Decision Determinants of Indigenous Corn Farmers in Northern Philippines

Abstract

This study which focused on factors and challenges affecting the decision-making of indigenous corn farmers ascertained the determinants that make farmers decide to engage in and continue corn farming activities in Paracelis, Mountain Province, in Northern Philippines. Determinants of decision and motivational factors of corn farmers were examined based on survey responses of 120 indigenous corn farmers by applying chi-square test analysis. Results showed that there were some decision and motivational factors that were significantly related to specific characteristics of corn farmers and there were also similarities of factors that affected the decision making of farmers in terms of engaging in and sustaining corn farming activities. Among the identified driving forces, financing capability and availability of land area were highly related with farm size and with a farmer’s educational attainment. Knowledge or experience and interest in corn farming were also related with educational attainment. All the identified driving forces were found to be unrelated to farmers’ age. The motivational factor identified as “personally satisfying” was found to be related with age, educational attainment and years in the farming business. Factors which affected a farmer’s decision to sustain corn farming activities (“sustaining” factors) such as availability of different networks is highly related to educational attainment, years in the farming business and farm size while high market price of corn was the only “sustaining” factor linked to educational attainment. Based on these factors and cited problems in corn farming, recommendations were offered to address the issues raised by farmers.