Mountain Journal of Science and Interdisciplinary Research (formerly Benguet State University Research Journal)

Sprout Up Movement: Strategy Formulation Based on Factors Influencing Youth Intent to Pursue Agriculture

Arvin Joshua P. Barlongo — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Analysts predict the Philippines will face a deficit of farmers in the next 10 to 12 years, as the average age of farmers is 55 to 59 years. This challenges food security, with fewer youth interested in agriculture. To address this, the Sprout Up Movement was launched in 2022 to highlight the personal stories of those in agriculture through social media, to rebrand agriculture and engage young people. Theory of Planned Behavior argues that perceived behavioral control (PBC), including employment opportunities and personal confidence, significantly impacts attitudes toward agriculture, affecting subjective norms and intention to pursue an agriculture-related degree. A surprising finding is the indirect relationship between PBC and intention, mediated by attitude, a connection not widely explored in existing research. Strategies were developed using pseudo-quantitative methods like Internal Factor Evaluation and External Factor Evaluation, along with the I-E Matrix, SWOT Matrix, and Quantitative Strategy Planning (QSP) Matrix. The QSP matrix suggests the best path forward for the Sprout Up Movement involves expanding and building partnerships with higher education institutions and enhancing social media content to highlight employment opportunities and boost the youth’s confidence to pursue agriculture-related careers.

Climate Risk Proﬁles for a Climate-Resilient Agriculture on Selected Crops in the Cordillera Administrative Region

Madeline S. Kingan, Janet P. Pablo, Ben P. Sebiano, Jr. — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This research identified the climate change risks and responses along the rice, yellow corn, potato, and cabbage value chains and recommended Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA) options as prioritized by stakeholders. The key climate hazards affecting agriculture in the Cordillera Region are tropical cyclones or typhoons and drought. Lowland rice farming communities are vulnerable to flooding caused by heavy rains while highland vegetable and upland corn farming communities are vulnerable to soil erosion, landslides, and strong winds. Farmers’ mitigating measures against soil erosion, landslides, and flooding include cleaning the drainage canals. Farmers with no access to water resources delay planting or adjust their cropping calendar to ensure crop survival during prolonged drought. They utilize rain-water harvesting tanks or dig deep wells and use water pumps to draw water for crops. Other mitigation measures include: construction of crop shelters or greenhouses to protect crops from strong winds and heavy rains, employing organic farming to reduce the undesirable effects of conventional farming to human health and the environment, using botanical attractants in controlling pests, and integrating livestock and crops to maximize land use and ensure food security for the household. Cost and low awareness on climate change are the major barriers to the adoption of climate resilient technologies. Most farmers have limited financial capacity and not aware of technical information on climate change. High cost of production, absence of policies to stabilize market price, non-observance of quality standards and good production practices, lack of coordination among farmers and lenient enforcement of standards by the government are prevailing concerns of stakeholders. Government programs are continually designed for farmers, but, the process and requirements hinder some farmers from availing of the programs.

Accessibility of Agricultural Credit and Its Perceived Effects Among the High-Value Crop Farmers of Atok, Benguet, Philippines

Jayver K. Picpican, Samuel L. Duyan — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Credit plays a vital role in the agriculture sector by providing the financial needs of farmers. The accessibility of credit is a crucial element in agricultural production, however, farmers often face difficulties along this line. Hence, this research aimed to examine the accessibility of agricultural credit among high-value crop farmers taking the case of farmers of Atok, Benguet. The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive research design involving 10% of the population. Findings revealed that respondents interviewed were mostly married females aged 40-59, high school graduates, and landowners with farm sizes less than one hectare producing mainly cabbage and potato. Findings revealed that cooperatives were the primary source of formal credit while relatives served as informal sources. The major constraints when accessing formal credit are limited sources of agricultural credit, high interest rates, and lack of collateral while limited availability of funds, insufficient loan amounts, and short loan durations were the constraints when availing informal credit. Low agricultural income, limited income sources, and crop failure are the common problems associated with credit repayments. Further, farmers perceived an increase in agricultural production and productivity when accessing credit but faced challenges due to existing credits and penalty charges.

Emotional Intelligence in the Philippine Public Sector: Integrating Filipino Constructs and Implications for HR Practice

Lance Angelo B. Layugan — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The study aimed to propose a localized model of emotional intelligence (EI) in the Philippine public sector workplace. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, an online survey was conducted consisting of the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) and a listing of Filipino values and traits sourced from literature. Respondents (N = 274) were from National Government Agencies (NGAs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Government Units (LGUs), Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), and Constitutional Commissions in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). An exploratory factor analysis yielded three factors, Madamdaming Loob (MLb; Emotional Identity), Madamdaming Pamamaraan (MPr; Emotional Facilitation), and Madamdaming Pakikiangkop (MPa; Emotional Adaptability), with a multiple regression analysis on the underlying constructs indicating each significantly predicting at least one WLEIS factor. MLb and MPr resemble the internal-external mechanisms purported in the Kapwa Theory with MPa serving as an intermediary. The proposed model is recommended for the development of a local EI measure and for adoption in government agencies seeking the customization of their HR systems in compliance with PRIME-HRM maturity level indicators.

Understanding the Environmental Roles of Mining Beliefs and Practices in Sitio Midas, Itogon

Manuelito O. Tabuzo — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Mining beliefs and practices are among the most important considerations concerning environmental conservation, specifically for the Kankanaeys of Sitio Midas, Itogon, Benguet. These beliefs and practices have guided the community's mining activities and relationships, and informed residents' environmental stewardship, despite the unavoidable link between mining and environmental destruction and degradation of Kankanaey culture. This study explores the vital role of mining beliefs and practices in protecting the environment in a small-scale scale-mining community using a qualitative ethnographic research design with unstructured interviews and non-participatory observation as data collection methods. The findings revealed that modernization does not prevent miners from using their traditional skills, methods, and expertise, which are simple and practical, without causing significant environmental damage. The Kankanaeys' proenvironmental worldview influenced traditional mining norms and behaviors in Sitio Midas. Kankanaey miners' cultural and environmental concerns include a loss of spirituality, the decline of traditional culture, the influence of large commercial mining companies, and safety mining. Despite these challenges and concerns, traditional Kankanaey mining continues to play an important role in environmental sustainability and community resilience, providing new insight or initiatives to increase assistance and capabilities relevant to traditional culture in mining and environmental protection.

Issues and Challenges Faced by Pre-Service Teacher-Participants of the SEA Teacher Project of SEAMEO

Imee C. Cuadra, Ma. Myriam B. Bacud — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This paper assessed the difficulties that pre-service educators experienced while undertaking the SEA Teacher Project. It employed a combined approach incorporating qualitative interviews to explore specific issues and quantitative data from performance evaluations to identify areas of concern. This study targeted 6th-8th batches (2017-2019) through snowball sampling technique from which a purposive sample of 30 participants was obtained. Key findings revealed a range of challenges, including language barriers, cultural differences, and financial difficulties. These challenges were related to issues like; sex, age, family background, and religious beliefs. For instance, male participants expressed concerns about the application process and academic records, while female participants struggled with acclimatization. Participants from average-income families faced financial challenges, while those from wealthier backgrounds encountered difficulties adapting to the local environment. The study recommends the following: streamlining of the application process, adequate funding, improvement of the Pre-service Teacher Preparation Program, including a feedback and monitoring system as well as the continuity program.