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.
