Adaptive Farm and Financial Management Strategies of Smallholder Rubber Landowners Under Price Volatility (A Qualitative Case Study in Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines)

Abstrak

Smallholder rubber farming is highly vulnerable to market price fluctuations, creating significant challenges in maintaining farm productivity, household income, and long-term livelihood sustainability. Although previous studies have examined the economic impacts of rubber price volatility and farmers' coping mechanisms, limited attention has been given to how farm management, financial practices, and adaptive decision-making collectively sustain smallholder farming under uncertain market conditions. This study explored the adaptive farm and financial management strategies employed by rubber landowners in Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines, to maintain income stability amid fluctuating rubber prices. A qualitative single-case study design was employed involving ten purposively selected rubber landowners. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, direct observation, and document analysis, and analyzed using thematic analysis, supported by methodological triangulation to enhance the credibility of the findings. The results revealed that participants adopted an integrated set of adaptive strategies combining effective farm management, prudent financial practices, and flexible operational responses. These included appropriate fertilizer application, regular farm maintenance, proper tapping intervals, labor-sharing arrangements, technical guidance, budgeting, savings, expense control, income diversification, delayed marketing of rubber products, and cost minimization during periods of low prices. Rather than pursuing short-term profit maximization, participants prioritized income stability, operational continuity, and long-term farm sustainability amid market uncertainty. These findings suggest the applicability of Baumol's (1959) Sales Revenue Maximization Theory to smallholder agricultural decision-making, particularly in interpreting how farmers balance financial stability, operational continuity, and livelihood resilience under market uncertainty. The study provides empirical evidence to the literature on agricultural management and rural livelihoods. It offers policymakers and agricultural extension agencies practical insights for developing interventions that strengthen farmers' financial capacity, technical support, market access, and resilience against price volatility.

Kata kunci

• Farm Sustainability
• Income Diversification
• agricultural resilience
• market volatility
• smallholder livelihoods