Econometric evidence on happiness and its determinants among rice farmers in leyte, Philippines

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of socio-economic factors on rice farmers' subjective well-being in barangay Tabunok, Hilongos, Leyte, Philippines. A face-to-face interview was conducted among 177 randomly selected rice farmers and 50 purposive samples of wage workers for comparison. Descriptive statistics and econometric modeling was used to examine the determinants of happiness in farming. Results show that the farmers’ actual happiness is significantly lower than the expectations. Knowledge, skills, health, and farm owner make them more competent than the other farmers and increase their happiness level. An increase in income leads to an increase in household assets, giving benefits and comfort to the family and directly influencing their well-being. Furthermore, results reveal that farmers’ level of happiness is significantly lower compared to wage workers. Also, farmers are negatively affected by the price increase of agricultural inputs and low harvested output prices in the country.