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The Integration of Rice Farmers into Barrio Associations in the UPLBCA/SEARCA Social Laboratory at Pila, Laguna.
Dissertation Abstract:
The study was conducted to determine: the characteristics of the rice farmer-members of barrio associations (Samahang Nayon) in the Social Laboratory at Pila, the degree of acceptance by the farmers of their integration into barrio association, problems of operation encountered by each barrio association, differences in productivity and income of the farmer-members, and factors associated with these differences.
Respondents in the study were 119 rice farmers, or 40% of the active members of nine barrio association in the Social Laboratory area. Data were gathered by means of an interview schedule in Pilipino. Findings were reported in ranges, percentages, means and standard deviation, while relationships among variables were analyzed with the use of Pearson’s product-moment coefficient of correlation, F-test and Duncan multiple range test.
Findings revealed the following characteristics of the farmer-respondent (averages): age, 45.39 years; length of residence in their barrios, 39.22 years; educational attainment, elementary school level; children per family, 5.22; household members, 6.64; farm area, 1.73 hectares; and rice farming experience, 23.16 years. The farmers’ average rice production per hectare for two croppings (1973-1974) was 194.19 cavans and net income, P3,778.72. Average farm loan for the 1973-1974 crop year was P1,475.95 per hetare.
Of the 119 respondents, 71% favored their integration into the barrio association, but the rest did not seem to be happy about it. The majority willingly joined the barrio association to avail themselves of loans and to acquire farm information, experience and techniques in the rice production. Some of the farmers, however, were urged to join just to comply with the Presidential Decree.
Important problems encountered by the barrio associations were limited funds, non-settlement of financial obligations by some members, limited power to discipline erring members and under current rivalry among the officers.
The farmers unanimously credit the Social Laboratory technicians for the increased production and net income. Among the factors considered in the study, farming experience and amount of credit were found significantly related to productivity and net income
The study further revealed that: (a) the farmers’ entrepreneurial attitude was associated with their aspirations, expectations and risk-taking attitude; (b) their aspirations were related to risk-taking and technical farm information gained; (c) farming experience and risk-taking attitude were correlated with technical farm information gained; and (d) farmers’ expectations were associated with risk-taking attitude and sources and channels of farm information.