HEAT INDEX IMPACT ON CROP YIELD: A STUDY OF This research investigates the impact of heat index on crop

FARMERS IN SAN ROQUE, SAN JACINTO, PANGASINAN productivity in San Roque, San Jacinto. Through a combination of

quantitative measurements of heat index levels and qualitative

Nathalia L. Calanno, Jacquilene F. Herrera, Arch Cazy F. Ordanza, assessments of farmers' experiences, we aim to understand how
Trude Fe A. Rosal, Cherry Mae D. Talape, and Ma. Carmina L.
Viray heat stress influences crop growth and harvest. By identifying the

specific challenges posed by heat stress and exploring potential

Office of the Student Affairs, Research and Development
adaptation strategies, this study seeks to inform practices and
Management Office, Lyceum-Northwestern University, Tapuac
District, Dagupan City, 2400, Philippines
policies aimed at safeguarding crop productivity in San Roque, San

Jacinto, and similar agricultural communities facing similar

ABSTRACT
challenges.
The agricultural sector is the backbone of many

communities, providing food security and livelihoods for millions of Keywords: heat index, crop productivity, heat stress, crop growth,
adaptation strategies
people worldwide. However, agricultural workers are particularly

vulnerable to environmental factors such as heat stress, which can

INTRODUCTION:
significantly impact their productivity and well-being. In the rural
In the tropical climate of the Philippines, where agricultural
community of San Roque, San Jacinto, where agriculture is a
serves as the backbone of the economy. With a rich agricultural
primary source of income, farmers often face challenges associated
heritage, it sustains millions of livelihoods, feeds the nation, and
with high temperatures and heat exposure.
contributes significantly to the economy. From rice paddies to fruit
orchards, farming embodies the cultural and economic backbone of farming practices and exploring alternative income sources to

the Philippines, fostering resilience and ensuring food security for mitigate the adverse effects of heat on their agricultural activities.

generations. In order to help the farmers, this action research serves as a

Agriculture is one of the most vulnerable sectors to climate powerful methodology to understand the impacts of heat index on

change, especially the farmers who often bearing the brunt of its farmers and to collaboratively develop and implement strategies to

effects. Understanding the impact of heat index is not merely a mitigate the adverse effects of this climate change.

matter of comfort, but a critical consideration for the health and The objective of this action research is to evaluate the

productivity of farmers. Among the various climate-related changes consequences of heat index among farmers and generate a

is the rising temperatures, compounded by increasing heat index brighter solution to minimize the effects of this extreme heat among

that threats to agricultural productivity and well being of the farmers. farmers and their productivity. Specifically, the research aims to:

In San Roque, San Jacinto, Pangasinan, farming is the 1. Evaluate the effect of water scarcity due to extreme heat

primary source of income by the communities. However, the index.

increasing severity of heat index due to climate change have 2. Evaluate the impact of heat stress among crop yields and

significantly impacted their agricultural productivity. Because of high farm productivity.

temperature, farmers facing many problems like leading to crop 3. Develop interventions and strategies in order to continuously

failure, reducing yields, livestock stress, and ultimately threatening harvest their crops even during summer season.

their livelihoods. Consequently, farmers in San Roque, San This study is aims to empower the local communities at San

Jacinto, Pangasinan are increasingly adopting climate resilient Roque, San Jacinto, Pangasinan to actively engage in helping
 the farmers to lessen their burdens especially in yielding their applied by using the semi-structured survey questionnaire for the

crops. Through collaboration and sharing of ideas, this research purpose of collecting data on the impact of heat index among

will contribute to building resilience among farming farmers.

communities. This will help also the farmers to cope with the

challenges cause by extreme heat index. The findings and Data collection

recommendations from this action research will greatly help to Prior to developing measurement instruments for the

inform local government units regarding the situations and research model, the literature was searched for scales that were

needs of farmers during this extreme heat. This will also help already developed to study the impact of heat index among

the farmers and government unit to formulate an agricultural farmers. After checking on the existing validated instruments, some

practice especially during summer season where extreme heat of the constructs involved in this research have been employed in

happens to improve the well being of farmers at San Roque, previous studies and scales were presented for these constructs.

San Jacinto, Pangasinan. A sample of 108 farmers from San Roque, San Jacinto,

Pangasinan are used, and it is safe to say that they can be the

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: representative of the whole population. Simple random sampling

Research Design method is applied as the sampling technique for the study because

This study is a quantitative research study through semi- it is the most straight-forward and convenient method. As

structured survey which was conducted at San Roque, San Jacinto, mentioned before, the instrument of data collection is survey.

Pangasinan among 108 farmers. A descriptive research design is Creation of appropriate survey items stems from previous
literature. Some of our survey items can be selected from the might include the severity of water scarcity, implications for crop

existing scales from prior studies. Further, some items may be yields and livelihoods, potential adaptation strategies such as

developed from discussions on the relevant topics from different drought-resistant crops or efficient irrigation techniques, and the

pieces of literature (Lewis et al., 2005). need for community and government support to agriculture.

