Thesis (BS Agribusiness Economics) University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2024

In the Philippines, agricultural households depend primarily on their farms to meet their needs. However, if the farm fails to meet the demand, these households send members out to work. This study aims to investigate the effect of the labor migration of agricultural households in Lantapan, Bukidnon. Specifically, it identifies the determinants and evaluates the impact of labor migration on agricultural households using Descriptive Analysis and Cobb-Douglas Production Function. The study was conducted in Lantapan, Bukidnon. Respondents from 110 agricultural households were interviewed through face-to-face. The results show that household characteristics are the significant factors affecting the number of household members migrating. The household head’s gender, level of education, and number of dependents have a negative relationship. In contrast, the household head’s age, and household size have a positive relationship. Furthermore, based on the gathered data, the result reveals that labor migration started in 2001 and surged in 2020 during the pandemic. Most agricultural households use government assistance as financial aid for capital to start small businesses and diversify their income, whereas female household members tend to migrate or manage small businesses, while males continue operating on their vegetable production. This suggests that labor migration assists agricultural households in alleviating economic conditions and mitigating the risk of income shocks. However, labor migration affects the labor supply of the household. This study recommends government provide targeted support programs for farmers to access credit, agricultural inputs, and markets to help vegetable farmers improve their vegetable production. Also, policymakers should offer agricultural scholarships and programs in the education system to encourage the young generation to participate in agriculture.