Abstract
The adoption of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn gene has increased production and agricultural information exchange plays a vital role towards sustained production growth. The study examined the information system by assessing the usefulness of information, frequency of consultations and strength of information exchange in Bt corn production in Cagayan Province, Philippines. Using descriptive correlation design, it was revealed that both technical and economic information from all sources were rated useful. Technical information on seed variety, land preparation, weather forecast, soil management and fertilizer application are frequently utilized while on the economic information only current market prices was frequently used. Frequency of Consultation with personal information sources gained the highest mean value of 5.02 signifying a two to three times exchange of information. Public information sources obtained an average mean of 2.80 which means four or five times contact in a year. This reveals the gap between the corn growers and public information sources. For the mass media sources, both radio (4.56) and television (4.72) are frequently used at two to three times a month. Personal information sources showed strong (224.25 IS) exchange of information between and among the Bt corn growers which comprise their communication network. Total information scores from public and mass media information sources revealed weak exchange of information. The total information score is significantly correlated with membership to organization, years of membership, nature of membership, land ownership and position in the farm. Total information score from friends, radio and newspaper showed significant relationship with income. Thus, information exchange with friends, listening to radio and reading newspaper had a significant influence on the increase of corn growers’ income.
Highlights
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize was first commercialized in the Philippines in 2003, with a rapid rise in its uptake
The adoption of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn gene has increased production and agricultural information exchange plays a vital role towards sustained production growth
Its adoption was mainly intended to resolve the problem of Asian corn borer, but the major increase and wide-ranging cultivation of Bt corn in the Philippines is due to its alleged economic benefits such as increased yields and increased income for farmers (2)
Summary
Bt maize was first commercialized in the Philippines in 2003, with a rapid rise in its uptake. In 2010, over a quarter million hectares of GM maize were produced by some 270000 Filipino farmers (1). Its adoption was mainly intended to resolve the problem of Asian corn borer, but the major increase and wide-ranging cultivation of Bt corn in the Philippines is due to its alleged economic benefits such as increased yields and increased income for farmers (2). Though yield gains from improved weed control have arisen in Argentina, Brazil, Philippines and Vietnam, the use of GM maize has mainly led to lower production costs (3). Corn production is a major source of livelihood and income for farmers in Region 02. Due to the high demand for corn for human consumption, livestock and manufacturing, Cagayan corn growers have adopted Bt corn to answer pest and disease problems, and to increase productivity
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