Agri-Fishery Arts
Agricultural Production, Animal Husbandry, and Fishery Management
In This Lesson
Crop Production
What is Crop Production?
The cultivation of plants for food, fiber, fuel, and other uses. It involves all activities from land preparation to harvesting and post-harvest handling.
Types of Crops
Food Crops
Rice, corn, vegetables, fruits
Cash Crops
Coffee, coconut, sugarcane, tobacco
Fiber Crops
Abaca, cotton, jute
Root Crops
Cassava, sweet potato, gabi
Crop Production Steps
- Land Preparation: Clearing, plowing, harrowing
- Seed Selection: Quality seeds, variety
- Planting: Direct seeding or transplanting
- Fertilization: Organic or inorganic
- Irrigation: Water management
- Pest Management: IPM approach
- Harvesting: Right maturity stage
- Post-Harvest: Drying, storage
Soil Fertility
- NPK: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium
- pH Level: 6.0-7.0 ideal for most crops
- Organic Matter: Compost, manure
- Soil Testing: Know nutrient levels
- Crop Rotation: Prevents depletion
Pest Management (IPM)
- Cultural: Crop rotation, sanitation
- Mechanical: Handpicking, traps
- Biological: Natural predators
- Chemical: Pesticides (last resort)
Animal Production
What is Animal Production?
The raising and breeding of livestock and poultry for food, fiber, and other products. Includes management of health, nutrition, and housing.
Common Livestock
Swine (Hogs)
- Products: Pork, leather
- Breeds: Large White, Landrace
- Housing: Piggery
Poultry
- Products: Eggs, meat
- Types: Layers, broilers
- Breeds: Rhode Island Red
Cattle
- Beef cattle: Meat
- Dairy cattle: Milk
- Breeds: Brahman, Holstein
Small Ruminants
- Goats: Meat, milk
- Sheep: Meat, wool
- Native breeds preferred
Animal Nutrition
- Carbohydrates: Energy source (corn, rice bran)
- Protein: Growth (soybean meal, fish meal)
- Vitamins & Minerals: Health maintenance
- Water: Clean, unlimited access
- Feed types: Concentrate, roughage, supplement
Animal Health
- Vaccination: Prevent diseases
- Deworming: Control parasites
- Biosecurity: Prevent disease entry
- Quarantine: Isolate sick animals
- Sanitation: Clean housing
Housing Requirements
- Adequate space per animal
- Good ventilation
- Protection from weather
- Easy to clean and disinfect
- Proper drainage
Fishery & Aquaculture
Fishery in the Philippines
The Philippines is an archipelago with rich marine resources. Aquaculture and fishing contribute significantly to food security and the economy.
Types of Aquaculture
- Pond Culture: Earthen or concrete ponds
- Cage Culture: Floating cages in lakes/sea
- Pen Culture: Enclosed area in open water
- Tank Culture: Controlled environment
- Integrated: Fish + rice, fish + duck
Common Species
Freshwater
- Tilapia (highest production)
- Milkfish (bangus)
- Catfish (hito)
- Carp
Brackish/Marine
- Shrimp (sugpo)
- Crab (alimango)
- Oyster (talaba)
- Seaweed
Water Quality Parameters
- Temperature: 25-32°C for tropical species
- Dissolved Oxygen: Above 5 ppm
- pH: 6.5-9.0 (7.5-8.5 ideal)
- Ammonia: Below 0.02 ppm
- Salinity: Depends on species
Fish Health Management
- Maintain good water quality
- Proper stocking density
- Quality feeds
- Disease prevention (biosecurity)
- Regular monitoring
Organic Agriculture
What is Organic Agriculture?
A production system that sustains soil health, ecosystems, and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity, and natural cycles rather than synthetic inputs.
Principles of Organic Farming
- Health: Sustain healthy soil, plants, animals
- Ecology: Work with natural systems
- Fairness: Fair relationships
- Care: Protect environment for future
Organic Practices
Soil Management
- Composting
- Green manure
- Cover crops
- Mulching
Pest Control
- Botanical pesticides
- Companion planting
- Beneficial insects
- Crop rotation
Composting
- Browns: Dried leaves, straw, cardboard (carbon)
- Greens: Kitchen scraps, grass (nitrogen)
- Ratio: 3:1 brown to green
- Turn: Every 1-2 weeks for aeration
- Moisture: Damp like a wrung sponge
- Ready: Dark, crumbly, earthy smell
Organic Certification (Philippines)
- OCCP: Organic Certification Center of the Philippines
- RA 10068: Organic Agriculture Act of 2010
- Conversion: 2-3 year transition period
- Documentation: Farm records required
Farm Management
What is Farm Management?
The decision-making process of organizing and operating a farm for maximum production and profit. Includes planning, budgeting, and record-keeping.
Farm Planning
- Goals: Production targets, income goals
- Resources: Land, labor, capital assessment
- Cropping calendar: Planting schedules
- Budget: Expected costs and income
- Risk assessment: Weather, pests, market
Farm Records
- Production records: Yields, inputs used
- Financial records: Income, expenses
- Inventory: Equipment, supplies
- Labor records: Work hours, wages
- Health records: Animal vaccinations
Marketing
Market Channels
- Direct selling (farm gate)
- Public markets (palengke)
- Traders/middlemen
- Cooperatives
Value-Adding
- Processing (dried, frozen)
- Packaging
- Branding
- Organic certification
Government Support
- DA: Department of Agriculture programs
- LandBank: Agricultural loans
- TESDA: Skills training and certification
- ATI: Agricultural Training Institute
- Cooperatives: Pooled resources, shared marketing