SURVEY ON AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES (AKAP) OF COCONUT FARMERS IN BARANGAY POBLACION, PATAG AND LUN PADIDU, MALAPATAN, SARANGANI PROVINCE

This study was conducted on February 27 to April 05, 2019 in three Barangays namely: Poblacion, Patag, and Lun Padidu, Malapatan Sarangani, Provine. The researche used a descriptive research method to draw out information of 84 repondents who are coconut farmers in Barangay Poblacion, Patag, and Lun Padidu, Malapatan Sarangani Province. A set of questionnaires were used as a main instrument in acquiring the desired information. The answer provided by the coconut farmers were the data of the research. Data were analyzed and interpreted according to frequency and percentage. Also, relationship betwen annual yield (dependent variables) and farmer profile, socio-economic information, awareness, knowledge, attitude and practices (independent variable) were analyzed using correlation analysis. The study revealed that almost of the respondents found communication media is not adequate in providing basic information on coconut farming. It also showed that coconut farmers preferred the combination of personal discussion and agricultural technician when acquiring information. They acquired information through seminar, meeting, tech-demo and field trips. Meanwhile, majority or 65.5% of the respondents did not know about IPM, and 41.7% have no idea about R.A 8048 (Act Providing for the Regulation of the Cutting of Coconut trees.) Lastly, all of the respondents positively responded to the practices presented to them such as fertilization. In terms of intercropping, 33.33% of the respondents practicing it and only (1) of the respondents used GI sheet as trunk bond against rats. Husk burial was not a major practice because they used it in copra drying.