Author : Pascual, Lourdes N.

Summary : The study was conducted among 86 cotton and non-cotton growers in Bayambang, Pangasinan to ascertain the effects of the National Cotton Development Program on individual living condition. It also determined their perceptions of, attitude toward, and expectations from the program at the community level as well as determined the relationship of some socio-psychological and farmer-related variables with the respondents' living condition. It also identified the causes of farmers' withrawal from the program and determined non-cottom growers prospects of joining the program. Cotton growers were better off than non-cotton growers in terms of their living condition as indicated household income, expenditures, and possessions; non-household possessions; and housing condition. Moreover, cotton growers' present level of membership in community organizations as well as their aspirations were higher than those of non-cotton growers. Similarly, cotton growers' living condition after joining the program was relatively better than before they started planting cotton. Organizational affiliation, on the other hand, had likewise improved in manner as their aspirations were raised upon joining the program. Both cotton and non-cotton growers had highly favorable attitude toward selected aspects of the National Cotton Development Program (NCDP) like the supervised credit, the Philcotton technician, some management policies and selected cultural practices on the crop. They also showed high perception level regarding basic concepts of the program. Their expectations from the program were generally economic-oriented. Of the socio-psychological and farmer-related variables tested for relationship to the of living condition of cotton and non-cotton growers, only membership in community organzations was found to be significantly related to their living condition. Some socio-economic effects of the NCDP at the community level included increased job opportunities, greater prestige, and bigger income for the family. Majority of the...