Awareness, Attitudes, and Perceptions of La Trinidad, Benguet Farmers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certification

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the awareness, attitudes, and perceptions of La Trinidad, Benguet Farmers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certification. Specifically, it aimed to determine the awareness level of the farmers, their sources of information, their perceptions and attitudes, to determine the information dissemination strategies and plans of the government on the implementation of GAP Certification, and to produce a radio plug. The study had 45 farmer respondents from the organizations under the Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Council (MAFC). The research shows that among the 45 farmer-respondents, 42.22% of the respondents were somewhat aware on GAP certification. The result implies that respondents were not knowledgeable and familiar of on the certification. Most of the respondents have heard about it in particular but were not knowledgeable on it. Seminars and organizational meetings were vital channels for information dissemination on GAP certification. The Municipal Agriculture Office conducted seminars regarding this where farmers were encouraged to attend. Furthermore, GAP certification was mentioned to them by their farmer-leader and also the barangay officials through organizational meetings. In general, the respondents had positive perceptions on the certification even though they had low knowledge on it. The respondents agreed that GAP certification is an opportunity for them to improve their farming practices. They also said that that the certification would be very important to them and to the consumers. Furthermore, although farmer-respondents had low awareness level on GAP certification, majority were interested to be GAP certified. It was also concluded that the primary information dissemination of the government regarding GAP certification is through seminars and trainings. However, although OMAG had conducted orientation on GAP certification there is still a need for farmers to undergo a longer seminar/training on GAP. It is recommended that the government may strategize other information dissemination activities to further explain and increase the knowledge of farmers regarding GAP certification. They may consider producing Information Education Campaign (IEC) materials for the wide information dissemination of GAP certification. Furthermore, a study on production and evaluation of IEC materials in GAP certification may be considered and the farmers may consider being active in the compliance of GAP certification.