LIVED EXPERIENCE OF RICE PRODUCERS IN STA.

MARCELA

Nhea Joanna Ysabelle S. Duldulao, Julius B. Gaduang, Maricarl B. Vicente, Kevin B. Butac, John-
John T. Pitas

Adviser: Kristoffer Paulo L. Ramirez, MST

Sta. Marcela National High School

The purpose of the study is to describe the lived experience of rice producers in Santa Marcela. As such,

the following were sought to be answered: (1.) What is the life behind of every rice producers?, (2.) What

are the difficulties and challenges of becoming a rice producers?, (3.) What motivates them to continue

their work/business inspite of the differences and chsllenges?

The study is qualitative in nature and uses hermenuetic phenomenology as research design. A total of 10

rice producers from sta. Marcela were identifed as subjects of the study. Interview and observation method

were used to gather the necessary data and approprite analysis were then made therefafter.

Based on the results of the study, the life of rice producers is generally difficult due to huge demands of

time, effort and resources nowithstanding the risk involved. However, rice producers still want to do so,

not just for them but for their family as a whole especially for their children’s education and needs since it

is their only and available source of income. And though their life is full of hardships, challenges and

sacrifices such as the lack of resources and the occurence of natural disaters, they still find motivation to

painstakingly continue the job by finding strenghts to their family and their dreams.

It is then recommended that the municipality must conduct programs that is deemed to improve the life of

rice producers and create a potitive outlook towards becoming one.

Keywords: Rice Producers, Agriculture, Farmers, Rice Production, NFA

INTRODUCTION:

Rice producers are endowed with nature that is fitted for agriculture. Rice producers can theoretically

experience success in planting a rice by following the right steps in planting a rice like planting on time,
using the best quality seed, weeding early, using water efficiency, harvesting on time, milling efficiently

and understanding the market.

However, in reality, rice producers are also endowed with all its natural resources, geographical, climatic

condition, and strong manpower being threatened by problems in profit, and manpower, technology and

industrialization. Oftentimes, this threats pose a great deal on rice production and efficacy of a certain

region which pose higher price of rice. This often raises a question, what is the status of rice production in

the Philippines due to this threats?

Overall, the Philippines is a rice producing nation. But, industrialization is all over the country, the natural

resources needed for the said production is depleting. In the desire of the government to give more

employment, farm land is being converted into a commercial centers and rice producers are more affected.

Rice producers are facing threats and challenges: First, the increasing population. Based on the ecological

profile of it and it suddenly increase of population happened in 1990. Second, Climate and global warming.

Rice production has two cropping season the dry season and wet season. The El Niňo phenomenon brought

increase in production along the other places, On the other hand, La Niňa phenomenon brought increase in

rice production in some areas that only rely on rain. Third, Capital, profit, technology and manpower.

Rice producers are struggling to survive on their own capacities with minimal government assistance. They

are in need of assistance from government, the private sectors (NGOs), and the business sectors for the

protection of the environment and resources in the countryside which are the great attributes to the

sustainability of rice producers.

Hence, this study.

This study aims to describe the lived experience of rice producers in Santa Marcela since it was shared and

identified that the government and other authorities does not fully understand the challenges, the

difficulties’ and the life as a whole of being a rice producers. With the advent of the rice ratification bill

which aims to improve rice production and efficacy of the nation, it is deemed important that a research

must be conducted in order to determine what lies behind the agriculture sector.
The researchers intended then to describe and synthesize the lived experience of rice producers.

Specifically, the following questions are sought to be answered:

1. What is the life behind of every rice producers?

2. What is the difficulties and challenges of becoming a rice producers?

3. What motivates them to continue their work/business inspite of the difficulties and challenges?

Materials and Methods

Research Design

This study utilized qualitative research design using hermeneutic phenomenology as a method which aimed

to describe and synthesize the lived experiences of the rice producers in Sta. Marcela with regards to their

background, difficulties, challenges and motivations in continuing the said work.

Respondents and Locale of the Study

To produce a thicker description of the life of the rice producers, the researchers specifically identified rice

producers working as such for five years. The study were conducted at the barangay of Sipa and Imelda of

Sta. Marcela, Apayao since much of the population there primarily works at a rice field.

Sampling Procedure

A total of 10 rice producers were determined as the subjects of the study. Data saturation have not been

achieved at such point, however the researchers have determined and ensured that such number is sufficient

to produce a thick description of the research objectives.

Research Instruments

The interview guide was the main instrument to gather all the necessary data for this research. The questions

were validated and peer reviewed by the advisers and the panel to ensure that such instrument would be

able to produce data that could describe the life of the rice producers.

The questions were divided into three broad sections: the first section focused on the life background of the

rice producers; the second part focused on the difficulties and challenges of a rice producer; and the third

focused on inspirations and motivations.

video recorder if allowed by the respondent, was also suggested to be able to analyze the facial features and

actions that will be unconsciously made by the respondent during the whole interview.

Field notes for direct and indirect observations were the secondary instrument to gather other relevant data

to the research to provide further details of the responses and to qualitatively and holistically evaluate and

understand their life. As such an observation protocol was also made by the respondents.

Ethical Consideration

Beforehand, questions to be asked were rigorously reviewed to ensure that human dignity and rights were

protected. Further, the said questions were also presented to the respondents, and if they believed that such

question, would produce discomforts on their part, such question will not be asked during the actual

interview.

The subjects have also been given the option to participate in the observation activity. If they believed that

their right to privacy is violated, they have the option to withdraw from the study.

Further, the participants were assured that the information given by them would neither to be made in public

nor lead to the disclosure of their identities.

Data Gathering

Beforehand, the researchers sought an approval and guidance to the barangay captain of Sipa and Imelda

since they are the direct authorities responsible for the subjects and have direct access on the information

which would help the researchers achieve their research objectives.

