Philippines Farmers Capacity-Strengthening Programs Review PDF

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE Review of related literature is a critical examination of existing research and scholarly works relevant to the research topic, aimed at providing context, identifying gaps, informing methodology, supporting arguments, and generating insights for the current...

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE Review of related literature is a critical examination of existing research and scholarly works relevant to the research topic, aimed at providing context, identifying gaps, informing methodology, supporting arguments, and generating insights for the current study. This study was able to gather sources from review literature and review journals using google scholar, sciencedirect and researchgate. The topics presented in this study are the Farmers Organizations, Demographic Profiles of Farmers, Capacity-strengthening Programs and the Currents State of Capacity-strengthening Programs in the Philippines, Effectiveness of Capacity-strengthening Programs in terms of Social Effectiveness, Economic Effectiveness, Cultural Effectiveness, and Environmental Effectiveness, also the Sustainable Farming Practices of Farmers Organizations. Farmers Organizations Farmers' Organizations (FOs) play an important role in promoting agricultural growth by supporting farmers with common issues such as agricultural supplies, loans, technical knowledge, and advertising. According to a study conducted by Nurliza, Aditya Nugraha, et al. (2022), the services given by these organizations are intended to improve agricultural activities and produce economic gains that benefit farmers in general. Similarly, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) defines Farmers' Organizations as independent Organizations of small-scale agricultural producers, such as cooperatives and unions, that operate through participation. Whether at the local community level or in the context of multinational campaigns, all of these groups have the same goal: to advance their members' interests by providing an environment for self-expression and advocacy. One of Farmers' Organizations' primary functions is to provide educational and extension  13 services, which are frequently used by various sorts of farming groups and have a significant positive influence. These services seek to fill knowledge about skill, and experience gaps around manufacturing decisions and procedures. They include a wide range of topics, such as input application, farming techniques, production systems, market data, health and safety measures, management and business skills, and governance of the environment and sustainability. Demographic Profile of Farmers Cavite's 7th Congressional District is one of the eight Congressional Districts of the Philippines in the Province of Cavite. Agriculture is still very much alive in Cavite despite the industrialization of the Province. According to Emi Et al. (2023), indicates that most farmers in selected farmers organizations in the 7th district of the Province of Cavite are from ages 40 to 48 years old, which belongs to Gen X. Gen X farmers also undergo significant identity transformations as they navigate the agricultural realm. For example, they play a number of social roles in overcoming conflicts with fellow farmers due to gaps in access to technology. These farmers also act as mediators and self-help extension agents for their colleagues. Farmer PM is perceived as a self-supporting extension worker for other farmers, specifically in agricultural mechanization. However, the findings contradicted according to the study of Valero et al. (2019) majority of the respondents belong to the older age brackets of 41 to 50 years old, followed by those who belong to the 51 to 60 years age group with 22.2 percent. The study of Tapia Et al. (2018) examined the involvement of women in agricultural decision-making among farming households. The majority of male farmers indicates the necessity for focused programs to enhance gender diversity in agricultural activities. Addressing challenges to women's participation, such as access to resources, training, and decision-making positions, may contribute to a more balanced and fair agricultural community. But as circumstances change,  14 initiatives to advance gender equality in agriculture are gradually enabling more women to work as farmers. Meanwhile, based on the study of Mishra Et al. (2017) women make essential contributions to the agricultural and rural economies in all countries. Women are involved in a variety of production and farm management activities. In the Philippines, Farmers represent a comprehensive demographic profile. According to the study of Delco (2020) the regression analysis result explains that married farmworkers are of better health status than non-married ones in the same manner as farm owners than non-owners. Being married and as farm owners bring considerable benefits to the family. Married people tend to become more active as they gain constant support from their mates when making decisions about the farm. Landowners tend to be assured of a stable farm income which is advantageous in order to maintain family finances. If various needs are met, there will be fewer worries, thus, making a person not only healthy psychologically but also physically. Also, the findings supported by the study of Alice T. Valero et al. (2019) majority of the respondents (72.9%) are married while the rest (12.8%) are single. Based on the study of Delco (2020), 75.9 percent of farmers have 1-5 family members, whereas 22.4 percent have 6-10, indicating a tendency toward lower family size. It is only good to note that 50 percent of the farmers had a small household size (3-5 members) so they can support the basic needs for fewer family members. The study’s findings are contradicting by Alice T. Valero et al. (2019) their household size ranged from 1 to 14 members with mean and standard deviation of 5.66 or approximately 6 and 2 members, respectively. Most of them (61.2%) were employed practicing their professions while 28.4 percent were self employed. About 2.6% were retired from their previous work while only 7.8 percent were recorded unemployed. Other sources of income are agriculture and fishing. In addition, Delco (2020) emphasizes the potential need for educational and capacity-strengthening programs to help farmers improve their skills and knowledge,  15 particularly in areas such as modern farming techniques, financial management, and embracing technology. Providing access to further education or vocational training may improve productivity, encourage innovation in farming operations, and empower farmers to better respond to changing agricultural trends. Farmers who are uneducated or with little formal education have greater tendencies to face a higher health risk, for instance, when using pesticides due to their difficulties in understanding the instructions and safety procedures included on the product labels. In contrast, Nyantika, Martha M. and Aming, Nemwel N. (2015) the study revealed that education attainment did not influence the use of the different types of fertilizers. The worldwide context of the demographic profile of farmers, regarding their monthly income, is limited by a lack of access to resources such as modern tools, quality seeds, and loans, along with small-scale farming. Poor market access, middlemen, and infrastructure challenges can have a negative impact on earnings. According to Financial Literacy and Income Distribution of Rice Farmers - IIARI,” 2024) (2021). Local farmers often earn only around P5000 pesos because of different factors like challenges faced in rural areas, structure of the agricultural industry, and socio-economic conditions. Financial literacy is based on attitude and behavior; family needs have an inverse correlation. Farmers who are low-income earners prioritize family needs and have a positive attitude and behavior toward paying their debts. The study’s findings were contradicted by Alice T. Valero et al. (2019) the recorded mean monthly income of the respondents was relatively low at P17,022.78 with incomes ranging from P10.500 to P200,000. This was followed by those who fall under the income bracket P15,001 to P30,000 at 33.9 percent. Only a small group of respondents can earn P31,000 and above every month recorded at only 9.6 percent. Meanwhile, in terms of the number of years in farming of Farmers, Local farmers who inherit their land from their ancestors frequently began working on the farm at an early age, sometimes as early as their childhood. Large number of farmers  16 begin working at an early age and may stay in the same field for a considerable amount of their lives. Based on the study of Achilles Et al. (2014) young farmers can bring new skills and energy, and a more professional management to the farming sector. Against the context of an ageing agricultural labour force, the future of the farmers’ profession must be ensured. Thus, European Unions’ Common Agricultural Policy pays particular attention to the decline in young farmers, having established different policy measures and motives for new entrants in agriculture. Support to the setting up of young farmers includes support to facilitate the initial establishment and the structural adjustment of their holding afterwards. Lastly, the Farmers type of land ownership, farmers tend to struggle to afford land due to limited financial resources, lack of access to credit, and insufficient farming income. High land prices and challenges in securing loans prevent them from becoming landowners, forcing many to work as caretakers for landowners in exchange for wages or a share of the crops. While this arrangement provides short-term income, it limits their ability to build wealth or secure long-term stability. According to the study of Delco (2020) many of the farmers surveyed are non-owners of land, in this case, they could not easily employ immediate farm decisions whenever needed unlike the farm owners who have more control over their farms as to land usage. Basically, the majority of those earning the lowest annual income were non-owners of land working as either maintainers, tenants or lessees. Their annual income lies below the threshold poverty level income of the country. However, the findings contradicted the study of Koirala et al. (2014) results that show that land ownership plays an important role in rice production. In particular, compared to owner operators, farmers who lease land are less productive. Additionally, the result shows that land area, irrigation and labor cost are significant factors affecting rice production.  