Role Of Queen Pineapple Farmers’ Cooperative In Addressing Gender-Divide Needs In The Philippines Rural Communities Amidst Pandemic (COVID-19)

Abstract

The objectives of the study are to determine the issues and challenges that the FCs encounter in their way to address the needs, and also to identify issues for the intervention of gender roles in pineapple farming that are not clearly defined. In terms of addressing the gender-divide needs and role of Farmers’ Cooperatives, the researcher studied the strategic and practical needs of men and women, other needs of farmers, gender mainstreaming in cooperatives, and gender participation in farming production. 

The study showed that there is no gender bias among cooperative members yet women have limited roles in farming due to other obligations in the family. Men’s participation in pineapple farming production is greater than women’s. Opportunities for earning an income and sharing child-care labor are among the gender needs of men and women. Women's involvement is higher only in selling the harvest during postproduction while both are participating in decision-making in handling managing resources and activities. 

The respondents’ main problem encountered during the pandemic is no marketing due to business closure because of lockdown and borrowing money is the coping solution of most households. The Farmers’ Cooperatives addressed the needs during the pandemic through a commitment to the economic development of both genders. The cooperatives are linking farmers to the market which increases the farmers’ income, cooperatives are providing support to farmers equally and the utilization of women's involvement in business transactions of cooperatives is being practiced rather than in farming activities which is still men’s participation is large.