Drivers and socio-economic impacts of land use change in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines

The study was conducted to determine the drivers and socio-economic impacts of land use changes in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya [Philippines]. Data were gathered through key informant interviews, household surveys, field observations and documentation, and secondary data collection. The subjects of the study include the citrus and vegetable farmers particularly in the barangays [villages] of Tadji, Binogawan, Wangal, Capisan, Malabing, and Payapa. Findings of the study revealed that there is continuous expansion of citrus and vegetable farms (kaingin) in Kasibu up to the present as citrus and vegetable farming are the main source of livelihood of the people. Farmers' decision to change land use, especially to citrus and vegetable farms, was mainly driven by their characteristics and market factors. On socio-economic impacts, the changes in productivity of citrus and vegetable farming of the past 10 years from 2010-2019 show an erratic pattern. Yet, most of the farmers were able to accumulate half million and below total worth of wealth and assets through their income in farming. However, there is a significant difference in the income between citrus farming and vegetable farming in their 10-year production, with p=0.001. Citrus farming produced more income with PhP408,691.06 as its highest compared to vegetable farming where its highest income is only PhP116,500.70. Similarly, citrus farmers have accumulated more wealth and assets have higher worth of wealth and assets compared to vegetable farmers since the time they started farming. Hence, it can be deduced that citrus farming is more profitable than vegetable farming through both have good socio-economic impacts. Furthermore, the land use land cover changes trend showed that Closed Forest is continuously decreasing while Open Forest, Citrus, and Kainging/Clearing/Vegetable are increasing. This observation indicates that more degradation of the forestlands will continue and may threaten the existence of the remaining natural forests of the area with the citrus fruits in the province are critical factors that could result in more expansion, resulting to further encroachment of agricultural production on the remaining forest ecosystems of Kasibu, unless strictly regulated.