17 Capacity-strengthening Programs A capacity-strengthening program is an arrangement of formal and informal, short or long-term educational activities designed to help a farmer or group of farmers accomplish specific goals. According to Ketemaw Melkamu Wonde et al. (2022) the agricultural training interventions in particular are intended to help farmers by facilitating the transfer of information or skills on specific agrarian concerns. The capacity-strengthening programs discuss the following programs such as (1) coconut seedling production; (2) natural insect attractants; (3) hydroponics in modern farming practices; (4) good agricultural practices in fruits and vegetables; (5) proper feeding of tilapia; (6) crop management corn production; (7) rice seed production and farm mechanization; (8) coffee tree pest management, cacao fermentation, drying, and bean grading, and (9) proper handling of infectious animals. Key strategy to introduce new technologies that can boost productivity and reduce poverty in rural areas. Agricultural education and training programs aim to develop human resources and support the growth of rural economies globally. Education, along with training and extension services, plays a critical role in human development and the modernization of rural areas. It is essential to establish networks for training and extension that address the needs of both men and women to improve skills, productivity, and income generation. Small farmers often face challenges such as poverty, limited market access, and scarce livelihood opportunities, relying on traders and middlemen for the coordination, transport, and sale of their produce. These farmers usually receive volatile, market-based compensation, which limits their ability to achieve profitability. Despite efforts to strengthen capacity, many programs struggle to address these challenges effectively. Enhancing agricultural productivity and increasing household income are crucial steps toward reducing poverty (Factura et al., 2022). The Current State of Capacity-strengthening Programs in the Philippines, has expanded at multiple stages across the world. It happens frequently in the Philippines  18 to improve the knowledge, skills, and capacities of farmers, extension agricultural workers, and other participants. These programs often address a variety of aspects of agricultural development, such as sustainable farming methods, technological adoption, access to markets, and environmental resistance. Farmers are trained by the Department of Agriculture. These programs address various matters, such as modern agricultural practices, pest control, and post-harvest technology. Capacity-strengthening Programs are implemented in collaboration with Local Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the government. These programs may concentrate on sustainable agriculture, improved livelihoods, and community development. Capacity-strengthening Programs in the Philippines have to adapt in terms of agricultural technical improvement. Investing in agricultural technology innovation is essential for developing a durable and resilient agriculture sector capable of fulfilling future needs while addressing environmental and social issues. It encourages a more productive, efficient, and sustainable approach to food production (Ndlela Sithembiso et al. 2023). Natural Insect Attractants (NIA) The effectiveness of push-pull systems potentially varies with changes associated with plant and pest development, and under the influence of exogenous abiotic and biotic factors. Plant traits relevant to host selection vary with crop maturity and growth stage. Push-pull technology also can affect natural enemies, potentially enhancing biological control by the following: concentrating pests in the trap crop, where they can be more readily encountered by natural enemies, providing resources for natural enemies, such as floral or extrafloral, directly affecting natural enemy behavior (Eigenbrode et al. 2015). Hydroponics in Modern Farming Practices Hydroponic cultivation techniques, cultivation in nutrient solution with or without substrates, is a successful alternative to traditional agriculture. Hydroponic  19 cultivation eliminates potential problems caused by soil contamination with heavy metals and pesticide residues or by complex soil-nutrient relationships, allows lower water consumption, and precise and balanced plant nutrition according to the needs of the cultivated species to ensure high yields and nutrient-rich raw material. Hydroponics takes advantage of the fact that plants can synthesize all necessary metabolic products from inorganic ions, water and CO2 using solar energy. All nutrients are provided in their inorganic form by the water solution according to the average requirement of a particular crop during cultivation, but some organic compounds, such as iron chelates, may also be present (Opacic, Radman et al. 2022). Practices in Fruits and Vegetables Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) made its first appearance in 1988. Then, in 2004, the Thai Government created the Quality Good Agricultural Practices standard for food safety certification. In the following year, ThaiGAP was launched by the Thai Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the National Food Institute of Thailand and Thailand’s Kasetsart University. ThaiGAP is a standard on production quality management of fruits and vegetables that focus on food safety and standardized production systems. GAP is a guideline for the management of agricultural produce, from seed preparation, planting, maintenance, harvesting through to post-harvesting. The aim is to create safety standards for both domestic and international markets while minimizing environmental damage (Laos Utusan, Shivakoti et al. 2019). Proper Feeding of Tilapia Feed management practices significantly impact the production performance of tilapia (Oreochromis species) culture economically; hence, adopting appropriate feed management strategies is vital to maximize returns. The advancement in aquaculture has also allowed an advancement in the development of formulated feeds to supplement or replace natural feeds. Farmers are now able to prepare their  20 own fish feeds from locally available ingredients. Hence, feed ingredient evaluation is crucial for better development of appropriate diets for different aquaculture species as well as nutritional research. A detailed discussion of feed ingredient processing strategies like fermentation, heat treatment, germination, and other biological methods meant to improve the nutritional quality of the feed and minimize antinutritional factors is provided. Furthermore, information on how genetic selection is being used to enhance feed utilization in tilapia fish is provided (Thandile Tanzile et al. 2022). Crop Management Corn Production Postharvest losses and their management practices of maize production in their country were overviewed. Agriculture is vital for addressing food security problems. Agriculture contributes to overcoming the food security problem through growth that distributes its benefits as widely as possible by increasing production and productivity. About 30 to 50 percent postharvest loss is because inappropriate collection, transport, storage and pest control systems in the said places were found to be massive for different cereal grains. To minimize losses and increase the shelf life of the food grains which inhibit the growth of pests and provide proper storage facilities, appropriate packaging materials and transportation facilities are required. A corrective suggestion on suitable approaches to loss reduction in postharvest handling of maize grains was reviewed. As a result of the review, it concludes that further studies are needed concerning physical, bio-chemical and socio-economic aspects at each production level (Yimer Arebu Hussen, 2022). Rice Seed Production and Farm Mechanization Hybrid rice technology has contributed significantly toward food security, environmental protection and employment opportunities in China. Since the mid-1990s, this technology has also been developed and introduced to farmers in  21 India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and the United States, either independently or in close collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines. Several other countries, such as Egypt, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the Republic of Korea, as well as Myanmar, developed hybrid rice technology in collaboration with IRRI. However, the yield advantage of these first two hybrids was not significant compared to existing inbred varieties (Naing Kyi et al. 2019). Coffee Tree Pest Management Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs for control of Coffee Berry Borer have been proposed that would combine cultural, biological, chemical control, and post-harvest sanitation practices. Development of Effective Coffee Berry Borer Integrated Pest Management programs requires detailed knowledge of the population dynamics of the target pest and its natural enemies. Over the last 30 years, Coffee Berry Borer population dynamics have been intensively studied due to the severity of the economic losses Coffee Berry Borer causes to small and medium size coffee farmers worldwide. However, most studies on Coffee Berry Borer ecology and its control have focused on assessing infestations and the effects of management strategies at the plot level. Additional research has focused on understanding the contribution of natural enemies in controlling Coffee Berry Borer populations to inform development of conservation biocontrol strategies (Sergio Vilchez-Mendoza et al. 2022). Cacao Fermentation, Drying, and Bean Grading Postharvest treatments are very important to the quality of cocoa finished products as they initiate the formation of chocolate flavor precursors and affect the brown colouration of cocoa products. In Ghana, postharvest operations are done manually and excellently by small-scale farmers, leading to superior quality  22 specifications. This is the major reason why Ghanaian cocoa has received a worldwide reputation as the ingredient of preference by quality-oriented cocoa products manufacturers. The processing chain of cocoa beans consists of two critical steps, namely fermentation and drying. Fermentation and drying are both essential steps affecting the quality of the final product. These steps are the major determinants of the acceptability or rejection of beans on the international market. Poor fermentation of cocoa beans leads to poor-quality chocolate (Ackah & Dompey, 2021). Proper Handling of Infectious Animals The rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance is a growing global threat that limits the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment which has been linked to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. In particular, several low and Middle-Income Countries are reported to have high and inappropriate usage of antibiotics in the livestock sector driven by demand for animal protein and weak regulations. Unfortunately, Low and Middle Income Countries are also more susceptible to the negative consequences of antibiotic resistance for human health due to a weaker health system and lack of alternative treatment strategies. This study showed that the knowledge on antibiotics and antibiotic resistance is very poor among smallholder pig farmers in Timor-Leste. The low level of use of antibiotics in smallholder pig farming is reflective of the low input-output production system and limited farmer access to veterinary services. Among farmers whose pigs received antibiotics, it was positive that the purpose of use was exclusively for disease treatment and none of the antibiotics were CIAs. Farmer knowledge and practices on antibiotic use could be most effectively improved through knowledge dissemination via well-trained technicians since farmers identified them as a common source of antibiotic knowledge and supply (Ting Shawn et al. 2022).  