Dagnew & Dersseh, 2019
An Assessment of the Status, Challenges and Strategic Directions of Wood Furniture Manufacturing Establishments and Stores in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga
No full textBy 2030, the Philippine furniture industry hopes to be the world\u27s leading design innovator or hub for products created from sustainable materials, with thriving local and international markets and a competitive and motivated workforce. Currently, the country\u27s furniture sector is forecast to generate US$801.60 million in sales, with an annual growth rate of 2.81%. Betis, Luzon\u27s heartland of furniture manufacture and woodcarving, is still well-known for its superb craftsmanship.
The general objective of this study is to investigate the status, challenges, and strategic directions of the wood furniture industry. Specifically, this study intended to: (1) provide an overview of the global and Philippine wood furniture industry, considering the presence and performance of the wood furniture industry in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga, (2) determine the profiles of wood furniture entrepreneurs and owners and businesses, (3) explain the practices and strategies of the local wood furniture industry manufacturers in terms of marketing, operations, human resources, and finance aspects, (4) examine the challenges encountered in the local wood furniture industry, (5) evaluate strategic directions encountered in the local wood furniture industry, and (6) provide key stakeholders with suggestions and recommendations to improve the local wood furniture industry.
A mixed-methods approach was utilized, involving surveys and interviews with 48 furniture manufacturers and businesses, field observations, and both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Tools such as SWOT, PESTLE, Michael Porter’s Five Forces, and VRIO Analysis were employed to comprehensively examine various industry facets, especially considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Globally, the furniture industry\u27s production value was USD 580 billion in 2019, with projected annual growth of 3.2% until 2026. The Asia Pacific region leads in production, primarily using wood as the raw material, which accounted for 60% of the market in 2019. Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, growth is expected to resume, driven by consumer trends and stimulus packages.
In the Philippines, the industry relies heavily on locally sourced materials like wood, rattan, and bamboo. In 2021, 804 establishments employed 25,542 workers, 8 generating PHP 38.5 billion in revenue. Challenges include high import costs and a reliance on imports due to low domestic production, with the pandemic exacerbating workforce shortages and supply chain issues.
The local industry in Betis anticipates growth driven by strategic marketing, operational improvements, and human resource development. Challenges include high material costs and competition from ASEAN markets, but opportunities arise from increased demand due to the pandemic. Strategies for growth include trade exhibitions, social media marketing, and skill development for workers.
The study examines the demographics, business profiles, and socio-demographic features of furniture-related businesses in Betis, Pampanga. The demographic and business profiles illustrate the distribution of respondents depending on the nature of operation and business longevity. The majority of the responders are wholesalers/retailers, showing a strong presence in the business.
Family influence appears as a crucialreason for entering the furniture sector across all categories, especially among retailers, highlighting the area\u27s family business culture. Furthermore, experience is emphasized as important for distributors, while accessibility to roads is critical to their operations. The report also highlights sole proprietorship as the preferred form of ownership and the importance of medium-sized households in the furniture industry.
The product line in the wood furniture industry in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga includes solihiya (thin strands of rattan woven into sunburst designs) chairs as well as numerous hardwood furniture items to suit a wide variety of tastes. Marketing, which includes both digital platforms and conventional showroom experiences, helps to expand market reach and engage customers.
Despite the lack of medium and large enterprises, the industry survives on custom, made-to-order production processes that cater to a wide range of consumer demands. While most firms do not have regular suppliers, those that do profit from established connections to get raw materials. The production process is customer-centric, with designs suited to client preferences and industry trends tracked via online platforms and direct customer engagement.
The human resources part of the wood furniture sector in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga is investigated, emphasizing the wide range of job titles and duties within several operational domains such as retailer/wholesaler, distributor, and wholesaler operations. Employee recommendations are frequently used in the recruiting process, while formal training programs get little funding, indicating potential areas for growth in employee growth.
While wholesalers and retailers frequently begin businesses with medium capital investments, distributors have a more balanced capital distribution. Wholesalers show a significant distinction between high and low capital enterprises, whereas retailers typically start with little capital.
The wood carving business in Betis has shown resilience in the face of major challenges like the Mount Pinatubo eruption and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the pandemic severely impacted raw material availability, supply chains, manufacturing, and sales. The industry relies on locally sourced materials, but inconsistent suppliers exacerbate issues, leading to higher costs and reduced competitiveness. Despite financial constraints limiting innovation, the sector continues to evolve towards modernism while preserving traditional craftsmanship.
