Comparative Analysis of Household Food Insecurity among Rice and Pineapple Farming Households in Calauan, Laguna, 2024

Date

6-2025

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Ruby Jane C. Estadilla

Committee Member

Geny F. Lapiña, Maria Angeles O. Catelo

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Abstract

Food insecurity remains a critical challenge among smallholder farmers in the Philippines, particularly in rural agricultural communities. This study examined and compared the extent of food insecurity experiences of rice and pineapple farming households in Calauan, Laguna. Primary data were obtained from 50 rice-farming households and 32 pineapple-farming households via face-to-face interviews. Secondary data collected from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Calauan Municipal Hall, and the Municipal Agriculturist’s Office (MAO) were used to access socioeconomic profiles and supplementary data relevant to the study. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to measure food insecurity levels, while dietary diversity was assessed using the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) based on a one-week food diary. Socioeconomic variables such as age and sex of household head, household size, household monthly income, household food expenditure, crop type, presence of backyard gardens, and access to food assistance programs were collected. Fisher’s Exact Test was employed to determine significant associations between food insecurity levels and these variables.

Additionally, the Mann-Whitney U Test was used to identify significant differences in socio- economic and dietary variables between rice and pineapple farming households. Results

revealed that 64.6 percent of households experienced food insecurity. Food security was higher among rice-farming households (44%) than pineapple-farming households (21.9%). Mild food insecurity was the most common level, and no rice-farming households reported severe food insecurity. Pineapple-farming households reported more severe experiences such as food-related concerns and reduced meal sizes. The HDDS analysis showed both groups had limited dietary diversity, primarily consuming staples with minimal intake of legumes and root crops. Fisher’s Exact Test indicated significant associations between food insecurity and income, crop type, and access to food assistance.

In conclusion, the study revealed significant differences in food security, dietary diversity, and socioeconomic conditions between the two farming groups. A large portion of both groups experience food insecurity, especially pineapple-farming households. Shorter crop cycles in rice farming allow for more frequent income, which contributes to better food security compared to pineapple farming, which involves longer gaps between income periods. Furthermore, access to food assistance programs was limited, with 68.3 percent of respondents reporting no access. To address these gaps, the following were recommended: (a) improve household dietary patterns through nutrition education and promotion of legumes and root crops via community gardening and crop subsidies; (b) strengthen the implementation of food assistance, livelihood, and employment programs; (c) diversify crop and with shorter cycle crops; and (d) expand research scope by including wider range of crops and evaluating the effectiveness of nutrition programs.

Language

English

LC Subject

Food security—Philippines, Rice farming, Pineapple industry

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2025 A14 P33

Notes

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Document Type

Thesis

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