CHALLENGES OF SELECTED FARMERS IN THE SELECTED MUNICIPALITIES OF DISTRICT IV - NUEVA ECIJA IN THE FACE OF RISING AGRICULTURAL INPUT COSTS: COPING STRATEGIES

Abstract

The agricultural sector in the Philippines is facing significant challenges due to high production costs, rising food prices, and over-reliance on imports. According to a report by The New Humanitarian (2023), agriculture remains crucial for food production, employment, and economic growth, making the current crisis a pressing concern for farmers and policymakers alike. This phenomenological study aimed to determine the experiences of farmers in Nueva Ecija regarding the challenges they face and the coping strategies they employ in response to rising agricultural input costs. The study also identified the participants’ years of farming experience, possible solutions, and recommendations. Focus group discussions were conducted with farmers from selected municipalities in District IV, Nueva Ecija, all of whom had at least ten years of farming experience. Participants responded to a set of semi-structured interview questions supported by audio recordings. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select participants, and thematic analysis was applied to analyze the collected data. The findings revealed that the majority of participants had been engaged in farming for 41 to 50 years. Farmers reported experiencing various challenges throughout their years of work, particularly the increasing prices of agricultural inputs. Despite these difficulties, farmers expressed strong reasons for continuing their livelihood. As rising input costs contributed to financial strain, farmers implemented various coping strategies to sustain their farming operations. The findings indicated that farmers are facing significant financial challenges due to the continuous increase in agricultural input costs, making it difficult to afford essential farming supplies. As a result, farmers have adopted different strategies to manage their farms and cope with these rising expenses. Overall, the study demonstrated that farmers are able to employ various coping mechanisms to navigate the challenges posed by increasing agricultural input costs.