Farmers’ knowledge and adoption of sustainable land-use management systems in Matalom, Leyte, Philippines

Abstract

This study compared the knowledge levels between adoptors and non-adoptors of sustainable land-use management systems in Matalom, Leyte, investigate the influence of farmers knowledge and other factors on the extend of adoption of technologies, and identify implications that may enhance technology adoption.

The sustainable land-use management systems considered in this study included contour hedgerow and agroforestry technologies. The adopters of sustainable land-use management systems have significantly higher knowledge than the non-adopters. Their knowledge is significantly and positively affected by their level of education, attendance to related trainings, and contact with extension agents.

Results of the Tobit regression analysis showed that the extent of adoption of sustainable land-use management systems in the study area is significantly and positively influenced by farmers’ knowledge and other factors such as access to credit and membership in alayon (labor-sharing group).