Diffusion and Adoption of Green Super Rice among Farmers in Selected Municipalities in Laguna, Philippines
Abstract
The study investigated the uptake pathways of Green Super Rice (GSR) varieties in Mabitac and Sta. Maria, Laguna, Philippines. Green Super Rice are climate-smart varieties distributed to selected farmers in five municipalities in Laguna, Philippines in 2012. The distribution was a part of the 100 Farmers Project of an international organization in partnership with local government units. It should be noted, however, that no follow-up research on its adoption and uptake pathways has, thus far, been conducted. Thus, it is interesting to determine whether adoption and diffusion of the seeds occurred despite the unusual seed distribution process. The aim of this current study is to trace the reach of GSR varieties promoted through farmer-to-farmer approach; and analyze the exchanges, structures, and relationships among research participants and other farmers in communities through a social network analysis. To investigate the uptake pathways of GSR in the two municipalities, the study was conducted in six sites in Mabitac and Sta. Maria, Laguna with 39 research participants referred to as first-degree research participants. The farmers with whom the first-degree respondents shared GSR seeds and/or information were considered as second-degree respondents. The sites and respondents were purposively chosen. The study used survey interviews, ego-net mapping, and key informant interviews in data gathering. The GSR diffusion in the two municipalities remained within the circles of the respondents with whom the varieties were distributed. The lack of a formal extension system limited the respondents’ access to information and technical support. Thus, continued adoption and diffusion were negatively affected.
