Perceived social and economic impacts of the rice production project among beneficiary farmers in Agusan del Norte, Philippines

Abstract

Rice production remains fundamental to food security, rural livelihoods, and agricultural development in the Philippines. However, the effectiveness of government-supported rice development programs depends not only on financial investments but also on beneficiaries’ socioeconomic characteristics, perceptions, satisfaction, and the resulting social and economic outcomes. This study evaluated the implementation and perceived impacts of the Rice Production Project among farmer beneficiaries in RTR, Buenavista, and Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte. A descriptive survey research design was employed involving 209 farmer beneficiaries selected from the project areas. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, and weighted mean. The respondents were predominantly 41 years and older (82.3%), married (78.5%), female (54.5%), high school graduates (48.8%), and primarily dependent on farming (98.1%) as their main source of income. Beneficiaries demonstrated highly positive perceptions of project implementation, with an overall weighted mean of 3.72, indicating that the project was very well implemented. They also expressed a high level of satisfaction with the program (overall weighted mean= 3.47), reflecting generally satisfactory service delivery. Furthermore, respondents perceived the project to have a very high social impact (overall weighted mean= 3.64) by enhancing farming confidence, household food security, and community support, as well as a very high economic impact (overall weighted mean= 3.62) through reduced dependence on high-interest loans, improved access to agricultural inputs, and greater financial stability. The findings demonstrate that the Rice Production Project has made a meaningful contribution to improving the well-being and resilience of participating farmers. Strengthening market linkages, improving service efficiency, and expanding youth participation are recommended to enhance the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of future agricultural development programs.