TITLE:
Obstacle in Corn Production and the Livelihood Activities of Smallholder Farmers in South Central Philippines
AUTHORS:
Randy E. Mayo, Leah Joy S. Villarta
KEYWORDS:
Obstacle, Corn Production, Smallholder Farmers, Livelihood Activities
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.11 No.10,
October
31,
2023
ABSTRACT: This study delves into the intricacies of corn crop
production within the context of smallholder farming in South Central,
Philippines. It employs a descriptive statistical approach to scrutinize the
challenges faced by corn farmers, providing a comprehensive understanding of
the impediments affecting their livelihoods. The findings reveal a confluence of common
challenges that smallholder farmers encounter, intricately linked to their
individual characteristics as corn cultivators. These challenges include
adherence to outdated planting techniques due
to the absence of modern agricultural machinery. Additionally, their lands are
susceptible to natural disasters, such as floods, landslides, and droughts, compounding their struggles alongside the
persistently low market prices for corn. Moreover, the study
highlights the resilience of these farmers who rely on personal capital to
sustain their livelihoods, as government incentives and support are often
lacking, despite being vital for the community’s prosperity. As a recommendation, prospective farmers are encouraged to contemplate shifting towards large-scale
production while carefully selecting
optimal locations. This strategic shift can potentially enable them to
harness substantial income through increased yields, while simultaneously reducing labor and marketing costs. Such a
transformation could lead to a more prosperous future for smallholder
corn farmers in Palimbang and similar agricultural communities.