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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY<br/>BAUTISTA, FLORIE T. 2017 Supervised Farming on Okra Production<br/>Using Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers. College of Agriculture, Food and<br/>Sustainable Development. Mariano Marcos State University, City of Batac, Ilocos<br/>Norte.<br/>Adviser: Ms. Jennifer J. Cabuyadao<br/><br/> The Supervised Farming was conducted during the dry season from February<br/>to May 2017 and was established at the MMSU experimental area located north of the<br/>College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development building. Generally,<br/>aimed to provide farm-related activities and practical experience that allow the<br/>student entrepreneur to apply her knowledge and skills in actual settings and venture<br/>in an enterprise where she can apply relevant methods and technologies from a<br/>particular package of technology. Specifically, it aimed to: 1) develop managerial<br/>skills in okra production using the recommended package of technology; 2) showcase<br/>the profitability of growing okra using organic and inorganic fertilizers; 3) develop<br/>values in establishing a vegetable production project; and 4) determine the problems<br/>encountered during the duration of the project.<br/> A total of 500 m2 area was planted with pre-germinated seeds of native white<br/>variety of okra. The plants were spaced following the distance of 75 cm and 50 cm<br/>between rows and hills, respectively. Thinning was done at 14 days after planting<br/>maintaining two plants per hill and thinned plants were used to replace the missing hills. A total of 100kg vermicompost was basally applied along the furrows prior to<br/>planting. Likewise, approximately fourteen kilograms of 14-14-14 (complete)<br/>fertilizer was basally applied after sowing of seeds. Twenty-seven kilograms of<br/>46-0-0 (urea) fertilizer was side dressed at 30 DAP at the rate of 10g/hill. Irrigation<br/>water was applied through furrow irrigation right after planting and weekly interval<br/>up to 30 DAP and biweekly interval thereafter.<br/>Manual weeding was done at 30 DAP. Weeds were removed by hand-pulling.<br/> However, the occurrence of insect pests was controlled by spraying chemical<br/>insecticide following the manufacturer's formulation. Moreover, powdery mildew<br/>was controlled by removing the infected plant parts and with the application of<br/>fermented plant juice (FPJ).<br/> The harvested fruits were sorted in the field at the time of harvesting.<br/>Separation of marketable and unmarketable fruits was done. Superior fruits of<br/>10-12 cm length were harvested regularly in the morning starting at 55 DAP.<br/>Plant characteristics were also observed at the different growth stages of the<br/>crop. It was observed that the okra plants had an increased in plant height from 30 to<br/>60 DAP from 38.34 to 64.2 cm and started to bear fruits at 55 DAP. Gradual increase<br/>in pod length was observed from second to third priming. Average fruits per plant is<br/>31 while the average number of fruits per kilogram harvested is 69.5.<br/>The total yield for the 500 m production area, was 438.5 kg. The price per<br/>kilogram of okra at different marketing periods ranged from Php 25.00 to Php 30.00. A high percentage (99.77%) of marketable fruits was obtained, while the<br/>remaining (0.23%) was accounted as unmarketable fruits which were consumed as<br/>table food by the family. The total cost of production was Php 5,309.00 and the gross<br/>profit was Php 12,242.50. Thus, the project earned a total net income of<br/>Php 6,933.50. The project realized a high return on investment (ROI) of 130.5%.<br/>Problems encountered include low percent germination of seeds, infestation of<br/>thrips, aphids and shoot borer, infestation of weeds and lack of manpower during<br/>harvesting. These problems were surpassed by replanting of missing hills, combined<br/>application of chemical insecticide and FPJ, manual weeding at regular basis and<br/>asking assistance from family member and friends during harvesting.<br/>Positive values such as sense of responsibility, patience, perseverance, and<br/>persistence was developed. Moreover, the following technical knowledge were<br/>acquired that contributed to the success of the project: knowing the proper depth of<br/>planting and plant spacing improves sunlight absorption and nutrient and water<br/>uptake, harvesting is done with proper determination of maturity indices, success in<br/>marketing is laid on good values towards prospect buyers among others.<br/><br/><br/> |
