Rain or Shine: Lived Experiences of Farmers in City of San Fernando, La

Union

Introduction

Farmers play a crucial role in global food production, contributing to

food security and economic stability. According to the Food and Agriculture

Organization (2018), Farmers are the backbone of agriculture, the first link in

the food production chain. This study aims to shed light on the challenges

confronted by farmers, especially in the face of disasters.

Studying the lived experience of farmers is crucial for understanding

their daily challenges and aspirations, it emphasizes the importance of this

insight in shaping sustainable agricultural practices. Recognizing the mental

health aspects, as highlighted by the National Farmers Union (2023), is

essential for supporting farmers well-being. The implications extend to the

policies such as Training for Agricultural Professionals and Mental Health

Awareness and Education, influencing subsidy programs and resource

allocation.

It is predicted that there will be about 10 billion people on the earth by

the year 2050. The world's food demand might rise by 59 - 98 percent due to

the need to feed a total of 3.4 billion people as well as the increased demand

for meat and dairy products in developing nations by the middle class. This

implies that global agriculture needs to boost yields and productivity. However,

experts warn that the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels,

harsher weather, droughts, and greater temperatures, threaten to reduce the

amount and compromise the quality of food sources.

 According to a recent study on the production of vegetables and

legumes worldwide, yields could decline by 35 percent on year 2100 as a

result of water scarcity, increased salinity, and ozone depletion if greenhouse

gas emissions keep rising at the current rate.

Another recent study discovered that a 4˚C increase in global

temperatures, which might occur by the year 2100 if we don't curb our

greenhouse gas emissions, could cut in half amount of corn, also known as

maize, produced in the United States, most of which is used to feed cattle and

produce biofuel. Even if we keep global warming to less than 2˚C, as the Paris

Climate Accord calls for, U.S. grain production may fall by roughly 18 percent.

Additionally, researchers discovered that a 2˚C increase in temperature

increases the likelihood of the top four maize exporters in the world, the

United States, Brazil, Argentina, and the Ukraine, suffering simultaneous crop

failures of 10 percent or more by around 7 percent. Increases in temperature

of 4˚C result in an astounding 86 percent increase in the probabilities (Cho,

2018).

Rice, wheat, maize, jute, and other vegetables are important and

popular crops for farmers in Bangladesh, which is predominantly an agro-

based nation. These crops ensure both food security and economic benefits.

Unfortunately, the salinity of crops lands is driving a large portion of

Bangladesh's coastal zone to remain barren due to changing climate, rising

sea levels, and other anthropogenic factors, because common crops cannot

withstand the salt, a large portion of the coastal zone's saline-prone terrain

stays barren throughout the dry season, which runs from November to May.
 Overcoming the hurdles, coastal farmers, with the support of the

government and nongovernmental organizations, are now farming sunflowers

and benefiting from the alternative crop. Sunflowers are saline-resistant and

grow quickly, offering a stable opportunity for income generation to farmers

who can no longer cultivate more saline-sensitive crops.

The Bangladesh Soil Research Development Institute (SRDI) claims

that climate change is causing an increase in sea level. Salinity is expected to

affect a sizable section of Bangladesh, severely harming crop cultivation

along the shore. The majority of the land is left barren during the dry months

because salinity prevents cultivation and reduces overall agricultural yield.

The farmers are left wondering how they will make a living (Parvin, 2024).

Given the increasing danger of drought, Mindanao's inland rice

production zones may have trouble selecting crops that fit the changing

weather patterns. In the meantime, it is anticipated that certain urban

provinces in Luzon, such as Isabela, Pasil, Kalinga, and Cagayan, will see

continuous rainfall, which would cause devastating flooding.

The provinces of Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao,

Benguet, and Nueva Vizcaya may experience heat stress and other climate-

related risks to animals as a result of expected ambient temperatures of 30 °C

or higher by 2050, placing grassland and animal livelihoods at danger.

The agriculture industry employs about 10 million Filipinos, and this

industry in turn supplies food for the countries over 109 million population.

However, climate change has a devastating effect on agriculture. According to

earlier research, the Philippines suffered Php 463 billion in losses from
extreme weather events over the course of the last ten years, with the

agriculture sector accounting for Php 290 billion, or 62.7 percent of the total

(Gustavo et al., 2021).

In San Fernando City, La Union, local farmers encounter a multitude of

challenges that significantly impact their agricultural activities and overall

livelihoods. Two prominent issues they face are inadequate and dysfunctional

drainage systems, and the increasing value of wastes (Ortega, n.d.).

First, the inadequate and dysfunctional drainage systems pose a

serious problem for farmers, especially during the rainy season. Poor

drainage leads to waterlogging in fields, which can suffocate crops, inhibit root

growth, and promote the spread of waterborne diseases among plants.

Excess water retention also disrupts soil structure, reducing its fertility and

productivity over time. Furthermore, stagnant water attracts pests and

pathogens, further jeopardizing crop yields. Without proper drainage

infrastructure, farmers struggle to mitigate these risks, leading to decreased

agricultural output and financial losses (Ortega, n.d.).

Second, the increasing value of wastes presents a complex challenge

for farmers in San Fernando City. As urbanization and industrialization

progress, the generation of various types of waste, including organic and

inorganic materials, continues to rise. While organic waste, such as

agricultural residues and food scraps, holds potential as compost or fertilizer

for farming activities, the management and utilization of these wastes remain

inadequate. Farmers often lack access to proper waste collection and

disposal services, forcing them to contend with accumulating waste on their

properties. Moreover, the influx of non-biodegradable waste, such as plastics

and packaging materials, exacerbates environmental pollution and poses

health hazards to farmers and their communities (Ortega, n.d.).

In line with the above literature, the researchers would like to know the

benefits of being a farmer. The researchers also want to identify the

challenges of being a farmer during disaster, and to understand the coping

mechanisms used by lived experienced farmers in solving the difficulties they

encounter.
References

Cho, R. (2018). How Climate Change Will Alter Our Food.

https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2018/07/25/climate-change-food-

agriculture/

Gustavo et al. (2021). WFP study provides first-ever look at the links between

climate change and food security in the Philippines.

https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-study-provides-first-ever-look-links-between-

climate-change-and-food-security-philippines

Ortega, M. J. (n.d.). SAN FERNANDO.

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/sustdev/csd/csd15/PF/info/

MJ_Ortega.pdf

Parvin, F. (2024). In Bangladesh, sunflower grows where other crops don’t

amid increasing salinity.

https://news.mongabay.com/2024/01/in-bangladesh-sunflower-grows-

where-other-crops-dont-amid-increasing-salinity/