COMMUNAL GARDENING: INPUT FOR

SOCIOECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT
OF 4P’S FAMILY

PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL

2023
Volume: 11
Pages: 743-747
Document ID: 2023PEMJ1006
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8216234
Manuscript Accepted: 2023-31-7
Psych Educ, 2023, 11: 743-747, Document ID:2023 PEMJ1006, doi:10.5281/zenodo.8216234, ISSN 2822-4353
Research Article

Communal Gardening: Input for Socioeconomic Improvement of 4P’s Family

Ma. Criselle Anne J. Baguio*, Ruby B. Brion
For affiliations and correspondence, see the last page.
Abstract
The purpose of studying communal gardening as an input for socioeconomic improvement of 4P's
family is to explore how this approach can help to address food insecurity, generate income, promote
social cohesion, and improve overall well-being among this vulnerable population. The investigation
covered the following: the Perceived Communal Gardening Related Variables as to Objectives,
Health and Nutrition, Hunger Eradication, Food Security, and Attitude. Contribution of Communal
Gardening for Socioeconomic Improvement as to Food, Health, Environment, Income and Family
Relationship. A total of 85 parents, who are beneficiaries of the 4P's program, were chosen from 10
distinct barangays within the school's catchment area. These parents actively took part in the survey
during the academic year 2022-2023. The results demonstrated a notable and positive association
between the socioeconomic advancement of 4P's families and communal gardening related variables.
In light of the findings, Even after the parents have graduated from the 4P's program as beneficiaries,
they can still engage in communal gardening within their own backyard, drawing on the knowledge
and skills acquired during their participation in the program. This activity can have significant
benefits for their family, and it can be passed down through generations to contribute to their
socioeconomic improvement. Despite the challenges of poverty, communal gardening can provide
valuable support to sustain their needs. In summary, parents can play an active role in communal
gardening, which can contribute to their daily lives by providing them with access to fresh produce,
new skills, social connections, educational opportunities, and even income-generating activities.

Keywords: 4p’s family, communal gardening, socioeconomic improvement

Introduction aims to improve the health and nutrition of each

household beneficiary. It ensures that they have access
to nutritious food by encouraging the cultivation of
The Philippines faces the issue of widespread poverty, vegetables and fruits in their own yards instead of
which is partly attributed to the extremely low relying solely on purchasing them. Additionally,
productivity within the agriculture sector. This beneficiaries have the option to sell their fresh
situation often drives people to migrate from rural produce, generating income for their families. Apart
areas to urban centers. Agriculture plays a vital role in from the nutritional and income-related benefits,
providing essential resources, particularly food, within backyard or communal gardening also contributes to
our country. However, the agricultural sector currently alleviating food shortages in the country. During the
stands as the most impoverished sector in the nation. Family Development Sessions (FDS), beneficiaries
To support the 4Ps program, the agriculture sector receive education on basic gardening techniques and
assists by distributing seeds, fertilizers, and technology other essential technologies that can enhance the
resources. Additionally, it encourages program growth of their harvests, enabling them to provide
beneficiaries to participate in various farming sufficient food for their families.
activities, such as communal gardening, backyard
gardening, backyard animal raising, and other income- The social advantages of gardening encompassed
generating endeavors. various aspects such as forming new connections,
In addition to fulfilling other program requirements establishing and nurturing friendships, and having a
such as sending their children to school, attending common interest that facilitates bonding with others.
monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS), Community gardening serves as an educational
providing pre and post-natal care for mothers, ensuring journey that aims to transform people's thinking and
regular check-ups for children aged 0 to 5 years, and behavior, enabling them to achieve economic and
deworming for children aged 0 to 14 years, social well-being through self-sufficiency. Gardening
beneficiaries of the 4Ps program are also expected to aligns with several initiatives of the Cooperative
maintain a backyard or communal garden. This Extension System, particularly the focus on enhancing
gardening aspect is a significant conditionality of the nutrition, diet, and health. This article elucidates the
program that beneficiaries must comply with. role of Extension in enhancing the quality of life and
socioeconomic well-being of individuals, families, and
By implementing this conditionality, the 4Ps program communities through the practice of community

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Psych Educ, 2023, 11: 743-747, Document ID:2023 PEMJ1006, doi:10.5281/zenodo.8216234, ISSN 2822-4353
Research Article

gardening.

