Evaluation of corn grain quality as produced by farmers at Marantao, Lanao del sur

Abstract

The Study was conducted purposely to evaluate the farmers’ practices, post-harvest handling and income of Corn farmers in Marantao, Lanao del Sur. The study was administered in the Municipality of Marantao, Lanao del Sur. Samples were selected through random sampling. The study used descriptive quantitative and qualitative method. The data were gathered mainly through the use of questionnaires in order to identify the profile of the respondents, practices and knowledge. This study will be conducted to find out the socio-economic profile of the respondent and if there are significant relationship between grain quality and possible factors like Farmers Income in Pesos, Price per kilogram, Hectarage, Variety, Drying Method, Farming Method, Shelling Method, Crop Days to Maturity, Maturity Indices, Age of the Respondent, Gender of Respondent, Civil Status, Educational Attainment, Years in Farming, Frequency of Wedding. Majority (92%) are married, 6% single and 2% widow, Male farmers are (90%) while female farmers are (10%). Majority of the farmer respondents are more belonging to age bracket of 31-34. Majority of the farmer respondents attained elementary education (56%), 22% attained high school, 14% in college and 8% illiterate. Majority (96%) of the respondents owned the land they till. The farmer respondents are majority (94%) using the traditional method only (6%) using scientific farming. Most of the respondents (52%) have 1-5 years of farming experience, (32%) had 15 years of experience in farming, while 10% of them were doing same thing for 25 years. And majority 98% of farming practices used by the respondents used native corn variety and practiced the manual method of harvesting 60% of which is picked before dehusking while 40% dehusk the corn before picking. All respondents practiced the mechanical method of shelling. 60% of which are dried their corn before shelling and 40% shell the corn before drying.