23 Effectiveness of Capacity-strengthening Programs Agriculture plays a vital role in the economies of developing countries, providing food, jobs, and raw materials while enhancing the welfare of poor producers. Agricultural extension workers are crucial in increasing productivity by delivering practical information to farmers, as noted by Jasim, Man et al. (2016). Agricultural development remains a priority for many nations, as it accounts for over 60 percent of regional employment and is a significant contributor to GDP. Farmers' capacity-strengthening programs focus on training and equipping farm families to tackle new agricultural challenges. Youth unemployment and underemployment are major concerns, leading to lower future income, job dissatisfaction, and potential social unrest. To address this, skills-based training programs are being implemented in low- and middle-income countries to engage youth in agricultural employment. These programs include agriculture-related courses, vocational training, and entrepreneurship skills, aiming to improve employment in the agricultural sector, farm productivity, and income generation (W. H. Eugenie Maïga et al., 2020). However, strengthening local capacities in rural communities remains a significant challenge due to limited access to quality inputs and best practices. Extension workers and farmers struggle with inadequate resources, which affects productivity. Empowering farmers through access to high-quality inputs, affordable techniques, and capacity-strengthening services is essential for improving farm productivity. Capacity development is an ongoing process that allows individuals and organizations to enhance their performance and contribute to agricultural growth (Kumari, Khanduri 2019). This section discussed the following in terms of Social, Economic, Cultural, and Environmental Effectiveness.  24 Capacity-strengthening Programs in terms of Social Effectiveness Capacity-strengthening in terms of social effectiveness refers to the process of enhancing the ability of individuals, groups, and organizations to effectively address social challenges, improve well-being, and achieve collective goals within a community or society. In the context of social effectiveness, capacity-strengthening focuses on improving social structures and relationships, fostering cooperation among stakeholders, and ensuring that local communities have the tools they need to address their unique social challenges. This could include training in leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and community organizing, as well as providing access to essential resources such as education, healthcare, and social services. The goal is to create a more resilient and self-sustaining society where individuals and groups can effectively contribute to decision-making processes, advocate for their rights, and engage in activities that lead to positive social change (Célia Futemma, 2020). The Capacity-strengthening Programs in terms of Social Effectiveness discuss the following programs such as, (1) Communication Skills; (2) Collaboration Skills, and (3) Critical Thinking Skills. The ability to acquire communication skills developed through capacity-building programs has proven useful in daily life. According to the study of Pal, Singh, & Kaur (2023) is similar to the finding and suggests that farming organizations should prioritize providing regular training programs ICT for all agricultural stakeholders. These programs will not only enhance the communication skills verbally of farmers but also support agricultural development. Both the government and farming organizations should address these challenges and what are the barriers in readiness of farmers including the personal barriers such as lack of confidence and cultural factors. However, the study of Friedrichsen (2019), acknowledging both local and scientific experts can learn from each other, the capacity strengthening programs of  25 farming organizations has a significant role in advancing agriculture. These programs not only improve crop production but also enhance the livelihood of the farmers. However, for some farmers who are already experienced, they prefer to continue what they are used to rather than embracing new knowledge or techniques. Extension agents serve as facilitators in integrating with scientific knowledge, while farmers are the users and evaluators of ethno-scientific knowledge. As a result farmers tend to trust their experiences more than new information. This creates a barrier to learning, enhancement in communication, discussing new ideas and addressing issues, as some farmers prefer to stick with their established practices rather than to adopt. Capacity-strengthening Programs in terms of Economic Effectiveness Agriculture is a vital sector for many economies, providing food, raw materials, and supporting industries like agricultural engineering and chemicals. Recent reforms have led to steady growth, focusing on increasing production for food security, optimizing crop areas, and improving technologies (Li, Mo et al., 2022). Efforts to reduce poverty by supporting farmers through training and new techniques have been made, but the impact on food security and economic outcomes is unclear (Laurenz Langer et al., 2015). Strengthening agribusiness capacity at all levels is essential for long-term growth. Agribusiness education must align with sector needs to address capacity gaps and foster agricultural transformation in sub-Saharan Africa (Suresh Chandra Babu et al., 2015). The Capacity-strengthening Programs in terms of Economic Effectiveness discuss the following programs such as, (1) Economic Opportunities in Agricultural Sector; (2) Financial Viability, and (3) Resource Utilization. Financial prospects in the agriculture industry have been positively impacted by the capacity-strengthening initiatives. The demand for high-value food products is increasing, creating an opportunity for the production and export of these goods. To  26 capture the benefits of this trend and capitalize on this for long-term agricultural growth, the capacity for agribusiness must be strengthened at all levels. To effectively build the necessary capacities, the skills built by agribusiness education and training must correspond to the needs of the agribusiness sector Babu et. al (2015). However, the study of Chancellor T. et al. (2015) contradicts the results of the study although investments in capacity-strengthening have increased over the past decade, greater levels of support are still needed to counterinteract the decades of underinvestment for agricultural development. Investments should be focused on higher education, to enhance human resource capacity, particularly in scientific fields, while also considering and addressing the economic impacts and opportunity for farmers. Additionally, it is important to strengthen relationships between research, extensions, high education, community, private sectors and farmers organizations to foster innovation. The impact pathway of capacity strengthening with a research organization or system is typically linear, which is why most evaluation studies report only on output or outcomes, rather than on overall impact. This is due to the challenge determining causality and attribution, this lack of clarity can lead to slow recognition of the areas that need to focus, which in turn negatively affects farmer’s performance, income and resources. Capacity-strengthening Programs in terms of Cultural Effectiveness Cultural Heritage Farms (CHFs) combine traditional agricultural practices with the preservation of cultural heritage, especially in urban areas where safeguarding remaining elements of traditional farming is crucial. This involves maintaining the relationship between farming methods and cultural values passed down through generations, highlighting the importance of agriculture as part of community identity and history (Zhang et al., 2024). The article examines Unaizah's culture and date farming, emphasizing their role in preserving cultural heritage and sustaining the local economy, society, and  27 environment. Unaizah, known for its date farming and traditional coffee culture, is significant in global agriculture, with the article exploring its historical, economic, societal, and ecological aspects (Maspul & Almalki, 2023). According to the study of Bayala et al. (2021) it is similar in most cases, successfully deployed activities were based on existing techniques (crop rotation, manure and inorganic fertilizer application) or innovations in the community that were adjusted to fit the new context. The exception was Ghana, where land reclamation techniques were new to the communities involved. In this country, there was a tendency to screen a large number of techniques across integrated soil fertility management techniques. In addition, the findings of the study of Saku L., (2023) revealed that vegetable farmers in Mlali Village had the most emphasized training needed on accessing marketing information, followed by fertilizer use, pest and disease control, planting methods and irrigation. Furthermore, the study found training and diffusion of innovation had a statistically small positive significant correlation on crop productivity improvement. The study therefore concluded that training and diffusion of innovation contribution to crop productivity improvement was evident though it was small. While the study of Brankatschk et al (2015) contradicts the results of the study, these so-called crop-rotation effects are caused by changes in physical, chemical and biological properties of the agricultural system due to the rotation of crops. Since a huge number of parameters contribute to crop-rotation effects, they cannot be easily measured. Therefore, (Life Cycle Assessment) LCA studies with system boundaries containing only one vegetation period have a limited ability to include these effects unless explicit modeling measures have been taken to include individual crop-rotation effects.  28 Capacity-strengthening Programs in terms of Environmental Effectiveness There is growing recognition that farmers are a heterogeneous community and accommodate a wide variety of attitudes and behavior in terms of environmental management due to sociodemographic, farming culture or income influences. There appears to be very limited research and practice in exchanging knowledge between scientists and local populations, suggesting that mechanisms to share knowledge between these two groups are low and thus, the opportunity for farmers to gain expert knowledge from recent science is limited. Influencing change in farming practice to help alleviate land use impacts on environmental quality requires the building of trust and development of human capacity in farming communities (David Oliver & Ying Zheng, 2020). However, there is also an essential need for baseline knowledge of how environmental awareness varies. This is especially important for supporting the improvement of environmental quality and food security. The aim of this study was to undertake a catchment-wide survey to investigate how, where and why environmental awareness, catchment understanding, and farming practices may differ amongst farmers and community leaders. Insect harvesting from the natural environment (wild habitats) is not justifiable, and the obtained resources have marginal market value. For this reason, large-scale mass production (farming) of edible insects is regarded as a viable solution. However, farmed insects should meet food safety requirements, which poses considerable technological, social, and economic challenges. This new protein source requires the development of new value chains and solutions concerning production costs, food safety, scalability, and consumer acceptance (Mills, and Gaskell, 2016). They should be provided with ventilation and air filter installations, sterilization equipment and pest control devices. The environmental benefits of insect farming include effective bioconversion of feed, in particular waste products, as well as lower demand for agricultural land (Mills  29 Jane, 2016). The Capacity-strengthening Programs in terms of Environmental Effectiveness discuss the following programs such as, (1) Methods to Reduce Harm; (2) Proper Waste Management, and (3) Addressing misconceptions regarding the proper use of Pesticides and Fertilizers. However, the study of Aulakh et al. (2022) may find contradicting, the organic farming practices are expected to improve the soil quality over imbalanced and discriminate use of agro-chemical inputs. In sole productivity terms, organic farming may not be a viable farming system but in terms of overall ecosystem services, the system definitely has an edge over the conventional system.Organic farming may require more land to produce the same yield as conventional farming, which can lead to deforestation. The capacity-strengthening initiatives successfully illustrate strategies to lessen environmental damage. According to the study of Jasim, Mal et al (2016) training of agricultural extension is a vital component of the overall agricultural production process. Farmers organizations bear the responsibility of dissemination of practical and relevant information to farmers. The training in any capacity is fundamental to ensuring organizational effectiveness and efficiency as it equips extension workers with the skills and knowledge needed to fulfill their responsibilities effectively. Sustainable Farming Practices Sustainable agricultural development plays a crucial role in increasing food availability and reducing poverty, particularly in emerging nations where most malnourished populations reside. Development projects in these countries aim to boost small-scale farmers' productivity. Practices like inventory management, workforce provision, organic fertilizers, vertical farming, and irrigation systems are essential for sustainable farming (Durham & Mizik et al., 2021).  30 Given the instability of small-scale farmers' livelihoods, the effectiveness of development efforts should be analyzed to ensure they positively impact farmers' lives while minimizing negative effects (Ma Wangling et al., 2023). Sustainability involves responsible farming practices that protect land, agricultural resources, and the economic livelihood of farmers. Achieving sustainability requires a multi-faceted approach, including environmentally friendly farming, crop production systems, and government policies incentivizing sustainable farming practices. However, challenges like higher labor costs and financial barriers limit the widespread adoption of organic farming (Durham & Mizik et al., 2021). Technology has revolutionized farming by enhancing efficiency and productivity, but barriers such as high costs, lack of resources, and limited knowledge remain. Sustainable farming aims to protect the environment without compromising future generations' needs, promoting practices like crop rotation to mitigate pests and diseases. However, environmental threats such as pollution and excessive fertilizer use continue to undermine sustainability efforts (Ramdinthara & Shanthi Bala P., 2020). The Green Revolution increased crop yields but also led to environmental degradation, prompting the search for more sustainable agricultural practices. Conventional agriculture has faced criticism for its unsustainable nature, leading to a shift towards alternative, sustainable farming systems. This ongoing evolution seeks to better define and measure agricultural sustainability (Siebrecht, 2020). The Sustainable Farming Practice of Farmers Organization discuss the following practices such as (1) Inventory Management; (2) Providing Workforce; (3) Cover Crop; (4) Crop Rotation; (5) Organic Fertilizer; (6) Vertical Farming; (7) Irrigation System, and (8) Using of Machineries.  31 Inventory Management To investigate and quantify the impact of inventory management optimization on fruit loss and inventory costs in Apple Supply Chains. Proposing new inventory policies concerning the configuration of high-tech storage rooms to reduce apple loss and minimize inventory costs; consequently, our work simultaneously contributes to the economic sustainability of the Apple Supply Chains. To this end, apply a mathematical programming model proposed by (Paam Parichehr, 2019). The aim is to minimize total storage and processing costs by optimizing inventory flow while satisfying demand. The model incorporates perishability by defining food loss-related decision variables, based on the time gap between two overlapping time horizons, corresponding to harvesting and planning. Providing WorkForce Traditional workforce planning methodologies and interprofessional education approaches will not address the significant challenges facing health care systems seeking to integrate services, eliminate waste and meet rising demand within fixed or shrinking budgets. This article describes a workforce planning approach that could be used as a model by other countries to move toward needs-based, interprofessional workforce planning. Such an approach requires a paradigm shift to reframe health workforce planning away from a focus on shortages toward assessing how to more effectively deploy and retrain the existing workforce; away from silo-based workforce projection models toward methodologies that recognize professions’ overlapping scopes of practice (Fraher & Brandt, 2019). Cover Crop Cover Crop Management between cash crops is one of the oldest farming practices and is presently gaining attention worldwide. Cover crops may include any plant species grown for purposes beyond primary grain or forage production and are generally classified as leguminous broadleaves, non-leguminous broadleaves, or  32 grasses. At this time, several studies have demonstrated the utility of cover crops in agricultural production with many focusing upon either soil physical, chemical, or biological properties suggested that it is the additional root growth of cover crops that may provide benefits to soil including increases in soil organic carbon content, available nutrients, as well as soil aggregation. Additionally, cover crops have been found to enhance nutrient cycling, soil physicochemical and biological properties, as well as soil pest management and weed suppression. Cover crops contribute to reducing water evaporation from the soil thereby preserving soil moisture for the following crop. Though this has been observed in some environments, under water-limited conditions without irrigation, cover crops have frequently been found to limit soil moisture for subsequent crops (Komlan, Allen, Djaman 2022). Crop Rotation Conservation crop rotation is a practice that consists of growing a series of crops in the same field over a given rotation cycle or period of time. Conservation crop rotation (crop rotation, for simplicity) can be one part of nutrient management systems when nitrogen (N) fixing legumes are included. In nitrogen fertilizer recommendations, the recommended application rate of nitrogen fertilizer may be adjusted for the given agricultural conditions, when legumes are grown prior to other crops such as corn. These fertilizer recommendations attempt to address the discrepancy between the amount of nitrogen provided by the soil and the amount needed by crops as closely as possible to reduce excess fertilizer applications and minimize nutrient losses from agricultural fields (Koropeckyj-Cox et al. 2021). According to Yang et al. (2024), the crop rotation and these systems provide a variety of food crops to meet the increasing consumer demand for plant-based, healthy diets, a growing trend in high and upper-middle-income countries. Additionally, they produce other agricultural products, including animal feed, industrial fiber, and multi-purpose biofuels. Integrated food production systems not only  33 enhance farmers’ incomes but also deliver significant socio-economic benefits. By diversifying crop rotations, these systems increase food production, reduce net greenhouse gas emissions, and improve soil health, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices (Yang et al., 2024). Cropping systems have a significant impact on how resilient and productive agricultural ecosystems are. However,there is a limited understanding in quantitative interaction between social, economic, and ecological aspects within these systems particularly in relation to crop rotation (He, Ma, Zhong et al., 2021). Organic Fertilizer Organic fertilizer and organic fertilizer replacement can change the physicochemical properties of soil as well as various soil enzyme activities and thereby reduce or eliminate the negative impact of the long-term overapplication of only inorganic fertilizer on soil quality. Appropriate organic fertilizer application can reduce soil bulk density, increase soil porosity, and increase soil aggregates to improve soil physical properties. Found that long-term organic fertilizer application in northern India resulted in lower soil bulk density and higher water-holding capacity than were observed after conventional inorganic fertilization treatment. Organic fertilizer application can not only increase the total amount of soil nutrients such as soil total organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus but can also increase the content of available soil nutrients. At the same time, organic fertilizer can reduce leaching losses of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and can increase the soil's fertilizer retention performance. Organic fertilizer application has been shown to be directly correlated with the activities of soil urease, invertase, catalase, phosphatase and other enzymes, which can improve the living environment for microorganisms. The excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer has reduced soil pH. The use of a combination of inorganic and organic fertilizers could alleviate the soil acidification  34 caused by applying inorganic fertilizers alone and can improve soil fertility, making it possible to obtain higher crop yields Aiping Shu et al. (2021). Vertical Farming As an alternative to soil-based farming systems, vertical farming techniques could potentially serve as a complementary system to help alleviate the current shortage of fertile arable lands and water. Liquid culture, also known as hydropoRapid urbanization, natural disasters, global warming, as well as the uncontrolled use of chemicals and pesticides have all taken a toll on the fertility of the soil. Additionally, soil productivity has significantly reduced, soil fertility has declined, and the amount of land available to each person has decreased. Changing climate, increasing temperatures, regular dry