Gender perspectives in smallholder farming practices in Lantapan, Philippines

Tree-based farming systems are beneficial both for poverty alleviation and environmental
conservation. Despite the growing body of literature supporting the benefits of integrating
trees on farm, local perceptions play a larger role in the decision-making of smallholder
farmers, especially those who have limited access to scientific studies. This paper explores the
priority farming systems and tree species of female and male smallholder farmers in
Lantapan, Bukidnon, as well as the reasons for their preferences. Using the Analytical
Hierarchical Process (AHP), their criteria for crop selection were compared and generated
weights were used to assess their priority species. Findings showed that financial benefits of
farming systems and tree species were the main consideration of both male and female
farmers. Although profit maximization and supply of building materials were their main
criteria for tree species selection, women and men also considered different aspects of wellbeing
(i.e. regulatory services, food security). Results indicated that both female and male
farmers preferred crop-based farms over tree-based farms. In terms of tree species, female
farmers highly preferred plantation crops and timber trees, while male farmers favored fruit
trees. The findings of the study could be used in crafting a gender-sensitive co-investment
scheme that would support the promotion of climate-smart, tree-based agriculture in the area.