Agricultural and Biological Research

Adoption and impact of organic farming practices among agricultural practitioners in Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines

Liezel Maño-Caranto*, Zandra A. Quirante

Organic farming has become a viable, sustainable method in areas where agriculture is a major part of the livelihood, such as Zamboanga del Sur. This research evaluated the adoption and influence of organic farming methods by agricultural practitioners in two districts in the province. It adopted a quantitative, descriptive-comparative research design and used a structured survey questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. independent samples t-test and the R programming. Results showed considerable disparities in practitioners' awareness levels, access to support services, and the level of organic farming practices across districts. Moderately to highly adopted were organic fertilization and pest management practices, indicating a decreased reliance on external inputs. Findings also showed that the perceived influence of organic farming was closely associated with years of experience in organic activities. The research finds that organic farming is practiced, but differences in institutional support and information dissemination influence its implementation. Enforcement of support services, especially on the supply of production inputs and transition subsidies, is suggested to promote the adoption and sustainability of organic farming systems.