Research Objectives Research Procedure

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact The title of this study was influenced by the
of communal gardening on the socioeconomic researcher's firsthand observations as a social science
development of families benefiting from the 4P's teacher working with families who are beneficiaries of
program. It aims to explore how communal gardening the 4P's program.The questionnaire related to the
influences their daily lives and the dynamics within Socioeconomic Improvement of 4P's Families through
their families, as well as their acquired knowledge in Communal Gardening. The subsequent step involves
gardening. creating a custom questionnaire consisting of three
parts underwent validation by four experts in the field,
including a Head Teacher and Master Teachers. The
Methodology researcher carefully considered the comments and
suggestions provided by the validators during the
Research design validation process.Prior to data collection, the
researcher obtained permission from the Office of the
A descriptive correlational designed was used in this School Principal to conduct the survey and administer
study in which in which the researcher is primarily the questionnaires to the intended respondents. After
interested in describing relationships among variables, receiving approval, the researcher proceeded to
without seeking to establish a causal connection. distribute the survey instruments to the parents using a
checklist. The data was then collected through the
Sampling and Ethical Consideration questionnaire.The parents were selected as participants
in this study because they play a crucial role in
Purposive sampling, alternatively referred to as practicing communal gardening for the betterment of
judgmental, selective, or subjective sampling, is a type their families as beneficiaries of the 4P's program. To
of non-probability sampling technique in which gather data, questionnaires were provided to the
researchers exercise their own discretion in selecting parents during the distribution of cards, and additional
individuals from the population to participate in their information was obtained through home visits. During
surveys.The respondents in this study consisted of 85 these visits, the researcher personally observed the
parents from 10 barangay of Calauag Quezon who are communal gardening activities as well as the backyard
beneficiaries of the 4P's program . The parents were gardens of the 4P's families. The study aimed to
selected as respondents using a purposive sampling explore how engaging in gardening can contribute to
technique, wherein the researcher deliberately chose the socioeconomic improvement of these families.
individuals based on specific criteria. This sampling
procedure ensured that each member of the population
Results and Discussion
had an equal opportunity to be included in the study.

Research Instruments Table 1. Summary table on the Communal Gardening

Related Variables
In order to gather information regarding the role of
communal gardening in the socioeconomic
improvement of 4P's families, the researcher employed
a self-made questionnaire. The questionnaire was
designed to collect responses and comments from the
respondents. The research instrument consist of three
parts. Part I is the demographic profile of the
respondents, Part II is the communal gardening related
variables. Part III is the Contribution of Communal
Gardening for Socioeconomic Improvement of 4p’s
Family. Part II and III Include likert scale of Highly
Manifested, Manifested, Slightly Manifested, and Not
Table 1 shows that the Communal Gardening Related
Manifested.
Variables received an overall average rating of 3.45.

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Psych Educ, 2023, 11: 743-747, Document ID:2023 PEMJ1006, doi:10.5281/zenodo.8216234, ISSN 2822-4353
Research Article

This indicates that, on average, respondents perceived improvement of 4Ps families.The average score
these variables positively in relation to some aspect of suggests that respondents generally acknowledged
communal gardening.Among the specific variables, communal gardening as beneficial for improving the
"Perceived Communal Gardening as to Food Security" socioeconomic conditions of 4Ps families.
received the highest mean rating of 3.50. This
indicates that the respondents viewed communal Perceived Contribution of Communal Gardening as to
gardening as having a positive impact on food Family Relationship with a Highest Score of 3.57:
security. This could imply that they believe communal This highest score suggests that respondents perceived
gardening helps provide a more secure and reliable communal gardening to have a significant and positive
source of food. impact on family relationships. It implies that
communal gardening activities may promote stronger
On the other hand, "Perceived Communal Gardening bonds, communication, and cooperation among family
as to Objectives" received the lowest mean rating of members. Also indicates that this aspect of communal
3.39. This show the respondents had a relatively lower gardening'scontribution to 4Ps families' lives is highly
perception of communal gardening's effectiveness in acknowledged and valued by the respondents.
achieving its objectives. This could imply that they
believe communal gardening may not be as successful Perceived Contribution of Communal Gardening as to
in meeting its intended goals or that there is room for Income with a Lowest Mean of 3.39 indicates that the
improvement in terms of achieving the objectives set respondents perceived communal gardening to have a
for communal gardening initiatives. relatively weaker impact on income generation. It
implies that the respondents might perceive communal
It's important to note that the specific contribution of gardening as less effective in directly improving the
communal gardening to the socioeconomic income levels of 4Ps families. However, it's important
improvement of 4Ps families can vary based on local to note that this lower mean score doesn't imply that
contexts, resources available, and the level of communal gardening has no impact on income but
community involvement. It's crucial to consider these rather indicates a relatively lower perception in
factors when designing and implementing communal comparison to other aspects.
gardening initiatives to maximize their impact on the
socioeconomic well-being of 4Ps families In summary, communal gardening has a significant
and positive contribution to the socioeconomic
Table 2. Summary table on the Contribution of improvement of 4Ps beneficiaries. It provides them
Communal Gardening for S o cioecono mic with access to nutritious food, enhances their skills and
Imp ro vement of 4p’s Family. employ-ability, fosters community engagement,
promotes environmental sustainability, and improves
mental well-being. By recognizing and supporting the
value of communal gardening, we can empower 4Ps
beneficiaries on their journey towards a better
socioeconomic future.

