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

¹ Department of Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship, College of Economics and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, 4031, Philippines
² National Crop Protection Center, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, 4031, Philippines
³ Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, College of Economics and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, 4031, Philippines

^* Corresponding author: medecastro@up.edu.ph

Abstract

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.