BIBLIOGRAPHY VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J....
BIBLIOGRAPHY
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013. Assessment on the acceptability
of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet. Benguet State University, La
Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Samuel L. Duyan, BSc.
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to determine the farmers’ acceptability on organic
farming in Kapangan, Benguet. The study aimed to determine if the farmers are aware
about organic farming; if there are farmers adopting organic farming; the level of
acceptability and the reasons of adopting and not adopting organic farming.
A total of 100 respondents were classified according to their age, gender, civil status
and type of farming engaged. Most of the respondents are aware about organic farming.
According to the respondents, the level of acceptability on organic farming is
acceptable but few adopting organic farming for the reason that it is beneficial to health
and has a good effect to the environment. The kinds of organic vegetables that the
respondents sell are the following; beans, cabbage, garden pea, bell pepper, chayote,
peachy, mustard, potato, water cress, gabi and Korean radish. They sell in their neighbors’
store with in the area and market.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
The respondents’ reasons for adopting organic farming are the following; beneficial
to health, lesser capital, needed higher market price, better quality and good effect to the
environment.
The reasons of the respondents for not adopting organic farming classified as
internal reasons such as poor quality of crops produced, inadequate knowledge, not
convenient to apply, laborious and low income. External reasons such as no support from
the government in case farming failed, limited researches to help make organic farming
successful, lack of trainings and seminars about organic farming, no established market
outlet for organic vegetables and low yield.
Majority of the respondents are interested in adopting organic farming provided
that the government should support them and provide all their needs especially trainings
and seminars in their place in order for them to understand more what organic farming is.
The concerned agencies and local government should also provide low interest credit loans,
market outlet for organic produced so that they will not be discouraged in going into
organic farming.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
INTRODUCTION
Rationale
An organic farming is not one that uses certain methods and substances and avoids other.
It is farm that structure is formed in imitation of the natural system that has the integrity,
the independence and the beginning dependence of an organism.
Organic farming is an amalgam of different ideas rooted mainly in the German-speaking
and English-speaking words. These ideas arose at the end of the 19th century, especially
the knowledge of biologically oriented Agriculture Science, the vision of return
movements and an interest in farming system of the Far East (Wendell, 2010).
New studies from US and Europe confirm that organic farming can help mitigate
global warming. Some major reasons on how organic agriculture can help battle change
are organic farming does not pollute air, water and land because it does not utilize chemical
fertilizers and pesticides. Its method uses manure and cover crops like legumes to enrich
the soil which helps sequester CO2 from atmosphere. It uses less energy also than
conventional farming.
Moreover, technology use in organic agriculture enhances soil fertility, in turn,
encourage crops to develop deeper route which increases the amount of organic matter in
the soil locking up carbon underground and keeping it out of the atmosphere. Organic
farming combats global warming by capturing dioxide in the atmosphere and incorporating
it into the soil (Clarapols, 2008).
Most of the farmers in Kapangan are relying on commercial fertilizer, pesticides
and other forms of chemicals in order to enhance the quality and quantity of their farm
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
products. The farmers focusing on the profit that they can generate from their farm have
not considered the effects of these inorganic fertilizers on their health, on the health of their
family and their customers and to the environment.
Since organic farming has a good impact to the soil, environment and to the people,
it is then important to determine if the farmers in Kapangan are aware of organic farming
and whether they are informed about such method of cultivating the soil.
Importance of the Study
The result would serve as useful information to Benguet State University-Cordillera
Organic Agriculture Research and Development Center (BSU-COARDC) in developing
strategies and plans for the promotion of organic agriculture in the Cordillera
Administrative Region. Furthermore, it would also serve as basis for organic advocates
other government agencies and non-government organization working on the promotion of
organic farming.
Statement of the Problem
This study on “Assessment on Farmers Acceptability of Organic Farming in
Kapangan, Benguet” aimed to answer the following questions:
1. Are the farmers aware about organic farming?
2. What is the level of acceptability of farmers towards organic farming?
3. Are there farmers adopting organic farming in the place?
4. What are the reasons of adopting or not adopting organic farming?
5. Are the farmers interested in adopting organic farming?
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Objective of the Study
This study aims to:
1. to determine if the farmers are aware about organic farming;
2. to determine the level of acceptability of farmers towards organic farming;
3. to determine if there are farmers adopting organic farming in the place;
4. to identify the reasons of adopting or not adopting organic farming; and
5. to determine if the farmers are interested in adopting organic farming.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
The study was conducted in selected barangays of Kapangan, Benguet such as
Labueg, Datacan, Pongayan. The study focused on the farmers’ awareness, acceptability
and interest towards organic farming.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Creation of the Municipality of Kapangan
The Municipality of Kapangan existed as an organized town as early as the Spanish
era regime. The legal existence of the municipality was by virtue of act no.48 passed and
approved on November 22, 1900 during the American civil government. A later republic
act no.4695 was passed on June 18, 1986; in short, called the division law separated the
province of Benguet from its mother province “The Old Mountain Province”. The province
of Benguet, in effect, maintained her thirteen (13) municipalities among them, the
municipality of Kapangan.
Kitma (2009) says that in organic farming feed the soil and not the plant directly.
Plants are not designed to get their nutrients by being forced fed. Plants, in order to grow
healthy, need fertile soil. Soil fertility can be maintained by the application of quality
compost, proper application of animal and green manure, proper crop rotation as well as
cultivation process. He added also that there is no such thing as pest if we encourage a well
balanced micro-ecology, spraying pesticide to control plant pest does not solve the problem
of pest. For him, key to pest management is through building a well balanced micro-
ecology that include soil, plant, animals and micro-organism, healthy soils grows healthy
plants and healthy plants do not get easily by pests and diseases.
Furthermore, plant strong local season crops. Avoid hybrid and other seeds that
have been grown with pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Generally weak in vigor, easily
attacked by pest and diseases. Kitma mentioned that in organic farming you need to grow
different plants together which means mono-culture or growing of one crop continuously
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
in a wide scale area is not good. It will deplete soils and make crops vulnerable to pest and
diseases.
History of Organic Farming
The organic movement began in the 1930s and 1940s as reaction to agriculture’s
growing reliance on synthetic fertilizers had been created during the 18th century, initially
with superphosphates and then ammonia derived fertilizers mass produced using the
process develop during World War II. These early fertilizers where cheap, powerful, and
easy to transport in bulk. The 1940s has been referred to as the pesticide era. Sir Albert
Howard is widely considered to be the father of organic farming, Rudolf Steiner, an
Austrian philosopher made important strides in the earliest organic theory with his
biodynamic agricultural. More work was done by J.I. Rodale in the United State, Lady Eve
Balfour in the United Kingdom, and many across the world.
As a percentage of total agricultural output, organic farming has remained tiny since
the beginning. As environmental awareness and concern increased, the organically supply
driven movement became demand-driven. Standardized certification brought premium
prices, and in some cases government subsidies attracted many farmer into converting. In
the developing world, many farmers farm according to traditional method but are not
certified. In other cases, farmers in the developing world have converted out of necessity.
As proportion of total global agricultural output, organic output remains small; it has been
growing in many countries, notably in Europe.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Health Risk of Organic Farming
Organic farms use few pesticides, although they allow using some natural ones.
The main three are BT, pyrethrum and rotenone. However, surveys have found that fewer
than 10% of organic farmers use these pesticides regularly; one survey found that only
5.3% of vegetable growers in California use rotenone while 1.7% uses pyrethrum (Lotter,
2003). Nevertheless, rotenone has been linked to Parkinson’s in rats and considered toxic
to humans (Lotter et al., 2003).
On other hand, conventional farming uses large quantities of pesticides through
techniques such as crop posting. Studies have shown it that people who work with
pesticides have an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The pesticides
examined in this two long term studies, Paraquat and Dieldrin, are not allowed on organic
farm. The herbicide paraquat and fungicide manned together, but not alone, have been
shown to cause brain damage in mice.
Economics of Organic Farming
A subfield of agricultural economics encompasses the entire process and effects of
organic farming in terms of human society, including social costs, opportunity costs,
unintended consequences, information assign entries, and economies of scale. Although
the scope of economies is broad, agricultural economies tends to focus on maximizing
yields and efficiency at the farm level. Economies take an anthropocentric approach to the
value of the natural world; biodiversity, for example, is considered beneficial only to the
extent that it is valued by people and increase profit. Some entities such as the European
Union subsidize Organic Farming, in large part because this countries want to account for
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
the externalities of reduced water use, reduced water contamination, reduced soil erosion,
reduced carbon emissions, increased biodiversity, and assorted other benefits that result
from organic farming.
