BIBLIOGRAPHY BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL ...
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013. Assessment on Farmers’
Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet. Benguet State University, La
Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Evangeline B. Cungihan, MSc.
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted in seven barangays of the municipality of Bakun, Benguet
namely: Ampusungan Bagu, Cayapa, Dalipey, Gambang, Poblacion (Central), and
Sinacbat in December 2012 to January 2013. The objectives of the study were the
following; a) to determine the farmers’ awareness on organic farming in Bakun, b) to
determine if organic farming is acceptable in the locality, c) to determine if the farmers are
willing to go into organic farming, and d) to identify the reasons of farmers of practicing
organic farming or not practicing organic farming in Bakun. One hundred respondents were
personally interviewed with the use of survey questionnaires.
Most of the respondents were aware of the different components of organic farming
such as crop rotation, green manuring and composting/vermicomposting. These
components were mostly practiced by the farmers not only to their conventional farms but
also in their organic farms.
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
Organic farming is acceptable in the municipality of Bakun and the respondents are
also willing to go into it if financial, technical, material/input, and marketing supports
would be provided.
Some farmers in Bakun adopted organic farming because of the following reasons:
it is beneficial to health, it only requires lesser capital than of the conventional farming, it
has good effects on the environment, manageable and also due to successful experiments
that motivated them to adopt organic farming.
On the other hand, the internal factors that affect the farmers not to adopt organic
farming in the area were: laborious, not convenient to apply, poor quality in terms of
income, and organic farmer needs to be accredited before going into organic production.
The external factors included the limited establishments of market outlets in the locality,
no sustained technical supports available particularly from the government and advocating
organizations, and lastly, organic certification is very costly.
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
INTRODUCTION
Rationale
The farm is the basic unit for organizing and managing the agricultural systems
(Battenfield et al., 1984).
Agriculture is an art, science, and industry of managing the growth of plants and
animals for human use. In a broad sense agriculture includes cultivation of the soil, growing
and harvesting crops, breeding and raising livestock, dairying, and forestry (Microsoft,
2008).
Organic farming is a system of agriculture that excludes the use of synthetic
pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics, genetically modified seeds and animal breeds,
and irradiation. Organic farmers instead rely on ecosystem management, including the use
of pesticides and fertilizers derived from plants, animal wastes, and minerals. They
incorporate biological methods, such as the use of one organism to suppress another, to
help control pests. The methods used in organic farming seek to increase soil fertility,
balance insect populations, and reduce air, soil, and water pollution (Hynes, 2008).
USDA (2010) as cited by Deshmukh (2010) defined organic farming as a system
that is designed to produce agricultural products by the use of methods and substances that
maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products until they reach the consumer.
Organic farming can contribute meaningful socio-economic and ecologically
sustainable development, especially in poor countries. And this would be achieved through
the application of organic production principles, which means efficient management of
local resources like local seed varieties and manures. It is proven that most organic farms
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
provide a means of agricultural sustainability by reducing the amount of synthetic inputs
such as pesticides and fertilizers. Farmers that produce vegetables through organic method
reduce risk of poor yields (Anonymous, 2009 as cited by Empiso, 2010).
In a long-term study by the US Department Agricultural Research Service (ARS),
scientists concluded that contrary to widespread belief, organic farming can build up soil
organic matter better than conventional no-till farming, which suggests long-term yield
benefits from organic farming. An 18-year study of organic methods on nutrient-depleted
soil concluded that conventional methods were superior for soil fertility and yield in a cold-
temperate climate, arguing that much of the benefits from organic farming are derived from
imported materials which could not be regarded as “self-sustaining” (Anonymous, 2010).
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Organic Farming
The term organic was first used in relation to farming by Nourthbourne. The farm
itself must have a biological completeness, and it must be a unit which has within itself
balance organic life (Empiso, 2010).
Organic farming is sometimes referred to as sustainable agriculture, although the
two concepts have subtle but significant differences. Sustainable agriculture seeks to
improve the entire food and agricultural system by balancing production and consumption.
For example, a farmer practicing sustainable agriculture may use the manure from the
animals to fertilize the fields of grain that are grown to feed the animals. Eliminating the
purchase of fertilizer reduces the cost of growing grain, and growing grain for animal feed
rather than buying it reduces the cost of raising livestock (Hynes, 2008).
