Knowledge perception and practices on organic farming of selected vegetable farmers in los baños laguna philippines

THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY ALLYSHA JOY MONTEVERDE DE CASTRO KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND PRACTICES ON ORGANIC FARMING OF SELECTED VEGETABLE FARMERS IN LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES BACHELOR THESIS Study Mode: Major: Faculty: Batch: Full-time Environmental Science and Management Advanced Education Program Office 2015-2018 Thai Nguyen, 15/11/2018 DOCUMENTATION PAGE WITH ABSTRACT Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry Degree Program Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management Student Name Allysha Joy Monteverde de Castro Student ID DTN1454290092A Thesis Title Knowledge, Perception and Practices on Organic Farming of Selected Vegetable Farmers in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines Supervisors Assistant Professor Maricel A Tapia Dr Hồ Ngọc Sơn Supervisors' Signature Abstract: Agriculture is the backbone of the Philippines Vegetables as part of the Filipino subsistence, be it as food or as source of livelihood cannot be undermined One of the important parties that can enable the country to produce more organic products through organic farming is the growers or farmers Organic vegetable production is a system based on the principle of taking care of nature accounting all life forms This agricultural practice is economical and health-wise, it does not use costly synthetic and harmful toxic chemicals The study aimed to explore the knowledge and perception of selected vegetable farmers in Los Baños and its implications in their agricultural practices towards organic farming The study was conducted in Los Baños, Laguna, particularly in the barangays of Bagong Silang, and Timugan Guided by the Grounded Theory Method, semi-structured interviews were used in this qualitative study, and themes were explored until reaching data saturation Understanding differences and similarities of farmers‟ knowledge, practices and perception on organic farming and the factors that motivate them is essential to the development of effective policies and extension projects aimed at organic conversion, especially if an objective of a policy or program is to encourage local farmers to a certain type of organic vegetable production The results of this study revealed that knowledge and perception of farmers on organic farming are related to environment and health, not much on income and their adoption of it was based due to the program of the government, which is not their own initiative There is lack of mention of the economic aspect of organic farming that could be the reason why to most farmers organic farming is not financially viable And the agricultural practices are from what the extension workers taught the farmers Hence, organic farming while it is practice with some success is not deeply rooted in the consciousness of the farmers For future studies, it is recommended to find out how knowledge and perception of organic farming affects farmers agricultural practices using a different methodology or considering a different set of respondents and extensively studying innovative agricultural practices and technologies regarding organic farming Keywords: Knowledge, Perception, Agricultural Practices, Organic Farming Numbers of Pages 75 Date of November 15, 2018 Submission ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT To our Abba Father, this dissertation wouldn't have been possible without your never ending favor and blessings upon my life Praises and thanks be unto You; for reminding me to always live a purpose-driven life; for always giving me what I asked and prayed for; and for showering me strength and wisdom as I face each day of my college life It has truly been a roller coaster ride for almost four years but You never fail to remind me that I am fearfully created, genuinely loved and called for a great purpose To my sovereign inspirations, Alfredo and Ofelia de Castro, thank you for boosting my confidence whenever I felt like