spells, and the uncertainty of the meteorological conditions are just a few of the challenges to the watershed's water resources. Excessive usage of water for irrigation, unchecked contamination of water, as well as a declining trend in groundwater levels are just a few of the menaces to the watershed's water resources is one such specialized technique for growing plants without soil (Mohd, Nasir, Raihanna et al. 2022). Irrigation Systems Irrigators are under increasing pressure to ensure food security as well as long-term environmental and economic sustainability, two targets increasingly threatened by both climate change and growing population. The current challenge is to ensure that agricultural water management allows for both reasonable profits to the producer and enough food, fiber and biofuel production to meet the demand of the growing population, while unsustainable environmental costs are avoided. In this context, the irrigator is bound to take effective decisions on the irrigation method and the associated irrigation system, the irrigation strategy and the method to schedule irrigation, among other factors related to on-farm water management. The difficulty of choosing wisely increases when yield quality, in addition to quantity, is valued, and in  35 the case of cropping systems with high plant densities in which excessive growth has to be avoided. This includes super high density fruit tree orchards, for which irrigation is particularly challenging. As a consequence, the irrigator must evaluate the impact of different options on both water productivity and the farm profit. For this task, indicators on both biophysical water productivity and the economic performance of irrigation are required (Koech and Langat, 2018). Using of Machineries Machinery is commonly used in the modernization of agricultural industries and is a pivotal way to eliminate poverty among farmers. However, there are still disputes regarding the effects of agricultural machinery on farmers’ relative poverty. Neither the heterogeneity nor the thresholds in agricultural machinery-led poverty reduction efforts have been discussed in depth. To address those gaps, this study considers farmers’ livelihood factors and resource in divisibility to investigate how agricultural machinery affects farmers’ relative poverty as well as the heterogeneity of and thresholds in that influence. This study establishes an integrated model that depicts how agricultural machinery affects farmers’ relative poverty through production in divisibility. Practically, this study recommends additional investment in agricultural machinery (especially plowing machinery), farmland integration, and taking targeted measures to facilitate resource divisibility (Peng Jiquan et al. 2023). The Significant Relationship Between Degree of Participation and Level of Effectiveness of Capacity-strengthening Programs The degree of participation has a limited correspondence with the effectiveness of capacity-strengthening programs. This means that, while participation may have a minor impact on program outcomes, other factors are likely to have a greater impact in determining overall effectiveness. Furthermore, Ketemaw Melkamu Wonde et al. (2022) the agricultural training interventions in particular are intended to help farmers by facilitating the transfer of  36 information or skills on specific agrarian concerns. According to W. H. Eugenie Maïga, et al. (2020) success of agricultural extension lies in its ability to transfer knowledge to farmers and foster positive interactions between agriculture and other officials, identifying and clarifying needs and experiences. In contrast, the study of Kumari and Khanduri (2019) , the agricultural sector faces growing pressure to boost productivity amid increasing complexity, challenging farmers, extension workers, farming systems, and the environment. Without best practices, farmers often rely on low-quality inputs. Strengthening local capacities and institutions is essential for effective agricultural program design and implementation. Rural farmers, reliant on agriculture for their livelihoods, benefit from productivity enhancement business models that offer low-cost techniques, quality inputs, and capacity-strengthening programs to improve yields effectively. The Significant Relationship Between Level of Effectiveness of Capacity-strengthening Programs and Sustainable Farming Practices The strong relationship between the effectiveness of capacity-strengthening programs and sustainable farming practices is likely due to the comprehensive training and resources provided, which empower farmers to implement eco-friendly techniques. Additionally, these programs offer ongoing support, fostering the adoption of sustainable practices that lead to long-term improvements in both productivity and environmental health. This is supported by the study of Avasthi et al. (2024), and its results show that farming practices have advanced over time utilizing new equipment and technology that help farmers grow organic food effectively. The future of agricultural innovation lies in sustainable farming practices. While these methods are still in their early stages in many developing nations, they hold significant potential to help these countries achieve food security and increase food production in an environmentally responsible way.  37 However, the study of Siebrecht (2020) provides a contradicting viewpoint that sustainable farming practices are often hailed as solutions to environmental and food security concerns, unintended consequences of previous agricultural innovations, such as those using external inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. These developments, despite improving crop yields and food production have contributed to significant environmental concerns, including resource depletion, pollution, and biodiversity loss. The study highlights that although sustainable practices are positioned as an alternative system, ongoing debates persist regarding the most effective methods and indicators to measure its true sustainability. Synthesis Farmers organizations help farmers with common problems including agricultural supplies, loans, technical knowledge, and advertising. The services provided by these groups are meant to enhance agricultural activities and generate financial gains that help farmers generally. The demographic profile of farmers primarily completed secondary education and the average age of farmers ranges from 55 to 59 years old. In the Philippines the farmers are typically middle-aged, married, and possess education at least up to the secondary level, with most owning less than three hectares of land. Despite agriculture employing nearly a quarter of the workforce, many farmers faced financial challenges and earned below the poverty line. Financial literacy practices are often deprioritized in favor of meeting the family needs. Women play an important role in farming and marketing, contributing to household income. Land ownership is a significant determinant of agricultural productivity, with non-landowners facing greater economic struggles. Capacity-strengthening program is a collection of short or long-term, formal and informal educational activities intended to assist a farmer or group of farmers in achieving particular objectives. In instance, agricultural training interventions aim to assist farmers by facilitating the transfer of knowledge or skills on certain agrarian  38 challenges. Enhancing farm production in terms of social, economic, cultural, and environmental effectiveness requires giving farmers access to high-quality inputs, reasonably priced methods, and services that build their ability. The continuous process of capacity-strengthening enables people and organizations to improve their performance and support the expansion of agriculture. Sustainable farming practices play a crucial role in increasing food availability and reducing poverty, particularly in emerging nations where most malnourished populations reside. The efficiency of programs aimed at increasing capacity has a limited correlation with the level of participation. This implies that although participation might not have a significant effect on program results. Capacity-strengthening programs' efficacy and sustainable agricultural practices are strongly correlated, most likely because of the extensive training and resources offered, which enable farmers to adopt environmentally friendly methods. In summary, increasing agricultural output, protecting cultural heritage, and guaranteeing environmental sustainability all depend on building local capacities through education, technology, and community involvement. Together, the examined research and literature highlight the value of farmer education, and agricultural innovation in promoting sustainable development in the agricultural industry.  ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CAPACITY-STRENGTHENING PROGRAMS ON SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES AMONG SELECTED FARMERS ORGANIZATION IN THE 7TH DISTRICT OF THE PROVINCE OF CAVITE MELAND JOYCE B. ELEPTICO JHERICO B. MARIANO NICOLE S. NASAYAO ARA MAE R. PAHAYAHAY An undergraduate thesis proposal submitted to the faculty of the Department of Development Studies, College of Economics Management and Development Studies, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Development Management Major in Training Program Management with Contribution No. _________________. Prepared under the supervision of Dr. Jaysi T. Corpuz. INTRODUCTION A capacity-strengthening program is a systematic way of improving knowledge and abilities. It guarantees that a farmers organization has the necessary internal capabilities to undertake change and increase performance. It incorporates local farmer expertise, promotes community involvement in campaigns, and strengthens farmers resilience to improve agricultural development program sustainability. However, plenty of farmers organizations need clarification about the purpose of building programs to increase farmers capacity. The agriculture sector is also undergoing changes from traditional methods of planting and farming to becoming more advanced and strengthened with the help of technology (Mendoza, Ambunan, 2022). This study aims to bridge the gaps by identifying how the capacity-strengthening programs of the farmers organization in the 7th District of the  2 Province of Cavite work in terms of social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors. Another gap is the sustainable farming practices of farmers organizations within the 7th District of the Province of Cavite. Farmers training in farmers organizations should focus on the priority needs and existing gaps as identified together with farmers as well as by taking into consideration emerging needs of the government. Farmers training by the Department of Agriculture must also adapt to adult and experiential learning methodologies (Suleyman 2020). The duties of capacity-strengthening programs are still generally seen as engaging with farmers to transmit information and skills. To close these gaps and create a farming community that is more knowledgeable and resilient, mentorship programs, and digital skills promotion should be put into practice. This might entail looking into how capacity-strengthening programs support cooperation between farmers organization and locals, resulting in partnerships in agricultural development that are mutually beneficial and sustainable to clarify the role of agricultural training in the selected farmers organizations in the 7th District of Cavite. Conducting this study is essential to understand what works and what needs attention in the capacity-strengthening programs of farmers organizations in the 7th District of Cavite and the factors affecting social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors in sustainable farming practices of selected farmers organizations in the 7th district of Cavite. Statement of the Problem This study generally aims to analyze the effectiveness of Capacity-strengthening Programs on Sustainable Farming Practices among selected Farmers Organizations in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite. Specifically, the study will answer the following questions: 1. What is the Demographic Profile of the Farmers among selected Farmers Organizations in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite in terms of:  3 a. location; b. age; c. sex; d. marital status; e. household size; f. highest educational attainment; g. average monthly income; h. years in farming; and i. farm ownership. 