Impacts of "Joy of Urban Farming" Program on Income Level and Food Consumption among its Beneficiaries in Bagong Silangan, Quezon City

Date

1-2024

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Salvador P. Catelo

Committee Member

Julieta A. Delos Reyes, Ma. Angeles O. Catelo

Abstract

One of the interventions being implemented to improve human health and nutrition in the urban fringe of Quezon City, Philippines is the “Joy of Urban Farming” program. One of its components is the New Greenland Community Model Farm (NGCMF) which aims to provide livelihood and alleviate hunger in the area.

This study was conducted in Bagong Silangan, Quezon City to know the effects of the model farm on the income level and food consumption of the urban farmer- beneficiaries. Constrained by the unavailability of farmer-respondents during the survey, the sample size was limited to 31 respondents.

Paired sample t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Fisher’s Z transformation were employed to satisfy the objectives of the study. The analyses were aided by the use of the quantifiable variables present in the Food Consumption Score Nutritional Quality Analysis (FCS-NQA). This was done to examine the food consumption levels of the households and assess their implications on nutrition.

Based on the analyses, the study found that the income level of households showed no significant difference before and after joining the program. This is because of the very small contribution of their income from urban farming to total household income, ranging from PhP 300 to PhP 500 per month from June to November and PhP 1,000 to PhP 2,000 per month from December to May. This relatively low income was heavily affected by the crops they cultivated. Meanwhile, an increase in vitamin A intake after joining the program was observed due to the increasing consumption of vegetables that were produced in the farm. The NGCMF provided in-kind giveaways that boosted in some ways the household consumption. However, the overall food consumption score showed no significant improvement after joining the program. Based on the FCS-NQA, the consumption of meat, fish, eggs, and fruits did not improve after joining the program. Furthermore, their real household income showed no significant relationship with their food consumption. Even if income of the beneficiaries from NGCMF did not increase much, the opportunity to bring home giveaways from the farm has reinforced the availability of food for consumption.

To improve the effectiveness of the program particularly with respect to income generation and nutrition improvement, proper identification of crops, calendaring of planting periods and regular record keeping are recommended. It is also recommended to build climate-proof facilities to further mitigate the effects of natural disasters in the flooded areas of the farm. Higher farm productivity would translate not only in terms of more income but at the same time more giveaways that would bridge more consumption of nutritious foods.

Language

English

LC Subject

Urban agriculture, Food consumption

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2024 A14 P39

Notes

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Document Type

Thesis

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