Empowering smallholder bitter gourd farmers in Rizal, Laguna, Philippines towards sustainable and safe farming practices

Excessive use of pesticides in high-value crops proves detrimental to both health and the environment. This action research aims to evaluate farmers’ food safety practices as basis in introducing interventions to empower them toward the adoption of good agricultural practices for safe and sustainable farming. In this study, bitter gourd farmers (n=30) from Rizal, Laguna, Philippines were randomly sampled and surveyed. Current agricultural practices of the farmer participants and sustainability gaps in production were determined to assess the factors that contribute to their existing knowledge. Based on the results, socio-economic variables such as age, income, poverty, years of farming, and tenancy arrangement were found to be associated with GAP-related practices. Most of the farmers were aware of the importance of reading the product label of pesticides before application, wearing protective equipment, and routine monitoring. Moreover, a training intervention that focused on the identified sustainability gaps was provided. Farmers were trained in integrated pest management, internal control system on pesticide use, and keeping records to equip them towards safe and sustainable farming. Training, monitoring, and other extension activities should be provided occasionally to the farmers for continuous adherence to these sustainable practices

Initiatives towards inclusive trading practices of rice value chain in Pila, Laguna, Philippines

Rice industry in the Philippines is beset with environmental, social, and economic concerns resulting in low farmer incomes, lack of food security and meager competitiveness. This study aimed to develop inclusive interventions on rice trading practices involving smallholder farmers. Primary data were derived from baseline interviews from farmers, traders, millers, wholesalers, and retailers to assess trading practices involved in the chain. Stakeholder consultations were also conducted to validate the findings and identify strategies for the initiatives. Based on the results, the major challenges identified include high production and marketing costs of paddy attributed to high material inputs and labor costs. This leads to a low profit margin for smallholder farmers. This gap relates to poor market linkage that limits the ability of farmers to receive higher prices for their produce. Interventions involving the improvement of marketability through market innovation were prioritized to address the gap. Recommendations concerning reducing institutional barriers towards smallholder farmers was provided to broaden adoption of inclusive trading practices and foster a more equitable and sustainable rice value chain