Abstract
This study focused on the farmers’ satisfaction and its influencing determinants
under the implementation of Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) in Leyte, Philippines. Currently,
very limited studies are available in literature regarding the Law. Hence, this study is
conducted to evaluate the farmers’ satisfaction while experiencing the Law. With the aid of
probabilistic sampling method, the study employed 169 rice farmers as the participants. A
developed questionnaire was used to gather primary data and analyzed using descriptive
statistics and econometric modelling. Results showed that the farmers’ actual satisfaction
is relatively lower compared to expected satisfaction. This is due to negative effects of RTL.
The study documented a significant socio-demographic determinants of satisfaction in
farming, namely: gender, marital status, education and rice farm ownership. Income from
rice farming has inverse effect on satisfaction. Farmers with high income also experience
high expenses in agricultural inputs which negatively affects their well-being. A low other
monthly income of farmers has a chance of being satisfied in rice farming. Satisfied farmers
spend more time in farming and results to higher opportunity cost for other income
activities. Furthermore, household consumption, household assets, and household expense
positively affects satisfaction of farmers due to the benefits and comfort.