Lalong, Arthur S.2026-07-072026-07-072007-03Lalong, A. S. (2007). Adoption of soil and water conservation measures among upland Farmers of selected community-based Forest management (CBFM) projects in La Union, Philippines. [Unpublished Undergraduate Feasibility Study, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University - North La Union Campus, Sapilang, Bacnotan, La Union]. Lakasa ti Sirib, DMMMSU Institutional Repository.https://lakasa.dmmmsu.edu.ph/handle/123456789/2078This study evaluated the adoption of soil and water conservation measures among upland farmers of selected community-based forest management projects in La Union, Philippines. Specifically, this study aimed to determine the following: (1) the profile of the respondents, (2) the farming practices used/adopted or being employed by the farmers before joining the CBFM program and the farming practices introduced by the project implementers, (3) source/origin of such farming practices, (4) reasons for employing/using and introducing those farming practices, (5) the extent of adoption of SWC measures, (6) reasons of adopting and implementing such SWC measures, (7) the factors/problems affecting and or influencing the adoption of other SWC measures and (8) some suggested solutions to the problems. The descriptive survey method was used in this study. There were 42 CBFM beneficiaries/farmers respondents and 7 project implementers. The data were gathered through the use of structured questionnaires supplemented with personal interviews and observations to ensure accurate response and minimize bias. Results of the study showed that majority of the CBFM beneficiaries/farmer respondents were males, aged 51-60 years old, married, had less than 4 family members and elementary graduates. Aside from farming as their main occupation, most of them were laborers with a monthly income of less than P2, 000. More than half of them were living in the upland with a house located within or near the CBFM project. Majority of them have upland farms measuring 2 hectares and were engaged in farming for a period of 21-30 years. The project implementers were mostly female, married and were between the ages of 41-50 years old. Majority of them were B.S. Forestry graduates and were designated as Forester 1, had finished masters’ degree and were in their present position for almost 3-5 years. There were three of them who have annual salary of P121, 000-150,000 and another three were receiving P151, 000-180,000 annually. Among the farming practices commonly used by the farmers/CBFM beneficiaries before joining the CBFM project were crop rotation, mixed cropping and single cropping/monocropping of agricultural crops. Agroforestry farming, orchard or fruit tree farming and alley cropping were some of the farming practices introduced by the project implementers. Such farming practices were mostly originated or being taught by their parents, neighbors, fellow farmers and were learned through seminars and training/cross visits. The respondents have adopted and or implemented those farming practices because it could increase production, it conserves soil and water and it can conserves soil fertility. On the adoption of soil and water conservation measures, the two groups of respondents perceived that SWC measures such as terracing without stone walls, diversion canal, crop rotation and mixed cropping were fully adopted. They had employed such SWC measures because their materials are locally available, it increases production, it conserves soil and water, it conserves soil fertility and it is suitable to the area. On the other hand, the degree of seriousness of the factors or problems affecting or influencing the adoption of other SWC measures in the CBFM area were rated moderately serious by the CBFM beneficiaries and slightly serious by the project implementers. With regards to the suggested solutions, the following were being suggested by the CBFM beneficiaries: (1) farmers should be given sufficient technical assistance from the concern agency; (2) such technology should be properly introduced; (3) such soil and water conservation measures to be introduced must be simple and suitable to the area; and (4) simplification of the technology, its procedures and materials needed. On the other hand, the project implementers had suggested the following: continuous support of Local Government Units (LGUs), Non Government Organizations (NGOs) and other government institutions; intensive Information Education and Communication campaign (IEC) regarding soil and water conservation; conduct of off farm visits; establishment of demo farm; financial and livelihood project assistance from government and NGOs; and cross farm visits to arouse interest and participation of project participants.Thesis