Sustainable Farming Practices of Small Sugarcane Farmers

Abstract

This study examined the sustainable farming practices of small sugarcane farmers in a first-class municipality in Central Visayas, focusing on environmental, economic, and social sustainability. It aimed to determine the level of these practices and to identify differences among farmers grouped according to selected profile variables. The findings revealed that farmers demonstrated high levels of environmental and economic sustainability, and a very high level of social sustainability. Fertilizer management and cost reduction were widely practiced, while water management and cooperative participation were less so. No significant differences in sustainability practices were found across age and years in farming; however, farm size significantly influenced environmental and social sustainability practices. The study concluded that sustainable practices were generally well observed among farmers, but certain areas required improvement, particularly in resource management and collective participation. The results highlighted that sustainability is influenced more by access to resources and institutional support than by demographic factors. The study contributes to the field of agribusiness and sustainable agriculture by providing empirical evidence on the current practices of small sugarcane farmers and offering a basis for developing targeted interventions to enhance sustainability in the sector.                Keywords: Small-scale agriculture, sugarcane farmers, sustainable farming