Productivity and Profitability
A 2006 study that converted organic farms have lower pre-harvest yields than there
conventional counterparts in develop countries (92%) and that organic farms higher yields
than their low-intensity counterparts in developing countries (132%). The researcher
attributes this to a relative lack of expensive fertilizers and pesticides in the developing
world compared to the intensive, subsidy-driven farming of the developed world.
Nonetheless, the researcher purposely avoids making the claim that organic methods
routinely outperform green-revolution (conventional) methods. This study incorporated a
1990 review of 205 crop comparison which found that organic crops had 91% of
conventional yields. A major US survey published in 2001, analyzed results from 150
growing seasons for various and concluded that organic yields were 95-100% of
conventional yields.
Organic Production
Adonis (2005), started that organic farming refers to agricultural production system
that take into account to the following factors; factors minimum reliance of artificial inputs;
feeding the soil and not the plant; food safety practices, certification of entire production
or distribution and not the end product; non-use of artificial growth enhancers (in livestock)
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
and non-use of genetically modified organism Kitma (2001). The demand for organic
product has increased over recent years beyond the present domestic product capacity.
Chaves (2006), said that it is high time that we all realize both the beauty and the
value of organic farming and organic agriculture in general. Conscientious citizens and
farmers should realize that organic practitioners can be as productive as conventional ones,
and organic farming leaves the soil healthier in the long run. This is the true value of
organic farming, the production of crops that are ecologically sound and at the same time
the protection of cure environment for the feature generations.
Abalos (2005), said that the key to make local vegetable competitive is the
willingness of farmers to adopt foreign technology applicable to local agriculture and to
accept a steady pricing system independent of the supply and demand cycle. He said that
the market of big fast-food chains in metro Manila look very promising since them
themselves could at least to quality at locally produced vegetables. They are even willing
to enter marketing deals with local farmers, provided they will be ensured of a steady
supply of vegetables. He cited the big demand for potatoes, bell paper, lettuce and broccoli.
He further said the Benguet vegetables tasted better and has earned a reputation that could
lead to wider market which should not be ignore by the local farmers. He said that organic
farming produced disease-free vegetables and reduced farming cost.
Effects of Organic Fertilizer to the Soil
Organic matter is a complex and dynamic soil component that exerts a major
influence on soil behavior, properties and functional in the ecosystem. Organic matter
encourages soil granulation and stability especially by the non-humid substance produced
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
during decomposition. The humid help reduce the plasticity, collision and stickiness of clay
soils, making the soil easier to manipulate soil water rotation is also improved, since
organic matter increases both infiltration note and water holding capacity due to the
aggregation of soils. Organic matter also hold nutrient caution such as potassium, calcium,
magnesium and other in easily exchangeable from wherein they can be used by plants but
are not too readily reached out of the soil profile by peculating water (Brady and Weil,
2002).
Taguid (2000), showed that the final bulk and water holding capacity of the soil
was significantly affected by the different notes of organic fertilizers. Application of 48 to
12 tons/ha of organic fertilizers decreased bulk density of the from the original pot 99g cm-
3 to range of 0.87 to95g cm3 while the water holding capacity as rate of application
increase from 32% to 50% likewise, Lumagto (2004) reported that application of varying
ratio of formulated organic fertilizer (FOF) significantly decreased the bulk density of the
garden soil into a desirable level. The PH, CM, M, P and K were also increased to a suitable
level for tomato production under controlled conditions pure (FOF) had the lowest final
bulk density and highest find PH, CM, M, P and K.
Effect of Organic Fertilizers on Crops
Organic Fertilizers should be applied as closes as possible to the roots without
hindrance to germinator or root growth. It should be applied when the nutrients are most
needed usually at early vegetable stage of flowering. On fruiting time, for rainfall areas
during dry season, fertilizer is applied at planting when there is still moisture in the soil.
For area with equal distribution of rainfall required fertilizer dosage can be applied at
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
planting and other half is between rows and with shallow incorporation. Organic matter
supplies nutrients by the growing plants as well as hormone and antibiotic. These nutrients
are released in harmony with the seeds or plant with the seeds or plant with the
environmental conditions favor a rapid release of nutrients from organic matter (Donahue
1972).
Marcelino (1995) cited that organic fertilizer supplies some amount of the nutrients
requirements of the crop and promote favorable soil properties such as granulation,
efficient aeration, easy root penetration and more improved water holding capacity of the
soil. As well, Bal-iwang (1994) affirmed that plants applied with chicken manure of days
from transplanting to tilling, tiller number and grain yield. Furthermore, chicken manure
significantly with that of coffee null and sunflower leaves.
Eslay (1996) found out that chicken manure enhance the growth of potato plants.
He further explained that crops applied with chicken dung as a basal had the heaviest
marketable tubers and total weight compared with other fertilizer. In addition, he affirmed
that the superiority of chicken dung maybe attributed to the more nutrients contents, readily
available nutrients and combination of both. Crops fertilized with organic matter were
reported by Abadilla (1982) to have greater resistant to pest and diseases. Soils high in
organic matter allow little or no soil borne diseases because of the oxygen ethylene cycle
in the soil. It was mentioned that the sap of plants fertilized with organic matter, confirmed
immunity to plant pest and diseases, it also improve the quality crops a characteristics that
has very much definite commercial value.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Advantages of Organic Farming
Environmentally friendly in conventional farming, farmers pour tons of phosphates
and nitrogenous fertilizers on their crops every year. These chemicals are great for crop
production but when it rains these chemicals can make their way into nearby bodies of
water through runoff or absorption. These chemicals provide massive amounts of nutrients
into the waters which fuels the growth of algae blooms. These blooms require large
amounts of dissolved oxygen leaving less for the fish and other organisms in the
water. Many times the large algae blooms are accompanied by dead fish on the
shorelines. Organic farming eliminates the use of fertilizers and phosphates thus
contributing to the health of our waterways.
Also, agrichemical farming is extremely energy dependent. So much energy and fuel goes
into the extraction, manufacturing and processing of the chemicals that agrichemical
farming is so reliant on. In addition, it requires large amounts of fuel to apply these
chemicals to the crops on conventional farm. Organic farming is a much more energy
friendly alternative.
Pesticide-free Organic farms produce food without health harming pesticides,
insecticides and fungicides. I’m not sure of the effects that these chemicals have on the
body but I can imagine that they aren’t beneficial.
Drought resistance Chemical fertilizer contains soluble salts. As soon as water
becomes limited, the soluble nutrient salts in the cells of chemically fed plants are unable
to osmotic ally draw sufficient water to maintain safe dilution. They soon reach toxic
concentrations, and the plant stops growing and eventually die.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Disadvantages of Organic Farming
Productivity Organic farms cannot produce nearly as much crop as an industrialized
farm could. With all the regulations and the techniques that have to be carefully applied it
is often difficult for an organic farm to produce enough food to feed massive amounts of
people.
Time working on an organic farm takes great amounts of time and energy. In order
to meet organic requirements very detailed methods and techniques must be used in order
to officially be called an organic farm. If these requirements are not met the organic farm
could lose its certification and not be able to gain it back in up to three years. With the
heavy machinery and fast acting chemicals on industrial farms, massive amounts of food
can be produced in a very short amount of time.
Skill farming organic requires tremendous amounts of skill. They are not allowed
to use the quick chemical fixes that industrial farmers are allowed to use. Everything has
to be done by hand without synthetic aid. This requires immense amounts of knowledge
and experience. Often times it can be hard to find someone who is experienced in organic
farming and it can be strenuous to try and meet all of the organic certification requirements.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
METHODOLOGY
Locale and Time of the Study
The study was conducted in the selected barangays of Kapangan, Benguet which
includes Labueg, Datacan and Pongayan. It was conducted from December 2012 to January
2013.
Respondents of the Study
The respondents of the study involved 100 farmers in selected barangays of
Kapangan, Benguet.
Research Instrument
A survey questionnaire was used to gather the relevant data and information from
the target respondents. After the survey, a follow up interview was undertaken to clarify
responses in the survey questionnaire and field visit in the farms was done to gather
additional information.
Data Gathered
The data gathered were the level of acceptability, awareness of farmers, and farmer’
interest on organic farming.
