Abstract:
The shifting trend in the consumption of health and environmentally-friendly products in the market
prompted the government and selected farming entities to shift to organic agriculture from
conventional farming methods. Hence, the Philippine government conducted programs motivating the
local farmers to shift to organic farming, given its potential in the market. Moreover, this study
explores the underlying challenges defying the farmers in adopting organic farming and the action
taken to counter the issues. The investigation adopted the case study research design, using the
validated researcher-made interview guide in data gathering. Using the purposive sampling technique,
ten (10) farmers from the selected accredited organic farms in Bohol and Negros Occidental willingly
and voluntarily participated in the one-one-interview with the researchers and field investigators. For
data analysis, thematic analysis was used. The themes developed from the challenges experienced by
the farmers in adopting organic farming in the aspect of production and marketing are Nature’s
Devastating Effect to the Crops, Pests, and Insects: Farmers Worst Enemies, Competition in the
Market Share of Organic Produce Versus the Non-Organic Products, Ensuring the Health of the Soil,
Long Period of Working and Waiting, Cyclical Nature of Farming Challenges. So, to remedy these
problems, they realized that Challenges in Organic Farming are Inevitable and needed to Widened
their Learning Horizon Through Trainings and Seminars. Further, the challenges they experience in
their quest of adopting organic farming in the provision of supporting infrastructure are: Absence of
Supporting Infrastructure Needs Self Help, Selective Provision of Government Assistance, No
Support Since Time Immemorial. To survive, the actions taken were: Farmers’ Self Reliance Leads
to Survival and Financiers Provide Capital to the Farmers. The organic farmer in the Cebu and Negros
Occidental, Philippines, has been confronted with various challenging situations that affected their
sustainability amid competing with the producers of vegetables, fruits, and livestock using
conventional farming methods. The most significant problem the organic farmers face is the reality of
the Philippines’ vulnerability to strong typhoons and other calamities that would destroy the crops.
Also, because organic farming does not apply commercial chemicals, there were instances that insects
and pests would destroy their plants. Also, organic agriculture requires more time to restore the health
of the soil that was destroyed after long years of applying harmful pesticides and fertilizers. Hence, the yield that would compensate the farmers’ efforts and capital outlay cannot be recovered
immediately after each cropping season.
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Keywords:
Agriculture economics, organic farming, concerns, case study, Cebu, Negros
Occidental, Philippines |