Organic farming is the form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop
rotation, green manure, compost and biological pest control. Organic farming uses
fertilizers and pesticides but excludes or strictly limits the use of manufactured
(synthetic) fertilizers, pesticides such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides), plant
growth regulators such as hormones, livestock antibiotics, food additives, genetically
modified organisms, human sewage sludge, and nano material. Shagol (2008), stated that
organic farmers had been dependent on seeds supplied by the conventional seed suppliers
but a new step is now under consideration by the organic community: “organic varieties”
for organic farming.
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
History of Organic Farming
The concept of organic farming originated out of the organic movement that existed
in the 1930s and 1940s. The organic movement was actually an anti-synthetic fertilizer
movement. Synthetic fertilizers were used widely in those days for agricultural purposes,
whereas organic farming prohibits the application of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Organic farming is a very old concept and a developed practice in India. In fact, it was
implemented in India before organic movement began (Daniel, 2010).
The 1940s has been referred to as “pesticide era”. Sir Albert Howard is widely
considered to be the father of organic farming. Rudolf Steiner, an Australian philosopher,
made important strides in the earliest organic theory with his biodynamic agriculture. More
work was done by J.I. Rodale in the United States, Lady Eve Balfour in the United
Kingdom, and many others across the world (Daniel, 2010).
Purpose of Organic Farming
The purpose of organic farming (Halpin et al., 2006) is to optimize the health and
productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people.
Organic agriculture adheres to globally accepted principles which are implemented in
specific social, economic, geo-climatic and cultural contexts.
Objectives of Organic Farming
The objectives of organic farming were to produce food of high nutritional quality
in a sufficient quantity; b) to work with the natural systems rather than seeking to dominate
them; c) to encourage and enhance the biological cycles within the farming system
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
involving microorganisms, plants and animals; d) to maintain and increase the fertility of
the soil; e) to use as far as possible, renewable resources in locally organized agricultural
system; f) to give all livestock conditions of life that allow them to perform all aspects of
their inmate behaviour; g) to avoid all forms of pollution that may result from agricultural
techniques; h) to maintain the genetic diversity of the agricultural system and its
surroundings including the protection of plant and wild life habitats; i) to allow agricultural
procedures an adequate return and satisfaction from their work including a safe working
environment; and lastly, to consider the wider social and ecological impacts of the farming
system (IFOA, 2010 as cited by Deshmukh, 2010).
Awareness on Organic Farming
Results of the study done by the Benguet State University in collaboration with the
Philippine Institutional University Cooperation Programme revealed that more than 90%
vegetable consumers are not aware of clean vegetables. Those who know of these
vegetables on the other hand claim that their knowledge came from friends and relatives,
the media and from retailers but of the 804 respondents, 99% are willing to pay for clean
vegetables (Pablo, 2004).
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
METHODOLOGY
Locale and Time of the Study
Bakun is 336 km away from Manila and 86 km away from Baguio City. Bakun is
composed of seven barangays namely; Ampusongan, Bagu, Cayapa, Dalipey, Gambang,
Sinacbat, and Poblacion.
The research was conducted at the Municipality of Bakun, Benguet from December
2012 to January 2013. The study site is shown in Figure 1.
Respondents of the Study
The respondents of the study consisted of 100 farmers which who were taken
through random sampling.
Data Gathered
The data gathered included the demographic profile, awareness on organic farming,
level of knowledge on organic farming, level of acceptability on organic farming, the
reasons of farmers for adopting/not adopting organic farming in the area and lastly, the
farmers’ interest to engage in organic farming.
Data Gathering Procedure
The data of the study were gathered with the use of interview schedule containing
the necessary questions to answer the objectives of the study. It was done through personal
interview.
Data Analysis
The data gathered were analysed and interpreted by the researcher according to the
objectives of the study. Frequency counts, percentages, and likert scale were used in the
analysis of data.
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Demographic Profile of the Respondents
Table 1 shows the demographic profile of the respondents according to their age,
gender, marital status, educational attainment, and occupation.
