Bridging Soil Suitability Recommendations and Farmer Crop Choices: Evidence from Palayan City, Nueva Ecija
Downloads
This study examined the alignment between soil suitability recommendations and the crop practices of farmers in selected agricultural areas of Palayan City, Nueva Ecija. It described prevailing soil conditions in terms of pH, texture, fertility, drainage, and nutrient availability, identified recommended crops for existing soil conditions, documented the crops currently cultivated by farmers, and determined the factors influencing crop selection decisions. The study employed a descriptivecomparative research design using secondary soil data and primary data gathered through surveys and interviews with selected farmers. Descriptive and comparative analyses were used to assess the level of alignment between recommended and actual farming practices. The study provides insights that may support improved soil-based crop planning and agricultural support services in the area.
Abd-Elmabod, S. K., et al. (2019). Assessment of soil suitability for improvement of soil factors and agricultural management. Sustainability.
Alejo, R. J. T., & Fiegalan, F. T. (2025). GIS-based mapping of crop suitability rating for the re-delineated soil types in Barangay Bantug, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Southeast Asian Journal of Agriculture and Allied Sciences, 5(1), 45–58.
https://doi.org/10.63943/sajaas.vol5iss1art70pp
Brady, N. C., & Weil, R. R. (2016). The nature and properties of soils (15th ed.). Pearson.
Bureau of Soils and Water Management. (2013). Soil map of the Philippines. Department of Agriculture.
Cañete, S. D., Collado, W. B., Badayos, R. B., Sanchez, P. B., & Sta. Cruz, P. C. (2016). Suitability assessment of Bantog soil series for potential enhancement of rice-based cropping systems. Philippine Journal of Science, 145(3), 237–247. https://philjournalsci.dost.gov.ph
City Government of Palayan. (2026a). Palayan City soil health status report. City Agriculture Office.
City Government of Palayan. (2026b). List of crops grown in Palayan City. City Agriculture Office.
Collado, W. B., Obico, M. O., Dollentas, R. T., Dela Torre, J. P., De Dios, J. L., Javier, L. C., Quilang Jr., E. P., Badayos, R. B., & Soliman, A. E. (2008). Simplified keys to soil series of Nueva Ecija. Philippine Rice Research Institute.
Cruz, R. V. O., Narisma, G. T., & Villafuerte, M. Q. (2017). Climate change impacts and adaptation in Philippine agriculture. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, 14(1), 1–16.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2017). Soil management guidelines. FAO.
https://www.fao.org/soils-portal/soil-management/en/
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2021). The State of Food and Agriculture 2021: Making agrifood systems more resilient to shocks and stresses. FAO.
https://www.fao.org/publications/sofa/2021/en/
Haifa Group. (2022). Crop nutrition and soil pH guide. https://www.haifa-group.com/
Laborte, A. G., de Bie, K., Smaling, E. M. A., Moya, P. F., Boling, A. A., & Van Ittersum, M. K. (2018). Rice yields and yield gaps in Southeast Asia: Past trends and future outlook. European Journal of Agronomy, 36(1), 9–20.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2011.08.005
Mapiye, M., Chikwanha, O. C., Mupangwa, J. F., & Mwale, M. (2019). Factors influencing smallholder farmers’ choice of crop enterprises in sub-Saharan Africa. Sustainability, 11(23), Article 6756. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11236756
Philippine Rice Research Institute. (2020a). Soil fertility and rice productivity studies in irrigated lowlands of Nueva Ecija. PhilRice. https://dbmp.philrice.gov.ph/
Philippine Rice Research Institute. (2020b). Soil suitability for rice production. PhilRice.
Valbuena, D., Groot, J. C. J., Mukalama, J., & Tittonell, P. (2020). Improving rural livelihoods through integrated farming systems: Farmer decision-making and resource allocation. Agricultural Systems, 104(3), 1–10.
