Technology assessment for agriculture in the Philippines.
Author Affiliation: Socio-Economics Research Division, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development, Los Baņos, Laguna, Philippines.
: xii + 299pp.
Abstract : This publication is a compilation of reports of the Technology Assessment Program which was coordinated by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources and Development through the financial assistance of the International Development Research Centre. The technology assessment study was conducted to determine the extent of technology adoption and to assess the different production technologies for selected commodities and farming systems and their socioeconomic impact in the Philippines. The process of technology diffusion was also evaluated. The commodities and farming systems covered by the study are cabbage, white potato, strawberry, cocoa, coffee, mango and rice-based, coconut-based and hill land farming systems. The general socioeconomic profile of the farmers and farm characteristics was described using frequency distribution, means, and percentages. The rate and extent of technology adoption were presented in a similar manner. For the technical evaluation, the indigenous technologies and the actual farmers' practices were described and compared with the recommended practices. The economic impact of the technology was measured using: (1) costs and returns analysis; (2) partial budgeting; (3) profitability ratios such as the benefit-cost ratio, marginal benefit cost ratio, marginal rate of return, returns to labour and capital. Comparative analysis was made between locations and between adoptors and non-adopters of a particular technology. To determine the factors affecting farmers' productivity, multiple regression analysis employing the Cobb-Douglas production function was used. Farmers' productivity was expressed as total volume of production, yield per hectare, or total value of production. Using the values of the regression coefficients, obtained from the production function, the efficiency of input use was measured by estimating the ratio of the marginal value product to the marginal factor cost. In evaluating the technology diffusion process, the farmers' information seeking and sharing behaviour and socio-psychological outlook were described. In addition, research and extension agents were assessed and their accessibility to farmers analysed. The factors affecting rate of technology adoption were determined using multiple regression analysis. Conclusions and recommendations for technology diffusion are presented in the final chapter.