Overview of Philippine Agriculture PDF

The Filipino Farmer in the Context of Socio- Cultural and Economic Status, Needs and Aspiration Filipino Farmer in the Context of Socio-Cultural Factor Filipino farmers are integral to the country’s agricultural sector and cultural heritage. Their practices, challenges, and con...

The Filipino Farmer in the Context of Socio- Cultural and Economic Status, Needs and Aspiration Filipino Farmer in the Context of Socio-Cultural Factor Filipino farmers are integral to the country’s agricultural sector and cultural heritage. Their practices, challenges, and contributions are deeply intertwined with the socio-cultural dynamics of Filipino society. This exploration provides insights into how culture, community, and social structures influence the lives of farmers in the Philippines. Cultural Identity Connection to Land: For many Filipino farmers, the land is not just a source of livelihood but also a part of their identity. Traditional farming practices are often passed down through generations, preserving cultural heritage. Festivals and Rituals: Agricultural festivals, such as the Pahiyas and Sinulog, celebrate harvests and reflect the farmers' connection to their crops, reinforcing community bonds and cultural identity. Community and Social Structure Communal Living: Rural communities often operate on principles of mutual aid and cooperation. Farmers rely on each other for labor during planting and harvest seasons, fostering a strong sense of community. Social Hierarchies: Traditional roles within farming communities can create hierarchies based on land ownership and social status. These dynamics can influence access to resources and decision-making processes. Economic Factors Livelihood Challenges: Filipino farmers often face economic hardships due to low income, high production costs, and limited access to markets. Many depend on subsistence farming, making them vulnerable to fluctuations in crop yield and market prices. Cooperatives and Support: Agricultural cooperatives provide a means for farmers to pool resources, gain better market access, and enhance bargaining power, contributing to economic resilience. Gender Roles Role of Women: Women play vital roles in agriculture, often managing household tasks while participating in farming activities. However, they frequently face gender-based discrimination and limited access to resources. Empowerment Initiatives: Programs aimed at empowering women in agriculture can improve productivity and promote equitable resource distribution within farming communities. Education and Knowledge Transfer Access to Education: Educational opportunities vary, impacting farmers’ ability to adopt new technologies and practices. Traditional knowledge is often passed down orally, complementing formal education. Extension Services: Agricultural extension services can help bridge knowledge gaps, providing farmers with information on best practices, sustainable methods, and market trends. Environmental Awareness Sustainability Practices: Many farmers are adopting sustainable practices in response to environmental challenges and climate change. Techniques like organic farming and agro ecology are becoming more popular. Resilience to Climate Change: With the Philippines being prone to natural disasters, farmers are increasingly focused on adapting their practices to enhance resilience and sustainability. Economic Status of Filipino Farmer 1. Economic Overview of Filipino Farmers Poverty Levels: A significant percentage of farmers in the Philippines live below the national poverty line. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as of 2021, around 30% of farmers were classified as poor, with incomes insufficient to meet basic needs. Income Sources: Many farmers rely on a single crop, making them vulnerable to market fluctuations. Diversification is limited due to various factors, including lack of capital and market access. 2. Income and Livelihood Average Income: The average annual income of Filipino farmers varies significantly by region and crop type. Estimates suggest that farmers earn between PHP 10,000 to PHP 25,000 annually, which is below the national average for other sectors. Seasonal Variability: Income is often seasonal, peaking during harvest times and dwindling in lean months. This variability complicates financial planning and stability. 3. Access to Resources Land Tenure: Many farmers face issues with land ownership. The lack of secure land tenure discourages long-term investments in farming. The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) aimed to address land distribution, but challenges remain regarding implementation and accessibility. Financial Resources: Access to credit is limited, with many farmers relying on informal loans with high-interest rates. Government programs exist but are often underutilized due to complex application processes or lack of awareness. 4. Production Costs Input Costs: The cost of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides can consume a significant portion of farmers' income. Rising prices of these inputs, often linked to global market trends, further strain farmers’ finances. Natural Disasters: The Philippines is frequently affected by typhoons and flooding, which can devastate crops and result in significant economic losses. Farmers often lack insurance or support systems to recover from such disasters. 5. Government Support and Policies Subsidies and Assistance Programs: The government provides various support programs, including subsidies for inputs and access to credit. However, these programs are often criticized for being poorly targeted or insufficient. Agricultural Cooperatives: Cooperatives can enhance farmers' bargaining power and provide access to collective resources. However, participation is limited, and many farmers remain isolated in their practices. 6. Education and Training Skills Development: Educational opportunities are critical for improving farming practices. Access to training on modern agricultural techniques is limited, affecting productivity and income potential. Extension Services: Extension services are vital for bridging the gap between agricultural research and practice, providing farmers with access to knowledge, training, and resources. They empower farmers to adopt modern and sustainable farming techniques, enhance productivity, and solve problems effectively. 