Bulacan Agricultural State College

This study aims to analyze the feasibility of vermicompost production based on earthworms as an alternative source of income for farmers. The research was conducted in Bunutin Village using cost, revenue, profit, and R/C ratio analysis methods. The results show that the total production cost per six-month cycle is IDR 3,644,164 with a gross income of IDR 4,423,812.50, resulting in a net profit of IDR 779,648.5. The R/C ratio of 1.21 and a payback period of eight months indicate that the business is financially feasible. This business has the potential to increase farmers' income through the sale of worms and vermicompost, although feed cost efficiency needs to be improved to increase profits.

Abstract: Mining activities on Homonhon Island, Philippines, have increasingly contributed to coastal water pollution and siltation, particularly during extreme weather events. This study investigates the influence of climatological factors—specifically precipitation—on mining-induced siltation using satellite-based remote sensing. Sentinel-2A imagery was employed to monitor and quantify changes in water turbidity and sediment deposition before and after typhoon events. Two spectral indices, the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and Normalized Difference Turbidity Index (NDTI), were applied to assess the extent of siltation across different time periods. Results revealed a notable increase in siltation areas following typhoons, with the year 2023 showing a surge of approximately 11 million square meters of affected areas, despite receiving only 23.9 mm of rainfall. This indicates that cumulative land degradation from mining operations may have heightened siltation susceptibility even under moderate precipitation. These findings highlight the critical role of satellite-based monitoring in supporting sustainable land use and coastal resource management in mining-affected regions.

The aim of developing a horizontal ground heat exchanger (HGHE) is to significantly increase the accuracy of material size to achieve the maximum or ideal temperature decrease, increasing the system's overall efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of different pipe sizes and lengths buried to reduce the inlet water temperature for greenhouse root-zone cooling. The HGHE was installed using 240-m long by 25 mm, 40 mm, and 50 mm high-density polyethylene pipes and buried at a depth of 2.0 m. A parametric analysis was done to look into how pipe lengths and pipe sizes affected the system's exit water temperature. The findings indicate an inverse correlation between the pipe length and the exit water temperature. The study found that the ideal pipe length for designing a system ranged from 180 and 240 meters. Additionally, using a smaller pipe diameter of 25mm is better than using a larger diameter as it improves the system's performance and reduces the overall installation cost.

The efficiencies of Timed Artificial Insemination (TAI) protocols in post-partum riverine dairy buffaloes were evaluated in the present research work. In Study 1, GnRH-based ovulation synchronization for Fixed Time Artificial Insemination (FTAI) protocol was evaluated for pregnancy. Buffaloes in Treatment 1 were subjected to the Ovsynch (GnRH-PGF2α-GnRH) protocol. Buffaloes in Treatment 2 were subjected to Controlled Internal Drug Release–Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone (CIDR-Synch-GnRH) protocol, and buffaloes in Treatment 3 were subjected to CIDR-Synch-human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (CIDR-Synch-hCG) protocol. In Study 2, Prostaglandin-based estrus synchronization protocols were similarly evaluated for pregnancy. Buffaloes in Treatment 1 were treated with Prostaglandin hormone alone; buffaloes in Treatment 2 were subjected to Prostaglandin-GnRH protocol, while buffaloes in Treatment 3 were subjected to Prostaglandin-hCG protocol. Results in Study 1 revealed that supplementation of Ovsynch with CIDR in Treatment 2 and 3 resulted in significantly higher (P<0.05) pregnancy rates compared with Ovsynch alone (T1). Meanwhile, the use of hCG as the final ovulatory hormone in FTAI protocol (T3) yielded a significantly higher (P<0.05) pregnancy rate than GnRH (T2). In Study 2, results showed that prostaglandin protocols enhanced with GnRH (T2) or with hCG (T3) resulted in significantly higher (P<0.05) pregnancy rates (31.88±3.39 and 34.62±1.53), respectively, compared with Prostaglandin alone (T1, 23.91±2.49). However, pregnancy rates in Prostaglandin-based protocols (T2) and (T3) were not significantly different (P<0.05). In sum, the present study demonstrated that supplementation with exogenous progesterone (CIDR) improved the efficiency of Ovsynch FTAI protocol while using hCG as the final ovulatory hormone is found to be the best among FTAI protocols. Meanwhile, a Prostaglandin-based protocol enhanced with ovulatory hormones, either GnRH or hCG, on the day of AI improved pregnancy rates in post-partum water buffaloes.

This study focused on farmer cooperatives in Bulacan, Philippines, and examined their financial performance.The goal of the study was to identify the farmer cooperatives' organizational profile, and financial performance, and to make recommendations that farmer cooperatives can utilize to sustain their operation.A descriptive research design was employed in the study using purposive sampling and a researcher-made questionnaire.Respondents to the study were selected based on the amount of their assets.Descriptive analysis tools used were means, percentage distribution, and frequency counts while in the financial performance analysis, the Philippine Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Standards were used including profitability, operational strength, and operating efficiency.Financial data came from 2014 to 2018 submitted financial statements of the farmer cooperatives to the Philippine CDA.Most farmer cooperative members were female regular members with active membership in the mostly multipurpose type of farmer cooperative offering agricultural loans and credit.The financial performance analysis of farmer cooperatives in Bulacan reveals key insights into their profitability, operational strength, and operating efficiency.The findings indicate both strengths and areas for improvement, providing a foundation for strategic decision-making and interventions, necessitating a thorough examination of their financial strategies and operations.Strategic interventions, capacity building, and collaborative efforts can contribute to the sustainable growth and success of these cooperatives, ensuring they effectively serve the needs of their members and the broader agricultural community.

This study examines the lived experiences and motivations of former Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members in the Southern Philippines, highlighting the complexities of violent extremism and the importance of effective reintegration strategies.Utilizing a transcendentalphenomenological methodology, this qualitative study collected indepth interviews from ten ASG returnees in Basilan Province, uncovering the personal and social factors that influenced their decisions to join and leave the group.The findings illuminate themes such as hardship, regret, and the search for belonging that characterized their lives within the extremist group.Many former ASG members viewed their association as a means of refuge from societal stigmas and personal grievances, driven by a confluence of personal, ideological, and social factors.The influence of familial and peer relationships emerged as crucial in both recruitment into the ASG and the process of reintegration, underscoring the significant role of social networks in shaping decisions related to extremism and rehabilitation.Overall, the study highlights the necessity of addressing underlying socioeconomic and psychological factors to support effective deradicalization and reintegration strategies for former extremists.

This research evaluates the faculty members of Bulacan Agricultural State College's degree of readiness for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIRe) through assessment of their knowledge and competencies. Descriptive method was used to determine the demographic profile, knowledge profile, competency, and readiness of the faculty. Correlation was used to analyze the relationship between level of knowledge and competencies with the readiness of the respondents with FIRe. The findings revealed that most of the respondents are female in their prime working age (25-54 years old) with less than 5 years of experience in teaching. Moreover, they have moderate knowledge on FIRe technologies because some of them are typically owned and used technologies by the respondents that were elevated during the Covid-19 pandemic. The links between knowledge, competences, and readiness were investigated using regression and correlation analysis. Knowledge levels and readiness were shown to be strongly positively correlated, suggesting that as faculty members' knowledge grows, and so does their readiness for FIRe. Furthermore, there were favorable relationships found between preparedness and competencies, including technological, pedagogical, content, and their combinations. These findings highlight the significance of ongoing training and support to improve knowledge and competencies and help to understand the current status of faculty preparedness with FIRe technology. The research offers valuable perspectives for academic establishments seeking to harmonize their faculty development initiatives with the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

I found the paper highly pertinent , the results wll provide educational administrators and leaders with insight into how best to adapt through remote instruction though I recommend that a more detailed methodology and additional literature be included.

The rabbit is a promising livestock animal as it has nutritious meat, can adapt to a variety of climates and has prolificacy. However, it is not as well-studied in the Philippines as other livestock or poultry species, particularly regarding the status of farmers in the country. This study is a baseline study on rabbit raisers in the Philippines, which can help promote a better understanding of this industry. This study, conducted in the Province of Bulacan, employed a descriptive research design using a validated survey questionnaire and convenience sampling technique. Among 91 farmers surveyed, most were 41-50 years old, male, married, and college graduates. The majority had small-scale farms, with the New Zealand rabbit as the most common breed. Feeding was done mainly by giving forage and commercial pellets. Housing was located outdoors, usually in double tier cages made of wire mesh, equipped with feeders, automatic waterers, and plastic nest boxes. Raisers used natural farming systems and avoided the use of commercial medications. The majority had less than one year of farm expedience. The most common products were meat, manure, and fur. The challenges encountered were inadequate capital, the high cost of feed, and negative perceptions about rabbit meat. The rabbit raisers were most interested in training on diseases, marketing, breeding, and processing. Rabbit raisers need technical support for the production and marketing of rabbits from the Philippine Government and other institutions to develop more successful rabbit raising enterprises.