Seeds of/for Change: Examining the Socio-Economic and Gendered Impacts of Hybrid and Inbred Rice on Farming Sustainability in Malolos, Bulacan

Abstract

Rice is a main staple across Asia, particularly in the Philippines, where rice-based agrarian economies have historically sustained local food production (FAO, 2020). Over time, traditional cultivation practices have evolved into more modern, technology-driven approaches. One salient development was the introduction of inbred rice varieties, such as IR8, developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and PhilRice. Concomitantly, more recently, the increasing promotion and adoption of hybrid rice varieties in the Philippines reflects a controversial push for yield maximization amid growing concerns over food security, climate resilience, and rural development (PhilRice, 2022; Moya et al., 2021). Given the conception of these developments, this study aims to examine the socio-economic and gendered impacts of hybrid and inbred rice cultivation on farming sustainability in the farming community of Malolos, Bulacan. Using a qualitative research design, the study utilized semi-structured interviews, incorporating informal field interviews, standard interviews, and key informant interviews. Data were analyzed through the augmentation of reflexive thematic analysis and reflexive discourse analysis, which manifested several compelling interrelated themes. Results show that inbred and hybrid rice cultivation is outstandingly unsustainable. The increasing commercialization of agricultural inputs has imposed economic burdens on farmers and contributed to ecological degradation, creating resistance to further technological adoption. Then, seed access, mediated through government subsidies, has engendered a system of coerced dependency, overriding farmers' preferences and autonomy. Despite such constraints, women have emerged as luminaries in rice production, exercising autonomy and contributing to seed development. These findings call for the need for inclusive, locally rooted seed development initiatives that recognize and empower smallholder farmers, especially women, as co-creators of agricultural knowledge. The study also advocates for a genuine agrarian reform and reorientation toward indigenous knowledge systems and organic farming practices as viable avenues to sustainable agriculture.