Qualification Level: TESDA NC I – Sustainable Plantation Management
Crop Focus: Agarwood (Aquilaria spp.)
Objective: Enable farmers and plantation managers to estimate costs, plan budgets, and analyze profitability for Agarwood production
I. INTRODUCTION
Budgeting and cost analysis help farmers understand the financial requirements of plantation operations, make informed decisions, and evaluate the profitability of Agarwood resin production.
Key Principle: Accurate cost tracking and simple analysis support sustainable and profitable farming.
II. BUDGET COMPONENTS
1. Establishment Costs
- Land preparation (clearing, leveling, fencing)
- Seedlings or saplings purchase
- Nursery setup (containers, shading, soil media)
- Planting labor
2. Input Costs
- Biofertilizers (Biogrow, Mycoboost, VitaSoil, Ecozyme, Biokelp)
- Organic amendments (compost, mulch)
- Irrigation (pipes, pumps, water)
- Pest and disease management
3. Inoculation Costs
- Fungal inoculants (BarIno FusaTrinity™, agar plugs)
- Tools for wounding, injection, or frill method
- Labor for inoculation and post-inoculation care
4. Maintenance Costs
- Weeding and pruning
- Routine fertilization and irrigation
- Monitoring for pests, diseases, and growth
- Labor and equipment maintenance
5. Harvest and Post-Harvest Costs
- Harvest labor
- Tools for selective harvesting, scraping, or coring
- Storage containers, drying, and handling
- Transport to buyers or processing facilities
6. Overhead and Miscellaneous Costs
- Record-keeping materials
- Safety equipment (gloves, masks, protective clothing)
- Contingency fund for unexpected events
III. SIMPLE BUDGETING FORMULA
Total Production Cost (TPC) = Establishment Costs + Input Costs + Inoculation Costs + Maintenance Costs + Harvest Costs + Overhead
Net Revenue (NR) = Total Revenue from resin / wood sales – Total Production Cost
Profitability (%) = (Net Revenue ÷ Total Production Cost) × 100
IV. COST ANALYSIS EXAMPLE (PER HECTARE)
| Cost Item | Amount (PHP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seedlings & planting | 500,000 | 1,000 saplings @ 500 PHP each |
| Soil amendments & biofertilizers | 20,000 | 3–4 applications per year |
| Irrigation | 15,000 | Pipes, pumps, water usage |
| Inoculants & tools | 10,000 | Fungal strains, drills, syringes |
| Labor (maintenance & monitoring) | 25,000 | Annual cost for field workers |
| Harvest & post-harvest | 5,000 | Storage containers, drying |
| Overhead | 5,000 | PPE, records, contingency |
| Total Production Cost | 580,000 |
Revenue & Profit Estimate:
- Resin yield: 30 kg per hectare
- Selling price: 10,000 PHP/kg
- Total revenue: 300,000 PHP
- Net profit: 300,000 – 130,000 = 170,000 PHP
- Profitability: (170,000 ÷ 130,000) × 100 ≈ 131%
Note: This is a simplified illustration; actual values vary depending on tree age, inoculation success, and market price.
V. BEST PRACTICES FOR BUDGETING
- Track all costs – even small items like fertilizer bags, water, and PPE
- Record revenues by batch and quality grade
- Update budget periodically based on actual expenditure
- Use simple spreadsheets or apps for calculation and visualization
- Analyze cost vs. revenue per hectare to make management decisions
VI. FARMER-FRIENDLY CHECKLIST
☐ List all cost components for establishment, inputs, inoculation, maintenance, harvest, and overhead
☐ Record actual expenditure vs. planned budget
☐ Track resin yield and revenue per batch
☐ Calculate net profit and profitability percentage
☐ Adjust future budgets based on past cost and yield trends
☐ Keep digital or paper records for easy review and decision-making
Key Takeaway: Simple budgeting and cost analysis help farmers plan expenses, monitor investments, and maximize profits, ensuring that Agarwood cultivation remains financially sustainable while supporting resin quality and productivity.