The strategic directions for the wood furniture industry in Betis include digitization, product diversification, sustainability practices, skill development, market expansion, and customer relationship management. Embracing digital platforms for marketing and sales, diversifying product offerings, adopting eco-friendly practices, and investing in skill development are crucial for resilience and growth. Expanding market reach through strategic partnerships and enhancing customer relationships will ensure long-term success and profitability
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Selected Vegetable Farmers Towards Agroenterprise Clustering Approach in Majayjay, Laguna
No full textVegetable farmers in the country are not engaged in farming entrepreneurship and had limited knowledge of financial management and business operations. With this, they usually suffer from financial problems such as low farm income. With the presence of numerous problems, many solutions had been proposed. Among these is the agroenterprise clustering approach (AECA). This approach has the potential to address the issues faced by farmers by promoting cooperation, sharing of resources, and exchange of knowledge. Furthermore, this study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of vegetable farmers in Majayjay Laguna. Specifically, it aimed to: (a) Describe the farmer profile of the vegetable farmer respondents in Majayjay Laguna; (b) Identify the farm profile of the vegetable farmer respondents in Majayjay Laguna; (c) Present the farm practices (production, marketing, finance, human resources) of the selected vegetable farmers in Majayjay Laguna; (d) Explain the knowledge of Majayjay vegetable farmers towards agroenterprise clustering; (e) Discuss the attitudes of Majayjay vegetable farmers towards agroenterprise clustering; (f) Assess the practices of Majayjay vegetable farmers towards agroenterprise clustering; (g) Analyze the correlation between the farmer’s knowledge, attitude, and practices on AECA; (h) Evaluate the correlation between the farmer and farm profile of the respondents and their knowledge, attitude, and practices of the farmers on AECA; and, (i) Recommend solutions to the identified problems and gaps in AECA.
Eighty-five (85) farmer respondents chosen through snowball sampling participated in this study\u27s face-to-face interview process under the direction of pre-tested questionnaires. The gathered data was grouped, tabulated, and analyzed using summary statistics and correlation. The results of the correlation were used to understand the relationship between the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the farmer respondents towards AECA.
It was found out that farmers in the study area are already aging. Next, males dominate the study area. In terms of civil status, the majority of the respondents are married. All of the respondents have received formal education. However, the majority of the respondents didn’t reach or finish college. In terms of family size, only a small percentage of the respondents belonged to the large group (composed of more than seven family members).
More than half of the respondents have reported that they do not have other sources of income besides farming. Based on the results, a large percentage of the respondents have a high level of (more than 20 years) experience in farming. Next, the annual income of the respondents was reported to be low (less than PhP 110,000). For organization affiliation, more than half of the respondents have stated that they are part of an organization. On seminars attended, all of the respondents have reported that they didn’t encounter or joined any seminar related to AECA.
In terms of farm profile, more than half of the respondents belong to the marginal farm size group (lands that are 0.20 to 0.50 ha). The majority of the respondents have stated that they rent their farmlands.
The farm practices of the respondents were also studied. In terms of production, there were 18 types of vegetables planted in the study area. Kamatis was reported to be the most common type of vegetable grown. It was also found out that the majority of the farmer respondents are not familiar with the variety of their vegetables. In sourcing their vegetables, the majority have stated that they bought their seeds from private sellers. Furthermore, the respondents have stated that they decide what primary vegetable they plant based on its profitability. Appropriate climate conditions are reported to be the most important factor for a farmer in deciding what vegetables to plant in a given season. For nutrient management, the majority of the respondents have stated that they use both organic (chicken manure as the most common) and synthetic fertilizer for their vegetables. On the other hand, the most popular pesticide used by farmers is Selecron and Supermethrin. Only a small percentage of the respondents have stated that they do post- harvest practices. The rest of the respondents reported that rely on middlemen or bukis in their area to handle these tasks.
Based on the marketing practices of the farmer respondents, all of them have stated that they sell their vegetables fresh. The respondents only practice lower levels of processing such as cleaning and sorting. Next, most of the respondents sold their vegetables to the bukis in their area. Furthermore, more than half of the respondents have stated that they use transportation modes to transfer their produce to buyers. Among these, horse is the most commonly used. Respondents also stated their challenges in transporting their produce. Some of these challenges are the unavailability of proper vehicles and the lack of good and sustainable farm roads. The respondents stated that their buyers set the price of their harvest in terms of price.
