Natural disaster preparedness of selected coconut farms in Calauan and San Pablo, Laguna

Date

5-2016

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Nohreen Ethel P. Manipol

Abstract

This research intended to assess the disaster preparedness of coconut farmers in Calauan and San Pablo, Laguna. Specifically, this study aimed to: 1) present the profile of coconut farmers and their farms 2) identify their preparation practices and determine their perceived degree of preparedness with respect to natural disasters 3) discuss the possible factors that affect their degree of disasters preparedness and 4) formulate recommendations for government/private sector and coconut farmers regarding possible practices to mitigate the effects of natural disaster. Descriptive design of research was used in this study. Primary data were gathered through personal interview with coconut farmers. Stratified random sampling was used in determining the number of respondents needed. A total of 61 coconut farmers (36 in Calauan and 25 in San Pablo) were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Pre-determined respondents have been acquired from the masterlist of coconut farmers in Calauan and San Pablo Laguna provided by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in Alaminos, Laguna. There were more male respondents (64%) than female respondents (36%), and most of the respondents (90%) were more than 40 years of age. Many of them had not reached tertiary level of education. Most of them (72%) were married. Forty-eight percent of the respondents had other sources of income from employment and small businesses. Majority of the respondents (56%) had household size composed of 2 to 5 people. Very few of them (10%) were members of coconut-related organizations. Thirty-four percent of respondents had more than 40 years of experience in coconut farming. Majority of the respondents (51%) had coconut farms of 1 to 4 hectares. Most of the respondents (72%) were tenant. As for government support, majority of the farmers (66%) were unaware of common support. However, for respondents who were aware of support, there were more (23%) who report receiving common support from PCA than those who claimed they did not (11%) receive support. In terms of hazard-related support, majority (87%) were aware of this type of support, and many of them were able to receive this support (75%). In general, coconut farmers were unsatisfied with the support being given to them for their farms. For those who were able to receive common support, more respondents (71%) reported that the support provided was not enough, and for those who received hazard-related support, more respondents (59%) also reported that the support provided was not enough. According to a number of respondents, the support provided did not bring any improvement in their farming system, and the measures taken by the PCA against cocolisap did not really mitigate it. They claimed it was mainly because of the occurrence of Typhoon Glenda that the cocolisap was eradicated. It was also found that the respondents had a high degree of awareness of natural disasters like typhoons (100%) and pests/diseases (75%). However, they claimed that their awareness of disasters had minimum impact on their ability to prepare their farms against them. Farmers harvested their coconuts early to secure their income against typhoons, and monitored their coconut farms and cut and burn infested leaves whenever there were pest/disease infestations. The farmers were found to have a low degree of preparedness to natural disasters. Although they were always aware of incoming natural disasters, their preparedness was affected by a number of factors such as the nature of the crop, farm distance from their household, number of planted trees, level of information about pests and diseases, and the budget for pesticides, seedling, and equipment. Recommendations were formulated for coconut farmers and the government sector. For coconut farmers, the recommendations were focused on pre- and post-disaster practices. For pre-disaster practices, farmers could harvest before the disasters? occurrence to secure their income. They could provide secured places for harvested produce to prevent possible damages. Farmers with more than 520 coconut trees (>4 hectare land size) in their farm should consider hiring additional workers to ensure efficiency in harvesting. For post-disaster practices, farmers can temporarily look for other jobs to earn income for farm rehabilitation, if needed. They can consider the availability of remittances and/or loans from lending institutions. Farmers with less than 520 coconut trees (<4 hectare land size) in their farm, in intensively intercropped farms, should intensify clearing operations by hiring additional workers for faster clearing operations. For the government sector, information campaigns about pests and diseases can be intensified by establishing an information disseminating organization, exclusively for coconut farmers.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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