A Logit Model for Evaluating Farmer Participation in Soil Conservation Programs: Sloping Agricultural Land Technology on Upland Farms in the Philippines

Without conservation measures, denudation of fragile uplands will continue to create sediment-related problems downstream. Furthermore, these marginal lands must be protected from erosion and the subsequent soil depletion if they are to retain their potential to feed rapidly-growing populations. This study examines the incidence of adoption of a soil conservation technology, Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT), in the Philippines. SALT is not only a soil conservation technique but also a means of enhancing farm incomes through alternative enterprises. Because incidence of adoption, the dependent variable for the estimated model, is defined as a binary variable, a Logit model is used in the analysis. Factors such as availability of government assistance, tenurial status, farm size, education levels and age of head of household, and income are the explanatory variables included in the model. Results suggest that government assistance, land size, age, land intensity, and tenure have a significant impact on the adoption decision. Contrary to expectations, income and education did not significantly impact the incidence of adoption. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for conservation programs.