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Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD) - Call for papers!

Resilience of rice farming families in selected rainfed municipalities in Quezon, PH: The role of local agri-advisory and extension services

(Philippines), Master of Science in Rural Sociology (University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Thesis Abstract:

Achieving food security relies on the resilience of the food production systems, of which family farmers are essential players. However, several challenges brought about by increasing globalization and changing climate confront their production systems. In the Philippines, there are several banner programs supportive of strengthening family farmers' resilience. These programs rely on the local agri-advisory and extension services (AES) to reach the family farmers. The literature has long established this important role of AES, but local AES delivery in the country remains confronted with perennial issues. This study describes and analyzes the relationships between the resilience of family farmers' rice production system and the delivery of AES to them, which is still lacking in the literature. The results suggest that while the enabling environment for rice production is not favorable in the last three years, the family farmers' rice production has been resilient but only remains in the equilibrium pathway. This study espouses that AES should usher the family farmers towards bouncing forward. It recommends institutionalizing resilience-supportive initiatives at the local level, reforming national AES policies and programs, and conducting further studies. It also calls for more attention to understanding and enhancing AES' role in the agriculture sector's generational sustainability.