Author : Aloysius Glenroy Lambert

Summary : This study inquires into (1) the roles and operational strategies of different subsystems involved in the diffusion and utilization of rice-based multiple cropping technology, (2) the interface relationship among the cooperating parent organizations and the farmer cooperates in the project, and (3) the farmers' response in terms of their knowledge of, attitude towards and practice of the technology. Two main research methods were followed: (1) organizational field study of the case, and (2) survey research at the farmers' response level. For the former method, 39 key informants were interviewed; this was supplemented with personal observation. For the survey, 83 farmer cooperators and an equal number of non-cooperators were interviewed. The case study results show that at the adaptive research phase (ARP) different roles were played by the cooperating systems: the local Bureau of Agricultural Extension (BAEx) sub-system was performing the role of the management staff, and was involved in research training; the National Food and Agricultural Council (NAFC) subsystem was performing a coordinating role; the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Philippine Council for Agriculture and Resources Research (PCARR) subsystem were involved in verifying the technology that was brought from the IRRI research subsystem, and the rainfed experimentation of the multiple cropping technology, by managing their individual farms with guidance of BAEx technicians and IRRI researchers generation subsystem, and the rainfed wetland rice farmers provided labor requirement for field experimentation of the multiple cropping technology, by managing their individual farms with guidance of BAEx technician and IRRI researchers. The operational strategies of the ARP consisted of starting the project small, with emphasis on interagency cooperation and the participation of local farmer cooperators during its three year period. Likewise, the pilot extension project consisted of extending the same personnel and the technology developed during the ARP into five municipalities, and involving the local political units and eight other agricultural agencies in the project. By the end of 1978, the project had some 549 cooperators. At an inter-provincial level, it had expanded to South Cotobato. By May 1979, it had attracted an IBRD team for possible funding for further expansion. The survey results of farmer response to the project show that the farmer cooperator had significantly higher knowledge of a favorable attitude toward, and a better practice of the technology than those of the non-cooperators. Likewise, the exposure to the source of information on the technology significantly related to the cooperators' knowledge of attitude toward and practice of the same. In the case study, it was found that drying of palay (paddy), marketing, storage and financing remained a snag to popular acceptance of the project. On the other hand, the survey research revealed that the second crop yield, a third upland crop, farm ownership, and annual family income were not significantly related to the practice of the technology. These findings show that farmers have different decision parameters from the project planners and implementers. Rather than emphasizing high yield and better income, farmers are more concerned with availability of credit, drying, storage and marketing facilities.