Jobs Value Chain Analysis for Selected Highland Vegetables in Northern Mindanao, Philippines

Abstract

Poverty incidence in Bukidnon, the major vegetable-producing province in Northern Mindanao, is high. It is estimated that poverty incidence in Talakag, Lantapan, and Impasug-ong, which are key vegetable-producing municipalities, ranged from 49% to 62% of the population. Aimed toward improving the sustainability of the livelihood of smallholder vegetable farmers and their job creation potential, this study examined selected highland vegetable value chains originating from seven barangays (villages) surrounding the Mt. Kitangland Range in Bukidnon up to the Bulua Vegetable Landing Area in Cagayan de Oro City. Using results from focus group discussions, face-to-face interviews, observation visits, and secondary data collection, the study described the various value chain players, and their geographical context and operations; quantified the number of jobs generated within the value chain; analyzed key constraints that hinder its job creation potential; and recommended actionable measures. Job generation in selected vegetable value chains is high but currently limited by production and market-related constraints. It is estimated, for example, that tomato, carrot, cabbage, and cauliflower production generates about 1.66, 1.11, 1.09, and 2.92 jobs (full-time equivalent) per hectare. Key constraints to job creation include unpredictable market price fluctuations, high postharvest losses, high production and postharvest expenditures, limited farmer knowledge and network, and inadequate support services. To improve the sustainability of these value chains, it is necessary to coordinate the provision of support infrastructures and services, ranging from farmer decision support tools, alternative markets, more responsive and accessible research and extension services, government credit programs, to strengthening farmers’ organizations.