SOURCE: 0000000334.

RTF

THESIS ABSTRACT Title HARVEST Author Degree Year Location : THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN PINEAPPLE PRODUCTION AND POST OPERATION IN LANITON, BASUD, CAMARINES NORTE : LOSA, ADELINA A. : ? : 1998 : CSSAC

The study was an attempt to analyze the participation/contribution of women in pineapple production and post harvest operations. Descriptive-correalational method of research was employed utilizing questionnaire survey, key informants interview and direct observation to thirty respondents purposely selected from 55 farmers at Laniton, Basud, Camarines Norte. The data gathered were treated using the percentage technique, rank and multiple regression analysis. Findings revealed that women were involved in pineapple production and harvest operation. Production activities included those that do not require much physical effort such as procurement of planting materials, clearing, furrowing, planting, handweeding, fertilizer application, flower induction and harvesting. Post harvest operations actively participated in by women were transporting sorting, marketing and processing. These activities were in addition to their reproductive role as wife and mother. The factors affecting the participation of women in pineapple production were age, education and training. While education and membership in organization slightly affected the participation of women in post harvest operation. Though women contributed much both in the productive and reproductive activities but then they have limited access to and control of resources. The problems encountered by women in pineapple production and post harvest operations were excessive workloads at home and in the farm, meager income, lack of capital, high cost of inputs and lack of knowledge. The following are recommended: a) extension efforts and training programs conducted by government and non-government agencies regarding marketing and processing should be geared also to women instead of purely men; b) program planners must integrate women's concern into the design and dissemination process of production technology; and c) encourage the pineapple growers to organize a cooperative for them to avail of the benefits given to cooperatives; and d) co would be researchers study the factors affecting women's productivity in pineapple production which were not covered in the present study may be undertaken.