Data Analysis
The data gathered was tabulated and analyzed using simple statistical tools such as
frequency counts, percentage and ranking.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Demographic Profile of the Respondents
Table 1 shows the demographic profile of the respondents according to age, gender,
civil status, educational attainment, type of farming engaged and number of years in
farming.
Age. Most of the farmers (86%) play within the age range of 31-40, 41-50 and 51-
60 with 29%, 27% and 30% respectively. However, eight percent of the farmers were
within 21-30 years and six percent of them are within 61-70 years. This result may indicate
the farmers having still the ability to do the activities in the farm.
Gender. Majority of the respondents (75%) were male and than the females only
25%. As expected in farming male is more dominant than the female since they are the
head of the family.
Civil status. Most of the farmers (83%) were married and only few (17%) were
single. The result shows that married farmers are more interested in farming than single
farmers.
Educational attainment. Majority of the farmers (56%) finished elementary, 35%
graduated from high school, 8% took vocational and 1% is a college graduate. The table
shows that all the farmers have attained a formal education.
Type of farming. Table 1 also shows that most of the farmers (96%) were into
conventional farming and only 4% were into organic farming. This may implies that though
farmers are being aware about organic farming, they do not take the initiative to try which
may be due to some reasons.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Table 1. Demographic profile of the respondents
PROFILE
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
Age (in years)
20-30
8
8
31-40
29
29
41-50
27
27
51-60
30
30
61-70
6
6
TOTAL
100
100
Gender
Male
75
75
Female
25
25
TOTAL
100
100
Civil Status
Single
17
17
Married
83
83
TOTAL
100
100
Educational attainment
Elementary
56
56
High School
35
35
College
1
1
Vocational
8
8
TOTAL
100
100
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Table 1. Continued…
PARTICULARS
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
Type of farming
4
4
Organic Farming
Conventional Farming
96
96
TOTAL
100
100
No. of years in farming
a. Conventional Farming
1-5
11
11.46
6-10
26
27.08
11-15
20
20.83
16-20
22
22.92
21-25
10
10.42
26-30
5
5.21
31-35
1
1.4
36-40
1
1.4
SUB-TOTAL
96
100
b. Organic Farming
1-5
4
100
SUB-TOTAL
4
100
TOTAL
100
100
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
No. of years in farming. As shown in Table 1 the most number of years that the
farmers engaged in conventional farming is between 6-25 years with a percentage of 78%
and 31-40 years is the lowest with 2%.
Awareness of Farmers on Organic Farming
Table 2 presents the awareness of farmers on organic farming which include
information on whether the farmers have heard about organic farming and from what
particular source, whether they try producing organic vegetables and what specific
vegetables, their reasons for not trying organic farming, the different components of
organic farming and their market for their organic produce.
Awareness on organic farming and source of information. Table 2 shows that most
of the farmers (87%) heard about organic farming. The most sources of their information
is in radio with 73%, 23% from neighbors, 12% from relatives, 8% from the Department
of Agriculture (DA) technicians, 6% from newspaper, 5% from farmers cooperative or
association and the lowest is 4% from pamphlets, brochures, posters about organic farming.
According to the respondents they heard organic farming in radio particularly from the
program of DZWT anchored by Dr. Kudan. Thirteen percent farmers did not hear about
organic farming because they have no radio, however according to them there are people
from the local government unit of Kapangan who came to introduce seedlings and
commercial fertilizer and some farming practices like crop rotation.
Did the farmers try producing organic vegetables. Table 2 also shows that out of
the 87% who have heard about organic farming 18.39% have tried producing organic
vegetables. The crops that the farmers try to plant are the following beans (43.75%),
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
chayote (37.5%), cabbage (12.5), garden pea (12.5), bell pepper (6.25%), and they try also
pechay (43.75%), mustard (31.25%), potato (6.26), watercress (6.25%), gabi (6.25%), and
Korean radish (6.25%). However, most (81.61%) of those who have heard about organic
farming did not try producing organic vegetable.
Reason for not producing organic vegetable. Table 2 further shows that 71%
claimed that there is no available information about organic farming, 70% cited that
nobody is practicing organic farming in the place, 67% stated nobody informed them about
organic farming. Furthermore the respondents said that there is no group of people involved
in organic farming who could came and introduce organic farming to them.
Component of organic farming technologies adoted. Table 2 also present that 75%
are practicing composting, 12.5% green manuring, and 12.5% crop rotation. In composting
they usually use weeds, fruit peelings and dry leaves like sunflower and alnus leaves. They
also use sunflower leaves as pesticides; they put in a container and soaked the sunflower
leaves for at least 2-3 weeks. In crop rotation they usually plant four kinds of crops in one
year.
Market outlet for the organic vegetables. Table 2 shows that 81.25% sell their
organic vegetables to their neighbors, 75% to the store with in the area, 6.25% delivers to
the market and 43.75% utilize their produced for their own consumption. Respondents
claimed that they have no choice in selling to their neighbors in low price since there is no
available market to dispose their organic vegetables with a higher price. Some also said
that their half yield is for their consumption and the half is for sale.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Table 2. Awareness of farmers on organic farming
PARTICULARS
FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
Have you heard about organic farming?
Heard
87
87
Not heard
13
13
TOTAL
100
100
Sources of information about organic farming
Department of Agriculture technicians
8
8
Radio
73
73
Newspaper
6
6
Neighbors
23
23
Pamphlets, brochures, posters about organic
4
4
farming
Farmers cooperatives or association
5
5
Relatives
12
12
Did you try producing organic vegetables?
Try
16
18.39
Not try
71
81.61
TOTAL
87
100
If you try, what crop?
Beans
7
43.75
Cabbage
2
12.5
Garden pea
2
12.5
Bell pepper
1
6.25
Chayote
6
37.5
Pechay
7
43.75
Mustard
5
31.25
Potato
1
6.25
Water cress
1
6.25
Gabi
1
6.25
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Table 2 Continued…
Korean radish
1
6.25
*Multiple Response
Component of organic farming technologies
adopted
Crop rotation
2
12.5
Green manuring
2
12.5
Composting
12
75
TOTAL
16
100
Market outlet for the organic vegetables
Neighbors
13
81.25
Stores within the area
12
75
Market
1
6.25
For consumption
7
43.75
*Multiple Response
Reasons for not producing organic vegetables
Nobody informed me about organic farming.
67
94.44
There is no available information about
71
100
organic farming.
Unaware of the organic in the place
70
98.59
*Multiple Response
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Acceptability on Organic Farming in the Area
Table 3 presents the acceptability of organic farming and the factors effecting
farmers in adopting organic farming and factors or reasons affecting farmers from going
into organic farming.
Acceptability of organic farming. Table 3 shows that 54% farmers accept organic
farming in the place. And given the level of acceptability, they rated organic farming as
acceptable. The farmers most reasons are beneficial to health (85.18%), lesser capital
needed (55.55%), higher price (48.14%), better quality (37.03%) and it has good effect to
the environment (29.62%). According to the respondents they accept organic farming given
that they will be provided with the needed but they need support like starting capital,
seminars and trainings, organic grower that will lead them, market outlet to sell their
products, high quality of equipment for better cropping.
Factors affecting famers in adopting organic farming. The factors that affect the
farmers in adopting organic farming are the following; beneficial to health (85.18%), lesser
capital needed (55.55%), higher price (48.14%), better quality (3.03%) and it has good
effect to the environment. Moreover according also to the respondents organic vegetables
have higher nutrition content compared to conventionally grown vegetables.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Table 3. Level of acceptability on organic farming in the area
PARTICULARS
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
Acceptability of organic farming
Acceptable
54
54
Not acceptable
46
46
TOTAL
100
100
Level of acceptability on organic farming.
5-strongly acceptable
_
_
4-acceptable
54
100
3-uncertain
_
_
2-not acceptable
_
_
1-strongly not acceptable
_
_
TOTAL
54
100
Factors or reasons for accepting organic
farming
Beneficial to health
46
85.81
Lesser capital needed
30
55.55
Higher price
26
48.14
Better quality
20
37.03
It has good effects on the environment
16
29.62
*Multiple Response
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Internal Factors Affecting Farmers for not Accepting Organic Farming.
As found earlier 46% of the respondents said that organic farming is not acceptable.
Their reasons for not accepting are influenced by internal and external factor presented in
Table 4.
