MODULE 5

THE PROFILE OF A FARMER

By Federico O. Perez
I. Introduction
One of the best among human activities is farming because of its role as a provider of
food that it has played for ages in society. As Presvost (1997) puts it, “How can we
dislike a profession that demands all the intellectual, moral and physical qualities of a
man, that enables our existence in marvelous universe that nature has created and
which leaves individual initiative to anyone who chooses it?” Indeed, the farmer is
versatile individual. However, farming as a profession is difficult and sometimes the
satisfaction derived from it is not commensurate with the problems and concerns that
the farmer encounters.
During the earlier times, knowledge based on experience was handed down from the
father to the son with no intervention from outside environment. However, nowadays,
there are rapid scientific, social and cultural developments. For example, a young
man wishes to be trained in agriculture must be exposed to the external development
and his exposure should not be confined to training alone, Accordingly, there should
be a training of the state of mind of a future agriculturist because in the profession of
farming, all human qualities are essential.
II. A. General Objective
At the end of this module, the students must be able to figure out the profile of a
Filipino farmer in relation to the global farmer or the farmers in the developed world.

B. Specific Objectives
The module intends to:
1. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino Character
2. Enumerate the values, needs and aspirations of a Filipino farmer
3. Explain the qualities of a global farmer.
C. Overview
This module will introduce the students about the strengths and weaknesses of the
Filipino character, the status (socio-cultural and economic) of the Filipino farmer including his
values in farming, his needs and aspirations as compared with the farmer of the developed world.
Their ability to cope and address issues and the challenges of farming will be presented and
finally, the essential qualities of the present day farmer will be elucidated.
III. Pre-test
1. How will you characterize the Filipino farmer in terms of landholding, farming
systems being implemented and the technology being used?
2. In your locality, describe the most progressive farmer you know very well in
terms of status in life (particularly economic), land ownership, education and
social relations.
 3. Do you have an idea of what is the status of a farmer in developed world (like the
US, Europe or Japan) particularly in terms of resources (land, labor and capital),
education and technology applied in his farming activity?
IV. Learning Contents
1.0 The Culture of the Filipino Farmer and His Values in Farming
Culture is the man made part of the environment which includes all the elements that
humans have acquired from their group by conscious learning or by conditioning.
Accordingly, people are conditioned by social and other institutions, beliefs, and
patterns of conduct. Through culture, natural resources are shaped to meet man’s
needs and inborn traits are molded to produce the reflexes that manifesr themselves in
overt behavior (Awa, 1985).
There are considerable differences between Western values and cultural assumptions
and those in the developing countries like the Philippines.
Presented in Table 12a is an example of the contrast using the North American traits
and the Filipino culture.
Table 12a. Contrast between Western values and the Filipino culture
NORTH AMERICAN FILIPINO
Autonomy encouraged for the Dependence encouraged, point of
individual, who should solve own reference is authority, older members of
problems, develop own opinion the family’
Clear distinction made between public Public poverty divertible to private
and private property materialism is a hands with little guilt; spiritual religious
major value things are more important than material
Competition is primary method of Communal feeling excludes the
motivation incentive to excel over others
Relations with others are informal and Relations with others are more formal,
direct social interactions more structured

