Villalon, John Rey L.

Factors affecting the income of vegetable cluster-members in Marilog District, Davao City : effects of social capital and women participation / John Rey L. Villalon - 82 leaves

Thesis, Undergraduate (BS Agribusiness Economics) -- U.P. Mindanao

Vegetable farmers' income, who are cluster members, from Marilog District, Davao City is affected by various factors. Two of the factors that are hypothesized to significantly affect the income of the farmers are social capital and women participation in farming. There are already many studies confirming the significant effect of social capital to farmers' income; however, there are also studies debunking its impact. On the other hand, women participation in farming is often not counted and undervalued. This study examined the effects of social capital and women participation in the income of 82 farmers who are members of different clusters located in Marilog District. Trust, associatedness, optimism, linkage, power-dependence and satisfaction dimensions are the social capital dimensions used in the study. Women participation, on the other hand, is measured through the involvement of the farmer's wife in farming related activities, decision-making and trainings. Econometric modeling for social capital suggests that volume of production, number of vegetables planted, pesticide cost and other costs are positively contributing to farmers' income . In women participation model, similar factors excepts for number of vegetables planted are found to significantly affect the income of the farmers. However, social capital dimensions and women participation are not statistically significant in affecting farmers' income. Nonetheless, results showed that there are social capital dimensions that affect income positively which are trust, linkage, power-dependence and satisfaction dimensions. Involvement of the farmer's wife in farming related activities are also positively contributing to income. Hence, it is recommended that farmer-members should improve their production.