For the sources of capital, the majority of the respondents have stated that they obtain their capital from a single source. In terms of record-keeping, a smaller percentage of the respondents have stated that they use documentation materials. Among these, record books are commonly used. Additionally, insurance is not that common in the study area.
The human resources practices of the respondents indicate that a majority of them hire laborers to help them in their farming activities. Among these, the most commonly category of worker is hired worker. Regarding payment methods, almost all of the respondents have stated that they pay a daily wage of PhP 400 to their workers. Furthermore, respondents have expressed a preference for sourcing workers from nearby locations. In terms of qualification of workers, hardworking is the most common qualification.
The respondents showed a low level of knowledge about AECA. The majority of them are unfamiliar with or have not come across the term. Furthermore, this led to the development of various misconceptions regarding AECA. A larger percentage of the respondents have a favorable attitude towards collaboration and AECA in general. Additionally, farmers have strong attitude towards learning more about AECA According to the results of the AECA practice scores survey, the respondents showed a rarely interpretation, indicating that collaborative efforts among farmers in the study area were not successful.
The correlation of knowledge, attitude, and practices on AECA was computed using Spearman’s rho on SPSS 29.0.2.0 Trial Version. It was found out that knowledge has a negligible relationship with attitude. Next, the correlating coefficient of attitude and practice is 0.27, indicating a weak relationship. Furthermore, the knowledge and practice scores were also correlated. With a correlation coefficient of 0.55, this indicates a moderate relationship between knowledge and practice in the study area.
Lastly, the study examined the relationship between 10 variables (age, sex, civil status, educational attainment, family size, years in farming, annual income, farming organization, seminar attendance, and farm size) and the knowledge, attitude, and practice scores of farmer respondents towards AECA. Results indicate that farmers\u27 farming organizations and the seminars they attended had a positive relationship with their knowledge. On the other hand, educational attainment, sex (with females scoring higher than males), farming organization (with affiliated farmers scoring higher than non- affiliated ones), type of seminar attended (with attending farmers scoring higher than non-attending ones), and farm size had a positive relationship with attitude. In addition, educational attainment, sex, farming organization, and the type of seminar attended had a positive relationship with practice. Furthermore, the study found that farming experience had a negative relationship with knowledge and practice. Overall, the study shows that female farmers with higher education levels, less experience in farming, affiliation with farming organizations, participation in seminars, and larger farm sizes have a more favorable knowledge, attitude, and practices towards AECA in the study area.
The researcher recommends that the implementors of AECA consider the gaps that were revealed in the study. This should be done to address the misconceptions of the respondents towards AECA. Furthermore, the study provided baseline information about the knowledge, attitude, and practice of vegetable farmers in Majayjay, Laguna, on AECA. The results can be used to facilitate effective facilitation and implementation of AECA among vegetable farmers in Majayjay, Laguna. Next, it is recommended that the farmers increase their participation in seminars, be aware of the varieties of their vegetables, get information on how to avail free seeds, explore the possibility of higher levels of processing, practice record-keeping, become familiar with insurance, practice collaboration, and learn market trends. Then, for the local government unit, the livelihood of the farmers in the area can be improved by providing proper budgeting and the implementation of programs. Lastly, for future researchers, it is recommended to study the entrepreneurial competencies of the farmers, study the business performance, study the factors that affect the business continuity in terms of vegetable farming in the area, and further knowledge, attitude, and practice studies on AECA to ensure ongoing monitoring and adjustment in implementation
Perceptions and Intentions to Adopt the Philrice Palaycheck Mobile Application of Rice Farmers from Calauan, Laguna
No full textRice production technologies are continuously evolving to aid productivity and farmer income generation. Since mobile applications are deemed as one of the most accessible type of digital technologies, there has been a significant development of it in the context of agriculture. An example in the Philippines is the PalayCheck App, a mobile application developed by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). Patterned after the PalayCheck System, the mobile application aims to provide local rice farmers access to technologies to increase agricultural productivity.
With Region IV-A having the highest individual use of cellphones in the Philippines, this research focuses on one of the province’s rice producing areas which is Calauan, Laguna. The municipality’s rice production is characterized by having high yield yet high costs highlighting the area’s need for production efficiency.
Hence, this research was conducted to determine the perceptions and intention to adopt the PalayCheck mobile application of rice farmers from Calauan Laguna. The specific objectives of this study were to (1) describe the sociodemographic profile of respondents, (2) determine the respondents’ extent of adoption of the PalayCheck application, (3) analyze the respondents’ perceptions and intention to adopt the PalayCheck application, (4) evaluate the correlation of significant variables to the intention to adopt (ITA) the PalayCheck application, and (5) recommend strategies to improve the adoption of the PalayCheck application.