Age. There were 32% of the respondents who belonged to the ages ranging 20-30
years old. This is followed by 27%, 31-40 years old; 25%, 41-50 years old; 13%, 51-60
years old; 2%, 61-70 years old; and 1%, 72 years of age. The finding shows that the
respondents were taken from the young and the old as well.
Gender. The table shows that there were more male respondents (58%) while 42%
were females. The data shows that farming is managed mostly by the head of the family
but then, women can also do.
Civil status. The distribution of the respondents as to marital status is as follows:
19% single, 73% married, 8% were widow and none of them were divorced. The data
may imply that the respondents whether single, married, or divorced were engaged to
farming.
Educational attainment. All the respondents had formal education. There were 31%
elementary, 45% high school, 23% college and 1% vocational. This finding may imply
that despite the highest educational attainment, still they were farming for additional
income for the family.
Occupation. The table shows that 100% of the respondents were engaged to
farming. However, there were some farmers who were at the same time public employees
(4%), self-employed and retired agriculturist (1%).
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
The study was conducted from December, 2012 to January, 2013 at the seven
barangays of the municipality of Bakun, Benguet with the following objectives: a) to
determine the farmers’ awareness on organic farming in Bakun; b) to determine if organic
farming is acceptable in Bakun; c) to determine if farmers are willing to go into organic
farming; and lastly, to identify the reasons of farmers of practicing/not practicing organic
farming in the area. One hundred farmers were interviewed.
Based on the findings, most of the respondents were aware of organic farming
having 79% while only 21% were not aware of organic farming. The most common
component of organic farming being practiced by the respondents was crop rotation,
composting, and the use of traditional practices and varieties.
As to application of the different components of organic farming, those who are
aware of organic farming claimed that they had attended some trainings and seminars;
however, they have not yet applied what they have learned because the materials are not
completely available in the area.
As to the interest of the farmers to go into organic farming, most of them were
willing to go into organic farming with the following conditions; a) organic farming would
at least be supported by any concerned agencies as well as the government, b) more
establishment of market outlets for organic products, c) no limitation of products to be sold
in the market just like how the conventional products are sold if possible, d) more
researches and improved technologies that will help organic farming be successful and
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
lastly, a sustained technical supports from any concerned agencies. To sum up with,
organic farming is acceptable in the municipality of Bakun, however, with the combination
of all the aspects of supports which are suggested by them.
The factors influencing the farmers to adopt organic farming were: beneficial to
health, it needs lesser capital, it has good effects on the environment, manageable,
successful experiment, the availability of any local materials in the area and it is also more
economical than of the conventional farming.
On the other hand, the internal factors affecting the respondents of not adopting
organic farming were: laborious, not convenient to apply because the soil is already acidic
due to chemicals, poor quality of produce because it is easily attacked by pests and diseases
which results to low yield and low income, and lastly, the respondents claimed that they
have no money to pay for organic certification fees.
The external factors affecting the respondents of not adopting organic farming
includes the limited establishments of market outlets for organic products, it takes time to
revive the fertility of the soil, organic certification is costly, no support from the
government, and there’s no sustained technical supports from the concerned agencies.
As to the different barangays’ findings, barangay Bagu, Cayapa, Poblacion and
Sinacbat have been engaged to rice farming. The respondents claimed that the application
of fertilizers in the field is minimal and moderate, it is when planting the seedlings and
usually once in a two planting seasons. Hon. John Balanban of barangay Bagu claimed that
the use of azolla is also helpful in the field. The composted azolla will serve as fertilizers
for the rice while the live azolla placed in the field will serve as food for the golden instead
of the rice plants.
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
Most of the respondents claimed that going into organic farming especially for
those who are engaged in conventional farming for how many years will take a lot of time
and it may be necessary to fallow the garden or farm for some period of time to revive the
fertility of the soil. Some of them also claimed that in order for the organic farming to be
successful, at least all of the nearby farms and gardens should adopt because it would be
useless if the others do not. For instance, the nearby farms engaged to conventional farming
will infect the soil being used for organic farming.
