Scoping The Needs And Challenges Of Farmers And Fisherfolks In The AMIA (Adaptation And Mitigation Initiatives In Agriculture) Villages In San Francisco, Quezon Towards Developing A Community-Based Enterprise

Abstract

The climate change repercussions in the Philippines prompted the Department of Agriculture (DA) to come up with measures that will counter its economic effects, most especially among vulnerable and marginalized communities. The flagship program of DA to address this concern is the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA). This program intends to enable communities to manage risks of climate change while pursuing sustainable livelihoods through Climate Resilient Agri-Fisheries (CRA) approach. This study is a follow-up investigation on the inputs, training, and other activities given to the program's beneficiaries. Intending to develop a baseline for a community-based enterprise of the beneficiaries of the AMIA program in San Francisco, Quezon, this study attempted to uncover their needs and challenges that block their agricultural pursuits. Designed in a mixed-methods – sequential explanatory approach, the study used key informant surveys and conducted Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in 3 barangays of the municipality where the AMIA villages are situated. These are Casay, Huyon-uyon, and Sto. Nino. Data revealed that their primary agricultural produce include banana, coconut, swine, poultry, yam, and rice. However, among these crops, yam was the top raw agricultural product with the potential for product development. The beneficiaries of the program expressed their interest in making products derived from yam. However, challenges as to sufficient training, adequate machinery and equipment, business capital, and market linkage were also apparent. In addition, the villagers also encounter problems concerning potable water supply and shortage of other ingredients. Taken all together, the identified needs and challenges required additional assistance and inputs to constitute a community-based enterprise. A plan of action for establishing a sustainable community-based enterprise as a result of this is hereby set forth.