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Correlates of productivity among Tobacco Farmers of Isabel.
Dissertation Abstract:
Main objective of the study were to identify some socioeconomic factors significantly related to farmers’ productivity and to develop a productivity model for tobacco farmers.
An interview schedule was used to gather pertinent data on 334 male farmers in six barrios of six municipalities in Isabela. Percentage, means standard deviations, Pearson’s product-moment correlation and stepwise regression technique were used in data analysis.
Findings showed that the tobacco farmers had a mean age of 41.5 years and their wives, 38.1 years. Average number of children was 5 and of persons in the household, 7. Husbands’ and wives’ educational attainment was a little over 5th grade. Experience in tobacco farming averaged 15.9 years. Average annual earnings were P476.90 from other employments and P940.80 from crops other than tobacco.
Average tobacco farm size was .8 hectare and distance from the town market, 2.56 km. Average tobacco production per hectare was 20.7 quintals (954 kg) worth P283.00/quintal. Other crops usually raised were corn, peanut, mungo, vegetables, cowpeas, rice and camote. Main sources of agricultural information were relatives, friends, and radio farm programs.
Foremost among farmers’ aspirations were acquiring additional farm area, sending children to college, and increasing farm income. They expressed willingness to speculate on high prices for their produce, engage in crop diversification, secure credit for additional farm inputs, and expand their tobacco acreage. In general, they manifested entrepreneurial ability, scoring high in perceived probability of success, novel instrumental activity and long-range planning.
A model of productivity for tobacco farmers was developed based on seven identified correlates. Regression analysis showed that tobacco productivity could be increased by .75, .31, 1.28, .28, .30, and .003 units if respective unit increases were made in farmers’ education, aspirations, entrepreneurships, risk-taking attitude, source of farm information, level of living, and credit.