Evaluating technology for new farming systems : case studies from Philippine rice farms

This report presents a whole-farm concept for analyzing new farming systems in the Philippines using the linear programming method. Cost and returns analysis of new multiple cropping technologies is first undertaken at the household level through 10 case study farms (5 in Iloilo, 5 in Pangasinan). An introductory chapter covers the physical and socioeconomic conditions and farming practices at these locations and their use as linear programming models. Next, farm household-level assessments made by using these models are examined, and district-level dynamics of technology adoption are analyzed. A final chapter reviews the difficulties in assessing the benefits of new technology. Conclusions drawn from household-level technology assessment indicate that technology adoption in one location affects deployment of other technologies in other places; and that the economic impact of new technologies depends on the farmers" resource levels (e.g., degree of irrigation, purchasing power). A 49-item bibliography (1958-81) is appended.