2. What are the Capacity-strengthening Programs of Farmers Organization in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite 3. What is the the level of Effectiveness of Capacity-strengthening Programs among selected Farmers Organizations in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite in terms of: a. social; a. economic; b. cultural; and c. environmental. 4. What are the Sustainable Farming Practices of Farmers Organization in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite? 5. What is the relationship between the Degree of Participation and the Level of Effectiveness in Capacity-strengthening Programs? 6. Is there a relationship between the Level of Effectiveness and the Sustainable Farming Practices of Farmers Organizations?  4 Objectives of the Study The study intended to assess the Effectiveness of Capacity-strengthening Programs on Sustainable Farming Practices among selected Farmers Organization in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite. Specifically, the study will focus on the following: 1.To determine the Demographic Profile of the farmers among selected farmer organizations in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite in terms of: a. age; b. sex; c. marital status; d. household size; e. highest educational attainment; f. average monthly income; g. years in farming; and h. farm ownership. 2. To determine the Capacity-strengthening Programs of Farmers Organization in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite. 3. To measure the Level of Effectiveness of Capacity-strengthening Programs among selected Farmers Organization in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite in terms of: a. social; b. economic; c. cultural; and d. environmental. 4. To identify the Sustainable Farming Practices of Farmers Organization in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite.  5 5. To identify the relationship between the Degree of Participation and the Level of Effectiveness in Capacity-strengthening Programs. 6. To determine the relationship between the Level of Effectiveness and the Sustainable Farming Practices of Farmers Organization. Significance of the Study This study assumes considerable significance for offering valuable contributions: The study would give adequate information to Students. It enriches their education by providing a better understanding of how Capacity-strengthening Programs contribute to the industry's effectiveness. Moreover, the study aids in aligning educational experiences with the actual needs of Farming Organizations, better- preparing students for future careers in agriculture. The result of the study would be used as a basis for Farmers Organizations by identifying the effectiveness of these programs and recognizing areas where their members need further support or training, thereby strengthening their overall capacity and resilience. Successful programs often foster collaboration and networking among Farmers Organizations, creating a more robust and interconnected agricultural community in the province. The result of the study can establish a massive contribution to society since it would serve as a guide for them to see how effectively capacity-strengthening programs meet the needs and demands of the people, especially those of farmers organizations. The study would give adequate information to Future Researchers undergoing similar studies. It would also serve as additional literature to substantiate their analysis. Furthermore, the result of the study would serve as a guide and be helpful to the forthcoming researchers who would like to pursue  6 Capacity-strengthening Programs as a study for future development and improvement. Time and Place of the Study Cavite is mostly a farming Province and the economy is primarily dependent on agriculture. Considering development and industry, the majority of people are employed in the agriculture sector. Cavite has a strong connection to crop production, which is the Province's backbone of farming activities. This study is conducted among all the municipalities of the 7th District in the Province of Cavite, based on the location of the Farmers Organizations namely in Amadeo, Indang, Tanza, and Trece Martires City. Additionally, this paper recognizes the limited time to finish the study. This paper is submitted only by the time allowed by the Academic Year 2023-2024. Specifically, this paper starts on June 13, 2024 and is expected to end on January 8, 2024. Figure 1. Map of the Province of Cavite  7 Scope and Limitations of the Study The researchers conducted the study entitled ‘’Assessment of the Effectiveness of Capacity-strengthening Programs on Sustainable Farming Practices Among Selected Farmers Organization in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite’’. The study was conducted from June 2024 until January 2025 in Farmers Organizations in the 7th District of Cavite where data collection was held in the following locations: Amadeo, Indang, Tanza, and Trece Martires City, Cavite. The participants of this study are the registered Farmers Organizations in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite. This study is limited by the sample size of 38 Farmers Organizations and a total of 290 Farmers which was limited to Farmers Organizations that were already established three years ago or more. Definition of Terms The following terms helped in identifying and understanding the uncommonly used terms. The words were defined conceptually and operationally. CAPACITY-STRENGTHENING is defined as developing and strengthening the skills, instincts, abilities, processes, and resources that organizations and communities need to survive, adapt, and thrive in a fast-changing world (United Nations, 2024). It was used in the study to know how effective the different Capacity-strengthening Programs among the selected Farmers Organizations in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite. The term CULTURAL is traditions and knowledge that are passed down within communities and are a reflection of their values and beliefs. By including these methods in agriculture, practices are upheld, biodiversity is encouraged, and community resilience is strengthened. Capacity-strengthening gain from an awareness and commitment to cultural farming, which improves agricultural sustainability. This was referred to the study about the effectiveness of capacity-strengthening programs on cultural factors.  8 DEGREE OF PARTICIPATION refers to the level of farmers' involvement in the capacity-strengthening programs by the farming organizations. The degree of participation will be messure using a 5-point likert scale 5 being the highest and 1 being the lowest, (5) Always Participating, (4) Participating, (3) Neutral, (2) Rarely Participating, (1) Not Participating at all. This was referred to the study about the degree of participation of Farmers in Capacity-strengthening Programs in the 7th District of Province of Cavite. The term ECONOMIC focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It is primarily concerned with analyzing the choices of individuals. This was referred to the study about the Effectiveness of Capacity-strengthening Programs on economic factors. The term ENVIRONMENTAL can be defined as the surroundings or conditions in which living organisms such as plants, animals, and humans live affected by pesticides and fertilizer. This was referred to the study about the Effectiveness of Capacity-strengthening Programs of environmental factors. FARMERS ORGANIZATION is an organization of different Farmers in Cavite that helps every individual to enhance their capabilities and ensures the farmers formulate and implement policies and agricultural development actions (Agricultural Professional Organizations and Farmers' Associations, 2024). This was referred to in the study about the selected Farmers Organizations in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite. The term FARMING is an act or process of planting and harvesting of farmers. This was referred to the study about the sustainable farming practices of farmers in the 7th district of Province of Cavite. The term SOCIAL is the development and enhancement of personal skills, and the ability to effectively understand various information. This was referred to the study about the effectiveness of capacity-strengthening programs on social factors.  9 The term LEVEL OF EFFECTIVENESS is related to the ability to achieve the desired outcomes via the chosen delivery method and strategies, according to (IGI Global). The effectiveness will be measured using a 5-point likert scale 5 being the highest and 1 being the lowest, (5) Strongly effective, (4) Very Effective, (3) Moderately Effective, (1) Slightly Effective, (1) Not Effective at all. This was referred to the study about the effectiveness of capacity-strengthening programs among selected farmers organizations in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite. The term PRACTICES is related to methods and techniques used by farmers in agricultural activities such as harvesting and cultivation. This was referred to the study about the sustainable farming practices of farmers in the 7th District of Province of Cavite. The term SUSTAINABLE refers to the practices that are not harmful to the environment. It aims to avoid chemical substances and address misconception about prior farming methods including the use of pesticides and fertilizer. This was referred to the study about the Effectiveness of Capacity-strengthening Programs on Sustainable Farming Practices. SUSTAINABLE FARMING implies carrying out actions responsibly in order to continue this includes using farmers resources wisely and make sure farmers can make a living through Capacity-strengthening Programs of Farmers Organization in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite. Theoretical Framework This study is anchored on the following theory. The theory of Agricultural Knowledge Production: Environmental, Social, and Didactic Learning proposed by (Glenn Davis Stone, 2016). Social scientists and input producers alike have seen farmer decision making as driven