This article aims to elucidate the level of interaction among the different players in the abaca business enterprise in Region VIII, Philippines. The study used a survey method that gathered primary data from farmers, Local Government Units (LGUs), traders, innovators from universities, processors, and nongovernment organizations. Appropriate sampling methods were employed in determining the sample sizes of different players, and the research instrument used to determine the interaction process is a developed questionnaire that involved a Likert scale. The data were (...) analyzed using statistical measures such as count and average mean and presented in tabular form and network analysis. The results showed that abaca farmers have minimal to no interaction with the other key players except with the local traders. With that, the main problem for abaca farmers is the lack of innovative information to improve their production. Local traders interact with farmers moderately but have weak interaction with the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) in terms of provision for research, education, and support services, among others. LGUs moderately interact with farmers but have no interaction at all with other Abaca key players. Moreover, PhilFIDA staff only have a moderate interaction with abaca farmers, and local traders rarely interact with PhilFIDA staff. Likewise, PhilFIDA’s interaction with State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) is weak and SUCs have moderate interaction with farmers and the LGUs. Conclusively, the interactions among the players of the abaca industry are generally weak which can be strengthened through institutionalizing a system where stakeholders can work together for the common good and obtain a sustainable supply chain. (shrink)

This article focuses on profiling the abaca stakeholders in Eastern Visayas and elucidates their various functions in the industry. Primary information was gathered from a random sample of abaca farmers and other stakeholders through a researchers' developed survey questionnaire. The data were analyzed through descriptive measures and presented in statistical tables and graphs. Results showed that the majority of abaca farmers are in their prime working years (25 to 54 years old), are married females, are elementary graduates, and are owners (...) of small abaca farms with an average area of 1.88 hectares. The small traders are mostly married females in their prime working years and are college degree holders. The Local Government Unit (LGU) personnel are mostly municipal agriculturists, males, married, and college graduates. The majority of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) personnel are married males who are of prime age and college degree holders. Half of the enablers were male and married, who finished graduate studies and either belonged to prime or mature working age. Moreover, findings revealed that several players in the abaca value chain have important roles and functions to play along the supply chain to make the industry vibrant. As they do their respective roles and functions, they also have needs, expectations, and concerns that should be addressed for them to function effectively in the system. Hence, the study recommends that an indepth training needs assessment should be conducted to determine their real needs as the basis for designing training programs. (shrink)

This study aimed to explain the level of adoption of vegetable technologies among the youth members of 4-H clubs in some parts of Southern Leyte, Philippines, and expose its governing predictors. The data gathering employed cross-sectional and primary information among the 118 youth members selected in the form of a census. The study used a researcher-developed research instrument adapted from existing studies in the literature. The collected data were summarized using some standard descriptive metrics in statistics and an ordinal regression (...) model was constructed to determine the predictors of vegetable technology adoption. The findings revealed that there are only a few youth members are implementing (8.47%) and adopting (4.24%) the vegetable technologies even if they have positively perceived the 4-H coordinator. The regression model revealed that youth members are more like to implement the vegetable technology if they have a higher income (p-value<0.1), they have no financial debt (p-value<0.01) and they learned from an effective 4-H coordinator (p-value<0.1). Furthermore, the ordered regression model revealed that youth members are going to implement (p-value<0.01) and adopt (p-value<0.01) the technology if it is not complex to follow. Conclusively, the local government must support the youth members regarding the financial aspect, and by providing expert agricultural extension agents to guide them in implementing and adopting the vegetable technologies. (shrink)