The study presented a conceptual framework modified from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The model proposes that the main predictors of intention to adopt (ITA) are information awareness (IA), personal innovativeness (PI), perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), and social influence (SI). In addition, the study model also considers the effect of external variables which are sociodemographic and farm profile on the aforementioned predictors.
A descriptive-correlational research design was used for this study. The study was participated by a total of 75 respondents from varying barangays in Calauan, Laguna. With a sampling criteria of respondents who have at least one smartphone in their household, convenience and snowball sampling were utilized. A demonstration of the application was conducted which was then followed by a personal interview with the use of a semi-structured questionnaire.
Respondents were obtained from the barangays of Bangyas, Hanggan, Balayhangin, Masiit, San Isidro, Lamot 1, and Mabacan. 68% of interviewed farmers were male while the remaining 24% were female. The majority of respondents were aged 65 or older, lived in a household with 4 to 6 members, and were college graduates. Most farmers have a farm size of less than one hectare which are mainly not of their ownership. Agricultural income of respondents is generally varying but the most reported value is around Php 10,957 to Php 21,193 per harvest. Most farmers have a farming experience of 10 to 20 years. In additon, the majority of the respondents exclusively grew rice and are members of agricultural organizations.
Respondents’ technological profiles were also taken to evaluate the facilitating conditions of adoption of mobile applications. Through respondents’ smartphone use and ownership, three respondent groups are identified: (a) smartphone owners with 50 respondents, (b) smartphone borrowers with 12 respondents, and (c) indirect users with 13 respondents. Findings reveal that only 18 out of 75 respondents were aware of the PalayCheck application prior to the researcher’s demonstration. Furthermore, only 5 out of 75 respondents have tried using the application with 3 current adoptors and 2 past users.
From a correlation analysis through the use of Spearman’s Rank Correlation, it was revealed that all proposed predictor variables were positively correlated to intention to adopt (ITA) with information awareness (IA), perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), and social influence (SI) having a moderate correlation, and personal innovativeness (PI) having a weak correlation.
Through the analysis of the main variables, findings show that respondents are generally personally innovative indicating their optimism in trying out information technologies that can aid in farming. Respondents also perceive the application to be useful especially in providing updated agricultural information. It was also revealed that respondents are positively affected by social influences regarding adoption of such technologies. However, findings show a neutral result in terms of their perceived ease of use the application. Significantly, there is a lack of information awareness regarding the application and its features which is one of the main barriers to adoption. Ultimately, the responses for intention to adopt the PalayCheck application persists as neutral despite their positive valuation of the application.
Moreover, significant yet weak correlations involving the external variables and predictor variables were also identified. This included the positive associations of farm size with perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, and negative associations between age, farming experience, household with perceived ease of use, household size with information awareness, and age with intention to adopt.
In further analysis of respondents’ statements, five main determinants to perceptions and adoption intentions were identified which are: (1) sociodemographic factors, specifically age and income, (2) farm factors encompassing agricultural inputs, (3) behavioral factors including willingness to adapt and traditionality, (4) social factors comprising of family support, fellow farmers, and opinion leaders, and (5) technological factors covering digital illiteracy, technological awareness, and agricultural extension services.
In order to address challenges in local rice farming and barriers in digital technology adoption, increased support is essential. It is recommended that farmers seek out initiatives to strengthen digital literacy, promotional strategies for the PalayCheck application be strengthened to increase awarenes, and accesible training programs and support systems regarding the PalayCheck application be implemented for improved adoption
Determinants Influencing Investment Perception and Intention of UPLB BS Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship Graduates
No full textAccording to The Food and Agriculture Organization, small farmers account for most of the supply of food needed to meet global food demands and through agribusiness investments, will help the Philippines to ensure food safety and security. Notwithstanding problems including population increase and natural disasters, the nation has diversified its agricultural exports to show its flexibility for the needs of a worldwide market. This is where agribusiness management education can be very useful with engaging career prospects, since it emphasizes the use of financial knowledge to make decisions. This study entitled Determinants Influencing Investment Perception and Intention of UPLB BS Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship Graduates was conducted aimed to: (1) present the socio-demographic, employment, and educational background among the respondents; (2) assess the overall level of financial planning, risk propensity, and investment attitude; (3) analyze investment experience and behavior; (4) evaluate the collective impact of these factors on investment perception and intention; and (5) formulate recommendations based on the findings.