Internal factors. Table 4 shows the internal factors or reasons that affect the farmers
for not accepting organic farming like the following poor quality of crops produced 100%,
inadequate knowledge100% , not convenient to apply 100%, laborious 82.35%, low
income 50%, no time to attend trainings and seminars 26.47%, no money to pay for
certification standards 17.65% and expert in conventional farming 14.71%. Respondents
believed that one factor is due to the poor quality of produced since it is easily attacked by
pest causing damages to the organic vegetables and as compare to the conventionally
grown vegetables which have a good quality as effect of using pesticides and others. In
addition they also have limited or inadequate knowledge.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
External factors. Table 4 shows the different external reasons like the limitation of
researches to help make organic farming successful (100%), no established markets for
organic products (88.23%), no support from the local government in case the farm failed
(100%), no sustained technical supports of concerned agencies (73.53%), no seminars and
trainings about organic farming (32.35%), it takes a long time to revive the fertility of the
soil (29.41%), certification standards are very costly (26.47%), no stable market (23.53%)
and low yield (5.88%).
Internal and external factors that affect farmers in discontinuing organic farming.
Table 4 shows the different internal and external reasons of farmers who discontinued
organic farming. The following internal reasons are poor quality of crops produced
(58.33%), low income (41.67%) and the external reasons are there is no established market
for organic product (75%) and low yield (25%).
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Table 4. Internal and external factors for not accepting or discontinuing organic farming
PARTICULARS
THOSE WHO
THOSE WHO
DID* NOT TRY TRIED
F
%
F
%
Internal factors for not accepting organic
farming
Poor quality of crops produced
34
100
7
58.33
Inadequate knowledge
34
100
_
_
Not convenient to apply
34
100
_
_
Laborious
28
82.35
_
_
Low income
23
50
5
41.67
No time to attend trainings and seminars
9
26.47
_
_
No money to pay for certification
6
17.65
_
_
standards
Expert on conventional farming
5
14.71
_
_
TOTAL
12
100
External factors for not accepting organic
farming
No support from the government in case
34
100
_
_
their farm field
There are limited researches to help
34
100
_
_
make organic farming successful
There are no established market for
30
88.23
9
75
organic products
There are no sustained technical
25
73.53
_
_
supports of concerned agencies
Certification standards are very costly
9
26.47
_
_
It takes a long time to revive the fertility
10
29.41
_
_
of the soil
No stable markets
8
23.53
_
_
Low yield
2
5.88
3
25
TOTAL
12
100
*Multiple response
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Farmers Interest Towards Organic Farming
Table 5 presents the willingness of farmers in going to organic farming with the
given information and support, the organic farming technologies they would like to practice
and the specific support they need in order to go into organic farming.
Willingness to continue or to go into organic farming. Majority of the respondents
(54%) are willing to continue or to go into organic farming given that they will be provided
with the needed information and support. However 46% of the respondents are not willing
to go organic farming whether provided with the needed support. The result implied the
effect of relevant support in influencing the farmers to engaged in organic farming.
Organic farming technologies. The respondents who are willing to engaged in
organic farming would like to practice the different farming technologies particularly
composting and green manuring with 81.48% and 51.85% respectively which could due to
the simplicity of these technologies. Moreover other farmers are interested in crop rotation
with 27.78%, biological pest control with 18.52%, use of indigenous knowledge with
16.67%, liquid fertilizers, with 7.41% and traditional varieties with 3.70%.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Table 5. Farmers’ interest towards organic farming
PARTICULAR
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
Willingness to continue or to go into organic
farming
Willing
54
54
Not willing
46
46
TOTAL
100
100
Organic farming technologies
Crop rotation
15
27.78
Green manuring
28
51.85
Liquid fertilizers
4
7.14
Composting
44
81.84
Biological pest control
10
18.52
Use of indigenous knowledge
9
16.67
Traditional varieties
2
3.70
*Multiple Response
Types of support needed
Technical support
11
20.37
Financial support
44
81.48
Marketing support
17
31.48
*Multiple Response
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Types of support needed. As shown in Table 5 the respondents who are willing to
practice organic farming need several supports that would help them in their farming
activities. The data indicate that most of the farmers (81.48%) need financial support such
as capital and loan, marketing support (31.48%) like market outlet and technical support
(20.37%) such as seminars and trainings. In additional, the farmers cited the importance of
marketing outlet for their produce whenever they would be engaged in organic farming.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
This study on the assessment on the acceptability of Organic Farming in Kapangan,
Benguet was conducted from December 2012 to January 2013 in the selected barangays of
Kapangan, Benguet. It aimed to determine if the farmers are aware about farming; to
determine the level of acceptability of farmers towards organic farming; to determine if
there are farmers adopting organic farming in the place; to identify the reasons of adopting
or not adopting organic farming and to determined if the farmers are interested in adopting
organic farming. The farmer’s main source of their income is farming. Most farmers are
engaged in conventional farming (96%) which uses pesticides and commercial fertilizers
while only (4%) were engaged in organic farming.
Majority of farmers in Kapangan are aware of organic farming. They heard from
television and radio. But they don’t apply because there is no available information and
materials to use in organic farming; and nobody is practicing organic farming. There are
only few only who apply organic farming. They try to produce beans, chayote, cabbage,
garden pea, bell pepper, peachy, mustard, potato, watercress, gabi and Korean radish, and
they sell it to their neighbors and stores within the area, however some use it for their own
consumption.
The level of acceptability of farmers towards organic farming is acceptable but due
to the lack of marketing, financial and technical support they don’t apply or adopt and
because of the internal and external reasons like there are limited researches to help them
make organic farming successful and there are no establish market for organic products.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Few farmers adopt or practice organic farming for the reason that it is beneficial to health,
lesser capital needed, higher price and better quality.
The farmers are interested and willing to continue or to go in organic farming with
the organic farming technologies practices that they will engaged and to provide them
marketing, financial and technical support.
Conclusions
Base on the findings of the study the following conclusion were formulated:
1. Majority of the farmers in Kapangan, Benguet are aware of organic farming;
2. Most farmers in Kapangan do not adopt organic farming because of limited
information, lack of knowledge, lack of market outlet, lack of financial, lack of government
support; and
3. Organic farming is acceptable to the majority of farmers in Kapangan and they
are willing to go into organic farming as long as technical, financial, material inputs and
marketing support would be provided to them. Since almost all of those who not adopting
organic farming reasons for not adopting are due to lack of market outlet and lack of
information.
Recommendations
Since farmers in Kapangan are willing to go into organic farming and there are few
who were already practicing it, government and other concerned agencies must provide all
the needed support and assistance especially seminars and trainings respectively to their
place in order for them to understand more what organic farming is. Affordable credit
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
should also be provided and more market outlet for organic products should be established
so that farmers would not be discouraged to go into organic farming. The farmers have to
consider also their social responsibility as producers of food. They have to be more
responsible in producing safe and clean vegetables to the consumers and the protection of
environment by going into organic farming and not to be solely focusing in their profit.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
LITERATURE CITED
ABADILLA, D.C. 1982. Organic Farming.Quezon City. AFA Publication Inc. Pp. 81-
181.
ABALOS, C. 2005. Editors Note. Philippines Daily Inquirer. August 8, 2005. P. 17.
ADONIS, D.C. 2005. Organic Farming Experience. BS Thesis Benguet State University,
La Trinidad, Benguet. Pp. 207-212
BAL-IWANG, N.B. 1994.Effect of organic fertilizer on the growth and yield of HYV
rice.BS thesis.Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet P.33.
BRADY, N.C. and R.R. WEIL. 2002. The nature and Properties of Soils. Upper Saddle
River, New Jersy: Pearson Education, Inc.Pertice Hall. PP. 273-300.
CHAVEZ, L.V. 2006. Message during the 1st Cordillera Organic Agriculture Congress.
January 13-14, 2006. BSU Closed Gym, La Trinidad Benguet.
CLARAPOLS, A.M. 2008. Ecology Groups Says Organic Farming Ease Climate
Change. Manila Bulletin.Vol. 424.P 10.
DONAHUE, R.L. 1972. Our Soils and their Management.3rd. Danville. Illinois, The
Interstate Printer and Pub. Inc. P.101.
ESLAY, T.L. 1996. Growth and yield of potato as influenced by different rates of organic
fertilizers.BS Thesis, Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet, Pp. 4-12.
