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

Participation of Filipino Muslim Women in Seaweed Farming in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines

(Philippines), Doctor of Philosophy in Community Development (University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Abstract:

 

This study investigated the profile of Filipino Muslim women engaged in seaweed farming in the province of Tawi-Tawi; assessed the ways by which they participated in seaweed culture; looked into their involvement in decision making pertaining to household and seaweed culture; and determined the social, cultural, and economic factors that were associated with their participation in seaweed farming.

A total of 246 Muslim women from four barangays in the municipality of Sitangkai were selected as respondents using stratified proportionate sampling technique. Questionnaires and interview guides supplemented with direct observation were used to get the information. Chi-square test was used to measure association between independent and dependent variables.

Findings revealed that Muslim women farmers were relatively young, with an average age of 39 years, and reached only elementary education. They had inadequate media exposure, low membership in rural organizations, and very limited contact with development workers.

The extent of participation of Muslim women in seaweed farming was high. They were actively involved in seaweed culture activities from planting the seedlings to selling the products.

Muslim women were also actively involved in household decision making. They had equal responsibility with their husbands in making decisions on matters pertaining to household activities. Decision making on seaweed farming was consultative in nature.

The study revealed that traditionalism and attitude toward non-seaweed farming activities were the factors related to the extent of participation of women in seaweed farming. The average level of productivity for the past three years was highly associated to joint husband and wife family decision and the degree of exposure to various forms of media.