**Abstract**

This paper scrutinizes and evaluates the value chain of taro in Partido district, Camarines Sur, the Philippines. Taro (Colocasia Esculenta) is rich in carbohydrates and also a good replacement for wheat flour. However, it is well-known to farmers for its ability to produce a reasonable yield in poor soil conditions with less or no farm inputs. It is this reason why Taro is often grown by resource-limited farmers and regarded as a good source of food security. To tap its full potential, this study was conducted to understand and analyze the flow of Taro. This study employed participatory techniques, crop accounting, and financial analysis. The Taro value chain has varied gender roles, according to this study. It also highlighted why, despite having a choice, farmers frequently chose the less profitable transaction path. It also solved the mystery of low productivity in this locale as compared with the national production. The results also showed the cost build-up of Taro and the profitability of each player in the chain. Farmers usually end up at a 22% profit-to-cost ratio by selling the harvest to the middleman, while sellers usually end up at a 47% profit-to-cost ratio. The existing entry barriers in each chain were also identified with the researchers' recommendations on how to possibly eliminate or mitigate them. This extensive analysis can be valuable to stakeholders in the Taro value chain in the area, as well as government entity and non-governmental organizations in developing initiatives or projects on behalf of the players.

**Keywords:** Taro, value chain analysis, crop accounting, productivity, the Philippines

### **1. Introduction**

Taro (Colocasia Esculenta), locally known as Natong or Linsa, is the most widely cultivated species of several plants in the Araceae family. It is thought to be native to Southern India and Southeast Asia but is widely naturalized [1–4]. The majority of taro research has focused on its anatomy, biology, and physiology. As a result, a wide spectrum of taro value chain evaluations, including agricultural accounting and financial analysis, is required. Other value chain players, such as intermediaries, processors, and sellers were included in this analysis to account for the dynamics of the value chain beyond the hands of the farmers. Furthermore, no research on the taro value chain has ever been done in this exact location, making this study even more unique and significant.

The term "value chain" refers to a series of activities through which items move in order and gain value at each stage [5–7]. It encompasses the entire range of operations from production to consumption [8]. Taro is a tropical perennial plant that is primarily farmed for its edible starchy corm and as a leaf vegetable. It's a common food in African, Oceanic, and Indian cultures, and it's said to be one of the first cultivated plants [9]. The plant can be used as a sweetener in beverages, candies, and pastries, and can also be used as a substitute for wheat flour. It's also a resilient crop that provides farmers with a steady income. It's one of the few staple crops that can be farmed on a small budget and in difficult conditions where other crops would fail. In the tropical zone, it is also high in carbohydrates and a good source of calories.

The Philippines' taro plantation area is shrinking, with a total size of 14,992.84 hectares as of 2020. However, in Camarines Sur, where the Partido district is located, the area of plantation remains nearly constant at 281 hectares. In terms of taro production in the country, it is normally declining, although it grew in 2020 to 107,422.18 tons. The production of taro in Camarines Sur is dropping, with a total of 2,433.53 tons, and the province ranks second in the Bicol area after Albay. Taro output in the Bicol region is relatively low and limited in comparison to other regions and provinces. From 2015 to 2020, the farmgate price of taro in the Philippines is PhP15- 25.00, whereas it is PhP16-26 in Camarines Sur. From 2014 to 2020, the retail price of taro in the Philippines is PhP29-49.00, while it is PhP42.00-48.00 in the province of Camarines Sur [10, 11]. Currently, there is no specific policy in the country in general or in the district in particular regarding the potential expansion of taro production. As a result, the goal of this study was to produce data that could be used as input for efficient and productive taro cultivation and distribution throughout the district. Achieve long-term productivity and sustainability, it is also in consonance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDF), specifically Goal No. 1 No Poverty and Goal No. 2 Zero Hunger. It may also be indirectly related to Goal No. 12 Responsible Consumption and Production [9]. In Asia, taro cultivation is important because the crop serves as a staple food that ends the hunger of many households. In Oceania, taro cultivation is important because it plays a significant role in the national food security that alleviates poverty. In the Pacific islands, taro cultivation draws substantial attention on cultural aspects and socio-economic dominance [12–16]. Taro cultivation is important in Solomon Island because it is part of daily diet and custom [17]. In the Philippines, the plant is vital as a source of food and is also being cultivated for domestic purposes [18–20]. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization 2018, taro cultivation increases food security and enhances the livelihood of lowincome households amidst climate change when sustainable utilization and conservation of the crop are made. Taro is an agricultural crop that can greatly contribute to gross value added in agriculture of a country when utilized properly [21]. The output of the study aims to eliminate poverty and reduce hunger in the district through the efficient utilization and production of taro. Considering the foregoing, value chain analysis is needed to understand how these potentials and contributions to the economy travel from their origins to the market.

*The Dynamics of Taro (*Colocasia esculenta*) through Value Chain Analysis and Crop… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106853*