After which, the researcher sought an approval to the identified rice producers with regards to the interview

and observation. Necessary arrangements were then done accordingly regarding on the location in which

the interview and direct observation were made to avoid an obtrusive process of gathering data to create a

comfortable and familiar atmosphere for the respondents.

The manner in which the interview was done depends on the language in which the subjects are comfortable

at in expressing their ideas and opinions. However, most of the respondents preferred their native tongue
as their medium. As then, the researchers, during the interview, translated the interview guide into Ilocano

with proper care as to avoid producing different thought as what the interview questions wanted to elicit.

Two to three hours was allotted for each participant for the interview process. However, the participant or

the researcher may choose to end earlier if thick and clear descriptions were already provided.

Data Analysis

Full transcription method was used to reserve the full answers of the respondents. Additional responses and

information from the participants not related to any questions asked were also considered if it revealed

information supporting and explaining the original information regarding on their experiences.

In depth analysis of the answers, through process of bracketing, which includes reading between lines will

be made in order to determine fully the emerging themes on the answers. Facial features and mannerisms

were also analyzed to further determine the authenticity of the answers being by the respondents.

Open coding with single process using constant comparative analysis have been used in which data were

subcategorized, coded based on common themes, analyzed for commonalities, and highlighted for

identification.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

After having the coding and single iteration process using category analysis, themes have emerged in the

study:

Life Background

Theme 1: Most of the subjects started their farming work at an early age since the only source of the

income of the family is rice producing.

Most of the rice producers started at the age of 14 to 21 and almost all of them grew up working on a rice

field doing related chores such as “agsikka” wennu “agbilag”. When the researchers ask them what brought

them to farming, some says it has been the work of their parents from the start which automatically makes

them as one. Some says, since they were not able to finish their studies, the only work availbale for them is

rice producing. Another one said that because of early marriage, their parents have given them the land to

till to be able to have an steady source of income.

Two respondents have stated that on the average, they must visit the farm twice in a day: 7:00 in the morning

and 5:00 in the afternoon to checked on the status or some possible problems that may arise beforehand

such as outgrowth of harmful weeds and pest. Some respondents reported on visiting the farm early on the

morning and staying up until early evening to ensure that no such major problems will occur especially

during cropping seasons.

Theme 3: The changes in farming practices affected their attitude in farming.

Three respondents have observed that there has been some major changes that occur in rice producing

practices especially with the mechanization and full production with regards to the agricultural sector. To

these times, rice farm is being prepared, maintained and harvested with the use of machineries, pesticides,

sprays, and fertilizers. Some says that there has been a considerable change in their lives such an

improvement in profit which delivers better standard of living of the family. However some also laments

on such improvements specially on the surging prices of the needed materials such as fertilizers which

sometimes produce a negative atttuded towards farming as a whole.

Difficulties and Challenges

Theme 1: Most of the rice producers experiences constant body pain and tiredness as a result of their

daily work.

Amost all fo the respondents agreed that rice producing is coupled with body pain. Since farming work

requires full body strenght such as “agarado” and “agsikka”, much of their body pains is on their upper

torso. And due to huge demands of time and effort during farming season, most of them experiences fatigue

which results to tiredness. However, some respondents, due to years doing the work, is already insusceptible

to such pains saying that “nakasanayan mi ngaminen”.

Theme 2: Rice producers often have to borrow money in order to finance their lacking resources.

Since rice producing is coupled with high risk especially on unpredicted wheather disturbances, most of the

rice producers have experience shortage of capital to start the farming cycle. As then, they have to borrow

money to people or cooperatives to buy “binhi” and “abono”. These lending instituitions or people usually
have a common interest rate which sometimes put the farmers in debt. This is in exchange of a hope, that

the next cropping season, they would be able to repay the loan amount becuase of predetremine profit.

However, if it still turns out bad, the same process repeats putting the rice producer in a greater debt than

ever before.

Theme 3: Weather disturbances such as typhoon and heavy rain creating flash floods create a more

difficult life on farmers.

All respondents agreed that typhoon and heavy rain creating flash floods makes rice producing a more

difficult job as compared to other works. Such disturbances often creates huge damages on the crops which

often resulted to them being broke since most of them, they have borrowed most of the capital, and none of

the remaining crops can be sold at a considerable price. However, most of them take the risk and continue

in becoming one.

Inspiration and Motivation

Theme 1: The Farmers found inspiration to continue their farming through their family.

Respondents stated that their family is primarily their source of strength and inspiration to continue their

work inspite of their hardship and misfortune. They continue being inspired, though farming is difficult,

because it is their only source of income which caters their children’s education and needs hoping that when

they finish their studies, they would be able to elevate their life.

Theme 2: Good condition of crop and abundant harvest motivate farmers to continue their work.

Good condition of crops which results to abundant harvest primarily motivates the rice producers to contnue

their work. With the advent of agricultural innovation and mechanization, good rate of harvest is often

expected to farming resulting to a higher yield of income. This, more than any other, motivates them beyond

any considerable struggles of doing such.

Conclusion:

Based on the results of the study, the life of rice producers can be described as generally difficult due to

huge demands of time, great effort and big resources. Making the life more difficult are the weather

disturbances which put the farmers in great debt by borrowing money to lending institutions.
However, rice producers still pursues the job because of their family as a whole especially for their

children’s education and needs since it is their only and available source of income.

And though their life might be full of hardships, challenges and sacrifices, they still find motivation to

painstakingly continue the job by finding strenghts to their family and their dreams.

The Municipality of Sta. Macela is then suggested to conduct relative programs such as higher crop

insurance and establish lower interest rates which aims to lessen burden consequently improving the lives

of rice producers and their positive outlook towards rice producing as a whole.

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