Conclusions
Based on the findings the following conclusions were made:
1. Most of the respondents are aware of the different components of organic
farming but due to inadequate technical knowledge as well as the material/inputs needed,
the farmers were not able to apply all of it;
2. Most of the farmers in Bakun are willing to go into organic farming if technical,
financial and market supports are provided and material inputs are available so that they
would not spend much time preparing these materials; and,
3. Availability of market outlet for organic produce would encourage farmers to
adopt organic farming.
Recommendations
Since organic farming is acceptable in the municipality of Bakun, there should be
support from the local government and those advocating organic farming to link the
farmers to markets to enable them to sell their produce. Promotion on organic farming in
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
the locality would also mean a great help to motivate or encourage the farmers to adopt
organic farming. Also, the role of LGU is very much needed to facilitate accreditation on
organic farming.
The farmers must also be active in attending trainings and seminars regarding
organic farming. Thus, more seminars, trainings should at least be held on the barangay
itself for them to attend. There should also be an organization of the farmers and as much
as possible be registered as organic producers. Lastly, all the farmers in one location should
adopt organic farming to avoid contamination from conventional farming.
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
LITERATURE CITED
ANONYMOUS, 2009. Advantages and disadvantages of Organic Farming.
Retrieved November 13, 2012 from http://knowledgeofagriculture.advantages-
and-disadvantages-of- organic.html.
ANONYMOUS, 2010. Organic Farming. Retrieved December 3, 2010 from
http://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/link-suggestion/wcpd2008-2009.
BATTENFIELD, S., T. C. EDENS, and C. FRIDGEN. 1984. Sustainable Agriculture
and Integrated Farming Systems.
Michigan University Press: East Lansing.
Pp. 34 and 187.
DANIEL, H. 2010. Benefits of Organic Farming. Retrieved November 13, 2012 from
http://benefitof.net/benefits-of-organic-farming.
DESHMUKH, S. N. 2010. Organic Farming: Principles, Prospects, and Problems.
AGROBIOS INDIA: Bharat Printing Press, Jodhpur. Pp. 16-17.
EMPISO, A. B. 2010. Perception of Farmers on Organic Vegetable Production in Bakun.
BS Thesis (unpublished). Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. Pp. 4,
10-11.
HALPIN, D., LAWRENCE, G., LOCKIE, S., and LYONS, K. 2006. Going Organic:
Mobilizing Networks for Environmentally Responsible Food Production. UK:
Athenaeum Press, Gateshead. Pp. 5, 13, and 54.
HYNES, E. 2008. Organic Farming. Microsoft Student with Encarta Premium. Redmond,
WA: Microsoft Corporation.
KIM, A. K. 2006. Natural Farming Technology seminar, BPI-BNPDC Baguio City 2600,
2006.
LOTTER, D. 2003. Organic Agriculture. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 21(4).
MICROSOFT, 2008. Agriculture. Microsoft Student with Encarta Premium. Redmond,
WA: Microsoft Corporation
PABLO, J. 2004. Technology Synthesis of Organic Farms in Benguet: A Benchmark
Study. Master Thesis. Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. P. 11.
SHAGOL, C. C. 2008. Genotype X Environment Interaction in Potato Grown
Organically in Six Locations of Benguet. Master Thesis. Benguet State
University, La Trinidad, Benguet. P. 8.
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013. Assessment on Farmers’
Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet. Benguet State University, La
Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Evangeline B. Cungihan, MSc.
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted in seven barangays of the municipality of Bakun, Benguet
namely: Ampusungan Bagu, Cayapa, Dalipey, Gambang, Poblacion (Central), and
Sinacbat in December 2012 to January 2013. The objectives of the study were the
following; a) to determine the farmers’ awareness on organic farming in Bakun, b) to
determine if organic farming is acceptable in the locality, c) to determine if the farmers are
willing to go into organic farming, and d) to identify the reasons of farmers of practicing
organic farming or not practicing organic farming in Bakun. One hundred respondents were
personally interviewed with the use of survey questionnaires.
Most of the respondents were aware of the different components of organic farming
such as crop rotation, green manuring and composting/vermicomposting. These
components were mostly practiced by the farmers not only to their conventional farms but
also in their organic farms.
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
Organic farming is acceptable in the municipality of Bakun and the respondents are
also willing to go into it if financial, technical, material/input, and marketing supports
would be provided.
