Flood Adaptation Strategies of Leaders of Barangay-Level Farm Associations of Low-lying Smallholding Rice Farms in Pila, Laguna

Date

8-2021

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Romel M. Carlos

Committee Member

Romel M. Carlos, Jewel Joanna S. Cabardo, Melodee Marciana E. De Castro

Abstract

In the Philippines, half of its population live in urban areas, and the majority of it depends heavily on the agricultural sector. On average, about 20 typhoons hit the country in a year and more often than not, five of these typhoons bring severe damages to the agricultural industry all over the country.

One of the affected areas is the low-lying rice field farms. The town of Pila, Laguna is a third class municipality and their main source of income is agriculture. In fact, according to the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMA), the municipality was the top producer of rice from 2019 to 2020 in Laguna, as they contributed a 9.87% of the total production of rice in the province. However, the risk of being frequently hit by typhoons and extremely vulnerable to flooding due to the backflow of Laguna Lake, threatens the industry and production of rice in Pila. Thus, the study focused on low-lying small holding rice farmers. Furthermore, production losses of less than 10% can be the result of flood depending on the timing, concerning stage of growth, shorter duration and shallow flash floods. Whereas stagnant and deeper flood with two (2) weeks duration as well as it has over 100 cm depth can cause loss ranging from 40% to 77%.

As an agricultural municipality that frequently experiences flooding, the need for adaptation strategies of Pila farms is imperative for consideration. With the vulnerability of these farms to flood, this study was conducted to identify the different flood-adaptive strategies that can help minimize loss and optimize profit of low-lying smallholding rice farms in Pila, Laguna. In addition, it is specifically aimed to; describe the sociodemographic and farm profile of the leaders of barangay-level farm associations of low lying smallholding rice farms in Pila, Laguna; interpret the frequency of flooding and the impacts of submergence in the farm; identify and assess the different flood adaptation strategies used; and recommend the most appropriate and efficient adaptive strategies that can reduce loss and, improve the agricultural production and profit.

Through purposive sampling and upon the recommendation of the Municipal Agriculturist Officer (MAO), Mr. Camilo Palacol, seven (7) leaders of barangay-level farm associations of low-lying smallholding rice farms were chosen to be respondents of the study. They were personally interviewed by the researcher using interview guide. Furthermore, secondary and supporting information were gathered from reputable journals and research papers. The Municipal Government of Pila, Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO), Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC), and OMA provided the needed information about Pila, Laguna.

Qualitative research analysis was used to analyze the results of the study such as the frequency of flooding and the impacts of submergence to leaders of barangay-level farm associations of low-lying smallholding rice farms. On the other hand, case research method was used to identify different flood adaptation strategies practiced by the farm leaders. Finally, the study of Areola (2016) was adapted to assess the most appropriate and efficient flood adaptation strategy for the farm incremental cost and return analysis.

Based on the results, the ages of the rice farmers were relatively old as it ranges from 48 to 68 years old. In addition, the average age of the respondents was 57 years old, close to the average age of Filipino rice farmers of 55 years old. Most of the respondents’ highest educational attainment was high school, while the rest were elementary graduates. Some of the respondents did not manage to finish college due to financial problems. Additionally, results showed a significant variation in terms of farming experience, ranging from ten (10) to forty (40) years. In terms of their source of income, rice farming is considered as their primary source, while others have other source of income namely: sari-sari store, fish cage, vegetable crop farming, piggery, and duck Farming.

Regarding the leadership traits of the respondents and with accordance to Kouzes and Posner’s (2017) leadership qualities, respondents’ common traits were Model the Way and Enables Others to Act. Five of the seven farm leaders all share the same leadership qualities, which are Models the Way, Enables Others to Act, and Encourages the Heart.

Under farm profiles, only the size and location of the farm were presented. The smallest farmland was 1.0 hectare (ha), while the largest was 3.0 ha. Finally, in terms of location, three (3) farms are located alongside Laguna Lake, the other farms are within northeast of Pila, middle part, west, distant to lakeside.

The frequency of flooding and impacts of submergence were interpreted. In terms of flood frequency, three farms experience flooding one to two times a year. There were also three farms that experience flooding once a year or none at all.

