Social, Economic and Environmental Contributions of Agribusiness Extension Activities on Rural Communities

Abstract

Agribusiness extension activities play a vital role in strengthening rural communities by enhancing livelihoods, building capacities, and promoting sustainable practices. Higher education institutions, particularly State Universities and Colleges, are mandated to implement extension programs that contribute to socio-economic development and environmental sustainability. Despite the growing implementation of agribusiness extension initiatives, limited studies have comprehensively assessed their social, economic, and environmental contributions at the community level. This study was conducted to address this gap by evaluating the contributions of agribusiness extension activities implemented by the Department of Agribusiness of the University of Southern Mindanao in selected rural communities in Kabacan and Midsayap, Cotabato.
The primary purpose of the study was to determine the social, economic, and environmental contributions of agribusiness extension activities to their beneficiaries. Specifically, it aimed to describe the socio-economic profile of the respondents, assess the knowledge, skills, and practices acquired from the extension activities, and evaluate the perceived social, economic, and environmental contributions of these initiatives. The study employed a descriptive research design and utilized complete enumeration involving 120 beneficiaries from four extension programs, namely I-CARES, CBDEM 3Ps, CBDEM Delicacies, and CBDEM Promotion of Halal Kagikit. Data were collected using a modified survey questionnaire and supported by pre-test and post-test results. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and mode were used, while the Shapiro–Wilk and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were applied to determine significant changes in knowledge levels.
Results revealed that most beneficiaries were female, married, and belonged to low-income households, indicating the relevance of agribusiness extension activities in supporting economically vulnerable groups. Findings showed that three extension programs significantly improved beneficiaries’ knowledge, while one program exhibited no significant change due to prior exposure. Beneficiaries demonstrated advanced to expert levels of technical and business-related skills, with most practices applied on a daily basis. Socially, the extension activities enhanced community participation, self-confidence, and social inclusion. Economically, they contributed to income augmentation, improved self-employment opportunities, and strengthened livelihood sustainability. Environmentally, the programs promoted responsible production practices and increased environmental awareness, although waste management practices require further enhancement.
In conclusion, agribusiness extension activities significantly contributed to the social empowerment, economic improvement, and environmental awareness of rural beneficiaries. These findings highlight the effectiveness of university-led extension initiatives in promoting sustainable agribusiness development and underscore the need for continuous program enhancement and monitoring.