Sustainable rice farming systems: farmer attribute and land ecosystem perspectives

This study assesses the sustainability of rice farming through the perspectives of farmer attributes and land ecosystem – sub-categorized as the socio-economic profile of farmers, resources, constraints, investments, and its economic contribution to the economic pursuits of families of farmers. It also proposes a program which can improve rice production in Bulacan, Philippines, and similar contexts. This study discusses the identified rice farming constraints such as inadequate capital, high cost of labor, inadequate supply of farm inputs, poor marketing outlet, high cost of pesticides, high cost of fertilizer, issues on land tenure system, ignorance on the existing rice farming programs of the government, poor storage facilities, high cost of transportation, pests and diseases, and climate change. The contributions of rice farming to the economic pursuits of families of farmers are analyzed in terms of their gross profit, savings, and family living expenditures such as food, clothing, recreation, personal item, health care, education, utilities, transportation, dwelling maintenance, and appliances/furniture. Lastly, the suggestions for sustainable and human health facilitating rice farming in developing countries are discussed.