Environmental Resources 101 Class Blog, “Environmental Science” Queens University
of Charlotte October 31, 2009 in Uncategorized-envr press.com/2009/10/31/
advantages and
disadvantages of organic farming.
KITMA, C.G. 2001. Principles of Organic Vegetable Farming. Baguio City. P.23.
KITMA, G. 2009. Organic Farming practitioner.Organic Farming Principles and
Pesticides. Brochure. OFP Publication Pp. 35-39.
LOTTER, D.W., J. Granett, and A.D. Omer. 1999. Differences in grape phylloxera-
related grapevine rootdamage in organically and conventionally managed
vineyards in California. Hortscience, 34 (3):472-473.
LUMAGTO, F.B. 2004. Production of tomato under protected environment using varying
ratio of formulated organic fertilizer and garden soil as growing media. BS Thesis
Benguet State University, LaTrinidad, Benguet. P.35.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
MACELINO, C.B. 1995. Effects of different organic matter on the growth and yield of
NCT-7Japanica rice variety. BS thesis.Benguet State University, La Trinidad,
Benguet.P.28.
TANGUID, R.B. 2000.The effect of organic fertilizer of selected physico-chemical
properties La Trinidad clay loam grown with green onions. BS Thesis. Benguet
State University, La Trinidad, Benguet.P.34.
WENDELL, B. 2010. Methods of Organic Agriculture. BS Thesis Benguet State
University, La Trinidad, Benguet. P 39.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013. Assessment on the acceptability
of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet. Benguet State University, La
Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Samuel L. Duyan, BSc.
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to determine the farmers’ acceptability on organic
farming in Kapangan, Benguet. The study aimed to determine if the farmers are aware
about organic farming; if there are farmers adopting organic farming; the level of
acceptability and the reasons of adopting and not adopting organic farming.
A total of 100 respondents were classified according to their age, gender, civil status
and type of farming engaged. Most of the respondents are aware about organic farming.
According to the respondents, the level of acceptability on organic farming is
acceptable but few adopting organic farming for the reason that it is beneficial to health
and has a good effect to the environment. The kinds of organic vegetables that the
respondents sell are the following; beans, cabbage, garden pea, bell pepper, chayote,
peachy, mustard, potato, water cress, gabi and Korean radish. They sell in their neighbors’
store with in the area and market.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
The respondents’ reasons for adopting organic farming are the following; beneficial
to health, lesser capital, needed higher market price, better quality and good effect to the
environment.
The reasons of the respondents for not adopting organic farming classified as
internal reasons such as poor quality of crops produced, inadequate knowledge, not
convenient to apply, laborious and low income. External reasons such as no support from
the government in case farming failed, limited researches to help make organic farming
successful, lack of trainings and seminars about organic farming, no established market
outlet for organic vegetables and low yield.
Majority of the respondents are interested in adopting organic farming provided
that the government should support them and provide all their needs especially trainings
and seminars in their place in order for them to understand more what organic farming is.
The concerned agencies and local government should also provide low interest credit loans,
market outlet for organic produced so that they will not be discouraged in going into
organic farming.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
INTRODUCTION
Rationale
An organic farming is not one that uses certain methods and substances and avoids other.
It is farm that structure is formed in imitation of the natural system that has the integrity,
the independence and the beginning dependence of an organism.
Organic farming is an amalgam of different ideas rooted mainly in the German-speaking
and English-speaking words. These ideas arose at the end of the 19th century, especially
the knowledge of biologically oriented Agriculture Science, the vision of return
movements and an interest in farming system of the Far East (Wendell, 2010).
New studies from US and Europe confirm that organic farming can help mitigate
global warming. Some major reasons on how organic agriculture can help battle change
are organic farming does not pollute air, water and land because it does not utilize chemical
fertilizers and pesticides. Its method uses manure and cover crops like legumes to enrich
the soil which helps sequester CO2 from atmosphere. It uses less energy also than
conventional farming.
Moreover, technology use in organic agriculture enhances soil fertility, in turn,
encourage crops to develop deeper route which increases the amount of organic matter in
the soil locking up carbon underground and keeping it out of the atmosphere. Organic
farming combats global warming by capturing dioxide in the atmosphere and incorporating
it into the soil (Clarapols, 2008).
Most of the farmers in Kapangan are relying on commercial fertilizer, pesticides
and other forms of chemicals in order to enhance the quality and quantity of their farm
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
products. The farmers focusing on the profit that they can generate from their farm have
not considered the effects of these inorganic fertilizers on their health, on the health of their
family and their customers and to the environment.
Since organic farming has a good impact to the soil, environment and to the people,
it is then important to determine if the farmers in Kapangan are aware of organic farming
and whether they are informed about such method of cultivating the soil.
Importance of the Study
The result would serve as useful information to Benguet State University-Cordillera
Organic Agriculture Research and Development Center (BSU-COARDC) in developing
strategies and plans for the promotion of organic agriculture in the Cordillera
Administrative Region. Furthermore, it would also serve as basis for organic advocates
other government agencies and non-government organization working on the promotion of
organic farming.
Statement of the Problem
This study on “Assessment on Farmers Acceptability of Organic Farming in
Kapangan, Benguet” aimed to answer the following questions:
1. Are the farmers aware about organic farming?
2. What is the level of acceptability of farmers towards organic farming?
3. Are there farmers adopting organic farming in the place?
4. What are the reasons of adopting or not adopting organic farming?
5. Are the farmers interested in adopting organic farming?
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Objective of the Study
This study aims to:
1. to determine if the farmers are aware about organic farming;
2. to determine the level of acceptability of farmers towards organic farming;
3. to determine if there are farmers adopting organic farming in the place;
4. to identify the reasons of adopting or not adopting organic farming; and
5. to determine if the farmers are interested in adopting organic farming.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
The study was conducted in selected barangays of Kapangan, Benguet such as
Labueg, Datacan, Pongayan. The study focused on the farmers’ awareness, acceptability
and interest towards organic farming.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Creation of the Municipality of Kapangan
The Municipality of Kapangan existed as an organized town as early as the Spanish
era regime. The legal existence of the municipality was by virtue of act no.48 passed and
approved on November 22, 1900 during the American civil government. A later republic
act no.4695 was passed on June 18, 1986; in short, called the division law separated the
province of Benguet from its mother province “The Old Mountain Province”. The province
of Benguet, in effect, maintained her thirteen (13) municipalities among them, the
municipality of Kapangan.
Kitma (2009) says that in organic farming feed the soil and not the plant directly.
Plants are not designed to get their nutrients by being forced fed. Plants, in order to grow
healthy, need fertile soil. Soil fertility can be maintained by the application of quality
compost, proper application of animal and green manure, proper crop rotation as well as
cultivation process. He added also that there is no such thing as pest if we encourage a well
balanced micro-ecology, spraying pesticide to control plant pest does not solve the problem
of pest. For him, key to pest management is through building a well balanced micro-
ecology that include soil, plant, animals and micro-organism, healthy soils grows healthy
plants and healthy plants do not get easily by pests and diseases.
Furthermore, plant strong local season crops. Avoid hybrid and other seeds that
have been grown with pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Generally weak in vigor, easily
attacked by pest and diseases. Kitma mentioned that in organic farming you need to grow
different plants together which means mono-culture or growing of one crop continuously
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
in a wide scale area is not good. It will deplete soils and make crops vulnerable to pest and
diseases.
History of Organic Farming
The organic movement began in the 1930s and 1940s as reaction to agriculture’s
growing reliance on synthetic fertilizers had been created during the 18th century, initially
with superphosphates and then ammonia derived fertilizers mass produced using the
process develop during World War II. These early fertilizers where cheap, powerful, and
easy to transport in bulk. The 1940s has been referred to as the pesticide era. Sir Albert
Howard is widely considered to be the father of organic farming, Rudolf Steiner, an
Austrian philosopher made important strides in the earliest organic theory with his
biodynamic agricultural. More work was done by J.I. Rodale in the United State, Lady Eve
Balfour in the United Kingdom, and many across the world.
As a percentage of total agricultural output, organic farming has remained tiny since
the beginning. As environmental awareness and concern increased, the organically supply
driven movement became demand-driven. Standardized certification brought premium
prices, and in some cases government subsidies attracted many farmer into converting. In
the developing world, many farmers farm according to traditional method but are not
certified. In other cases, farmers in the developing world have converted out of necessity.