The research covered UPLB BS ABME graduates of 2022 and 2023 via an online survey. Eighty respondents to the average response rate of 70.8% answered the survey. Using cross tabulation to test the association and chi-square test to support the assertion, the researcher assessed the whole influence of several variables. Then, correlation analysis was done to find their relationship with investment perception and intention. The result of the study were able to present that the majority of the graduates are women (60%) between 22 and 25 years old living In Region IV-A and National Capital Region. All of the respondents are single making on the average of ₱18,200 and ₱36,400 monthly. The study exposes different levels by considering financial risk inclination, investment attitude, and financial planning, so exposing both outstanding concepts on financial planning and investing behavior. It showed that respondents have generally view these factors positively, some respondents were still undecided or have negative perspective towards it. Furthermore, most of graduates took agribusiness management as their electives, however, the result showed that those who took agribusiness entrepreneurship had the highest inclination towards investment. Unfortunately, the association of socio-demographic profile, educational background, and employment status to investment intention was not significant based on their P-value. Understanding the need of financial literacy and pragmatic knowledge, correlation analysis show moderately positive correlations between investment intention and financial planning (correlation coefficient: 0.475) and investing experience (correlation coefficient: 0. 368). Still, financial risk propensity or investment attitude and investment intention do not completely coincide since they had weak correlation with coefficient of 0.149 and 0.105 respectively.
Moving forward, different recommendation was formed to improve the financial literacy and knowledge among UPLB ABME graduates. Attending workshops led by experts can impart notions to improve financial knowledge and literacy, thus increasing the propensity of graduates to start their investment journey. Moreover, it is of great opportunity to be mentored by seasoned professionals who can shape the graduates and lead them to financial freedom. On the other hand, for the Department of Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship (DAME), should spearhead programs focusing on the improvement of investment knowledge and financial literacy among students by offering it as core program. It is advised to add specialized courses, plan investment seminars, build partnerships with investment companies, and support a cooperative learning environment by means of networking events and alumni mentoring programs. In order to increase knowledge in financial literacy and entrepreneurship inside the agriculture sector, future studies should concentrate on longitudinal studies, comparative comparison with graduates from other fields
Growth-Promoting Bacteria and Salicylic Acid Improve Essential Oil, Flower Yield, And Compatible Osmolyte Content of Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) Under Drought Stress
Get PDFDrought is one of the major constraints on agricultural productivity in arid and semiarid regions. Coping with drought stress involves several adaptations and mitigation strategies such as the use of plant-growth promoting bacteria and salicylic acid, which was examined in this study under two levels of water regimes (well-watered as control and drought stress) in southwest Iran in 2018 and 2020 on common yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Catalase levels significantly increased in response to drought stress and salicylic acid application. Salicylic acid and combined application treatment of both bacteria also resulted in a significant increase in proline compared with the control. Different bacteria strains also resulted in a significant increase in peroxidase and superoxide dismutase when compared with the control. Drought stress, salicylic acid application, and different bacteria strains significantly reduced total protein. The use of salicylic acid and the combined application of both bacteria significantly increased the percentage of essential oil compared with the control. Moreover, 41 compounds were isolated, accounting for 92.08% of the essential oil, with more than 90.00% being volatile terpenes. The main components of yarrow essential oil were borneol (16.79%), flanderin (15.92%), cineole (14.32%), camphor (9.77%), and alpha-pinene (3.44%). In general, growth-promoting bacteria and salicylic acid application constitute an advantageous management practice for the commercial production of Achillea millefolium, increasing the nutraceutical and medicinal values of this species
Apricraft Botanicals: An Enterprise Study
No full textApiCraft Botanicals, established in November 2023 and registered in Pagbilao, Quezon in January 2024, is an agribusiness start-up offering naturally-derived, artisanal bath and beauty products utilizing key ingredients from Philippine Stingless Bees (Tetragonula biroi). Structured as a sole proprietorship, ApiCraft Botanicals consists of a two-women team: Macyl Viccah Lee, the business owner, and Gianne Ericka Dedicatoria, her business partner. With a strong background in leadership and project management from their respective organizations, the two entrepreneurs work together to drive the business to achieve its milestones. Since the enterprise caters to consumers in Metro Manila and Laguna, Macyl oversees activities within Metro Manila while Gianne represents ApiCraft as the main account manager for Laguna-based organizations. In the Philippines, the demand for personal care products is on the rise with a growing preference for natural and sustainable products. The company caters to environmentally conscious consumers seeking sustainable and health-oriented alternatives while effectively addressing agribusiness challenges, specifically the underutilization of propolis as a valuable resource harvested from beehives, low consumer awareness about bee-based technologies, and the growing market for sustainable bee products that could benefit local beekeepers. The company aims to contribute to the agribusiness landscape by addressing the increasing demand for natural and eco-friendly personal care products amidst growing consumer awareness about the harmful effects of synthetic ingredients. ApiCraft Botanicals seeks to capitalize on this market gap by offering premium handmade personal care products infused with propolis, such as Purely Bee Soaps, ApiCraft Propolis Lip Balm, and Nature Nourish Hair Growth Oil. Each product is infused with propolis extract to capitalize on the antibacterial and healing properties of propolis. The Purely Bee Soaps are meticulously crafted using a plant-based glycerin base, infused with propolis extract and various essential oils to protect the skin against harmful microorganisms and free radicals. The Nature Nourish Hair Growth Oil harnesses the hair growth-promoting properties of both propolis and rosemary while adding shine and strengthening hair. The ApiCraft Propolis Lip Balm introduces propolis extract in its formulation to target damaged lips.
