While Central Luzon continues to produce vegetables in significant volume, the seasonal fluctuations in supply and prices of vegetables remain a crucial concern. The general objective of this research was to establish benchmark information and assess the socio-economic and agro-ecological characteristics of existing and potential off-season vegetable production sites in Central Luzon.
Rice and vegetable growing were the primary sources of livelihood for most households in the study sites but a good proportion also on animal production, cash crops and non-farm activities. In San Ildefonso, Bulacan, a variety of vegetables were grown such as stringbeans, bitter gourd and eggplant. In General Tinio, Nueva Ecija, the major vegetable crop grown was pechay.
The soils in these vegetable growing areas were generally light to medium-textured, low to medium fertility level with good drainage. The land in Mataas na Parang was flat to undulating while the one in Gen. Tinio was lowland not flooded. In San Ildefonso, Bulacan, rainfall usually started as early as April and ended mid December while the peak rainfall was in July. The average amount of annual rainfall was 1861 mm.
About 73 percent of the farmer respondents owned the land they till while 13, 2 and 1 percent were share tenant, amortizing owner and leaseholder, respectively. They generally have adequate living condition and possessed the skills and experience in vegetable production, characteristics which are reinforcing for growth and development and in the introduction of new technologies.
Vegetable growing in the study sites was also characterized by heavy application of chemicals to control pests and diseases and high use of inorganic fertilizers.
Benefits derived from vegetable farming as cited by the respondents were: ability to pay debt; acquisition of farming implements; and to some, acquisition of additional land for farming. The farmers were also beset by problems such as insufficient capital, lack of irrigation source, high rental of farm machineries and excessive rain which caused flooding during the rainy season. The common marketing problems were low price, lack of market outlet and poor farm-to-market road.