Table 3. Test of Correlation Between Communal

Gardening Objectives and Socioeconomic
Improvement

Overall Average of 3.47 for Contribution of

Communal Gardening for Socio econ om ic
Improvement of 4Ps Family indicates that the
respondents perceived communal gardening to have a
positive contribution to the socioeconomic
The computed correlation between Communal

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Psych Educ, 2023, 11: 743-747, Document ID:2023 PEMJ1006, doi:10.5281/zenodo.8216234, ISSN 2822-4353
Research Article

Gardening Objectives and Socioeconomic The correlation coefficient of r=0.629 indicates a

Improvement is shown in Table 13. The analysis result strong positive relationship between attitude towards
at 0.01 two-tailed level of significance revealed that communal gardening and using it to improve family
Socioeconomic Improvement has significant positive relationships as a means of socioeconomic
relationship with Communal Gardening Objectives. improvement. A p-value of ρ=0.01 suggests that this
relationship is statistically significant. Individuals who
The correlation coefficient of r=0.700 indicates a have a positive attitude towards communal gardening
strong positive relationship between attitude towards are more likely to use it as a means of improving their
communal gardening and using food as a means of family relationships and socioeconomic status.
socioeconomic improvement. A p-value of ρ=0.01 Overall, the findings suggest that a positive attitude
suggests that this relationship is statistically towards communal gardening has the potential to play
significant, meaning that it is unlikely to have occurred an important role in using it to improve family
by chance.This suggests that individuals who have a relationships as a means of socioeconomic
positive attitude towards communal gardening are improvement, and that this relationship is statistically
more likely to use food produced through this activity significant.
as a means of improving their socioeconomic status.
Communal gardening plays a crucial role in supporting
The correlation coefficient of r=0.636 indicates a the socioeconomic well-being of 4Ps beneficiaries. By
strong positive relationship between attitude towards engaging in communal gardening initiatives, these
communal gardening and using it to improve health as beneficiaries experience various positive impacts that
a means of socioeconomic improvement. A p-value of contribute to their overall improvement.
ρ=0.01 suggests that this relationship is statistically
significant, meaning that it is unlikely to have occurred
by chance. This suggests that individuals who have a
Conclusion
positive attitude towards communal gardening are
more likely to use it as a means of improving their Based on the study findings, it can be concluded that
health and socioeconomic status. This could include there is indeed a significant relationship between
using the physical activity involved in gardening as a communal gardening and socioeconomic improvement
means of improving fitness and reducing healthcare among the selected members of the 4P's program. As a
costs, or using the fresh produce grown in the garden result, the null hypothesis proposed in the study is
to improve nutrition and reduce healthcare costs. sustained or not supported.

The correlation coefficient of r=0.611 indicates a Based on the study's results and conclusions, the
strong positive relationship between attitude towards following recommendations are being proposed: first,
communal gardening and using it as a means of Conducting in-depth interviews or focus group
improving the en v ironm en t as a means of discussions with 4P's families engaged in communal
socioeconomic improvement. A p-value of ρ=0.01 gardening can provide deeper insights into their
suggests that this relationship is statistically experiences, challenges, and perceived benefits.
significant, meaning that it is unlikely to have occurred Second, Conduct a specific evaluation of the economic
by chance. This could include using communal outcomes of communal gardening for 4P's families.
gardening to reduce food miles and carbon footprint by This can include analyzing income generation, cost
growing food locally, or using organic gardening savings from homegrown produce, access to local
methods to reduce the use of harmful chemicals in the markets, and the potential for entrepreneurship or
environment. value-added activities. Third, Identify specific areas
where 4P's families may need additional support or
The correlation coefficient of r=0.578 indicates a interventions to maximize the benefits of communal
moderate positive relationship between sustainable gardening. This could include providing training
development in communal gardening and using it to programs and connecting them with relevant
improve income as a means of socioeconomic government or non-governmental organizations for
improvement. A p-value of ρ=0.01 suggests that this additional assistance. Fourth, Encourage collaboration
relationship is statistically significant, meaning that it and knowledge-sharing among different stakeholders
is unlikely to have occurred by chance. This could involved in communal gardening initiatives, including
include using sustainable gardening practices to reduce go vern men t agencies, NGOs, community
costs and increase yields, or selling excess produce to organizations, and researchers. Facilitating platforms
generate additional income. for exchange, learning, and networking can enhance

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Research Article

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