Not Just for Meat: Understanding Farmers’ Habitus in Promoting Dairy Goat Raising in Central Luzon, Philippines

Abstract

This study is a part of a research project that introduced dairy goat community modules in selected villages of Central Luzon. Through a combination of Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) involving 169 goat farmers, the research explores their embodied dispositions (habitus) toward goat raising—including existing practices on goat farming, cultural significance of raising goats, and personal motivation for raising goats. These insights served as a guide in designing the training program on dairy goat farming, which was delivered to them through the conduct of capacity building activities. Following the completion of the project, five farmers ventured into dairy goat farming, with three of them adopting the goat milk processing technology. Changes to their existing practices, especially in processing goat milk, resulted in an increase in household income by 10-15%. Knowing the farmers’ habitus helps understand farmers' behaviors in adopting technologies such as this. Bridging the divergent path between the academe and the farmer realities through contextual understanding was key to achieving the project’s objectives. Hence, this study underscores the importance of recognizing and integrating farmers’ habitus when developing and promoting new technologies in goat farming.