Some farmers in Bakun adopted organic farming because of the following reasons:
it is beneficial to health, it only requires lesser capital than of the conventional farming, it
has good effects on the environment, manageable and also due to successful experiments
that motivated them to adopt organic farming.
On the other hand, the internal factors that affect the farmers not to adopt organic
farming in the area were: laborious, not convenient to apply, poor quality in terms of
income, and organic farmer needs to be accredited before going into organic production.
The external factors included the limited establishments of market outlets in the locality,
no sustained technical supports available particularly from the government and advocating
organizations, and lastly, organic certification is very costly.
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
INTRODUCTION
Rationale
The farm is the basic unit for organizing and managing the agricultural systems
(Battenfield et al., 1984).
Agriculture is an art, science, and industry of managing the growth of plants and
animals for human use. In a broad sense agriculture includes cultivation of the soil, growing
and harvesting crops, breeding and raising livestock, dairying, and forestry (Microsoft,
2008).
Organic farming is a system of agriculture that excludes the use of synthetic
pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics, genetically modified seeds and animal breeds,
and irradiation. Organic farmers instead rely on ecosystem management, including the use
of pesticides and fertilizers derived from plants, animal wastes, and minerals. They
incorporate biological methods, such as the use of one organism to suppress another, to
help control pests. The methods used in organic farming seek to increase soil fertility,
balance insect populations, and reduce air, soil, and water pollution (Hynes, 2008).
USDA (2010) as cited by Deshmukh (2010) defined organic farming as a system
that is designed to produce agricultural products by the use of methods and substances that
maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products until they reach the consumer.
Organic farming can contribute meaningful socio-economic and ecologically
sustainable development, especially in poor countries. And this would be achieved through
the application of organic production principles, which means efficient management of
local resources like local seed varieties and manures. It is proven that most organic farms
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
provide a means of agricultural sustainability by reducing the amount of synthetic inputs
such as pesticides and fertilizers. Farmers that produce vegetables through organic method
reduce risk of poor yields (Anonymous, 2009 as cited by Empiso, 2010).
In a long-term study by the US Department Agricultural Research Service (ARS),
scientists concluded that contrary to widespread belief, organic farming can build up soil
organic matter better than conventional no-till farming, which suggests long-term yield
benefits from organic farming. An 18-year study of organic methods on nutrient-depleted
soil concluded that conventional methods were superior for soil fertility and yield in a cold-
temperate climate, arguing that much of the benefits from organic farming are derived from
imported materials which could not be regarded as “self-sustaining” (Anonymous, 2010).
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Organic Farming
The term organic was first used in relation to farming by Nourthbourne. The farm
itself must have a biological completeness, and it must be a unit which has within itself
balance organic life (Empiso, 2010).
Organic farming is sometimes referred to as sustainable agriculture, although the
two concepts have subtle but significant differences. Sustainable agriculture seeks to
improve the entire food and agricultural system by balancing production and consumption.
For example, a farmer practicing sustainable agriculture may use the manure from the
animals to fertilize the fields of grain that are grown to feed the animals. Eliminating the
purchase of fertilizer reduces the cost of growing grain, and growing grain for animal feed
rather than buying it reduces the cost of raising livestock (Hynes, 2008).
Organic farming is the form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop
rotation, green manure, compost and biological pest control. Organic farming uses
fertilizers and pesticides but excludes or strictly limits the use of manufactured
(synthetic) fertilizers, pesticides such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides), plant
growth regulators such as hormones, livestock antibiotics, food additives, genetically
modified organisms, human sewage sludge, and nano material. Shagol (2008), stated that
organic farmers had been dependent on seeds supplied by the conventional seed suppliers
but a new step is now under consideration by the organic community: “organic varieties”
for organic farming.
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
History of Organic Farming
The concept of organic farming originated out of the organic movement that existed
in the 1930s and 1940s. The organic movement was actually an anti-synthetic fertilizer
movement. Synthetic fertilizers were used widely in those days for agricultural purposes,
whereas organic farming prohibits the application of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Organic farming is a very old concept and a developed practice in India. In fact, it was
implemented in India before organic movement began (Daniel, 2010).
