Farmer Decision-Making on the Concept of Coexistence: A Comparative Analysis between Organic and Biotech Farmers in the Philippines

Abstract

Farmer perspectives are relevant for understanding agricultural issues and formulating policies. In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional survey on 70 Filipino farmers (i.e., 35 organic and 35 biotech) to understand farmers’ perspectives regarding coexisting farming methods. Internal response variables were tested to verify the type of decision-making processes being undertaken by biotech and organic farmers. Our results showed that a non-linear decision-making process, similar to the Stimulus–Organism–Response Model, was present for both farmer groups. The study also found that biotech farmers were more influenced by internal factors (e.g., consumer resources) than organic farmers, who rely more on external influences (e.g., culture and social interactions), in connection to their coexistence perspective. The presence of “maverick executives” within the organic farmers gives traction to the notion that coexistence can help empower farmers in choosing what farming method is most suitable to their needs. Our data can also provide insights to policymakers in terms of surveying farmer perspectives to balance farmer needs, primarily in yield and income security, with the national agricultural agenda centered on environmental conservation. Thus, farmer perspectives should be considered alongside ongoing studies and debates on coexistence.

Farmer Perspectives on the Economic, Environmental, and Social Sustainability of Environmental Conservation Agriculture (ECA) in Namobuddha Municipality, Kavre, Nepal

“…Farmers need to generate enough income to maintain their livelihoods, invest in their farms, and respond to changes in the climate. This aligns with the sentiments of other studies, stating that while giving priority to environmentally friendly farming methods may be beneficial in the long run, its sustainability may be hindered when farmers are resource-constrained and experience income reduction due to less agricultural productivity [26,27]. Therefore, economic sustainability is a critical component of ECA that could potentially affect farmers' adoption of ECA practices.…”

Leveraging Japanese Sado Island Farmers’ GIAHS Inclusivity by Understanding Their Perceived Involvement

“…Indeed, the perception of being involved in a bigger cause is shaped by farmers' individual differences and environmental influences. This was shown in another study conducted in the Philippines that focused on farmers' perspectives on coexisting farming methods, which observed that groups of farmers are affected differently by internal and external factors [25]. Therefore, this enhances the need to understand farmers' perspectives and opinions, which in turn affect their involvement in various agricultural programs.…”

Is Implementing a Biotech Ban Correct or Not? Analysis of Farmer Perceptions and Attitudes on the Philippine Supreme Court’s Ban on Biotech Crops

“…Respondentdriven sampling-a specialized form of snowball sampling-was used to track down the target respondents of the study, with the help of government officials and farmer leaders. This employed a similar sampling approach used in previous studies that also tracked down and interviewed biotech corn farmers [27,28].…”

“…The results of the correspondence analysis concur with this since farmers who perceive the ban as incorrect are more inclined to continue their biotech corn adoption. Indeed, previous studies on biotech farmers emphasized the importance of knowledge and satisfaction for continued adoption [27,28]. Furthermore, major scientific organizations worldwide have attested to the safety of biotech crops.…”