Transmission of Social Legacies on Agricultural Practices in Maintaining Local Identity

Abstract

The Philippines which is identified as an agricultural country has been left out since the younger workforce is constantly decreasing. Hence, to revitalize the joy of farming, communication has been linked as a possible solution. A study found that many multi-generation farming families could be able to pass down their wealth in the form of knowledge, equipment, lands, and capitals by socializing their heirs to replicate their family traditions and carry their farm legacies. Thus, this study produced new information regarding the status of transferring agricultural practices acquainted by culture and tradition using responsible communication before its maintenance. A qualitative research method is applied, before the demand of the conceptual paradigm having a narrative description of information. It is obtained from the respondents of the study, which are multi-generation farming families. The first information that is attained, is the respondent's family background which described their socio-economic characteristics. When it comes to their social legacies, the majority perceived that farming as a tough job. However, through the help of socially responsible practices wherein they could initiate social interaction, share activities, negotiate space for activities, and display assertiveness regarding things that are related to farming, proves that it is transmittable. Their traditional agricultural practices are identified through their ways of planting rice from seedling preparation, to nutrient, water, and pest management, until harvesting. On the other hand, the transmission of social legacies on agricultural practices can be seen on a communication model explaining the process involving the study variables. Lastly, their family background in connection with communication avenues and barriers regarding the transmission resulted in the significance of farming as their main occupation. It made each head of the families, to pass it down to the next generation and not, if otherwise. Also, long years spent on farming also eagers them to the handed-down farming occupation. Moreover, elements of transmission in connection with communication avenues and barriers result in the significance of social media and the environment as barriers.