Evaluation of the Impact of Some Factors on Coffee Producers towards Sustainable Rural Development in Lagawe, Ifugao of Philippines

Abstract

Rural development requires harnessing existing community assets and expanding local economies while pushing local capabilities to be more efficient and innovative. The current conditions and external factors affecting local coffee producers in Lagawe, Ifugao were investigated as a foundation for a comprehensive framework for a sustainable rural development strategy. A multi-method in a convergent parallel research design with a participatory rural approach was employed to address the research objectives. Data were collected from registered local coffee producers through purposeful-criterion sampling approach, local government unit officials, and government agency representatives through key informant interviews and researcher-made questionnaire administration. Using frequency counts, percentage distribution, and mean, and careful analysis, findings revealed that products produced by local producers are in a good state in terms of the One Town One Product criteria. Coffee producers can access technology, market, and social infrastructures from different government agencies. Areas for improvement were identified based on the OTOP criteria. Finally, a comprehensive framework was proposed to establish sustainable coffee industry viable business for rural development.