7. Gender Disparities Economic Roles of Women: Women play significant roles in agricultural production but often face economic disadvantages. Their contributions are frequently unrecognized, leading to disparities in access to resources and decision-making power. Empowerment Initiatives: Programs aimed at empowering women farmers can lead to improved family income and better community outcomes. Filipino Farmer in the Context of Needs and Aspiration Filipino farmers are the backbone of the country's agricultural sector, playing a vital role in ensuring food security and sustaining rural communities. However, their needs and aspirations extend far beyond mere survival. As custodians of the land, these farmers seek not only to cultivate crops but also to improve their livelihoods, access better resources, and secure a brighter future for their families. Who is the Filipino Farmer? A typical farmer is usually working the land ( about one hectare or less) of rice land as tenant. “70 percent of the poor in our country are in the rural areas, where agriculture and fisheries are the main source of livelihood. A Filipino farmer is typically poor Why are Filipino farmers Poor? 1. Poor productivity growth in agriculture 2. Under-Investment in Rural Infrastructure 3.Unequal Land and Income Distribution 4. High Population Growth 5. Low quality of Social Services 6. Low prices for the product of their hard work 7. Natural Calamities 8. Risk Associated with Unpredictable Market Demand 9. Persistence of Armed Conflict 10. Poor Educational Background The Filipino farmers still suffer from landless, unfair trade practices, usury, and unsafe modern agricultural practices. Aspiration of Filipino Farmer 1. Farmers Dream to own a piece of Land 2. Better future for their Children Farmers aim to boost their agricultural production by obtaining high quality agricultural input, such as: 3. High quality of seeds, 4. Better Livestock Breeds 5. Access to A. Credit Facilities B. Market C. Storage and Postharvest Facilities d. Irrigation E. Irrigation 6. Having sustainable Source of Income 7. Good quality of life 8. Having other sources of income Republic Act 7607: Empowering Small hold Farmers in their Economic Endeavors 11/29/20 24  Farms are primarily characterized as small hold and are managed and cultivated by small farmers.  These small hold farmers are important drivers of development in the countryside but are commonly marginalized and mostly vulnerable to the rapidly changing social, political, and environmental conditions.  Hence in view of their significant contributions in achieving economic and sustainable development especially in the countryside, the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7607, also known as the “Magna Carta of Small Farmers” was signed into law on June 4, 1992. 11/29/20 24  Magna Carta for small farmer  Republic Act 7607 primarily aims in realizing equitable distribution of benefits and opportunities through the empowerment of the small farmers.  The law recognizes the country’s responsibility for the welfare and development of small farmers by giving them support in attaining their socioeconomic goals.  The law encourages the participation of small farmers, farm workers, farmers’ cooperatives and organizations to enjoin in the planning, organization, management and implementation of agricultural programs and projects. 11/29/20 24  Small farmers- are defined in R.A. 7607 as those “natural persons dependent on small-scale subsistence farming as their primary source of income and whose sale, barter or exchange of agricultural products do not exceed a gross value of one hundred eighty thousand pesos (P 180,000) per annum based on 1992 constant prices.”  Empowerment of small farmers The farmers’ rights and obligations are also specified in R.A. 7607 in order to guide their endeavors. The farmers’ rights are the following: (1) support to the price program; (2) ensure market; (3) be covered with social security; (4) avail of credit system at minimal interest rates and minimum collateral requirements; (5) avail of farm inputs and services;  (6) be heard and represented in the government;  (7) be updated on market prices and demands, policies and farming practices;  (8) benefit from natural resources;  (9) assume certain processing and marketing functions of government agencies;  (10) pursue appropriate education and skills development; and  (11) avail of technical assistance from government agencies. On the other hand, the farmer’s obligations are as follows:  (1) establish farmers’ organizations;  (2) adopt recommended farm practices and inputs;  (3) comply with the terms and conditions in availing of assistance;  (4) adopt recommended production and marketing strategies;  (5) provide reasonable prices and quality products;  (6) share labor and material resources to community- based activities;  (7) meet local demand requirements to avert shortage that may necessitate importation;  (8) participate in conservation, protection and development of national patrimony;  (9) pay all fees, license fees and taxes;  (10) contribute to government insurance and social security programs; and  (11) undertake self-help community development projects. EMPOWERING SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN MARKETS (ESFIM)  In many developing agricultural countries, almost one-third (1/3) of the world’s population depend on smallholder farming. As such, smallholder farming is important in terms of agriculture and food security.  The term “small holder” refers to their limited resource endowments relative to other farmers and therefore the definition of smallholders differs between countries and between agro-ecological zones. 11/29/20 24  Based on the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) or RA 8435 of 1997 and the Magna Carta of Small Farmers (RA 7607) of 1993, the country defines smallholder “as natural persons dependent on small-scale subsistence farming as their primary source of income”.  The Land Bank of the Philippines defines small farmer as actual tillers of lands not over 5 hectares. 11/29/20 24 On the other hand, the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) otherwise known as REPUBLIC Act 8435, aims to strengthen the agriculture sector thru modernization, greater participation of small-holders (or small stakeholders), food security and food self- sufficiency, private sector participation and people empowerment. The AFMA is geared to achieved the following: 1. Modernization of the agriculture sector in the country and convert them into a technology- based market driven industry; 2. To be able to wipe out the problems regarding the lack of post-harvest information and other rural support services to open the way to farm modernization, the common denominator among most of East Asia’s economic giants. 11/29/20 24  3. Uplift the plight of farming communities and make them competitive in the long-run.  4. Lessen the rapid rate of agricultural land conversion in the county brought about by the industrial development.  5. Anchor the country’s fast-track farm modernization program on an unprecedented rural infrastructure build-up which the government hopes would finally address rural poverty. Thank you so much for Listening. God Bless Everyone!