Post-harvest technology management framework for sustainability farming of Carrageenan
/Maria Fara A. Cadeliņa
- 316 p.: color illustration 28 cm. +1 CD-ROM (4žinches)
Dissertation
College of Industrial Education
This study focused on the current practices of seaweed farmers in harvesting and post-harvest methods in seaweeds such as drying, densification, storage and transportation. It also covers the issues and challenges in terms of technical, operational, environmental and socio-economic factors as perceived by seaweed farmers of Quezon as it identifies the policies and regulations on the adoption of post-harvest technology management system which can be applied in Quezon based from the data gathered from the Office of Provincial agriculture, municipal agriculture and from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. It also determined the perceived challenges in the adoption of post-harvest technology such as green house- type solar dryer, screw- type manual baling machine, storage area and truck for hauling. These were the basis for the risk management plan for seaweed post- harvest technology and technology management framework for sustainable carrageenan farming. This study utilized mixed methods that combine both quantitative and qualitative research design to determine the current practices, issues and challenges, policies and regulations governing post- harvest technology management and the perceived use of technology. Survey instrument were used for both seaweed farmers and experts in seaweed farming to identify the practices, challenges and issues. Cronbach's alpha was used to measure the reliability of the questionnaire to determine the programs and interventions being used by the experts to help the farmers in the livelihood program.Results revealed that pruning method is the most common practices in harvesting; however, there are issues that farmers faced such technical, environmental operational and socio-economic aspects. Results also show that farmers consider the possibility of adopting post- harvest technology to improve their dried seaweeds; however the cost of the construction and the availability of the materials cannot be ignored. A sustainable carrageenan farming adopting the post- harvest technology is feasible given the assessment conducted on its risk and probability as the developed technology framework may help farmers sustain production of carrageenan in the province. Author's abstract