giving up and for always reminding me of the verse "Philippians 4:13" which served as a candle that light up my path whenever darkness shows its ugly face Both of you always knew that I'm going to win this battle no matter how badly I fail at times Thank you for all the sacrifices and hardships just for me to study abroad This dissertation stands as evidence to your unconditional love and support I love you so much Nanay and Tatay! To my sisters Marie Faye, Allenie, Felyciti Ann and Princess Ann, thank you for cheering me up every time I feel stressed and for putting up with me in difficult moments where I felt stumped You're all my sources of happiness To my ever loving relatives who never fail to uplift and motivate me, I am truly thankful To Titaninang Lhala and Tita Mhila, thank you for your profound contribution in providing financial assistance all the way through my college days Thank you for always telling me that I am a strong independent woman whenever homesickness strikes me To my Late Grandma, you may not have witnessed how it all ended but this one's also for you To Asst Prof Maricel A Tapia of College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, thank you for believing in me; for the insightful guidance and dedicated involvement in every step of the research, and for the warm welcome and sweet smiles I got every time I visit for consultation To my iii Vietnamese adviser, Dr Ho Ngoc Son of the faculty of Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, thank you for the utmost support and assistance To all the selected organic farmers and Municipal Agricultural Officer of Los Baños, Laguna, Mrs Cheryll L Gonzales, thank you for devoting a bit of time answering all the interview questions To John Lester M Lagansua, thank you for having a kind heart and helpful spirit; for your big help since the beginning of this research; for believing in me when I doubted myself, and for being there since day one You've been a great part of this journey of mine and know that I'm beyond thankful To JCRF Family, thank you for making me a stronger woman of Christ, for guiding me into a more foundational relationship with Him; and for igniting the fire inside me I survived because the fire inside me burned brighter than the fire around me You will always be my second home To my Vietnam Buddies, Mary Joy, Francina, Kristina, Jessica, Pauline, Veatriz, Lorenzo, and Luis, thank you for the constant encouragements; for all the memories and spontaneous adventures that we‟ve shared I am genuinely grateful that you were part of my college experience and I am so happy that I had such an amazing squad beside me as I conquered college life Cheers to all our future endeavors - may they all be exciting and worthwhile To Advanced Education Program, Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, including Dr Duong Van Thao and the thoughtful staff, sincerest thank you for the help and opportunity to conduct this research at my chosen partner university “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 de Castro, Allysha Joy Monteverde iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES vii LIST OF TABLES viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS x PART I INTRODUCTION 1.1 Research Rationale 1.2 Research's objectives 1.3 Research Questions 1.4 Scope and Limitations of the Study 1.5 Definition of Terms PART II LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Organic Farming and Organic Agriculture 2.1.1 Organic Standards 10 2.2 Grounded Theory Methodology 11 2.2.1 Fundamental Characteristics of a Grounded Theory 12 2.2.2 Assumptions of the Grounded Theory Method 14 2.2.3 Characteristics of a Grounded Theorist 16 PART III METHODOLOGY 17 3.1 Materials 17 3.2 Research Design 17 3.3 Participants and Sampling Method 20 Time and Locale of the Study 20 Data Gathering 21 3.6 Data Analysis 22 PART IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 25 4.1 Socio-demographic and Socio-economic characteristics 25 Knowledge and Perception on Organic Farming 31 v 4.2.1 Vegetable farmer's definition of organic farming 33 4.2.2 How vegetable farmers came