Agricultural Extension Services and the Implementation of Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Program in One Maguindanao

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between agricultural extension services and the implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program in One Maguindanao, Philippines. Specifically, it assessed farmers' level of satisfaction with agricultural extension services, the extent of RCEF program implementation, differences across municipalities, the predictive influence of agricultural extension services on RCEF implementation and changes in beneficiaries' monthly income. A quantitative descriptive-correlational research design was employed involving 396 RCEF beneficiaries selected through random sampling. Data were collected using a validated, adapted and enhanced questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Kruskal–Wallis H test, multiple linear regression, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test at a 0.05 level of significance.

The findings revealed that respondents were very satisfied with agricultural extension services (M = 3.96, SD = 0.39), while the implementation of the RCEF program was rated high (M = 3.95, SD = 0.30). Significant differences among municipalities were found in technical consultation and information and communication technology (ICT) for agricultural extension services, and in credit assistance, seeds, training and extension, and overall RCEF implementation. Multiple regression analysis showed that agricultural extension services significantly predicted RCEF implementation, F(4, 391) = 28.10, p < .001, explaining 22.3% of the variance (R² = .223). Technical consultation and training and capacity-building emerged as significant predictors, whereas field demonstration and ICT were not. Furthermore, beneficiaries' monthly income significantly increased after RCEF implementation (W = 78,580, p < .001).

The study concludes that strengthening technical support, farmer training, and equitable access to RCEF interventions can enhance program implementation and improve the productivity and livelihoods of rice farmers in One Maguindanao.