Throughout its seven months of continuous business operations, ApiCraft Botanicals has achieved an upward trend in revenue, exhibiting a 30.3% growth in sales for May versus February. An actual revenue of ₱44,822 was derived from sales of the Purely Bee Soap, Nature Nourish Hair Oil, and Propolis Lip Balm. The cost of goods sold amounted to ₱19,715, revealing a gross profit of 25,107. SG&A expenses were ₱12,265.83, resulting in an operating income of ₱1,659.85. Less the tax payment of 408.09 in April, a net profit of ₱1,251.76 was reported. This is in contrast to the lower projected revenue of ₱32,465 against a cost of goods sold of ₱11,472.75 and SG&A expenses of ₱21,296.83, contributing to a net loss of ₱1,075.31. A starting capital of ₱40,000 was dedicated to the establishment of the business in its development stage and initial year of operations, reporting a positive cash budget of ₱5,319.74. While operating across various online and offline channels, the business has implemented several strategies to build the brand, secure sales opportunities, and improve production efficiency. The enterprise has focused on reaching out to personal contacts and participating in bazaars to drive sales, and intensifying its marketing efforts through brand ambassadorship and organizational partnerships. While the business has attempted to tap into business-to-business sales with special event organizers and hotels, these efforts have not yet resulted in closed sales. Despite this, the enterprise continues to explore other methods to expand beyond business-to-consumer transactions. The business has identified critical points that need to be addressed and the action steps necessary. This includes ongoing refinement of existing products, cost-cutting measures, improved cash flow management, networking, and other measures applied across the four functional areas of the business. ApiCraft Botanicals will continue to operate and grow in the succeeding months to realize its goal of being a profitable and sustainable enterprise
Analysis of urban green space distribution in Metro Manila, Philippines using remote sensing and geographic information system techniques
No full textUrban green spaces (UGS) have been recognized as critical elements in sustainable and livable cities. However, Metro Manila (MM) has faced a drastic green space decline due to unabated population growth and urban developments in the past decades. These losses have also exacerbated environmental issues such as air and water pollution, flooding, and the Urban Heat Island effect. Local government units were given the responsibility to manage and formulate policies addressing these concerns individually. Hence, this study was conducted to understand the dynamic trends in UGS cover in MM. Particularly, the study analyzed the land cover changes, per capita area, and distribution of UGS for 2000, 2007, 2010, 2015, and 2020. Using the Support Vector Machine (SVM) Algorithm, the classified images generated high overall accuracies - 98%, 96%, 97%, 99%, and 98% for the respective years. These maps were used for change detection analysis, revealing consistent UGS net loss from 2000 to 2015, followed by a notable net gain in 2020. Similarly, the regional green space per capita (GSPC) exhibited a downward trend from 2000 to 2015 and peaked in 2020, although a number. of cities/municipalities steadily scored below the 9 square meters minimum threshold set by the United Nations-World Health Organization. Moreover, spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated the presence of clustering patterns in per capita area and density of green spaces in most years. The findings of this study shed light on the persistence of uneven distribution of UGS in MM, which may denote the existence of inequitable access to UGS benefits. Therefore, this study provides insights on the priorities for improving the distribution and accessibility of UGS in MM. Moreover, the study can inform decision-making processes regarding urban planning, land use zoning and management, and green infrastructure development, all geared towards enhancing the quality of life for MM residents