Terminal Report (BS Arg (Hort) - Mariano Marcos State University

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
BAUTISTA, FLORIE T. 2017 Supervised Farming on Okra Production
Using Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers. College of Agriculture, Food and
Sustainable Development. Mariano Marcos State University, City of Batac, Ilocos
Norte.
Adviser: Ms. Jennifer J. Cabuyadao

The Supervised Farming was conducted during the dry season from February
to May 2017 and was established at the MMSU experimental area located north of the
College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development building. Generally,
aimed to provide farm-related activities and practical experience that allow the
student entrepreneur to apply her knowledge and skills in actual settings and venture
in an enterprise where she can apply relevant methods and technologies from a
particular package of technology. Specifically, it aimed to: 1) develop managerial
skills in okra production using the recommended package of technology; 2) showcase
the profitability of growing okra using organic and inorganic fertilizers; 3) develop
values in establishing a vegetable production project; and 4) determine the problems
encountered during the duration of the project.
A total of 500 m2 area was planted with pre-germinated seeds of native white
variety of okra. The plants were spaced following the distance of 75 cm and 50 cm
between rows and hills, respectively. Thinning was done at 14 days after planting
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
planting. Likewise, approximately fourteen kilograms of 14-14-14 (complete)
fertilizer was basally applied after sowing of seeds. Twenty-seven kilograms of
46-0-0 (urea) fertilizer was side dressed at 30 DAP at the rate of 10g/hill. Irrigation
water was applied through furrow irrigation right after planting and weekly interval
up to 30 DAP and biweekly interval thereafter.
Manual weeding was done at 30 DAP. Weeds were removed by hand-pulling.
However, the occurrence of insect pests was controlled by spraying chemical
insecticide following the manufacturer's formulation. Moreover, powdery mildew
was controlled by removing the infected plant parts and with the application of
fermented plant juice (FPJ).
The harvested fruits were sorted in the field at the time of harvesting.
Separation of marketable and unmarketable fruits was done. Superior fruits of
10-12 cm length were harvested regularly in the morning starting at 55 DAP.
Plant characteristics were also observed at the different growth stages of the
crop. It was observed that the okra plants had an increased in plant height from 30 to
60 DAP from 38.34 to 64.2 cm and started to bear fruits at 55 DAP. Gradual increase
in pod length was observed from second to third priming. Average fruits per plant is
31 while the average number of fruits per kilogram harvested is 69.5.
The total yield for the 500 m production area, was 438.5 kg. The price per
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
remaining (0.23%) was accounted as unmarketable fruits which were consumed as
table food by the family. The total cost of production was Php 5,309.00 and the gross
profit was Php 12,242.50. Thus, the project earned a total net income of
Php 6,933.50. The project realized a high return on investment (ROI) of 130.5%.
Problems encountered include low percent germination of seeds, infestation of
thrips, aphids and shoot borer, infestation of weeds and lack of manpower during
harvesting. These problems were surpassed by replanting of missing hills, combined
application of chemical insecticide and FPJ, manual weeding at regular basis and
asking assistance from family member and friends during harvesting.
Positive values such as sense of responsibility, patience, perseverance, and
persistence was developed. Moreover, the following technical knowledge were
acquired that contributed to the success of the project: knowing the proper depth of
planting and plant spacing improves sunlight absorption and nutrient and water
uptake, harvesting is done with proper determination of maturity indices, success in
marketing is laid on good values towards prospect buyers among others.