Socio-Cultural and economics correlates of farming systems at Bagong Silang, Los Baños

Date

1987

Abstract

The study described the farming systems in Bagong Silang, Los Banos situated within the Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve, and the socio-cultural and economic circumtances of the farmers. It also examined the extent to which socio- cultural and economic variables are associated with farming systems identified. Structured interview schedules were used in gathering data for both the preliminary investigation phase and the formal survey phase of the study. Unstructured interviews with the Barangay Captain and other key informants were also conducted. Upland farmers who are household heads composed the respondents of the study. Generally, the respondents belong to the middle-age group, have low level of educational attainment and have a mean annual gross income of P16,405.70. Cropping system served as the basis for classifying farming systems in the area since other components such as livestock production and involvement in non- and off-farm enterprises play relatively minor roles as compared to crop production.

13 There are four cropping systems in the area namely : intercropped annuals (IA), intercropped perennials (IP), intercropped annuals and perennials (IAP), intercropped annuals-intercropped perennials (IAIP). The intercropped annuals was treated as a special category since there are only two respondents adopting it. Thus, quantitative and qualitative analysis were focused on the other three cropping systems. Of the 24 variables tested for association with farming systems, only four were found to be significant using the chi-square method. These are : family life cycle stage, interaction with neighbors, identification and interaction with leaders in the community and size of land cultivated. Respondents in the beginning and contracting stages of family life cycle adopt the IP cropping systems, while those in the expanding and the retirement stages adopt the IAP system. Respondents who interact with neighbors in social and economic terms adopt the IAP and the IAIP cropping systems, while those who interact with neighbors on social terms adopt the IP cropping systems. Respondents who have interaction only which the barrio captain adopt an IP cropping combination, while those who interact with the barrio captain as well as the councilors adopt the IAP or IAP corpping system. Respondents with large size of land for cultivation adopt the IA, IP and IAP cropping system, while those with small land size cultivated adopt the IAIP cropping combination. The qualitative analysis of the study, showed taht variables such as : use of hired labor, number of farm parcels owned, household size, and ethno-linguistic identification of respondents also affect variations of farming systems in the area.

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree

Master of Science in Environmental Science

College

School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM)

Language

English

LC Subject

Bagong Silang--Los Baños, Laguna--Socio conditions. Agricultural systems--Philippines--Bagong Silang, Los Baños, Laguna.

Location

UPLB School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM)

Call Number

LG 995 1987 E8 A85

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