Assessment on the Acceptability of Organic Farming by Farmers in Kapangan, Benguet

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the farmers’ acceptability on organic farming in Kapangan, Benguet. The study aimed to determine if the farmers are aware about organic farming; if there are farmers adopting organic farming; the level of acceptability and the reasons of adopting and not adopting organic farming. A total of 100 respondents were classified according to their age, gender, civil status and type of farming engaged. Most of the respondents are aware about organic farming. According to the respondents, the level of acceptability on organic farming is acceptable but few adopting organic farming for the reason that it is beneficial to health and has a good effect to the environment. The kinds of organic vegetables that the respondents sell are the following; beans, cabbage, garden pea, bell pepper, chayote, peachy, mustard, potato, water cress, gabi and Korean radish. They sell in their neighbors’ store with in the area and market. The respondents’ reasons for adopting organic farming are the following; beneficial to health, lesser capital, needed higher market price, better quality and good effect to the environment. The reasons of the respondents for not adopting organic farming classified as internal reasons such as poor quality of crops produced, inadequate knowledge, not convenient to apply, laborious and low income. External reasons such as no support from the government in case farming failed, limited researches to help make organic farming successful, lack of trainings and seminars about organic farming, no established market outlet for organic vegetables and low yield. Majority of the respondents are interested in adopting organic farming provided that the government should support them and provide all their needs especially trainings and seminars in their place in order for them to understand more what organic farming is. The concerned agencies and local government should also provide low interest credit loans, market outlet for organic produced so that they will not be discouraged in going into organic farming.