Sociocultural structure and technical efficiency among the indigenous farmers in Albay, Batanes, and Compostela Valley, 2008

Date

4-2012

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Quilloy, Antonio Jesus A.

Co-adviser

Gordoncillo, Prudencio U.

Committee Member

Lantican, Flordeliza A.

Abstract

The study aimed to find empirical evidences that will show if technical efficiency is dependent on sociocultural structure; that is, whether technical efficiency increases as social structure becomes more complex. Based on a sample of 297 indigenous farmers in Albay, Batanes, and Compostela Valley, classified according to the complexity of sociocultural organization, the technical efficiency analysis did not show any marked relationship between farm-level technical efficiency and complexity in socio-cultural organization. In some instances, simple societies (i.e., neighborhood-oriented) registered the highest level of technical efficiency. On the other hand, semi-complex societies (i.e., village-oriented) had relatively low technical efficiency. However, if taken at the extreme, family-oriented societies (most simple society) were significantly less technically efficient than those societies that had the most complex form of socio- organization (community-oriented). By and large, neighborhood-oriented and community-oriented societies appeared to be nearer to their production frontier as compared to the family-oriented and village oriented-societies. The observed differences in technical efficiency among the four groups indigenous farmers may have resulted from: (1) differences in production input productivities; (2) differences in current level of farming technology; and (3) differences in the socioeconomic characteristics among famers. Land and labor were the key production factors that increase farm output. Among the more simple societies, indigenous production practices, such as offering to their deities and following the lunar calendar, had negative effect on output. Meanwhile, production among more complex societies was only significantly affected by land and labor, and indigenous practices had no market effect on output. Results of the study also indicated a significant technological gap among village-oriented and family-oriented farmers. The study also found that age and farming experience significantly affected indigenous farmers’ level of technical efficiency, especially for the more simple societies. For more complex societies, security in land ownership appeared to have a key role in increasing technical efficiency. Thus far, the study suggests that the design of policies and programs targeted at improving the welfare of indigenous farmers should not be broad-based. The policy design should adopt a “bottom-up” approach so that cultural nuances and other social idiosyncrasies are considered. This approach may facilitate program adoption and active participation among indigenous farmers.

Language

English

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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