Readiness for Natural Farming Transition in New Lucena, Iloilo, Philippines: A Participatory Mixed-Method Situational Analysis

This preprint presents a participatory mixed-method situational analysis of the readiness of New Lucena, Iloilo, Philippines, for transition to natural farming. The study examines farmers’ aspirations, knowledge, attitudes, skills, and practices, as well as the institutional, organizational, and policy conditions shaping the municipality’s potential to become a model natural farming community. Drawing on household surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, participatory workshops, and policy and document review, the study finds that natural farming is generally perceived by participating respondents and stakeholders as healthier, potentially less costly, and supportive of community-based learning. However, broader adoption remains constrained by limited technical confidence, inconsistent access to materials, weak follow-up extension support, low youth participation, limited market incentives, and uneven coordination across institutions. The findings further indicate that while local ordinances, farmer organizations, and institutional actors provide an emerging base of support, implementation and collaboration remain incomplete. The study finds that New Lucena is getting ready for natural farming, but the transition is still in the works and needs more technical, material, institutional, and inter-organizational support. The paper contributes an evidence base for designing a gender-responsive, community-based, and research-informed extension framework for sustainable agriculture at the local level.