Regarding the sampling technique, the research used During the summer season, plants can experience various

probabilistic sampling; given that positivism is concerned with effects such as heat stress, increased water evaporation leading to

reducing bias as much as possible, probability-based sampling drought stress, wilting, sunburn on leaves, and increased

approach was deemed the most appropriate. This avoids sampling susceptibility to pests and diseases. Additionally, some plants go

bias or selectively recruiting participants. Moreover, the specific into a dormant state to conserve energy during extreme heat.

sampling technique used was simple random sampling which If the index continues to rise, farmers may face several

means in every item of the population has equal probability of challenges affecting their income generation. Crop yields could

being chosen (Sharma, 2017). decline due to heat stress, leading to lower productivity income.

Increased heat could also exacerbate water scarcity, further

RESULT AND DISCUSSION: impacting crop growth and livestock health. Additionally, higher

The action research on the impact of heat index on farmers temperatures may necessitate additional investments in irrigation

in San Roque, San Jacinto, Pangasinan, involving around 108 systems, cooling technologies, or crop varieties adapted to heat,

farmers, likely revealed significant challenges regarding water increasing production costs for farmers.

supply due to the continuous rise in temperature. Discussion points

 The following questions were asked to some of those 9. Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experiences

farmers in San Roque, San Jacinto, Pangasinan: with heat stress and its impact on your farm?

1. How long have you been experiencing problems related to the Based from the questions asked to selected farmers of San

heat index? Roque, San Jacinto, Pangasinan, the following are the feedbacks:

2. Can you describe the specific challenges you’ve faced on your 1. It started this almost end of March,2024.

farm due to high temperatures? 2. On our farm, high temperatures pose several challenges. Firstly,

3. Have you noticed any changes in your crops or during periods of they can lead to heat stress in our crops, impacting their

high heat? productivity. Secondly, intense heat can increase water demand for

4. What measures have you taken to mitigate the effects of heat on crops, putting pressure on our water resources. Lastly, prolonged

your farm operations? heatwaves can accelerate soil moisture loss, affecting crop yields

5. Are there any specific areas of concern or assistance you’re and necessitating careful water management strategies.

seeking related to managing heat stress on your farm? 3. During summer months, we often have to adjust our crop

6. How do you currently monitor the heat index or weather selection to varieties that are more heat-tolerant and require less

conditions on your farm? water. We also need to modify planting schedules to avoid exposing

7. Have you considered adjusting your farming practices or crops to the most extreme temperatures. Overall, summer requires

schedule to adapt changing climate conditions? careful planning and adaptation to ensure successful crop growth

8. Are there any additional resources or support you feel would be despite the challenges posed by high temperatures.

beneficial in addressing heat-related challenges on your farm?

4. To mitigate the effects of heat on farm operations, we implement resources, and assistance tailored to our specific region and

the adjustment of planting schedules to avoid the hottest times of agricultural practices. We also have our industry organizations

day, and investing in heat-tolerant crop varieties. Also, ensuring where joining agricultural associations or organizations related to

proper hydration for crops is very crucial. specific crop can provide access to expertise, best practices and

5. In this time of summer season, we only wish for a miracle to rain. support networks. We also seek advice from the agricultural

Since our area has no irrigation that may sustain the water needs of experts.

our plant, we really spend extra budget for gasoline that will operate 9. I would like to share that in this time of summer, we need to

our water pump. monitor closely our eyes on weather forecasts and heat index

6. The device for checking the heat index is not actually available to reading to anticipate periods of extreme heat and take proactive

all farmers here in our area. What we really do is that, we water the measures to protect crops. We have to stay informed and adaptable

plants every after 10 days using water pump. Others have their own about emerging technologies, best practices, and research findings

deep well (but in this time of season, we also encounter problems to related to heat stress management in agriculture, and be willing to

water supply from the deep well), and some areas are near beside adapt strategies as needed to address evolving challenges.

the river and this is really a good source of water. The heat index itself doesn’t have a direct relationship with

7. Yes, by modifying planting schedules and investing in heat- the study of transnational education. However, the impacts of

tolerant crop varieties. climate change, including increasing temperatures and extreme

8. We can seek from the government agricultural extension weather events like heatwaves, can indirectly affect various aspects

services. These services often provide valuable information, of society, including educational systems.
 Transnational education can provide agricultural knowledge  Adaptation to Climate Change among Farmers in Bulacan,

and techniques from different countries, enabling farmers to learn Philippines by Ericson H. Peñalba Bulacan, State University

about innovative practices and technologies across borders, – Meneses Campus Bulakan, Bulacan, Philippines

potentially improving crop yields and sustainability farming  Extreme heat effects on perennial crops and strategies for

practices. sustaining future production by Lauren E Parker, Andrew J

McElronec, Steven M Ostojaa, Elisabeth J Forresteld, USDA

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS California Climate Hub, Davis, CA, United States b John

The impact of heat index on farmers in San Roque, San Muir Institute of the Environment, University of California,

Jacinto, Pangasinan, leading to decreased crop productivity, is Davis, CA, United States c USDA-ARS Crops Pathology

significant. To mitigate this, farmers could implement shading and Genetics Research Unit, Davis, CA, United States

techniques, use heat-tolerant crop varieties, and adopt water-saving Department of Viticulture and Enology, University of

irrigation methods. Additionally, community support and California, Davis, CA, United States

government assistance could help provide resources and education

on climate-resilient farming practices. In conclusion, proactive

measures are crucial to alleviate the adverse effects of heat index

on farmers’ productivity and livelihoods in the region.

REFERENCES: