Economic Assessment of Betel Nut (Areca cathecu) as Component in the Agroforestry (AF) Systems in Ifugao

This study attempted to determine the economic importance of Areca cathecu as an agronomic component in agroforestry systems. It sought to find out if betel nut is compatible as an agronomic crop in agroforestry. Respondents include practitioners/owners of agroforestry farms, middle men, chewers and old folks who were chosen via purposive sampling in five municipalities of Ifugao. Specifically, the study was conducted to a) study the socio-demographic profile of respondents in the selected study sites, b) determine the economic importance of betel nut (Areca catechu) as an ag-ronomic component in agroforestry farming system, and, c) find out if betel nut is compatible to be an agronomic crop in agroforestry. The study used descriptive statistics. The primary data were taken through personal interview using struc-tured questionnaires, and the secondary data were taken from the different municipalities and barangays covered by the study. The Betel nut (Areca cathecu) fruit commonly known as moma in Ifugao is an indigenous fruit in the province. Betel nut gained attention as a substitute for smoking. It also served for various social, economic, and environmental purposes. Findings show that betel nut was grown for social, domestic, economic, and for environmental purposes. Betel nut was observed as randomly planted in almost all agroforestry farms in the province. Harvest is in staggered basis com-mencing from June to September. Fruits are sold in fresh forms or in dry nut (preserved) and are sold to middlemen and retailers. The study revealed that integrating betel nut in an agroforestry farm contributed an average additional income of five to ten thousand (Php5, 000.00 to Php 10, 000.00) Philippine pesos for every farmer. The presence of multiple agronomic species or crops along with betel nuts in the agroforestry crops are raised primarily for social, eco-nomic, and for environmental purposes. The study disclosed that production of betel nut is associated with indigenous cultural practices of Ifugaos aside from its potential economic and environmental values.