Aguilar, Irene Tadena

Abstract:The Philippines is a tropical country and oftentimes experiences natural disasters like typhoons causing floodings, among others. Likewise, the country is agricultural where farmers get beset every time typhoons hit the country. This study aimed to assess the nature and process of coping mechanism of farmers on the effects of natural disasters. It made use of a qualitative research where a case study was conducted among small-scale farmers. A case study is used to generate an indepth, multi-faceted understanding of a complex issue in its real-life context. The selection is based on the fact that these agricultural villages and they experience the effects of these disasters. Findings reveal that farmers seek for medication in case of injury; do more on-farm work to manage farming activities after the disaster like replanting, making canals, sharing seedlings to fellow farmers; and they help one another in the clearing operation of village roads and rice paddies. Some farmers divert to tricycle driving after the typhoon. The husband and wife talk about poor harvest and just move on. The family prays that they were spared from the wrath of the typhoon. It is concluded that farmers’ coping strategies for both on-site and off-site are technical and scientific., they go for socialization, acceptance, stretching the available financial resources, support of family and faith in God. From the findings of the result, it is recommended that farmers need to sustain and strengthen their coping strategies needed in farming.

Keywords:farmers, effects of disasters, strategies, agriculture