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

Household Economy of a Farming Community in Pinabacdao, Samar, Philippines

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

Abstract:

 

The study explored the labor allocation patterns and survival strategies of the 60 Waray speaking farming households in Barangay (village) Botoc, Pinabacdao, Samar, Philippines. Waray is the prevailing dialect in the Visayan region ofthe Philippines.

Specifically, the study characterized the study area, the respondents and their households; determined the different patterns of resource use by farm households; and evaluated the relationship between household size and income and household access to means of production and productive or economic activities.

To attain the objectives, the study employed survey, key informants, participant observation, and review of secondary data methods. The data gathered were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analysis.

On the average, the household respondents cultivated two parcels of land with an average of 1.07 hectares each. Although they still retained some of their traditional practices, the majority of them adopted intercropping to maximize production.

The majority of the respondents were males and married. They had a mean average age of 48 years, educational attainment of grade six, average household size of five members. and resided in the village for an average of 44 years.

The potential labor force and participation rate of all sample households was 59 and 86 percent, respectively. Participation rate was a little higher among households with very small cultivated farms and dominated by male household members.

The father and children were relatively more involved in productive activities than the mother, spending about 75 percent of the potential 12 hours of daily work time. On the other hand, the mother spent 57 percent of her daily work time for such activities. The households earned 31 percent of their income from on-farm production and 69 percent from off-farm/non-farm employment. For household expenditures, food item ranked first in the list of priorities and the house repair and maintenance, least.

Results of the correlation test revealed that of all the variables in the means of production (farm size, means of work, household labor power) and household income from productive activities, which were tested against household size, none was found to have positive and significant correlation. However, simi Jar test revealed that the total land held in property had positive relationship with area cultivated. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that for both gross and net incomes, only five variables for productive activities significantly affected the household income. These were agricultural wage, remittance, employment, and tuba (native wine from coconut) gathering.