Title: THE UNDERLYING CONCERNS DEFYING ORGANIC FARMERS IN THE PHILIPPINES |
Authors: Amabella Grace N. Siaton, Judy Ann O. Ferrater-Gimena, Erik T. Legaspi and Marvin S. Naraja |
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 on 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 Widen their Learning Horizon Through Training 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, and 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 for the farmers’ efforts and capital outlay cannot be recovered immediately after each cropping season. |
Keywords: Equity, Stock Exchange, Borsa İstanbul |
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.38193/IJRCMS.2023.5105 |
PDF Download |