Enhancing government support to farmers associations: Basis for a framework of agro-economic development in Pangasinan

Abstract

This study examined the emerging support between government institutions and farmer associations as a basis for developing a framework for a sustainable agroeconomic development model. Recognizing the critical role of agriculture in the economy, this research investigated how policy support, the structure of the organization, resource mobilization and shared economic initiatives can enhance productivity, market access, and rural livelihood resilience. Using qualitative and quantitative data gathered from local government units, farmer associations and agricultural stakeholders, this study identified key enabling factors and constraints affecting the effectiveness of support. The results of this study revealed that the profiles of the farmers’ associations were categorized as agricultural associations and that most of their numbers were between 50 and more than 100. The findings indicate that the current situation concerning the extent of government support across the government and the farmer’s association in terms of crop and livestock improvement, infrastructure support market access and agribusiness and access to credit and financing are not evident. The challenges and threats encountered by farmers' association members amidst government support programs in terms of environmental sustainability and economic viability, structural impediments to agricultural productivity and agricultural profitability constraints were highly reported to the province. Given the significant difference in the level of government support across farmers’ association profiles, the number of members among farmer associations is characterized. As a result, strategies for managing threats and challenges in agriculture were identified, leading to an increase in these strategies and aiming to address these issues and problems in the province’s agricultural sector.