Call Prefix : PR-T

Call Suffix : 2002

Call Cutter : D - DeCo 9

Location : SEARCA Library

Format : TD

Publisher : University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB),

Publication Date : October 2002

Publication Place : College, Laguna, Philippines :

Summary : The study examined how farmer-participants construe and communicate the concept of sustainability and other concepts/incidents associated with it. Researcher-participants' constructs for sustainability and other concepts were compared with that of the farmer-participants. The qualitative approach to communication research that takes on the interpretive paradigm as its philosophical position was used in the study. The study had two sites, Brgy. Novaliches, Liliw Laguna and Brgy. Gagalot, Majayjay Laguna. Both sites practice tomato-based farming system. The study had a total of 34 farmer-participants for both sites and five researcher-participants. Maximum variation sampling was used to select the participants for the study. A combination of participant observation, intensive interviewing, and key informant interviews were conducted to elicit constructs and meanings for the concepts. Data-text was reduced by descriptive and conceptual coding, thematic coding ensued, which were condensed and organized further into data displays. My interpretation of the displays was written as analytic text. Data, method, and theory triangulation were done to ensure the reliability and validity of findings. Farmer-participants' understanding for their relationship with the environment includes care and concern, survival, interdependence, future generation and duty/obligation. Criteria used to evaluate a new technology are : (1) capability to improve farming and increase yield/income; (2) production cost; (3) labor requirements; (4) market availability; (5) qualities of a new variety; and (6) will not harm the environment. They construe the term Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as using recommended chemicals, limited and early spraying of less toxic chemicals, and spraying being beneficial to both crops and health of farmers. The term IPM also means using appropriate methods to control pests that are not chemical-based.