Factors Affecting the Intention to Use Mechanized Harvesters of Sugar Farmers in Tarlac Province Sugar Farmers in Tarlac Province

Date

5-2024

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Gemma U. Reyes

Committee Member

Rolando Allam, Jr., Rachelle A. Mariano, Melodee Marciana E. De Castro

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Abstract

The sugar industry has been a significant part of the Philippines' economy, especially during the Spanish colonial period when sugarcane became a primary cash crop. Today, more than 80,000 farmers cultivate sugarcane across the country, with smallholder farms dominating the landscape. However, the industry faces challenges such as labor shortages, increasing costs, and the need for modernization.

One potential solution to these challenges is the adoption of mechanized harvesters, which offer increased efficiency and productivity. The successful adoption of this technology depends on factors like perceived ease of use and usefulness, as well as attitudes toward new technology. Studies have shown that farmers' optimism and innovativeness positively influence their perception of mechanized harvesters' ease of use and usefulness.

The study analyzed the responses of 381 sugarcane farmers in Tarlac province using the Technology Readiness Index (TRI) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) frameworks, along with socio-demographic factors. The participants are stratified into two according to size of land owned. Statistical tests such as Kendall’s tau-b correlation and multiple regression analysis to understand the influence of these factors on the perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and use intention of mechanized harvesters in sugar farms in Tarlac.

The findings supported the hypotheses of the TRI and TAM models, showing that optimism and innovativeness positively influenced the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of mechanized harvesters. The results for small hold farms suggest that individual readiness indicators like optimism, innovativeness, and anxiety positively influence users' acceptance and intention to use technology, and insecurity have the opposite effect. Similarly, optimism showed a positive relationship with the use intention of medium to large farms, while innovativeness shares the opposite. Interestingly, anxiety and optimism does not affect the use intention of medium to large farms.

For both strata, socio-demographic factors generally do not play a significant role, except for education level, which positively influences users' perceptions and intentions. While income negatively affects the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of small hold farms. In general, farmers are willing and able to use mechanized harvesters, some were still hesitant or unaware of their presence. The benefits of the mechanized harvester are crucial to increasing the likelihood of technology adoption rather than the simplicity of the technology.

This study focuses on sugar farmers in Tarlac Province and aims to assess their intention to use mechanized harvesters. By understanding the factors influencing their acceptance or resistance to this technology, the research aims to provide insights for policymakers and stakeholders in the sugar industry. The findings could lead to strategies that encourage technology adoption, ultimately leading to a more efficient and sustainable sugar industry in Tarlac Province and the Philippines.

Language

English

LC Subject

Sugar trade, Harvesting machinery

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993 2024 M17 T56

Notes

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Document Type

Thesis

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