Community Participation and Intervention Framework (CPIF): Mechanism of Change in Rice Farming in Calatrava, Romblon, Philippines

Abstract

This paper highlights the experiences of the Philippine Rice Research Institute in implementing the Give Me Five Rice Project (GM5) in Calatrava, Romblon. After the implementation of GM5 the Community Participation and Intervention Framework (CPIF) was developed. An analysis of the CPIF that describes the mechanisms of change in rice farming and how the level of peoples’ participation has influenced farmers’ attitude through technological adoption and adaptation in increasing rice productivity and income of the rice farmers. A cross-sectional survey design was carried out for this study. The interview-type study was conducted with fifty six (56) respondents: 49 were farmers and 7 were active stakeholders in the GM5 project in two (2) barangays (Pangulo and Balogo) in Calatrava, Romblon. Secondary data were gathered from the reports of the Rice Sufficiency Officers (RSO), and the final report of the GM5 project. Primary data were gathered through personal interviews by using a questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with the key informants and other stakeholders. Descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation analysis and regression analysis were employed to analyze the data. Findings of this study showed that increase in yield and income had the highest relationship with level of technology adoption rate (r=0.772, p=0.000), followed by the level of peoples’ participation towards GM5 (r=0.702, p=0.000). These variables explained 71.40% of variation in increase in rice yield. As a result, the yield level of the farmers and income derived from the project show a significant increase (ρ = 0.000). This increase of yield and income is attributed to the high level of technological adoption and the high level of participation by farmers. This study also provided a number of implications and recommendations on how CPIF translates the increase of the level of community participation and yield and income of the rice farmers that will lead to people empowerment and food security in Calatrava, Romblon.