Thesis, Undergraduate (BS Agribusiness Economics)-University of the Philippines, Mindanao

The assessment of the factors affecting the choice of the farmers on the efficiency of modes of transport of vegetables from Marilog District to Bankerohan wet market utilize primary data which involved the perception of cluster farmers in Marilog District. Four clusters were involved in the study namely the PAFA, MIFA, SFAQ and NABISALUM clusters. Thirty- eight (38) cluster members responded to the surveys employed. Data was analyzed through descriptive method. Efficiency was measured through rating using a 10-point Likert scale. Six factors formulated from a pretest were rated by cluster farmers. These factors were the accessibility, availability,transport cost transit time, relationship to transport provider and the capacity of the vehicle. These factors were considered in two nodes in the transport route of the vegetables. Two transport nodes identified were considered ; the farm to consolidation area node (f to c) and the consolidation area to Bankerohan wet market node (c to b). In the f to c node, the modes of transport used in the clusters are horse, the human carrier, the kanga and the gaket. However, the gaket is exclusively used in the MIFA clusters while others can be used on all the clusters. Among the four modes of transport, the gaket is the least efficient at 11% when it comes to wastage while the other three remains to be efficient at less 5% wastage. But when gauging through the level of satisfaction felt by cluster members, gaket belongs to be thought as highly efficient at 90%. However, the three other modes of transport, the horse, the human carrier and the kanga are still efficient at 70+% rating. In c to b node, the mode of transport identified by the cluster members is the jeepney. The jeepney turns out to be an efficient mode of transport when it comes to wastage and level of satisfaction. The jeepney only has wastage for 0-4.6% and an average of 73.5% satisfaction rating. Although modes of transport in the area found to be efficient depending on the perception of farmers, further studies employing true measure of efficiency can still be done in the area.