The 1940s has been referred to as “pesticide era”. Sir Albert Howard is widely
considered to be the father of organic farming. Rudolf Steiner, an Australian philosopher,
made important strides in the earliest organic theory with his biodynamic agriculture. More
work was done by J.I. Rodale in the United States, Lady Eve Balfour in the United
Kingdom, and many others across the world (Daniel, 2010).
Purpose of Organic Farming
The purpose of organic farming (Halpin et al., 2006) is to optimize the health and
productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people.
Organic agriculture adheres to globally accepted principles which are implemented in
specific social, economic, geo-climatic and cultural contexts.
Objectives of Organic Farming
The objectives of organic farming were to produce food of high nutritional quality
in a sufficient quantity; b) to work with the natural systems rather than seeking to dominate
them; c) to encourage and enhance the biological cycles within the farming system
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
involving microorganisms, plants and animals; d) to maintain and increase the fertility of
the soil; e) to use as far as possible, renewable resources in locally organized agricultural
system; f) to give all livestock conditions of life that allow them to perform all aspects of
their inmate behaviour; g) to avoid all forms of pollution that may result from agricultural
techniques; h) to maintain the genetic diversity of the agricultural system and its
surroundings including the protection of plant and wild life habitats; i) to allow agricultural
procedures an adequate return and satisfaction from their work including a safe working
environment; and lastly, to consider the wider social and ecological impacts of the farming
system (IFOA, 2010 as cited by Deshmukh, 2010).
Awareness on Organic Farming
Results of the study done by the Benguet State University in collaboration with the
Philippine Institutional University Cooperation Programme revealed that more than 90%
vegetable consumers are not aware of clean vegetables. Those who know of these
vegetables on the other hand claim that their knowledge came from friends and relatives,
the media and from retailers but of the 804 respondents, 99% are willing to pay for clean
vegetables (Pablo, 2004).
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
METHODOLOGY
Locale and Time of the Study
Bakun is 336 km away from Manila and 86 km away from Baguio City. Bakun is
composed of seven barangays namely; Ampusongan, Bagu, Cayapa, Dalipey, Gambang,
Sinacbat, and Poblacion.
The research was conducted at the Municipality of Bakun, Benguet from December
2012 to January 2013. The study site is shown in Figure 1.
Respondents of the Study
The respondents of the study consisted of 100 farmers which who were taken
through random sampling.
Data Gathered
The data gathered included the demographic profile, awareness on organic farming,
level of knowledge on organic farming, level of acceptability on organic farming, the
reasons of farmers for adopting/not adopting organic farming in the area and lastly, the
farmers’ interest to engage in organic farming.
Data Gathering Procedure
The data of the study were gathered with the use of interview schedule containing
the necessary questions to answer the objectives of the study. It was done through personal
interview.
Data Analysis
The data gathered were analysed and interpreted by the researcher according to the
objectives of the study. Frequency counts, percentages, and likert scale were used in the
analysis of data.
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Demographic Profile of the Respondents
Table 1 shows the demographic profile of the respondents according to their age,
gender, marital status, educational attainment, and occupation.
Age. There were 32% of the respondents who belonged to the ages ranging 20-30
years old. This is followed by 27%, 31-40 years old; 25%, 41-50 years old; 13%, 51-60
years old; 2%, 61-70 years old; and 1%, 72 years of age. The finding shows that the
respondents were taken from the young and the old as well.
Gender. The table shows that there were more male respondents (58%) while 42%
were females. The data shows that farming is managed mostly by the head of the family
but then, women can also do.
Civil status. The distribution of the respondents as to marital status is as follows:
19% single, 73% married, 8% were widow and none of them were divorced. The data
may imply that the respondents whether single, married, or divorced were engaged to
farming.
Educational attainment. All the respondents had formal education. There were 31%
elementary, 45% high school, 23% college and 1% vocational. This finding may imply
that despite the highest educational attainment, still they were farming for additional
income for the family.
Occupation. The table shows that 100% of the respondents were engaged to
farming. However, there were some farmers who were at the same time public employees
(4%), self-employed and retired agriculturist (1%).
