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

The study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on changes in land ownership status among farmers. The pandemic has highlighted vulnerabilities within the agricultural sector, affecting decision on land ownership, crucial for agricultural sustainability and farmer well-being. Despite the critical role of land ownership, there is a lack of research on how the pandemic specifically impacts this aspect. Using binary logistic regression data from 158 respondents in April 2024 were analyzed. Results revealed several significant predictors of land ownership status changes during the COVID-19 lockdown, including the number of employed household members, household percentage involved in farming, shared tenant land ownership status, decreased production, delayed input, market access difficulties, transportation challenges, and health concerns. The findings reveal that an increase in employed household members reduces the likelihood of land ownership status change by 9.03%, whereas a 25% increase in household farming involvement increases it by 7.86%. shared tenant land ownership status significantly raises the likelihood of ownership change by 18.98%. Farming facing decreased production are 17.18% less likely to change ownership status, while delayed input delivery increases this likelihood by 13.51%. Market access difficulties and transportation challenges decrease the likelihood of ownership change by 19.32% and 21.85%, respectively. Health concerns increase the likelihood by 17.97%. these results suggest targeted recommendations aligned with existing government programs to enhance agricultural resilience, stabilize land ownership, and mitigate the impacts of pandemics and other crises on the agricultural sector. By addressing these predictors, policies can be tailored to support farmers effectively, ensuring the stability and sustainability of their likelihood.