As proportion of total global agricultural output, organic output remains small; it has been
growing in many countries, notably in Europe.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Health Risk of Organic Farming
Organic farms use few pesticides, although they allow using some natural ones.
The main three are BT, pyrethrum and rotenone. However, surveys have found that fewer
than 10% of organic farmers use these pesticides regularly; one survey found that only
5.3% of vegetable growers in California use rotenone while 1.7% uses pyrethrum (Lotter,
2003). Nevertheless, rotenone has been linked to Parkinson’s in rats and considered toxic
to humans (Lotter et al., 2003).
On other hand, conventional farming uses large quantities of pesticides through
techniques such as crop posting. Studies have shown it that people who work with
pesticides have an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The pesticides
examined in this two long term studies, Paraquat and Dieldrin, are not allowed on organic
farm. The herbicide paraquat and fungicide manned together, but not alone, have been
shown to cause brain damage in mice.
Economics of Organic Farming
A subfield of agricultural economics encompasses the entire process and effects of
organic farming in terms of human society, including social costs, opportunity costs,
unintended consequences, information assign entries, and economies of scale. Although
the scope of economies is broad, agricultural economies tends to focus on maximizing
yields and efficiency at the farm level. Economies take an anthropocentric approach to the
value of the natural world; biodiversity, for example, is considered beneficial only to the
extent that it is valued by people and increase profit. Some entities such as the European
Union subsidize Organic Farming, in large part because this countries want to account for
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
the externalities of reduced water use, reduced water contamination, reduced soil erosion,
reduced carbon emissions, increased biodiversity, and assorted other benefits that result
from organic farming.
Productivity and Profitability
A 2006 study that converted organic farms have lower pre-harvest yields than there
conventional counterparts in develop countries (92%) and that organic farms higher yields
than their low-intensity counterparts in developing countries (132%). The researcher
attributes this to a relative lack of expensive fertilizers and pesticides in the developing
world compared to the intensive, subsidy-driven farming of the developed world.
Nonetheless, the researcher purposely avoids making the claim that organic methods
routinely outperform green-revolution (conventional) methods. This study incorporated a
1990 review of 205 crop comparison which found that organic crops had 91% of
conventional yields. A major US survey published in 2001, analyzed results from 150
growing seasons for various and concluded that organic yields were 95-100% of
conventional yields.
Organic Production
Adonis (2005), started that organic farming refers to agricultural production system
that take into account to the following factors; factors minimum reliance of artificial inputs;
feeding the soil and not the plant; food safety practices, certification of entire production
or distribution and not the end product; non-use of artificial growth enhancers (in livestock)
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
and non-use of genetically modified organism Kitma (2001). The demand for organic
product has increased over recent years beyond the present domestic product capacity.
Chaves (2006), said that it is high time that we all realize both the beauty and the
value of organic farming and organic agriculture in general. Conscientious citizens and
farmers should realize that organic practitioners can be as productive as conventional ones,
and organic farming leaves the soil healthier in the long run. This is the true value of
organic farming, the production of crops that are ecologically sound and at the same time
the protection of cure environment for the feature generations.
Abalos (2005), said that the key to make local vegetable competitive is the
willingness of farmers to adopt foreign technology applicable to local agriculture and to
accept a steady pricing system independent of the supply and demand cycle. He said that
the market of big fast-food chains in metro Manila look very promising since them
themselves could at least to quality at locally produced vegetables. They are even willing
to enter marketing deals with local farmers, provided they will be ensured of a steady
supply of vegetables. He cited the big demand for potatoes, bell paper, lettuce and broccoli.
He further said the Benguet vegetables tasted better and has earned a reputation that could
lead to wider market which should not be ignore by the local farmers. He said that organic
farming produced disease-free vegetables and reduced farming cost.
Effects of Organic Fertilizer to the Soil
Organic matter is a complex and dynamic soil component that exerts a major
influence on soil behavior, properties and functional in the ecosystem. Organic matter
encourages soil granulation and stability especially by the non-humid substance produced
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
during decomposition. The humid help reduce the plasticity, collision and stickiness of clay
soils, making the soil easier to manipulate soil water rotation is also improved, since
organic matter increases both infiltration note and water holding capacity due to the
aggregation of soils. Organic matter also hold nutrient caution such as potassium, calcium,
magnesium and other in easily exchangeable from wherein they can be used by plants but
are not too readily reached out of the soil profile by peculating water (Brady and Weil,
2002).
Taguid (2000), showed that the final bulk and water holding capacity of the soil
was significantly affected by the different notes of organic fertilizers. Application of 48 to
12 tons/ha of organic fertilizers decreased bulk density of the from the original pot 99g cm-
3 to range of 0.87 to95g cm3 while the water holding capacity as rate of application
increase from 32% to 50% likewise, Lumagto (2004) reported that application of varying
ratio of formulated organic fertilizer (FOF) significantly decreased the bulk density of the
garden soil into a desirable level. The PH, CM, M, P and K were also increased to a suitable
level for tomato production under controlled conditions pure (FOF) had the lowest final
bulk density and highest find PH, CM, M, P and K.
Effect of Organic Fertilizers on Crops
Organic Fertilizers should be applied as closes as possible to the roots without
hindrance to germinator or root growth. It should be applied when the nutrients are most
needed usually at early vegetable stage of flowering. On fruiting time, for rainfall areas
during dry season, fertilizer is applied at planting when there is still moisture in the soil.
For area with equal distribution of rainfall required fertilizer dosage can be applied at
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
planting and other half is between rows and with shallow incorporation. Organic matter
supplies nutrients by the growing plants as well as hormone and antibiotic. These nutrients
are released in harmony with the seeds or plant with the seeds or plant with the
environmental conditions favor a rapid release of nutrients from organic matter (Donahue
1972).
Marcelino (1995) cited that organic fertilizer supplies some amount of the nutrients
requirements of the crop and promote favorable soil properties such as granulation,
efficient aeration, easy root penetration and more improved water holding capacity of the
soil. As well, Bal-iwang (1994) affirmed that plants applied with chicken manure of days
from transplanting to tilling, tiller number and grain yield. Furthermore, chicken manure
significantly with that of coffee null and sunflower leaves.
Eslay (1996) found out that chicken manure enhance the growth of potato plants.
He further explained that crops applied with chicken dung as a basal had the heaviest
marketable tubers and total weight compared with other fertilizer. In addition, he affirmed
that the superiority of chicken dung maybe attributed to the more nutrients contents, readily
available nutrients and combination of both. Crops fertilized with organic matter were
reported by Abadilla (1982) to have greater resistant to pest and diseases. Soils high in
organic matter allow little or no soil borne diseases because of the oxygen ethylene cycle
in the soil. It was mentioned that the sap of plants fertilized with organic matter, confirmed
immunity to plant pest and diseases, it also improve the quality crops a characteristics that
has very much definite commercial value.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Advantages of Organic Farming
Environmentally friendly in conventional farming, farmers pour tons of phosphates
and nitrogenous fertilizers on their crops every year. These chemicals are great for crop
production but when it rains these chemicals can make their way into nearby bodies of
water through runoff or absorption. These chemicals provide massive amounts of nutrients
into the waters which fuels the growth of algae blooms. These blooms require large
amounts of dissolved oxygen leaving less for the fish and other organisms in the
water. Many times the large algae blooms are accompanied by dead fish on the
shorelines. Organic farming eliminates the use of fertilizers and phosphates thus
contributing to the health of our waterways.
Also, agrichemical farming is extremely energy dependent. So much energy and fuel goes
into the extraction, manufacturing and processing of the chemicals that agrichemical
farming is so reliant on. In addition, it requires large amounts of fuel to apply these
chemicals to the crops on conventional farm. Organic farming is a much more energy
friendly alternative.
Pesticide-free Organic farms produce food without health harming pesticides,
insecticides and fungicides. I’m not sure of the effects that these chemicals have on the
body but I can imagine that they aren’t beneficial.
Drought resistance Chemical fertilizer contains soluble salts. As soon as water
becomes limited, the soluble nutrient salts in the cells of chemically fed plants are unable
to osmotic ally draw sufficient water to maintain safe dilution. They soon reach toxic
concentrations, and the plant stops growing and eventually die.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Disadvantages of Organic Farming
Productivity Organic farms cannot produce nearly as much crop as an industrialized
farm could. With all the regulations and the techniques that have to be carefully applied it
is often difficult for an organic farm to produce enough food to feed massive amounts of
people.
Time working on an organic farm takes great amounts of time and energy. In order
to meet organic requirements very detailed methods and techniques must be used in order
to officially be called an organic farm. If these requirements are not met the organic farm
could lose its certification and not be able to gain it back in up to three years. With the
heavy machinery and fast acting chemicals on industrial farms, massive amounts of food
can be produced in a very short amount of time.
Skill farming organic requires tremendous amounts of skill. They are not allowed
to use the quick chemical fixes that industrial farmers are allowed to use. Everything has
to be done by hand without synthetic aid. This requires immense amounts of knowledge
and experience. Often times it can be hard to find someone who is experienced in organic
farming and it can be strenuous to try and meet all of the organic certification requirements.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
METHODOLOGY
Locale and Time of the Study
The study was conducted in the selected barangays of Kapangan, Benguet which
includes Labueg, Datacan and Pongayan. It was conducted from December 2012 to January
2013.
Respondents of the Study
The respondents of the study involved 100 farmers in selected barangays of
Kapangan, Benguet.
Research Instrument
A survey questionnaire was used to gather the relevant data and information from
the target respondents. After the survey, a follow up interview was undertaken to clarify
responses in the survey questionnaire and field visit in the farms was done to gather
additional information.
Data Gathered
The data gathered were the level of acceptability, awareness of farmers, and farmer’
interest on organic farming.
Data Analysis
The data gathered was tabulated and analyzed using simple statistical tools such as
frequency counts, percentage and ranking.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Demographic Profile of the Respondents
Table 1 shows the demographic profile of the respondents according to age, gender,
civil status, educational attainment, type of farming engaged and number of years in
farming.
Age. Most of the farmers (86%) play within the age range of 31-40, 41-50 and 51-
60 with 29%, 27% and 30% respectively. However, eight percent of the farmers were
within 21-30 years and six percent of them are within 61-70 years. This result may indicate
the farmers having still the ability to do the activities in the farm.
Gender. Majority of the respondents (75%) were male and than the females only
25%. As expected in farming male is more dominant than the female since they are the
head of the family.
Civil status. Most of the farmers (83%) were married and only few (17%) were
single. The result shows that married farmers are more interested in farming than single
farmers.
Educational attainment. Majority of the farmers (56%) finished elementary, 35%
graduated from high school, 8% took vocational and 1% is a college graduate. The table
shows that all the farmers have attained a formal education.
Type of farming. Table 1 also shows that most of the farmers (96%) were into
conventional farming and only 4% were into organic farming. This may implies that though
farmers are being aware about organic farming, they do not take the initiative to try which
may be due to some reasons.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Table 1. Demographic profile of the respondents
PROFILE
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
Age (in years)
20-30
8
8
31-40
29
29
41-50
27
27
51-60
30
30
61-70
6
6
TOTAL
100
100
Gender
Male
75
75
Female
25
25
TOTAL
100
100
Civil Status
Single
17
17
Married
83
83
TOTAL
100
100
Educational attainment
Elementary
56
56
High School
35
35
College
1
1
Vocational
8
8
TOTAL
100
100
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Table 1. Continued…
PARTICULARS
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
Type of farming
4
4
Organic Farming
Conventional Farming
96
96
TOTAL
100
100
No. of years in farming
a. Conventional Farming
1-5
11
11.46
6-10
26
27.08
11-15
20
20.83
16-20
22
22.92
21-25
10
10.42
26-30
5
5.21
31-35
1
1.4
36-40
1
1.4
SUB-TOTAL
96
100
b. Organic Farming
1-5
4
100
SUB-TOTAL
4
100
TOTAL
100
100
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
No. of years in farming. As shown in Table 1 the most number of years that the
farmers engaged in conventional farming is between 6-25 years with a percentage of 78%
and 31-40 years is the lowest with 2%.
Awareness of Farmers on Organic Farming
Table 2 presents the awareness of farmers on organic farming which include
information on whether the farmers have heard about organic farming and from what
particular source, whether they try producing organic vegetables and what specific
vegetables, their reasons for not trying organic farming, the different components of
organic farming and their market for their organic produce.
Awareness on organic farming and source of information. Table 2 shows that most
of the farmers (87%) heard about organic farming. The most sources of their information
is in radio with 73%, 23% from neighbors, 12% from relatives, 8% from the Department
of Agriculture (DA) technicians, 6% from newspaper, 5% from farmers cooperative or
association and the lowest is 4% from pamphlets, brochures, posters about organic farming.
According to the respondents they heard organic farming in radio particularly from the
program of DZWT anchored by Dr. Kudan. Thirteen percent farmers did not hear about
organic farming because they have no radio, however according to them there are people
from the local government unit of Kapangan who came to introduce seedlings and
commercial fertilizer and some farming practices like crop rotation.
Did the farmers try producing organic vegetables. Table 2 also shows that out of
the 87% who have heard about organic farming 18.39% have tried producing organic
vegetables. The crops that the farmers try to plant are the following beans (43.75%),
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
chayote (37.5%), cabbage (12.5), garden pea (12.5), bell pepper (6.25%), and they try also
pechay (43.75%), mustard (31.25%), potato (6.26), watercress (6.25%), gabi (6.25%), and
Korean radish (6.25%). However, most (81.61%) of those who have heard about organic
farming did not try producing organic vegetable.
Reason for not producing organic vegetable. Table 2 further shows that 71%
claimed that there is no available information about organic farming, 70% cited that
nobody is practicing organic farming in the place, 67% stated nobody informed them about
organic farming. Furthermore the respondents said that there is no group of people involved
in organic farming who could came and introduce organic farming to them.
Component of organic farming technologies adoted. Table 2 also present that 75%
are practicing composting, 12.5% green manuring, and 12.5% crop rotation. In composting
they usually use weeds, fruit peelings and dry leaves like sunflower and alnus leaves. They
also use sunflower leaves as pesticides; they put in a container and soaked the sunflower
leaves for at least 2-3 weeks. In crop rotation they usually plant four kinds of crops in one
year.
Market outlet for the organic vegetables. Table 2 shows that 81.25% sell their
organic vegetables to their neighbors, 75% to the store with in the area, 6.25% delivers to
the market and 43.75% utilize their produced for their own consumption. Respondents
claimed that they have no choice in selling to their neighbors in low price since there is no
available market to dispose their organic vegetables with a higher price. Some also said
that their half yield is for their consumption and the half is for sale.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Table 2. Awareness of farmers on organic farming
PARTICULARS
FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
Have you heard about organic farming?
Heard
87
87
Not heard
13
13
TOTAL
100
100
Sources of information about organic farming
Department of Agriculture technicians
8
8
Radio
73
73
Newspaper
6
6
Neighbors
23
23
Pamphlets, brochures, posters about organic
4
4
farming
Farmers cooperatives or association
5
5
Relatives
12
12
Did you try producing organic vegetables?
Try
16
18.39
Not try
71
81.61
TOTAL
87
100
If you try, what crop?
Beans
7
43.75
Cabbage
2
12.5
Garden pea
2
12.5
Bell pepper
1
6.25
Chayote
6
37.5
Pechay
7
43.75
Mustard
5
31.25
Potato
1
6.25
Water cress
1
6.25
Gabi
1
6.25
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Table 2 Continued…
Korean radish
1
6.25
*Multiple Response
Component of organic farming technologies
adopted
Crop rotation
2
12.5
Green manuring
2
12.5
Composting
12
75
TOTAL
16
100
Market outlet for the organic vegetables
Neighbors
13
81.25
Stores within the area
12
75
Market
1
6.25
For consumption
7
43.75
*Multiple Response
Reasons for not producing organic vegetables
Nobody informed me about organic farming.
67
94.44
There is no available information about
71
100
organic farming.
Unaware of the organic in the place
70
98.59
*Multiple Response
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Acceptability on Organic Farming in the Area
Table 3 presents the acceptability of organic farming and the factors effecting
farmers in adopting organic farming and factors or reasons affecting farmers from going
into organic farming.
Acceptability of organic farming. Table 3 shows that 54% farmers accept organic
farming in the place. And given the level of acceptability, they rated organic farming as
acceptable. The farmers most reasons are beneficial to health (85.18%), lesser capital
needed (55.55%), higher price (48.14%), better quality (37.03%) and it has good effect to
the environment (29.62%). According to the respondents they accept organic farming given
that they will be provided with the needed but they need support like starting capital,
seminars and trainings, organic grower that will lead them, market outlet to sell their
products, high quality of equipment for better cropping.