1.1 Strengths and Weaknesses of the Filipino Character

Before discussing the Filipino farmer’s values in farming, let us try to revisit the
strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino character as outlined by former Senator
Shahani (1993).
Strengths:
 “Pakikipagkapwa-tao”
Filipinos are open to others and we regard others with dignity and respect
and deal with them as fellow human beings. It is manifested in a basic
sense of justice and fairness with others. The ability to empathize with
others, helpfulness and generosity in times of need (pakikiramay) and the
practice of bayanihan or mutual assistance are famous Filipino traditions.
 Result: Camaraderie and feeling of closeness to one another; foundation
for unity as well as sense of social justice.
 Family oriented
Filipinos possess a genuine and deep love for the family which includes
not simply spouse and children, parents and siblings, but also
grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other ceremonial relatives. The
family is the source of personal dignity, the source of emotional and
material support, and one’s main commitment and responsibility. Concern
for the family is manifested in the honor and respect given to parents and
elders, in the care given to children, the generosity towards kin in need
and in the great sacrifices ones endures for the welfare of the family.
Result: Feeling of belongingness and rootedness and a basic sense of
security
 Joy and Humor
Filipinos are cheerful and have pleasant disposition, a sense of humor and
a propensity for happiness that contribute to the Filipino charm and spirit.
Laughing at ourselves from the mess we are in is an important coping
mechanism. We are often playful, sometimes cynical and disrespectful.
We make jokes about our good future and as well as our bad times.
Usually, this sense of joy and humor is manifested in the Filipino’s love
for socials and celebration.
Result: Emotional balance optimism, a healthy disrespect for power and
office and the capacity to survive
 Flexibility/Adaptability
Filipinos have a great capacity to adjust and adapt to circumstances and to
surrounding environment. The unplanned or unanticipated are never
overly disturbing or disorienting on our part. We can tolerate for
ambiguity thus enables to remain unfazed by uncertainty or lack of
information. We are creative resourceful, quick learners, and have the
ability to improvise and make use of whatever is on hand to create and
produce.
Result: Productivity, innovation, entrepreneurship, equanimity and
survival
 Hardwork and Industry
Filipinos have the capacity for hard work given proper conditions. The
desire to raise ones standard of living and posses the essentials of a decent
life, combined with the right opportunities and incentives makes the
Filipino work very hard. This is manifested most noticeably in willingness
to take risks with jobs abroad and, while there to work, they can two or
three jobs.
Result: Productivity and entrepreneurship for some and survival despite
poverty for others
 Faith and Religiosity
 Filipinos are deep faith in God. Our innate religiosity enables us to
comprehend and genuinely see reality in the context of God’s will and
plan. Filipinos live very intimate with religion. It is very tangible, and
touchable part of everyday life. We ascribe human traits to a supernatural
God whom we alternately threatens and thanks, call upon for mercy and
forgiveness and appease by pledges. Thus, prayer is an important part of
our lives. This “pampalakas ng loob” allows us to act despite uncertainty.
Result: Courage, daring, optimism, inner peace, as well as the capacity to
genuinely accept tragedy and death.
 Ability to Survive
Filipinos have the ability to survive which is manifested in our capacity
for endurance despite difficult times and in our ability to get by. We,
Filipinos make do with what is available in the environment. Thus survival
instinct is related to Filipinos character.
Result: Bravely live through the harshest economic and social
circumstances
Weaknesses:
 Extreme Personalism
Result: Leads to graft and corruption
 Extreme Family Centeredness
Result: Lack of concern for the common good and acts as the block to
national consciousness
 Lack of Discipline
Result: Inefficient and wasteful work systems, violation rules leading to more
serious transgressions and a casual work ethic leading to carelessness and lack
of follow through.
 Passivity and Lack Initiative
Result: Easily resigned to ones fate and thus easily oppressed and exploited
 Colonial Mentality
Result: Basic feeling of national inferiority that makes it difficult for them to
relate as equals to Westeners
 “Kanya-kanya Syndrome”
Result: Dampening of cooperative and community spirit and in the trampling
upon of the rights of others.
 Lack of Self Analysis and Self-reflection
 Result: Emphasis on form more than substance
2.0 Values in Farming
Similar with other farmers in the world, the Filipino farmer has the following values:
Table 12b. The Filipino Farmer Values in Farming
INSTRUMENTAL SOCIAL
Making maximum and satisfactory Gaining recognition, prestige as a
income farmer
Safeguarding an income for the future Belonging to the farming community
Expanding the business Continuing the family tradition
Providing congenial working condition- Working with other members of the
hours, security and surroundings family

