Organic Farming Practices among the Upland Rice Farmers in Sarangani Province, Southern Philippines

Abstract

In 2016, we conducted a study among 211 upland farmer respondents to discover their organic farming practices and who among them are beneficiaries of an organic agriculture program in the country. Since there was no list of upland rice farmers at the office of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the respondents were selected through convenience, snowball, and cluster samplings. Data were gathered through personal interview. The data were analyzed through descriptive analysis and costs and returns analysis for profitability. Results revealed that upland farmers were not beneficiaries of an organic agriculture program implemented by the government. Out of the 211 respondents, 147 farmers (69.67%) are practicing organic farming. Their practice is considered traditional, and they are now called organic producers by default. Though they produce organic rice, their farm management practices are not consistent with the recommended practice. However, their traditional practice is sustainable. In terms of profitability, it is still profitable though their yield per hectare is way below the potential yield. All the accounts are under noncash since they only produce for consumption and they also practice bayanihan; hence, their expenses are also noncash. Hence, DA must include upland farmers as beneficiaries for development programs since organic agriculture is not contrary to their beliefs and culture and provide them with technical assistance to achieve the potential yield from organic farming, thereby improving their productivity and socioeconomic condition