Factors that may affect flooding in the farm areas are typhoons, heavy rains, overflow of Laguna Lake, physical environment around the farm, and management practice. The frequency of flooding was categorized into rarely (0-1 occurrence), sometimes (2-3 occurrence), and always (3-4 occurrence). On the other hand, the impact of submergence in the farm was categorized into low (0-25% yield loss), low to moderate (25-50% yield loss), and moderate (50-75% yield loss). Variability in yield losses was illustrated, as flooding circumstances through different areas is complex. The least decrease in yield was zero to 1.59 MT/ha, while the farm with the most production decreases had 2.50 MT/ha loss.

The five flood adaptation strategies that were identified were the following: (1) acquiring crop insurance, (2) changing the crop calendar, (3) early harvesting, (4) installation of waterways, and (5) diversification of income-generating and livelihood activities. Each of these was examined in relation to the key determinant factors of the seven (7) farm leaders on which of strategy to implement on their respective farms. These factors are: the farm leaders’ educational attainment, farming experience, income level, access to credit, leadership qualities, and their farm’s size, location, frequency of flooding and impact of submergence Among the five adaptation strategies, crop insurance and changing the crop calendar are the two that are practiced by all of the farm leaders and are considered to be the most basic and necessary strategies that they implement in order to avoid yield loss and ensure farm profit. Early harvesting, on the other hand, is practiced by four leaders whose farms are located in a predominantly low elevation and are more prone to a higher frequency of flooding.

With regard to diversification of income generating and livelihood activities, two farm leaders use fish caging and vegetable farming as another source of income since they experience flooding more often and are located alongside the lake. These two respondents share other various similarities such as their age, the same leadership qualities, and relatively more years and experience when it comes to farming.

For the last flood adaptation strategy, only two farm leaders implement the installation of waterways. These two also share various common determinant factors such as their relatively high educational attainment and low farming experience, and the same income level. These two farms both also showed low impacts of submergence due to the installed waterways, hence the farm leaders’ decision to make this flood adaptation strategy into a regular part of their farms’ management. Results also showed that the farm leaders’ ability to adopt another flood adaptation strategy is dependent mainly on their income level but may also include other factors such as the farm’s location, frequency of flooding, and impact of submergence.

After recognizing and analyzing the real status and experiences of the low-lying smallholding rice farms and farmers in Pila, it is recommended for the farm leaders to implement installation of waterways in their respective farms. Canals or waterways will help the farm by avoiding and reducing yield losses caused by flood. In addition, it is recommended for the farm leaders to explore the use of submergence-tolerant rice varieties, specifically, IR 64 Sub 1/Submarino 1 (NSIC Rc194) and IR 119/RC 68. These varieties are inbred seeds and can be reused for planting given the purity of the seeds are maintained.

Additionally, the researcher recommended that the Department of Agriculture, International Rice Research Institute, and other concerned entities to research and provide stronger varieties that could handle different types of flooding and submergence for the farmers to have reduced losses during typhoons.

As for government institutions, the researcher recommended that Philippine Crop Insurance (PCIC) fast track implementation of index-based insurance schemes as well as reviewing and improving legislative measures to ensure efficient funding of crop insurance. In addition, it was recommended for National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to act for the provision of irrigation systems for all farm areas in the municipality since few rice farms have the privilege to use the Pump Irrigation System.

Since Pila, Laguna has been the top producer of rice in Laguna from 2018 to 2020, the national, provincial, and the local government units may help maintain this status throughout the following years by providing the farmer additional support. These agencies are recommended to disseminate hazardous warnings and information about natural disasters as soon as possible and are advised to be consistent and systematic for the farmers to avoid production losses and for them to have ample time in applying appropriate farm management for an incoming natural hazard. Other tool that may help is holding regular seminars about farm management practices and adaptation strategies for additional knowledge. Public and private sectors may also provide options for additional sources of income and diversification of the farmers’ livelihoods.

Language

English

LC Subject

Agriculture, Economic Aspects

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993 2021 M17 L33

Document Type

Thesis

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