Assessment of the Effects of the Digital Farmers Program (DFP) on the Marketing Practices and Perception on Profitability of the Farmer-Beneficiaries, Central Luzon, 2023

Date

6-2023

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Julieta A. Delos Reyes

Committee Member

Agham C. Cuevas

Abstract

This study analyzed the effects of the Digital Farmers Program (DFP) on the marketing practices and perception on the profitability of the farmer-beneficiaries in Central Luzon. Primary data were obtained from the 52 farmer-beneficiaries via personal and phone interviews utilizing a pre-tested survey questionnaire designed to capture the respondents' Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices. Secondary data was also accessed from the database of the DA-ATI and PLDT-SMART Stakeholder Management Group. Data analysis tools included descriptive analysis and KAP Scoring. Fisher's Exact Test was also performed to verify the relationship between the affecting variables and marketing practices.

Results revealed that 48.05 percent of the farmer-beneficiaries were aged 51 years and above, equal participation was observed between males and females, a high proportion (36.54%) have a monthly income between Php10,957 to Php21,914, and 50 percent of the farmer-beneficiaries have been farming for 1-14.9 years. The study also found that 57.69 percent of the farmer-beneficiaries were cultivating multiple commodities, 50 percent have a farm size of less than 0.5 to 2.0 hectares, and are landowners. As for the youth companions, most (67.31%) were aged 18 to 25 years old while 15.38 percent have age ranges of 31 years and above. Most of the youth companions were female (57.69%), had tertiary education (51.92%), were not related to the farmer-beneficiaries (67.31%), and all of them are already engaged in agriculture prior to their training under the DFP.

As for the respondents' knowledge level, it was revealed that 65.38 percent were fairly knowledgeable. An improvement in their attitude was also observed from fair (3.12 weighted mean) to favorable (4.26 weighted mean) after the program. Although the respondents expressed a less favorable attitude towards selling to the middlemen after their training, their attitude is still considered fair at a weighted mean of 1.96. Before DFP 102, it was also found that most (66%) of the farmer-beneficiaries were already mixed farmers. After the training, 92 percent became mixed farmers while 8 percent remained as traditional farmers. In the test of independence, only commodity, knowledge level, and perception on profitability in terms of sales were found to have a significant relationship with the marketing practices. Limited slots for training participants, few training programs available, and the slow and intermittent internet connection in their area were the primary constraints encountered by the farmer-beneficiaries in adopting the extension program. With all this, the study's result affirms that the program has positive effect in terms of knowledge and perceived profitability but positive changes are not exclusively due to the program. Since farmer-beneficiaries were able to employ digital marketing practices, the program is still aligned with its objective of empowering farmers with digital skills.

Based on the findings of the study, the following were recommended: (a) strengthen the commitment of the LSAs to DA-ATI and their constituents; (b) follow stricter guidelines in accepting training participants; (c) widen the reach of the extension program; (d) update the training modules, execute follow-up training, and focus on hands-on activities; and (e) provide a constant extension program monitoring and do an overall program evaluation.

Language

English

LC Subject

Marketing, Farmers—Economic conditions

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2023 A14 S27

Notes

Viewing access to electronic resources is restricted solely to UP Gmail accounts. Any access and share requests from external organizations and personal email accounts will be promptly declined.

Document Type

Thesis

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS