Integrating crop diversification and sericulture products and by-products: A pathway to increased farm production and income in Brgy. Imelda, Naguilian, La Union, Philippines

The Imelda Sericulture farm in Naguilian, La Union, Philippines demonstrated sustainable farming practices such as integrated nutrient management, waste recycling, silkworm rearing, crop diversification, and product and by-product development. These were implemented from May 2015 to December 2022 with the aim of increasing farm production and income. The practices were thoroughly documented, and their product and labor productivity as well as profitability were reviewed and studied in a descriptive manner. From 2015 to 2021, 293.82 kilogram of cocoons were produced. Other products included 13,422 mulberry saplings, 500 cutings, 800 grams of cut cocoons, 300 grams of dyed cocoons, and 222 novelty items. Also included were 80 bottles of wine, 55 bottles of vinegar, 10 bottles each of jams and jellies, and 10 sachets each of candy and tea. Various vegetables were also gathered, like snow cabbage (Brassica rapa), eggplants (Solanum melongena), tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), pepper (Capsicum annuum), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), and horseradish tree (Moringa oleifera). Banana (Musa spp) was also collected. Mulberries and Gliricidia sepium (madre de cacao) trees provided food, energy, and fuel. Cocoon and other product sales generated PhP155,784.63 over seven years. The gross margin was PhP66,041.86, and the net income was PhP42,928.21. Return on investment was 67.27%, man-days generated 346.51, and value PhP65,707.18. The annual average is 49.50 man-days and PhP9,386.74. The demonstration project enhanced the efficiency and financial viability of the farm through sericulture and sericultural farming systems, which served as a source of food, income, and employment for the family. published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES)