Senior Science Research Specialist, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, 3120, Philippines
The study aimed to showcase the village-level rubber pale crepe processing system in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato, Philippines by establishing a processing system, actual operation and marketing of product, test the quality of the product, willingness-to-pay by the farmers and the feasibility of the project. Results showed that the farmers had to produce rubber latex as raw materials to process the rubber pale crepe. Though the nine-month actual operations were limited due to COVID pandemic time, the association processed an average of 387 kg/month dried rubber pale crepe and received an average income of P25,387.50/month. The product produced was with good quality as it passed the Philippine and ISO standards and the farmers’ WTP was higher than the actual rate. Based on the feasibility study, the two scenarios of the project showed a promising financial indicator. Scenario 1 offers to buy rubber latex from the farmers, mill and dry the pale crepe for 4 days/week and custom milling only with a charge of P5/kg of crepe. This operation gave the association a positive NPV, BCR of P3.01, Payback period of 1.68 years and IRR of 54.18%. Scenario 2 extends custom rubber milling only at P5/kg of crepe rate which had a positive NPV, P3.15 BCR, within 1.61years the investments would be recouped and IRR of 56.79%.