Agricultural Warriors: National Government Programs and Technology Utilization in the Province of Aklan, Philippines

Abstract

The study aims to determine the programs and services by the Department of Agriculture availed by the farmers and fisherfolks, their access and utilization of technology for use in evidence-based planning, policymaking, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation in the provincial agricultural sector. The study was primarily quantitative in approach specifically the descriptive research design. Respondents of the study were the farmers, farm workers/laborers, livestock raisers, and fisherfolks randomly selected from the sampled municipalities in the province of Aklan. The study employed Multistage Random Sampling with 400 respondents proportionately represented based on sex. The study utilized a survey questionnaire prepared by the UPNCPAG. Results revealed that there are farmers and fisherfolks in the province who are not yet enrolled in the RSBSA despite its implementation in 2012. The government's program on seeds and fertilizers distribution was availed by most of the agricultural stakeholders in the province. Most respondents reported obtaining their planting materials from their own supply. Traditional methods/devices are still mainly practiced in planting, nutrient management, harvesting, post-harvesting, freezing, and grading. While, machinery/equipment is utilized for land preparation. Furthermore, the respondents mostly rely on past experience in the case of fertilization and pesticide use, as they are perhaps not updated and are not willing to take risks in their production. The Internet is almost unutilized in any agricultural activities in the province. They may not be technologically updated, not capable, and do not have access to the internet.