Southeast Asian Journal of Agriculture and Allied Sciences

The Delivery of Sistemang PalayCheck Among Farmers in the City of Malolos

2025-04-08T21:14:40+08:00

Inflation in the Philippines has negatively affected agriculture by causing price fluctuations and challenging the adoption of technology. One program from the national government that refines rice production is the Sistemang PalayCheck. A communal technology-based program that empowers farmers to enhance their understanding and expertise in rice cultivation, fostering a shared learning environment. This study evaluates the impact of Sistemang PalayCheck among farmers in the City of Malolos, Bulacan, focusing on knowledge acquisition, skill improvement, and attitude enhancement. This study employed a purposive sampling technique, focusing on 100 farmers who were intentionally selected for their relevance to the research—particularly those with no prior knowledge of the Sistemang PalayCheck program. The instrument used is a 22-item Likert scale questionnaire designed to measure the delivery of Sistemang PalayCheck among the farmers. It covered three domains: knowledge, skill, and attitude. Findings revealed that farmers achieved high levels of knowledge (M = 3.90, SD = 0.31), skill (M = 3.90, SD = 0.36), and attitude (M = 3.83, SD = 0.36), indicating the program's effectiveness in enhancing farming practices. The implications suggest that community-based agricultural interventions can significantly contribute to food security and sustainable economic growth.

Farmers’ Adoption and Satisfaction with National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Services in Central Luzon, Philippines

2025-06-18T01:59:20+08:00

This study evaluated farmers’ adoption and satisfaction levels regarding services provided by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in the Angat-Maasim River Irrigation System (AMRIS), spanning selected municipalities in Bulacan and Pampanga, Philippines. Using a descriptive-correlational research design, data were collected from 393 randomly selected farmers through structured questionnaires. Results showed that while farmers exhibited high adoption levels of NIA irrigation practices (M = 4.51), satisfaction was moderate (M = 4.33), with communication receiving the highest and infrastructure maintenance the lowest ratings. Poor infrastructure maintenance was the most frequently cited problem (M = 3.03). A weak but significant positive correlation (r = 0.333) was found between adoption and satisfaction, suggesting that compliance may be driven more by institutional norms than by personal satisfaction. Findings highlight the importance of enhancing infrastructure, expanding training, and involving youth and women in irrigation governance to improve service effectiveness and sustainability.

Value Chain Analysis of Coffee Production in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan

2025-05-08T07:36:55+08:00

This study provides a localized value chain analysis of coffee production in the municipality of Doña Remedios Trinidad (DRT), Bulacan, focusing on the roles of coffee farmers, the Talbak Fruits and Coffee Growers Inc. (TFCGI), and consumers. Using a mixed-methods approach with surveys and interviews of coffee farmers, the study highlights the challenges and opportunities within the coffee value chain. Key findings reveal that despite the reliance of farmers on traditional methods and self-financing for inputs, TFCGI acts as an important value-adding intermediary by processing and marketing coffee through retail and social media. The analysis identifies significant challenges, including aging coffee trees, limited access to modern equipment and credit, low demand, fluctuating prices, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which impede farmers’ profitability and productivity. This study also underscores that the role of TFCGI as an intermediary is vital to sustaining local coffee production. The findings offer action-oriented insights for stakeholders and policymakers to design effective strategies, such as providing enhanced access to inputs, modern equipment, and marketing support, all of which are essential for strengthening the coffee value chain and fostering sustainable development in the municipality.

Awareness, Attitudes, and Challenges of Agricultural Extension Workers Toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

2025-08-04T16:34:44+08:00

This study explored the awareness, attitudes, and challenges faced by agricultural extension workers (AEWs) in Bulacan, Philippines, regarding the integration of selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their work. The primary focus was to assess AEWs' understanding and engagement with SDGs 1, 2, 13, and 15 explicitly and to develop an action plan aimed at enhancing their capacity to promote sustainable agriculture. Data were gathered from 95 AEWs in Districts 2 and 3 using a structured survey questionnaire. The socio-demographic profile of the respondents revealed a relatively balanced sex distribution, with a slight male majority (54.7%) compared to females (45.3%). The largest age group was 20–30 years old (30.5%), while the smallest group was aged 61 and above (5.3%), suggesting a young and adaptable workforce with limited senior representation. All respondents were college graduates, with 9.5% holding master’s degrees. Most held regular positions (67.4%), indicating workforce stability, while the most common length of service was 1–5 years (34.7%). Rice production was the leading area of specialization (29.5%), whereas organic agriculture, fishery, and soil science were among the least represented fields (each below 5%). In terms of training, AEWs most frequently attended programs related to SDG 1 (No Poverty) at 33.7%, and least frequently to SDG 15 (Life on Land) at 16.8%, indicating uneven exposure across sustainability goals. The findings revealed that AEWs generally demonstrated solid awareness of the SDGs, with particularly strong knowledge of climate-resilient practices. Positive attitudes toward SDG implementation were evident, with respondents expressing a high willingness to apply SDG principles in their work. However, key challenges such as insufficient funding, low farmer awareness, and limited training opportunities were identified.