RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS: CATALYSTS TOWARD SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF RUBBER INDUSTRY An Explorative and Descriptive Study of the Contributions of Research Institutions in the Socio- Economic Development of Rubber Industry

Abstract

The main objective of the study is to determine the contributions of research institutions in the socio-economic development of rubber industry. The contributions of research institutions to the rubber-farming requirements of the rubber stakeholders (farmers/ growers, traders/processors, researchers, extension workers) are measured through the association and availability of infbiTnation and technological transfer. Respondents to this study were ninety-seven (97) rubber stakeholders of the Province of Cotabato. Nine (9) were researchers, ten (10) extension workers, eight (8) traders/ processors, and seventy (70) farmers/ growers. The research method employed in this study was the descriptive and explorative research methods. In the explorative part of the study, the feasibility of the research and its implementation, and the practical recommendations of the researches are included. In the descriptive part of the study, the economic trend of rubber industry and the support it had gained from the Provincial Government for its sustainable development, and the impact of research institutions to the socio-economic condition of the industry are included.