Passi City, Iloilo, as a prospective agritourism destination: Exploring involvement and livelihood adaptability among local farmers

Abstract

This study explored the participation and livelihood adjustment of local farmers in Passi City, Iloilo, as part of positioning the city as an emerging agritourism destination. Engaging 300 farmers from sugarcane, rice, and pineapple sectors, the research utilized a descriptive-correlational design to assess their socio-demographic profiles, involvement in agritourism, and adaptability to challenges such as climate change, technological advancements, market conditions, and government policies. Results indicated that farmers demonstrated high levels of involvement, with slight variations across demographic categories. Middle-aged farmers, particularly those engaged in pineapple farming, showed the highest levels of participation, likely due to the visually attractive nature of pineapple farming and their accumulated experience. Government- sponsored training and seminars were found to significantly influence productivity, though accessibility to these initiatives was identified as a key challenge. In terms of adaptability, farmers displayed a strong willingness to embrace new technologies and adjust to market conditions, with pineapple farmers again exhibiting the highest adaptability. However, gaps remained in climate change preparedness and government policy responsiveness, particularly in infrastructure development. A strong positive relationship was found between involvement in agritourism and adaptability, suggesting that farmers more engaged in agritourism were also more open to adopting new practices. This highlights the importance of tailored interventions, particularly in climate resilience and infrastructure support, to fully capitalize on agritourism opportunities in Passi City. These findings offer valuable insights for future agritourism initiatives, guiding strategies to support farmers in adapting to this emerging sector.