Economic Viability of Onion Dehydrator and Granulator Machine for Small-Scale Farmers in Occidental Mindoro: Cost-Benefit Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55927/eajmr.v4i6.182Keywords:
Onion Dehydrator, Economic Viability, Small-Scale Farmers, Technology Adoption, Return on Investment (ROI)Abstract
This study assessed the economic viability and adoption potential of onion dehydrator and granulator machines among small-scale farmers in Occidental Mindoro. A cost-benefit analysis was conducted using quantitative survey data from farmers in San Jose and Magsaysay, and secondary data from machine developers. Results showed strong support for the technology (mean = 3.86, SD = 0.33), with benefits including reduced post-harvest losses, extended shelf life, and increased profitability. Demographic factors had no significant effect on perceptions. Financial analysis projected a peak ROI of 383% (2014–2029), confirming economic feasibility. The machines are also user-friendly, requiring minimal training. The study recommends capacity building, financial support, consumer education, and policy initiatives to sustain adoption and impact.
References
Affognon, H., Mutungi, C., Sanginga, P., & Borgemeister, C. (2015). Unpacking postharvest losses in sub-Saharan Africa: A meta-analysis. World Development, 66, 49–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.08.002
Aker, J. C. (2011). Dial “A” for agriculture: A review of ICTs for agricultural extension in developing countries. Agricultural Economics, 42(6), 631–647. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-0862.2011.00545.x
Alston, J. M., Pardey, P. G., Rao, X., & Glewwe, P. (2020). Gender and agricultural technology adoption: A systematic review. World Development, 128, 104824. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.104824
Ampo, M. V., et al. (2024). Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)-based assessment for a smart crop system. Semanticscholar. https://www.semanticscholar.org/.
Armas, K., et al. (2023). Financial viability of engineered hydroponics for onion in the Philippines. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/.
Belessiotis, V., & Delyannis, E. (2011). Solar drying. Solar Energy, 85(8), 1665–1691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2009.10.001
Beyene, F., Assefa, M., & Tadele, A. (2018). Adoption of agricultural technologies and its impact on profitability in Ethiopia. Agricultural Economics, 49(1), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.1111/agec.12485
Boardman, A. E., Greenberg, D. H., Vining, A. R., & Weimer, D. L. (2018). Cost-Benefit Analysis: Concepts and Practice (5th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Briones, R. M. (2018). Improving agricultural value chains in the Philippines. PIDS. https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/.
Buenaseda, R. D., et al. (2023). Determinants of cold storage tech adoption among onion farmers. AgEcon Search. https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/.
Cabacungan, L. M., et al. (2020). Agricultural value chains in the Philippines: Challenges and policy opportunities. PIDS.
Chauhan, P., Joshi, R., & Rawat, S. (2020). Impact of post-harvest management on onion shelf-life. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 169, 104276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2020.111276
DA-PhilMech. (2021). Postharvest technologies for high-value crops. Department of Agriculture – PhilMech.
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of IT. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–340. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008
De la Cruz, R. T., et al. (2022). Innovative postharvest machinery for rural farming. Philippine Agricultural Engineering Journal, 30(2), 78–91.
Domingo, A. V. (2023). Economic feasibility of onion dehydration in the Philippines. Philippine Journal of Agricultural Research, 15(2), 45–63.
Espino, R. R. C., et al. (2022). Enhancing value chains through postharvest innovations. SEARCA.
FAO. (2019). State of food and agriculture: Food loss and waste reduction. https://www.fao.org/.
Garcia, R. T., et al. (2018). Economic sustainability of agricultural technology adoption. Asian Agricultural Studies, 12(1), 56–72.
Gupta, P., Kumar, A., & Singh, R. (2020). Post-harvest management and value addition in spices and condiments. Journal of Food Processing & Technology, 11(4), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7110.1000834
Gustavsson, J., et al. (2011). Global food losses and food waste. FAO.
Kitinoja, L., & Kader, A. A. (2015). Small-scale postharvest handling practices. UC Davis.
Mendoza, L. M., & Cruz, M. A. (2021). Market opportunities via crop dehydration. Journal of Agricultural Innovations and Rural Development, 12(1), 55–68.
Mwangi, M., & Kariuki, S. (2015). Factors determining technology adoption by smallholder farmers. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 6(5), 208–216.
Rivera, J. P. R., & De la Cruz, R. T. (2020). Value-adding strategies for small-scale onion farmers. Philippine Journal of Crop Science, 45(2), 27–39.
Rodriguez, J. R., & Kim, S. J. (2022). Sustainability implications of post-harvest tech adoption. Global Environmental Studies, 45(5), 201–220.
Tzouramani, I., et al. (2020). Market potential of dehydrated onion products. International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 55(8), 2829–2837.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Estifhane T. Lagmay

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.





