to know about organic farming 35 4.2.3 Activities and Programs about Organic Farming 35 4.2.4 Membership in Organization 37 4.2.5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Organic Farming 37 4.2.6 Farmer's insight on who benefits from organic farming 41 4.2.7 Farmer's explanation why the proportion of organic farmers is higher than nonorganic farmers in Los Baños 41 4.2.8 Farmer's explanation why there is a higher demand and lower supply of organic produce in Los Baños 42 4.2.9 Effects of organic farming on farmer's livelihood 43 4.2.10 Type of farming vegetable farmers practiced first 45 4.3 Practices on Organic Farming of Selected Vegetable Farmers 46 4.4 How Knowledge and Perception of Vegetable Farmers are translated into their Agricultural Practices 54 PART V SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 55 5.1 Summary 55 5.2 Conclusion 57 5.3 Recommendations 58 REFERENCES 60 APPENDICES 64 vi LIST OF FIGURES Figure Researcher's model for developing "Grounded Theory" method approach 19 Figure Location Map of Los Baños, Laguna 21 Figure Thematic diagram of selected vegetable farmers on their description and understanding on organic farming 34 Figure Thematic diagram of selected vegetable farmers' sources of knowledge about organic farming 36 Figure Thematic diagram of selected farmer's understanding on the advantages and disadvantages of organic farming 40 Figure Thematic diagram of the effects of organic farming on farmer's livelihood 44 Figure Vegetable Farmers' Area of Cropland 46 Figure Vegetable Farmer's Number of Workers 47 Figure Vegetable Farmers' Number of Cropping Season per Month 48 Figure 10 Vegetable Farmers' Inputs Applied in Organic Production 48 Figure 11 Crop Production Methods Practiced by Vegetable Farmers 50 Figure 12 Vegetable Farmers' Pest Control Strategies 51 Figure 13 Crops Grown by Vegetable Farmers 52 vii LIST OF TABLES Table Distribution of Organic Farmers by Socio-demographic Characteristics 29 Table Distribution of Organic Farmers by Socio-economic Characteristic 29 Table Overview of Categories, Subthemes and Themes of the Analysis on Knowledge on Organic Farming 31 Table Overview of Categories, Subthemes and Themes of the Analysis on Perception on Organic Farming 32 Table Cropping season of organic vegetables 53 APPENDIX 1: TABLES Table 1.1 Age Group of the Selected Respondents Table 1.2 Gender of the Selected Respondents Table 1.3 Educational Attainment of the Selected Respondents APPENDIX 2: TABLES Table 2.1 Years working in agricultural farm of Selected Respondents Table 2.2 Percentage of Selected Respondents' cropland under organic farming Table 2.3 Cropland ownership of the Selected Respondents Table 2.4 Estimated Monthly Income of the Selected Respondents Table 2.5 Other sources of Income of the Selected Respondents APPENDIX 3: TABLES Table 3.1 Area of Cropland of Selected Respondents Table 3.2 Number of Workers of Selected Respondents Table 3.3 Cropping Season per Month of Selected Respondents viii Table 3.4 Inputs Applied in Organic Vegetable Production of Selected Respondents Table 3.5 Crop Production Method Practiced by the Selected Respondents Table 3.6 Pest Control Strategies of Selected Respondents Table 3.7 Crops Grown of the Selected Respondents ix LIST OF 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10 33.33 6.67 30.00 11 36.67 0 10.00 10.00 0 3.33 3.33 0 10.00 10.00 6.67 28 93.34 30 100.01 (%) (%) Table 1.2 Gender of the Selected Respondents Barangay Timugan (n=2) Gender Frequency Percentage Barangay Bagong Silang (n=28) Frequency Percentage (%) Total (n=30) Frequency (%) Percentage (%) Male 0 26.67 26.67 Female 6.67 20 66.67 22 73.33 Total 6.67 28 93.33 30 100.00 64 Table 1.3 Educational Attainment of the Selected Respondents Barangay Timugan (n=2) Educational Attainment Frequency Percentage Barangay Bagong Silang (n=28) Frequency (%) College Graduate College Undergraduate High school Graduate High school Undergraduate Elementary Graduate Elementary Undergraduate Total Percentage Total (n=30) Frequency Percentage (%) (%) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 40.0 12 40.0 6.67 