Farmers’ Coping Mechanism during the Pandemic

Abstract

Agriculture is one of the country’s most vital sectors and amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the resiliency of the agricultural sector has been tested. The said global issue highlights that the worldwide food supply is built on the shoulders of agricultural workers. This study aimed to learn more about farmers’ experiences, particularly those residing in Sultan Kudarat. This paper utilized a qualitative approach using a purposive sampling technique among ten (10) participants in Sultan Kudarat province. These farmers have been in the farming industry for five years, cultivating at least 1 hectare of farmland. They are tenants of the land they cultivate, are producers of any crops, and members of any recognized farmers’ associations. Through this study, we have gained knowledge about the experiences of farmers during the pandemic. This study revealed that farmers had encountered a lot of challenges during the pandemic, one of which was financial vulnerability due to the instability of work opportunities in the agricultural sector. However, farmers are incredibly resilient, to the point that they seek ways to overcome any challenges or obstacles brought by their work by looking for other jobs while they wait for their crops to be harvested so they can still sustain their daily needs.