by environmental learning based on experimentation and empirical observation. A more robust body of theory influenced by behavioral ecology sees a major role for social learning based on emulation of  10 models selected on social criteria, although the relationship between these learning modes is not well understood. But a larger problem is that these perspectives ignore what is here termed didactic learning, whereby various parties bring instruction to the farm. Although not previously theorized, didactic learning is often crucial in agricultural learning and also distinct because it is driven by off-farm interests. The outline of a general theory of farmer learning is presented, comprising an analysis of the salient characteristics of the three modalities and consideration of interaction among them. The successes of nonindustrial small farm management notwithstanding, there are serious limitations to the experimental basis of environmental learning. Agriculture is particularly suited to formal experimentation, but only because of simplifications that contradict the nature of actual decision making. Social learning is essential in agriculture but it may become maladaptive when environmental learning is particularly challenged. Among the entities involved in didactic learning are the state (with interests in monitoring and control), input developers and sellers (with interests in sales), and Non-Governmental Organizations (with interests in media showing impacts of didactic learning). Social learning is learning through the observation of other people's behaviors. It is a process of social change in which people learn from each other in ways that can benefit wider social-ecological systems. Environmental learning is a process providing farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement sustainable agricultural practices. Didactic learning is a mixed method that focuses on the baseline knowledge farmers possess and seeks to improve upon and convey this information. It also refers to the foundation or starting point in a lesson plan, where the overall goal is knowledge. This could involve considering factors like knowledge retention, behavioral changes, and long-term agricultural productivity. Capacity-strengthening programs are made more relevant, useful, interesting, and  11 sustainable when environmental, social, and didactic learning are incorporated into the generation of agricultural knowledge. This all-encompassing strategy guarantees that farmers have the tools necessary to adopt and maintain innovative methods, which will ultimately increase agricultural resilience and output (Glenn Davis Stone, 2016). Conceptual Framework Below is the Conceptual framework of the study. In this framework the researcher tests the Degree of Participation of Capacity-strengthening Programs, the Level of Effectiveness, and the Sustainable Farming Practices. Furthermore, the researchers will test the relationship between the Degree of Participation of Capacity-strengthening Programs, and the Level of Effectiveness, also the Level of Effectiveness and the Sustainable Farming Practices among the selected Farmers Organization in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite. Figure 1 shows the framework of the study. Figure 2. Conceptual Framework of the Study  RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The data interpretation and analyses are presented in this part. Collected in accordance with the specified problems. These were the Demographic Profile, Capacity-strengthening Programs, Level of Effectiveness of Capacity-strengthening Programs, Sustainable Farming Practices of Farmers Organization, the relationship between the Degree of Participation and the Level of Effectiveness in Capacity-strengthening Programs, and the relationship between the Level of Effectiveness and the Sustainable Farming Practices of Farmers Organizations. Demographic Profile of Farmers in Selected Farmers Organizations in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite Table 4 shows the Demographic Profile of Farmers in selected Farmers Organizations in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite in terms of age, sex, marital status, household size, highest educational attainment, monthly income, years in farming, and type of land ownership. Age. Table 4 shows the age of the local farmers in selected farmers organizations ranges from 23 to 83 years old, it has a mean of 11.09. The youngest farmer in selected farmers organizations were 23 years old, and the oldest was 83. Based on the results, out of 290 participants, most farmers were at 22.4 percent with ages ranging from 40 to 48 years old, followed by ages ranging from 49 to 57 years old at 21.7 percent, 20.3 percent with ages ranging 58 to 66 years old. Farmers are often most productive and consistent between the ages of 40-48, having obtained the necessary knowledge to effectively handle farms and make important choices. The increased percentage of farmers aged 58-66 is due to an aging population, delayed retirement, and fewer young individuals entering the farming industry. These senior farmers frequently continue to labor due to financial necessity, tradition, or a profound connection to their areas. The results indicate that the farming labor consists mainly  49 of people in their 40s and 50s, with a significant proportion in their late 50s to mid-60s. This age ratio emphasizes the significance of supporting both experienced farmers and attracting younger individuals to ensure agriculture's long-term sustainability. This indicates that most farmers in selected farmers organizations in the 7th district of the Province of Cavite are from ages 40 to 48 years old, which belongs to Gen X. According to Emi Et al. (2023) gen X farmers also undergo significant identity transformations as they navigate the agricultural realm. For example, they play a number of social roles in overcoming conflicts with fellow farmers due to gaps in access to technology. These farmers also act as mediators and self-help extension agents for their colleagues. Farmer PM is perceived as a self-supporting extension worker for other farmers, specifically in agricultural mechanization. However, the findings contradicted according to the study of Valero et al. (2019) majority of the respondents belong to the older age brackets of 41 to 50 years old, followed by those who belong to the 51 to 60 years age group with 22.2 percent. Sex. Table 4 shows the distribution of participants in terms of sex. The majority of farmers with a total of 63.8 percent in the selected farmers organization in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite were male. This showed that male farmers exceeded female farmers. Traditional gender stereotypes frequently portray farming as a male-dominated occupation, with males performing the physically challenging tasks of agriculture. Meanwhile, women are frequently assigned household tasks or less physically demanding agricultural work. Furthermore, institutional differences in access to farming resources and opportunity restrict women's participation in farming and agricultural organizations. The majority of male farmers in the chosen farmers' organization indicates the necessity for focused programs to enhance gender diversity in agricultural activities. Addressing challenges to women's participation, such as access to resources, training, and decision-making positions, may contribute to a more balanced and fair agricultural community. But as circumstances change,  50 initiatives to advance gender equality in agriculture are gradually enabling more women to work as farmers. The study’s findings are supported by Tapia Et al. (2018) this study examined the involvement of women in agricultural decision-making among farming households. The findings were contradicting because according to the study of Mishra Et al. (2017) women make essential contributions to the agricultural and rural economies in all countries. Women are involved in a variety of production and farm management activities. In the Philippines women engage more intensively in agricultural work than men. However, Filipino women’s actual contribution to food production and the rural economy remains undervalued, if not invisible. Using the average treatment effect and farm-level data from the Philippines. Marital Status. Table 4 shows the marital status of farmers in the selected farmers organization in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite. Out of 290 participants, the majority of the farmers with a total of 59.7 percent were married, followed by widowed, with 16.2 percent. This shows that there are more married farmers compared to widowed farmers. Marriage is important in farming since families frequently share tasks, which provides both economic and emotional stability. Family farms are usually passed down through generations, with both partners active in management. The high proportion of widowed farmers represents an aging population, emphasizing the need for measures that assist older farmers, such as healthcare, retirement, and succession planning. This also underlines the significance of developing community support structures to address the issues that elderly farmers experience while avoiding social and economic separation. According to the study of Delco (2020) the regression analysis result explains that married farmworkers are of better health status than non-married ones in the same manner as farm owners than non-owners. Being married and as farm owners bring considerable benefits to the family. Married people tend to become more active as they gain constant support from their mates when making decisions about the  51 farm. Landowners tend to be assured of a stable farm income which is advantageous in order to maintain family finances. If various needs are met, there will be fewer worries, thus, making a person not only healthy psychologically but also physically. Also, the findings supported by the study of Alice T. Valero et al. (2019) majority of the respondents (72.9%) are married while the rest (12.8%) are single. Household Size. Table 4 shows the household size of farmers in the selected farmers organization in the 7th district of the province of Cavite. The majority of family members they have ranging from 1-5 persons with 75.9 percent, followed by 22.4 percent family members ranging from 6-10 persons. This shows that more farmers have families of 1-5 people in the house compared to 6-10 people. 75.9 percent of farmers have 1-5 family members, whereas 22.4 percent have 6-10, indicating a tendency toward lower family sizes impacted by economic changes, development, and access to family planning. Smaller families frequently value self-sufficiency, focusing on farm and home activities, but bigger families may still keep to traditional frameworks, requiring more labor. This implies that smaller families may encounter labor shortages, emphasizing the need for additional help or technology. Larger families, however, may benefit from more assistance. The findings highlight the significance of specialized regulations to help both small and large family farms manage labor and ensure sustainability. Based on the study of Delco (2020) It is only good to note that 50 percent of the farmers had a small household size (3-5 members) so they can support the basic needs for fewer family members. The study’s findings are contradicting by Alice T. Valero et al. (2019) their household size ranged from 1 to 14 members with mean and standard deviation of 5.66 or approximately 6 and 2 members, respectively. Most of them (61.2%) were employed practicing their professions while 28.4 percent were self employed. About 2.6% were retired from their previous work while only 7.8 percent were recorded unemployed. Other sources of income are agriculture and fishing.  