10.00 16.67 0 13.33 13.33 0 30.0 30.00 6.67 28 93.33 30 100.00 Appendix Raw Data of Socio-economic Profile of the Selected Respondents Table 2.1 Years working in agricultural farm of Selected Respondents Years doing organic farming Barangay Timugan (n=2) Frequency Percentage Barangay Bagong Silang (n=28) Frequency (%) Percentage Total (n=30) Frequency (%) Percentage (%) 1-3 years 6.67 24 80.0 26 86.67 4-6 years 0 10.0 10.00 7-8 years 0 3.33 3.33 Total 6.67 28 93.33 30 100.00 65 Table 2.2 Percentage of Selected Respondents' cropland under organic farming Percentag e of cropland under organic farming Barangay Timugan (n=2) Barangay Bagong Silang (n=28) Frequenc Percentag Frequenc Percentag y e (%) y 100% 3.33 75% 50% Total (n=30) Frequenc Percentag e (%) y e (%) 23 76.67 24 80.00 6.67 6.67 3.33 10.00 13.33 25% 0 0 0 Total 6.66 28 93.34 30 100.00 Table 2.3 Cropland ownership of the Selected Respondents Cropland ownership Barangay Timugan (n=2) Frequency Percentage Barangay Bagong Silang (n=28) Frequency (%) Percentage Total (n=30) Frequency (%) Percentage (%) Own 3.33 22 66.67 23 76.67 Rental 3.33 20.0 23.33 Total 6.66 28 93.34 30 100.00 66 Table 2.4 Estimated Monthly Income of the Selected Respondents Estimated Monthly Income Barangay Timugan (n=2) Frequency Percentage Barangay Bagong Silang (n=28) Frequency Percentage (%) Frequency Percentage (%) (%) 0-2,999 php (0-56 USD) 3000-5,999 php (56-112 USD) 6,000-8,999 php (112-168 USD) 9,000 php above (168 USD above) Total Total (n=30) 0 26.67 26.67 3.33 11 36.67 12 40.00 0 20.00 20.00 3.33 10.00 13.33 6.66 28 93.33 30 100.00 Table 2.5 Other sources of Income of the Selected Respondents Other Sources of Income Barangay Timugan (n=2) Frequency Percentage Barangay Bagong Silang (n=28) Frequency (%) Percentage Total (n=30) Frequency (%) Percentage (%) None 3.33 12 40.00 13 43.33 Small business Blue collared job White collared job Total 0 46.66 6.67 3.33 14 6.67 15 50.00 0 0 0 6.67 28 93.33 30 100.00 67 Appendix Farming Practices Raw Data Table 3.1 Area of Cropland of Selected Respondents Area of Cropland Barangay Timugan (n=2) Frequency Percentage Barangay Bagong Silang (n=28) Frequency (%) Percentage Total (n=30) Frequency Percentage (%) (%) 0.01-0.04 3.33 11 36.67 12 40.0 0.05-0.09 0 3.33 3.33 0.1-0.4 0 10.0 10.0 0.5-0.9 0 16.67 16.67 3.33 26.67 30.0 Total 6.67 28 93.33 30 100.0 Table 3.2 Number of Workers of Selected Respondents Barangay Timugan (n=2) Number of workers Frequency Percentage Barangay Bagong Silang (n=28) Frequency (%) Percentage Total (n=30) Frequency (%) Percentage (%) farmer 0 13.33 13.33 farmers 6.67 14 46.67 16 53.33 farmers 0 6.67 6.67 farmers 0 16.67 16.67 farmers 0 10.0 10.0 Total 6.67 28 93.33 30 100.0 68 Table 3.3 Cropping Season per Month of Selected Respondents Barangay Timugan Barangay Bagong Total (n=2) Silang (n=30) Cropping season per month (n=28) Frequency Percentage Frequency (%) Percentage Frequency Percentage (%) (%) seasons 0 16.67 16.67 seasons 6.67 10 33.33 12 40.0 seasons 0 13 43.33 13 43.33 Total 6.67 28 93.33 30 100.0 Table 3.4 Inputs Applied in Organic Vegetable Production of Selected Respondents Barangay Timugan Barangay Bagong Silang Total Inputs Applied in Organic Vegetable Production Frequency Chicken 3.33 19 63.33 20 66.67 Horse Manure 6.67 28 93.33 30 100.0 Pig Manure 3.33 13 43.33 14 46.37 Ayumet Tea 6.67 15 50.0 17 56.67 Green Manure 6.67 17 63.33 19 70.0 Vermicast 6.67 23 76.67 25 83.33 3.33 10 33.33 11 36.67 Percentage Frequency (%) Percentage Frequency (%) Percentage (%) Manure (Worm Casting) Vermitea 69 Table 3.5 Crop Production Method Practiced by the Selected Respondents Barangay Timugan (n=2) Crop Production Methods Practiced Agroforestry Frequency Percentage Barangay Bagong Silang (n=28) Frequency (%) Percentage Total (n=30) Frequency Percentage (%) (%) 6.67 16 53.33 18 60.0 Crop Rotation 6.67 25 83.33 27 90.0 Intercropping 0 16.67 16.67 Table 3.6 Pest Control Strategies of Selected Respondents Barangay Timugan Pest Control Strategies Frequency Percentage Barangay Bagong Silang Frequency (%) Pyrethrum (Natural Pesticide) Pulverized Madre Cacao Leaves Mixture of Chili