Thesis (BS Agribusiness Economics) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, May 2018

The Philippines is highly vulnerable to climate change. One of the susceptible sectors is agriculture and one of the affected crops is corn. The general objective of this study is to assess the impacts of climate change and other factors on corn yield in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Philippines. Specifically, the study aim to analyze the impacts of 1) climate adaption practices, (2) inputs of production and (3) socio-demographic factors on corn yield. Another specific objective is to recommend possible adaptation practices to corn farmers. There were 100 respondents included in the study. The impact of various factors on yield was analyzed using a Tobit regression. Separate regression models were estimated for three cropping years: 2017 (n=100), 2015 (n=78) and 2012 (n=50). Results showed that there are variables that had statistically significant effect on yield (sex, education, family size, household income, membership in organization, years of farming, farm size, seeds, fertilizers, tools, labor, awareness on climate change awareness, access to climate information, frequent watering, intercropping, organic practices, modern variety, increase in fertilizers, increase in insecticides and pest management practices). Climatic data were gathered from the local PAGASA station in the city and were analyzed using t-test and descriptive statistics. Results also show that the perception of farmers match the climatic data provided like experiences of excessive rain in 2012 and 2017 and drought in 2015. The results showed that it was not climate change did not solely account for overall yield of corn production in Tagum City: socio0demographic variables, farm inputs, mitigation practices and farmers? perception towards climate change also influenced yield. Also, different kinds of extreme weather conditions, such as El Nino and super typhoons may have been one of the causes of decreasing yield.