52 Highest Educational attainment. The distribution of participants in terms of educational attainment is presented in table 4. The highest educational attainment who participated were highschool graduates with an average of 55.5 percent, followed by bachelor’s degree graduates with an average of 21.0 The result indicates that local farmers were mainly highschool graduates. Opportunities for higher education or vocational programs adapted to local farmers' requirements are few in many rural locations. Even when such programs are available, they may not be easily accessible to the farmers because of issues like cost, distance, or other considerations. Indicating that most local farmers have a basic education. This emphasizes the potential need for educational and capacity-strengthening programs to help farmers improve their skills and knowledge, particularly in areas such as modern farming techniques, financial management, and embracing technology. Providing access to further education or vocational training may improve productivity, encourage innovation in farming operations, and empower farmers to better respond to changing agricultural trends. According to the study of Delco (2020) farmers who are uneducated or with little formal education have greater tendencies to face a higher health risk, for instance, when using pesticides due to their difficulties in understanding the instructions and safety procedures included on the product labels. In addition, Gaber and Abdel-Latif in their study farmers found that those who received school education had a higher percent of healthy behavior like: reading pesticide labels, mixing pesticides using gloves, cleaning sprayer nozzles using a wire, washing skin coming in contact with pesticides. However, the findings contradicted according to the study of Nyantika, Martha M. and Aming, Nemwel N. (2015) the study revealed that education attainment did not influence the use of the different types of fertilizers. It was noted that there was a significant difference between education attainment and use of insecticides, fungicides and nematicides with p value of.016,.015, and.007 respectively. The result also shows that college graduate farmers tend to use more  53 insecticides, fungicides and nematicides frequently than necessary which results in overuse, compared to other farmers. With regard to previous training, the more the farmers attended previous training the less they employ the use of insecticides and fungicides. Monthly Income. Table 4 shows the monthly income of local farmers in the selected farmers organization in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite. Results showed that 155 out of 290 farmers monthly income ranging from P5,000 and below with an average 53.4 percent, followed by P10,000 monthly income with an average of 34.1 percent. The result indicates that mostly farmers only earn 5,000 and below. Farmers' profitability and efficiency are being held limited by a lack of access to resources such as modern tools, quality seeds, and loans, along with small-scale farming. Poor market access, middlemen, and infrastructure challenges can have a negative impact on earnings. Environmental issues, high input prices, and reliance on agriculture all contribute to low income. This emphasizes the importance of targeted assistance, such as accessible loans, better tools, and increased market access. Addressing production costs, infrastructure, and training can increase productivity, while policies supporting diversification of income and sustainability can assist farmers in breaking the cycle of income poverty. According to Financial Literacy and Income Distribution of Rice Farmers - IIARI,” 2024) (2021). Local farmers often earn only around P5000 pesos because of different factors like challenges faced in rural areas, structure of the agricultural industry, and socio-economic conditions. Financial literacy is based on attitude and behavior; family needs have an inverse correlation. Debt repayment has a positive correlation to attitude and behaviors. Farmers spend less than what they earn and seldom save money. Older male farmers have a high level of income distribution on basic family needs, paying debts, and financial matters as to attitude. Farmers who are low-income earners prioritize family needs and have a positive attitude and behavior toward paying their debts. The study’s findings were contradicted by Alice T.  54 Valero et al. (2019) the recorded mean monthly income of the respondents was relatively low at P17,022.78 with incomes ranging from P10.500 to P200,000. This was followed by those who fall under the income bracket P15,001 to P30,000 at 33.9 percent. Only a small group of respondents can earn P31,000 and above every month recorded at only 9.6 percent. Years in Farming. Table 4 shows the years in farming of local farmers in the selected farmers organization in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite. This showed that the majority of years of farming of farmers are ranging from 1-15 years with an average of 56.6 percent, followed by 16 to 30 years of farming with an average of 25.9 percent. The result indicates that mostly farmers work over 15 years of experience. Local farmers who inherit their land from their ancestors frequently began working on the farm at an early age, sometimes as early as their childhood. Large number of farmers begin working at an early age and may stay in the same field for a considerable amount of their lives. This emphasizes the necessity of using their knowledge to enhance farming techniques and educate younger or inexperienced farmers. However, it also highlights the importance of ongoing training and support to keep up with modern agricultural trends, technology, and sustainable practices. Furthermore, while complicated terms in farming may show a high level of commitment, it also suggests the potential barriers that older farmers may have in maintaining agricultural operations due to physical or financial constraints. Based on the study of Achilles Et al. (2014) young farmers can bring new skills and energy, and a more professional management to the farming sector. Against the context of an ageing agricultural labour force, the future of the farmers’ profession must be ensured. Thus, European Unions’ Common Agricultural Policy pays particular attention to the decline in young farmers, having established different policy measures and motives for new entrants in agriculture. Support to the setting up of young farmers includes support to facilitate the initial establishment and the structural adjustment of their holding afterwards.  55 Type of Land Ownership. Table 4 shows the type of ownership in land of farmers in the selected farmers organization in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite. Results show that there are more caretaker farmers with an average of 47.4 percent compared to farmers who have their own land averaging 30.8 percent. Local farmers do not have the financial means to buy land for their farm. Many farmers struggle to afford land due to limited financial resources, lack of access to credit, and insufficient farming income. High land prices and challenges in securing loans prevent them from becoming landowners, forcing many to work as caretakers for landowners in exchange for wages or a share of the crops. While this arrangement provides short-term income, it limits their ability to build wealth or secure long-term stability. This reliance on caretaking highlights the financial difficulties farmers face, hindering their economic growth. To address this, policies should focus on improving access to affordable credit, land reform, and modern farming training, helping farmers transition to landownership and fostering long-term financial stability. According to the study of Delco (2020) many of the farmers surveyed are non-owners of land, in this case, they could not easily employ immediate farm decisions whenever needed unlike the farm owners who have more control over their farms as to land usage. Basically, the majority of those earning the lowest annual income were non-owners of land working as either maintainers, tenants or lessees. Their annual income lies below the threshold poverty level income of the country. However, the findings contradicted the study of Koirala et al. (2014) results that show that land ownership plays an important role in rice production. In particular, compared to owner operators, farmers who lease land are less productive. Additionally, the result shows that land area, irrigation and labor cost are significant factors affecting rice production.  56 Table 4. Demographic Profile of the Farmers among selected Farmer Organizations in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE N=290 (%) Age 40-48 65 22.4 49-57 63 21.7 58-66 59 20.3 31-39 45 15.5 67-75 37 12.8 23-30 12 4.1 76-83 7 2.4 84 and above 1 0.3 22 and below 1 0.3 Sex Male 185 63.8 Female 105 36.2 Marital Status Married 173 59.7 Widowed 47 16.2 Separated 33 11.4 Single 33 11.4 Annulled 4 1.4 Household Size 1-5 220 75 6-10 65 22.4 11-15 4 1.3 16 and above 1 0.3 Highest Educational Attainment High School Diploma 161 55.5 Bachelor’s Degree 61 21.0 Less than High School Diploma 59 20.3 Master’s Degree 5 1.7 PhD or Doctorate 4 1.3  57 Table 4. continued. DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE N=290 (%) Monthly Income 5000 and below 155 53.4 5001-10000 99 34.1 10001-15000 25 8.6 15001-20000 11 3.8 Years in Farming 1-15 164 56.6 16-30 75 25.9 31-45 27 9.3 46-60 20 6.9 61 and above 4 1.4 Farm Ownership Caretaker 137 47.4 Owned 89 30.8 Tenant 63 21.8 Capacity-strengthening Programs The table 5 presents the Capacity-strengthening Programs of farmers Organization in the 7th District of the Province of Cavite. These programs were selected for their significant impact on enhancing farmer’s skills, resources, organizational capabilities, increased productivity and overall effectiveness of farmers organization. The top three capacity-strengthening programs are displayed in this table, which is pest management, good agricultural practices for fruits and vegetables and effective deployment of natural insect attractants. Based on the result of the ranking the top highest mean score of 205 is pest management, followed by good agricultural practices for fruits and vegetables ranked second with a mean score of  58 196. Lastly, the Effective Deployment of Natural Insect Attractants ranked third with a mean score of 150. The result indicating that pest management has the highest mean score of 205 can be attributed to several factors. First, pest control is a critical aspect of farming as pests can significantly impact crop yield and quality, directly affecting farmers' income. Managing pests is essential to maintaining healthy crops and ensuring food security. Second, the increasing threat of pest infestations due to climate change and changing a