Fostering Agricultural Policy Solutions: Understanding the Lived Experiences of Davao City Farmers through Phenomenological Inquiry

The agriculture sector has long been considered a neglected sector of the country, regardless of the government’s agricultural programs. This study aims to understand the lived experiences of Davao City farmers and their insights about the implemented agricultural policy solutions. Their experiences, challenges, and different perspectives are essential contributors to attaining food security. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 2, or No Hunger, emphasize the importance of food security, which underscores the need for equitable access to agricultural resources for farmers. This qualitative study was conducted using a phenomenological method. Using purposive sampling, the seven survey participants were explicitly chosen farmers in Davao City. The researchers used the in-depth interview (IDI) method and formulated an interview guide question to gather the data. The results highlighted four general ideas: experiences, challenges, strategies, coping mechanisms, and recommendations, each with different themes. It was found that issues of consistency, sufficiency, and impartiality of support were the experiences Davao City farmers grappled with in their agricultural endeavors. Moreover, personal and natural problems were the primary challenges in accessing and utilizing such policies. They had implied necessary strategies to cope with the challenges, which include alternative solutions like organic farming and relying on personal effort, including personal faith in the Almighty. The participants’ insights concluded that Davao City farmers were dissatisfied with the government’s agricultural policy solutions, highlighting a reform in the implementation and prioritization of the agriculture sector. Hence, the study successfully delved into the participants’ lived experiences. It is recommended that the Philippine government review the implementation and distribution processes of agricultural policy solutions. Finally, specialized and effective strategies must be enacted to deal with the challenges in the agriculture sector.