Mushroom Production as a Source of Livelihood for the Depressed Barangay in Nueva Ecija, Philippines: A Strategic Plan Using Tows Matrix

Abstract

The market potential of edible mushroom in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines is high, there is a potential gap in the market for the agribusiness that can penetrate with, due to favorable market and suitable environmental humidity and temperature. The objective of this study is to create a strategic plan for an existing concept of the mushroom industry and to determine the capacity of the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology to immerse in this kind of endeavor to provide efficient (Shirinbab, Lundberg, Casalicchio, 2020) and effective source of livelihood to their adapted barangay. The researchers used SWOT–TOWS methodology to examine the controllable and uncontrollable factors affecting the industry and the operation of mushroom growing. Also, proponents of the study used this methodology to maximize the internal strengths against external opportunities and threats and to minimize the impact of internal weaknesses against external opportunities and threats. The result of this study can be used as a baseline (Subia, 2020) to portray the application of SWOT–TOWS analysis for strategic decision–making because it can provide considerations in all areas of the project to be implemented in the barangay. Hence, the researchers suggest that the Training and Extension Services Department of the university must focus on the establishment of the strategic plan laid down especially in the early portion of the project execution.