Factors influencing certified rice seed technology utilization in the province of Nueva Ecija

This study aimed to look into the factors influencing utilization of certified rice seed technology in the study areas. A total of 226 respondents (20%) who served as sample were randomly picked from 1,121 total population. Data were obtained using an interview schedule as guide. The results of all statistical tests were interpreted at 0.05 and 0.01 levels of significance using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings of the study showed that farmers had an average of 8.49 years in schooling; 72.12% were owner-cultivators with a mean farm size of 2.23 hectares; and an average farming experience of 23 years. The average income for dry and wet seasons amounted to PhP19,730 and PhP12,643 respectively. The average direct cash costs per hectare were PhP11,854.97 and PhP10,186.17 for the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Majority observed that certified rice seeds were always available with seed producers as the main source. The most widely grown variety was PSBRc 82, chosen for its high yielding characteristic with lesser number following the recommended seed bed size of 400 sq. m. or more for the 40 kg certified rice seeds. The ”40 kg certified seeds for one ha is not enough” was the majo0r problem encountered by the farmer-respondents. Farmers were mostly self-financed. Non-utilizers resorted to exchanging seeds with other farmers. Majority of the respondents had attended trainings and rated these trainings as ”helpful”. Majority observed technology demonstration and most rated it as ”helpful”. Majority were aware and had acquired information materials and rated this information materials as ”helpful”. Majority were visited by technicians once a week with ”helpful” rating. The recipients of the DA seed assistance rated the level of helpfulness as ”helpful”. The problem mostly encountered was ”limited allocation” of certified seeds. As to the extent of certified rice seed technology utilization, majority were partial utilizers outnumbering the full and non-utilizers. The effect of technology utilization in increasing farmer's rice yield showed that the average increase in yield during the dry and wet seasons were 20.71 cavans per ha. and 13.17 cavans per ha respectively. It showed increase in farmer's income during dry and wet seasons. Four of the respondents' socio-economic characteristics exhibited significant correlation with utilization, namely: years of schooling, tenurial status, income for dry season and membership in farmer's organization. Farmer's income for the wet season was found to have highly significant association with the output variable. Production factor variables such as source of certified seeds, all technology-related activities to certified seeds utilization except rice varieties and credit support had highly significant correlation with utilization. Three technology promotion strategies; training, farm and home visit and DA seed assistance showed highly significant relationship with utilization. The input and process variables that showed significant and highly significant influence on certified rice seed technology utilization were farmers' income during the dry season, tenurial status, source of certified seeds, credit support, quantity of certified rice seeds used per hectare, level of helpfulness of training, DA seed assistance program and farmers' decision to buy certified seeds even without DA seed assistance. Full and partial utilization of certified rice seed technology had significant correlation wit increase in yield and farmers' income. To further promote and increase the utilization of certified rice seed technology, the respondents recommended the conduct of more trainings at the barangay level; improvement in information dissemination; lower cost of certified seeds; continued price subsidy, and increase in the allocation of certified seeds.