Factors affecting famers in adopting organic farming. The factors that affect the
farmers in adopting organic farming are the following; beneficial to health (85.18%), lesser
capital needed (55.55%), higher price (48.14%), better quality (3.03%) and it has good
effect to the environment. Moreover according also to the respondents organic vegetables
have higher nutrition content compared to conventionally grown vegetables.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Table 3. Level of acceptability on organic farming in the area
PARTICULARS
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
Acceptability of organic farming
Acceptable
54
54
Not acceptable
46
46
TOTAL
100
100
Level of acceptability on organic farming.
5-strongly acceptable
_
_
4-acceptable
54
100
3-uncertain
_
_
2-not acceptable
_
_
1-strongly not acceptable
_
_
TOTAL
54
100
Factors or reasons for accepting organic
farming
Beneficial to health
46
85.81
Lesser capital needed
30
55.55
Higher price
26
48.14
Better quality
20
37.03
It has good effects on the environment
16
29.62
*Multiple Response
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Internal Factors Affecting Farmers for not Accepting Organic Farming.
As found earlier 46% of the respondents said that organic farming is not acceptable.
Their reasons for not accepting are influenced by internal and external factor presented in
Table 4.
Internal factors. Table 4 shows the internal factors or reasons that affect the farmers
for not accepting organic farming like the following poor quality of crops produced 100%,
inadequate knowledge100% , not convenient to apply 100%, laborious 82.35%, low
income 50%, no time to attend trainings and seminars 26.47%, no money to pay for
certification standards 17.65% and expert in conventional farming 14.71%. Respondents
believed that one factor is due to the poor quality of produced since it is easily attacked by
pest causing damages to the organic vegetables and as compare to the conventionally
grown vegetables which have a good quality as effect of using pesticides and others. In
addition they also have limited or inadequate knowledge.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
External factors. Table 4 shows the different external reasons like the limitation of
researches to help make organic farming successful (100%), no established markets for
organic products (88.23%), no support from the local government in case the farm failed
(100%), no sustained technical supports of concerned agencies (73.53%), no seminars and
trainings about organic farming (32.35%), it takes a long time to revive the fertility of the
soil (29.41%), certification standards are very costly (26.47%), no stable market (23.53%)
and low yield (5.88%).
Internal and external factors that affect farmers in discontinuing organic farming.
Table 4 shows the different internal and external reasons of farmers who discontinued
organic farming. The following internal reasons are poor quality of crops produced
(58.33%), low income (41.67%) and the external reasons are there is no established market
for organic product (75%) and low yield (25%).
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Table 4. Internal and external factors for not accepting or discontinuing organic farming
PARTICULARS
THOSE WHO
THOSE WHO
DID* NOT TRY TRIED
F
%
F
%
Internal factors for not accepting organic
farming
Poor quality of crops produced
34
100
7
58.33
Inadequate knowledge
34
100
_
_
Not convenient to apply
34
100
_
_
Laborious
28
82.35
_
_
Low income
23
50
5
41.67
No time to attend trainings and seminars
9
26.47
_
_
No money to pay for certification
6
17.65
_
_
standards
Expert on conventional farming
5
14.71
_
_
TOTAL
12
100
External factors for not accepting organic
farming
No support from the government in case
34
100
_
_
their farm field
There are limited researches to help
34
100
_
_
make organic farming successful
There are no established market for
30
88.23
9
75
organic products
There are no sustained technical
25
73.53
_
_
supports of concerned agencies
Certification standards are very costly
9
26.47
_
_
It takes a long time to revive the fertility
10
29.41
_
_
of the soil
No stable markets
8
23.53
_
_
Low yield
2
5.88
3
25
TOTAL
12
100
*Multiple response
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Farmers Interest Towards Organic Farming
Table 5 presents the willingness of farmers in going to organic farming with the
given information and support, the organic farming technologies they would like to practice
and the specific support they need in order to go into organic farming.
Willingness to continue or to go into organic farming. Majority of the respondents
(54%) are willing to continue or to go into organic farming given that they will be provided
with the needed information and support. However 46% of the respondents are not willing
to go organic farming whether provided with the needed support. The result implied the
effect of relevant support in influencing the farmers to engaged in organic farming.
Organic farming technologies. The respondents who are willing to engaged in
organic farming would like to practice the different farming technologies particularly
composting and green manuring with 81.48% and 51.85% respectively which could due to
the simplicity of these technologies. Moreover other farmers are interested in crop rotation
with 27.78%, biological pest control with 18.52%, use of indigenous knowledge with
16.67%, liquid fertilizers, with 7.41% and traditional varieties with 3.70%.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Table 5. Farmers’ interest towards organic farming
PARTICULAR
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
Willingness to continue or to go into organic
farming
Willing
54
54
Not willing
46
46
TOTAL
100
100
Organic farming technologies
Crop rotation
15
27.78
Green manuring
28
51.85
Liquid fertilizers
4
7.14
Composting
44
81.84
Biological pest control
10
18.52
Use of indigenous knowledge
9
16.67
Traditional varieties
2
3.70
*Multiple Response
Types of support needed
Technical support
11
20.37
Financial support
44
81.48
Marketing support
17
31.48
*Multiple Response
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Types of support needed. As shown in Table 5 the respondents who are willing to
practice organic farming need several supports that would help them in their farming
activities. The data indicate that most of the farmers (81.48%) need financial support such
as capital and loan, marketing support (31.48%) like market outlet and technical support
(20.37%) such as seminars and trainings. In additional, the farmers cited the importance of
marketing outlet for their produce whenever they would be engaged in organic farming.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
This study on the assessment on the acceptability of Organic Farming in Kapangan,
Benguet was conducted from December 2012 to January 2013 in the selected barangays of
Kapangan, Benguet. It aimed to determine if the farmers are aware about farming; to
determine the level of acceptability of farmers towards organic farming; to determine if
there are farmers adopting organic farming in the place; to identify the reasons of adopting
or not adopting organic farming and to determined if the farmers are interested in adopting
organic farming. The farmer’s main source of their income is farming. Most farmers are
engaged in conventional farming (96%) which uses pesticides and commercial fertilizers
while only (4%) were engaged in organic farming.
Majority of farmers in Kapangan are aware of organic farming. They heard from
television and radio. But they don’t apply because there is no available information and
materials to use in organic farming; and nobody is practicing organic farming. There are
only few only who apply organic farming. They try to produce beans, chayote, cabbage,
garden pea, bell pepper, peachy, mustard, potato, watercress, gabi and Korean radish, and
they sell it to their neighbors and stores within the area, however some use it for their own
consumption.
The level of acceptability of farmers towards organic farming is acceptable but due
to the lack of marketing, financial and technical support they don’t apply or adopt and
because of the internal and external reasons like there are limited researches to help them
make organic farming successful and there are no establish market for organic products.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
Few farmers adopt or practice organic farming for the reason that it is beneficial to health,
lesser capital needed, higher price and better quality.
The farmers are interested and willing to continue or to go in organic farming with
the organic farming technologies practices that they will engaged and to provide them
marketing, financial and technical support.
Conclusions
Base on the findings of the study the following conclusion were formulated:
1. Majority of the farmers in Kapangan, Benguet are aware of organic farming;
2. Most farmers in Kapangan do not adopt organic farming because of limited
information, lack of knowledge, lack of market outlet, lack of financial, lack of government
support; and
3. Organic farming is acceptable to the majority of farmers in Kapangan and they
are willing to go into organic farming as long as technical, financial, material inputs and
marketing support would be provided to them. Since almost all of those who not adopting
organic farming reasons for not adopting are due to lack of market outlet and lack of
information.
Recommendations
Since farmers in Kapangan are willing to go into organic farming and there are few
who were already practicing it, government and other concerned agencies must provide all
the needed support and assistance especially seminars and trainings respectively to their
place in order for them to understand more what organic farming is. Affordable credit
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
should also be provided and more market outlet for organic products should be established
so that farmers would not be discouraged to go into organic farming. The farmers have to
consider also their social responsibility as producers of food. They have to be more
responsible in producing safe and clean vegetables to the consumers and the protection of
environment by going into organic farming and not to be solely focusing in their profit.
Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013
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Assessment on the acceptability of organic farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet
VILLANUEVA, REY HADJIE J. APRIL 2013