Enhancing Climate Resilience and Coffee Nursery Management in Bukidnon: Empowering Indigenous Coffee Farmers through IoT-Based Technology and Capacity Building

抄録

The Philippine coffee industry faces decreasing yields and an increasing reliance on imports. Climate change exacerbates these difficulties, particularly for small-scale coffee farmers who lack the resources and infrastructure to adapt to changing weather, pests and diseases. Internet of Things (IoT) technologies present a promising solution for small-scale coffee farmers as a tool to monitor environmental conditions, manage and improve crop health, and optimize resource use. However, the effective adoption of IoT technology requires targeted capacity building to equip farmers with positive attitudes and essential knowledge and skills. A Pre-Assessment Survey (PAS) was conducted with 40 farmer participants across two coffee farming communities in the province of Bukidnon, Philippines. The PAS evaluated current knowledge, skills, and attitudes in each of the five key components: IoT familiarity, nursery management, plant nutrient management, pest and disease management, and openness to learning new horticultural handling techniques. The results revealed that most farmers were unfamiliar with IoT technologies and had limited or no experience in operating digital tools for agricultural purposes. While some expressed awareness of the potential benefits of technology in farming, this did not translate into actual usage or skills. Nursery management practices are often inconsistent, with many farmers lacking familiarity with proper spacing, shading, and seedling hardening techniques. Similarly, while the importance of plant nutrition has been acknowledged, practical understanding of microbial fertilizers and diagnostic methods, such as soil and leaf testing, remains limited. In terms of pest and disease management, farmers tended to rely on traditional methods, with minimal exposure to or use of technological tools for early detection of pests and diseases. Despite these gaps, farmers demonstrated a strong willingness to learn and were open to adopting new practices aimed at improving seedling quality and productivity. A comprehensive, culturally contextualized training program is recommended to build farmers’ capacity, foster technology adoption, and support the transition toward climate-resilient, sustainable coffee production systems.