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

The need for rice being the staple food of the Filipinos cannot be diminished. The search for maximizing the geographical and technological resources by the key players is a continuing mission in the industry. History revealed that there was rice sufficiency in the light of Green Revolution. However, trade liberalization brought crop shifting as a current trend in the Philippine agriculture such as rice fields converted into banana plantations. Hence, this study aimed to identify and evaluate factors that determine the decision of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) and non-ARBs to shift from rice to banana production. Logistic Regression (Logit) and the use of Input-Output Model analyses were done. Rice farmers who remained in rice production settled on the ground of securing food consumption within the family while rice farmers who have shifted into banana production inferred the change in climatic conditions. The factors Age, Farm size, Farming Experience and Water source appeared to explain the shifting decision of a rice farmer. A unit increase in Age and Farm size increases the probability to shift while a unit increase in Farming Experience and adoption of Irrigation System (Water source) decreases the probability to shift. Issues and concerns regarding CARL (1988) implementation include crop change, nature of ARBs, leaseback agreement and the ARB Cooperative. Also, a comparative analysis of the actual process flow of application process for agribusiness venture and the standard set by an administrative order of DAR was done. It revealed that there is a wide gap between the prescribed and the actual process flow. The study recommends that a thorough review of the rules and policies on crop shifting and on application for agribusiness venture be done as it affects CARP implementation, thereby also affecting the food security in the country.