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
The study was conducted from December, 2012 to January, 2013 at the seven
barangays of the municipality of Bakun, Benguet with the following objectives: a) to
determine the farmers’ awareness on organic farming in Bakun; b) to determine if organic
farming is acceptable in Bakun; c) to determine if farmers are willing to go into organic
farming; and lastly, to identify the reasons of farmers of practicing/not practicing organic
farming in the area. One hundred farmers were interviewed.
Based on the findings, most of the respondents were aware of organic farming
having 79% while only 21% were not aware of organic farming. The most common
component of organic farming being practiced by the respondents was crop rotation,
composting, and the use of traditional practices and varieties.
As to application of the different components of organic farming, those who are
aware of organic farming claimed that they had attended some trainings and seminars;
however, they have not yet applied what they have learned because the materials are not
completely available in the area.
As to the interest of the farmers to go into organic farming, most of them were
willing to go into organic farming with the following conditions; a) organic farming would
at least be supported by any concerned agencies as well as the government, b) more
establishment of market outlets for organic products, c) no limitation of products to be sold
in the market just like how the conventional products are sold if possible, d) more
researches and improved technologies that will help organic farming be successful and
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
lastly, a sustained technical supports from any concerned agencies. To sum up with,
organic farming is acceptable in the municipality of Bakun, however, with the combination
of all the aspects of supports which are suggested by them.
The factors influencing the farmers to adopt organic farming were: beneficial to
health, it needs lesser capital, it has good effects on the environment, manageable,
successful experiment, the availability of any local materials in the area and it is also more
economical than of the conventional farming.
On the other hand, the internal factors affecting the respondents of not adopting
organic farming were: laborious, not convenient to apply because the soil is already acidic
due to chemicals, poor quality of produce because it is easily attacked by pests and diseases
which results to low yield and low income, and lastly, the respondents claimed that they
have no money to pay for organic certification fees.
The external factors affecting the respondents of not adopting organic farming
includes the limited establishments of market outlets for organic products, it takes time to
revive the fertility of the soil, organic certification is costly, no support from the
government, and there’s no sustained technical supports from the concerned agencies.
As to the different barangays’ findings, barangay Bagu, Cayapa, Poblacion and
Sinacbat have been engaged to rice farming. The respondents claimed that the application
of fertilizers in the field is minimal and moderate, it is when planting the seedlings and
usually once in a two planting seasons. Hon. John Balanban of barangay Bagu claimed that
the use of azolla is also helpful in the field. The composted azolla will serve as fertilizers
for the rice while the live azolla placed in the field will serve as food for the golden instead
of the rice plants.
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
Most of the respondents claimed that going into organic farming especially for
those who are engaged in conventional farming for how many years will take a lot of time
and it may be necessary to fallow the garden or farm for some period of time to revive the
fertility of the soil. Some of them also claimed that in order for the organic farming to be
successful, at least all of the nearby farms and gardens should adopt because it would be
useless if the others do not. For instance, the nearby farms engaged to conventional farming
will infect the soil being used for organic farming.
Conclusions
Based on the findings the following conclusions were made:
1. Most of the respondents are aware of the different components of organic
farming but due to inadequate technical knowledge as well as the material/inputs needed,
the farmers were not able to apply all of it;
2. Most of the farmers in Bakun are willing to go into organic farming if technical,
financial and market supports are provided and material inputs are available so that they
would not spend much time preparing these materials; and,
3. Availability of market outlet for organic produce would encourage farmers to
adopt organic farming.
Recommendations
Since organic farming is acceptable in the municipality of Bakun, there should be
support from the local government and those advocating organic farming to link the
farmers to markets to enable them to sell their produce. Promotion on organic farming in
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
the locality would also mean a great help to motivate or encourage the farmers to adopt
organic farming. Also, the role of LGU is very much needed to facilitate accreditation on
organic farming.
The farmers must also be active in attending trainings and seminars regarding
organic farming. Thus, more seminars, trainings should at least be held on the barangay
itself for them to attend. There should also be an organization of the farmers and as much
as possible be registered as organic producers. Lastly, all the farmers in one location should
adopt organic farming to avoid contamination from conventional farming.
Assessment on Farmers’ Acceptability of Organic Farming in Bakun, Benguet |
BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013
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BALANBAN, GERALDINE G., APRIL 2013