Pepper and Dish Washing Liquid Percentage Total Frequency Percentage (%) (%) 3.33 16.67 20.0 6.67 20 66.67 22 73.33 6.67 28 93.33 30 100.0 Table 3.7 Crops Grown of the Selected Respondents Barangay Timugan Crops grown Frequency Percentage Barangay Bagong Silang Frequency (%) Bitter melon Bokchoy Bottle gourd Percentage Total Frequency (%) Percentage (%) 0 20.0 20.0 0 16.67 16.67 3.33 12 40.0 13 43.33 70 Cassava Chayote Chili Chili tops Cow pea Eggplant Ginger Jute Lady's finger Lima beans Luffa Malabar spinach Mustard greens Napa cabbage Potato Raddish Spinach Squash String beans Sweet potato Sweet potato tops Taro Tomato Water spinach Winged beans 0 6.67 16.67 3.33 11 36.67 12 40.0 3.33 30.0 10 33.33 3.33 30.0 10 33.33 0 13.33 13.33 6.67 20 66.67 22 66.67 0 23.33 23.33 0 10.0 10.0 6.67 22 73.33 24 80.0 0 12 40.0 12 40.0 0 12 40.0 12 40.0 0 10.0 10.0 0 10 33.33 10 33.33 0 14 46.67 14 46.67 3.33 10 33.33 11 36.67 0 26.67 26.67 0 23.33 23.33 6.67 26 86.67 28 93.33 0 28 93.33 28 93.33 3.33 16 53.33 17 56.67 3.33 16 53.33 17 56.67 0 10.0 10.0 3.33 26.67 30.0 3.33 11 36.67 12 40.0 0 13.33 13.33 71 Appendix Interview Guide or Interview Protocol for the 30 Selected Respondents Interview Guide for the In-depth Interview of the Thirty Selected Respondents Describe your farming system and practices… Could you briefly explain what does „organic farming‟ mean for you? How did you learn organic farming? And how it is introduced to you? Are you a member of any organization regarding organic farming in Los Baños? If yes, kindly specify Are there any activities or programs you have participated in about organic agriculture? What you think are the advantages and disadvantages of organic farming? Why did you choose to farm organically in the long run? Do you believe that organic produce only benefits the consumer and not the producer? Why? Why you think the proportion of organic famers is higher than those of non-organic in Los Baños? Why is there a higher demand and lower supply of organic produce in Los Baños? 10 How organic farming affects your livelihood? 11 As a farmer, have you grown organic vegetables since you started farming? Or you practiced conventional farming first then convert to organic one and why? 12 Do you see yourself continually planting organic vegetables in the next years? Why? 72 Appendix Interview Guide or Interview Protocol for the Municipal Agricultural Officer of Los Baños Laguna Interview Guide for the Key Informant Interview Describe the agriculture sector in Los Baños… What are the specific requirements for being considered organic? What are the prospects, goals, and plans of the Local Government Units in Los Baños regarding organic farming, and how is this being achieved? What are the farmers‟ present sources of information on organic farming? How often you conduct seminars for the farmers? And what are the issues being tackled? What are the sources of support for organic farming in Los Baños? (financial, materials, etc.) What are the policies implemented regarding organic farming? Are there any issues in implementing these policies? How about the effectiveness? What are the facilitating or constraining factors in the farmer‟s (1) adoption and (2) actual practice of organic farming? How does the LGU address these factors? 73 Appendix Documentation of the Interview with the respondents Barangay Bagong Silang Barangay Timugan 74 Pictures of some of the farmers' cropland Appendix Documentation of the Interview with the Municipal Agricultural Officer 75 ... knowledge and perception of vegetable farmers on organic farming; Examine the agricultural practices of the vegetable farmers on organic farming; and Interpret how the knowledge and perception. .. plan in continuing organic farming in the next years 32 4.2.1 Vegetable farmer's definition of organic farming Vegetable farmers? ?? definition of organic farming is a type of farming wherein it gives... perception of vegetable farmers on organic farming are translated into agricultural practices towards organic farming 1.3 Research Questions Main Question: Do the knowledge and perception of selected vegetable