FARMERS ADAPTION OF ORGANIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN SINILOAN, PANGIL AND KALAYAAN, LAGUNA

Author Name: 1. Arvin B. Taruma 2. Judy Ann O. Sagritalo

Volume/Issue: 02/07

Country: Philippines

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://www.doi-ds.org/doilink/01.2022-84736768/UIJIR

Affiliation:

College of Agriculture, Laguna State Polytechnic University – Siniloan (Host) Campus, Siniloan, Laguna, Philippines

ABSTRACT

This research was conducted with the aim of presenting the levels of adoption on organic vegetable production by farmers in Siniloan, Pangil and Kalayaan, Laguna. Likewise, to find the answers to the questions: what are the socio-demographic profile and practices of farmers about organic vegetable production in Siniloan, Pangil and Kalayaan, Laguna? Specifically, this aims to answer the following questions: what is the socio-demographic profile of the farmer adopters of organic vegetable production in terms of: age, gender, civil status, family size, educational attainment, other source of income, organizational affiliation, farming experience, farm size, tenurial status, crop raised, extension exposure, definition of organic farming?; what is the level of adoption on organic vegetable production?; is there significant difference between socio-demographic profile of the respondents and their level of adoption of organic vegetable production. Descriptive-analysis was used with 54 farmers in Siniloan, Pangil and Kalayaan, Laguna as respondents using quota sampling. The farmer respondents are included on the list of the Department of Agriculture. Data were gathered through interview and observation. The instrument used by the researcher is a questionnaire to collect the data. The results of the study show that the majority of the respondents ranged from 53 to 49 years old while few of them have age ranging from 74 to 80 years old. The respondents were from the lowland and upland areas. Majority of the respondents are high school graduates and have no other sources of income. Twenty-nine respondents were members of organizations and had farming experience of 1 to 5 years. Majority of the respondents were just renting the land they use and eggplant is their main crop followed by string beans and squash. The respondents believe that organic agriculture is natural way of farming. The highest level of adoption on organic vegetable production is in planting while the respondents answered frequently on disease management practices, fertilizer application, watering, postharvest handling and marketing. In land preparation and pest management they answered sometimes, and seldom in seed sowing and seedling production. Based on findings of the study, the level of adoption on organic vegetable production is not influenced by the respondents’ age, civil and tenurial status. It is recommended that strong coordination among different agencies will help to develop and enhance the skills and knowledge of farmers about organic vegetable production. Likewise more trainings and seminars regarding organic vegetable production must be undertaken.

Key words: Farmers adaption, Organic vegetable, Organic production, Vegetable production