EXPRESSIVE INTRINSIC
Feeling pride of ownership Enjoyment of work task
Gaining self-respect for doing a Preference for a heathy, outdoor
worthwhile job farming life
Exercising special abilities and aptitudes Purposeful activity and value in hard
work
Chance to be creative and original Independence- freedom from
supervision and able to organize own-
time control
Meeting a challenge, achieving on
objective and personal growth

Having governed by the Spaniards for 300 years, the control of agricultural lands in the country
was two-tiered. At one hand, we have landlords (known as hacienderos) and at the other hand are
peasants (magsasaka) and the agricultural workers (sacadas).
In the previous module, the small farms and small scale farming characteristics was presented
and more or less gave us a picture of a Filipino farmer, practicing it. Similarly, industrial
agriculture practiced by few individuals characterizes them as well.
3.0 Characteristics of today’s farmer
The following characteristics/ qualities of today’s farmer were enumerated by Prevost
(1997) in his book Fundamentals of Modern Agriculture:
 The farmer as an Agronomist
Today, a farmer must be an agronomist. He should have scientific and technical
knowledge to enable him to anticipate the problems that will arise in his farm. In
agriculture, we do not really follow some ready-made formulae and the working tool is
the living environment and nature is too capricious to be stable.
  The farmer as an Administrator
Agriculture is business, thus the farm is an agricultural enterprise. The methods to
administer a farm are the same as those applied in other sectors and a farmer must
have the same capabilities as the industrial entrepreneur. Today, the agriculture sector
is a major consumer of intermediate products such as farm machineries, fuel, farm
chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers), soil amendments, etc. and most often, the margin
of profit is very narrow for many products.
 The farmer as a Manager
A farmer must be capable of managing his personal and agricultural machineries, thus
it requires the abilities of a chief executive in an enterprise. As a manager, he should
optimize everything involved in production to obtain the best benefits.
 The farmer as a PR man
Relations with others not only to fellow farmers is important. The farmer, therefore,
must have good relationship not only with other persons but with all professional
associations such as Farmers Cooperative, Federation of Farmers, etc. By doing this,
the farmer is kept ahead with current developments as well as with other current
policies and legislations that affect or influence the agriculture sector.
 The farmer as a Trader
In the Philippines, major productions have marketing problems. In other words, many
products are subject to the law of the market which is the “law of supply and demand.” A
farmer must know how to sell his products for better income. In selling his products he
must be able to highlights the advantages of his products being sold as compared to other
products of same category.
 The farmer as a Progressive Individual
A farmer must be dynamic, innovative and foremost progressive. All these qualities are
needed for success in profession. It should be emphasized that there are not gifts which
are grown, but, it s with good training that a farmer can be made fit to run his farm.
V. Synthesis
The strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino character had been discussed putting
emphasis on the positive and negative effects on the person, the family and the
society. Each student contributed in the discussion by sharing their experiences and
observations as they go along with others. The values in farming were to put to
scrutiny by the students whether such still exist in the modern society. Lastly, the
global characteristics of a modern farmer were carefully examined and discussed to
serve as a model for the incoming graduates of agriculture, as they themselves will
become a modern farmer.
VI. Post Test
1. How will you compare the Filipino farmer from the farmers of Western World? What are
the characteristics possessed by our farmers that they don’t have? Similarly, what are the
characteristics of the Western farmers that Filipino farmers don’t have?
2. In general, our farmers practice small scale farming. What do you think are the benefits
derived them?
3. Among the characteristics of the global farmer, what is the best to be adapted by our
Filipino farmers?
VII. Evaluation
The post test is a reflection of the level of your understanding about the topics
discussed. Have you met the target mark of 80%? If yes, very good, but for those who
did not make it, don’t worry, your professor will help you. Get hold of the
enhancement activities and start. Take it easy.
VIII. References
 P. Prevost. 1997. Fundamentals of Modern Agriculture. Science
Publishers, USA
 Beets, W.C. 1990. Raising and Sustaining Productivity of Smallholder
Farming Systems in the Tropics. AgBe Publishing, Holland