Factors Influencing the Level of Conversion of Rice Fields into Catfish Farms in Los Amigos, Davao City, Philippines

Abstract
This descriptive-correlational study is used to determine the relationship between the level of conversion of rice fields into catfish farms and the current status of the factors which are rice farming, catfish farming, government programs in rice production, and environmental conditions. There were 33 respondents considered in this study who were the catfish growers. Data gathered were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages, mean, and Pearson product correlation or Pearson r. The study found out that the level of perception of respondents was high on the current status of catfish farming and environmental conditions. For government programs on rice production, respondents had a moderately high level of perception. There is also a high level of conversion of rice fields into catfish farms. The test of difference showed that there is a highly significant difference in the level of conversion of rice fields into catfish farms when grouped according to rice farm area. There is no significant difference in the level of conversion of rice fields into catfish farms when grouped according to demographic profile such as age, sex, educational attainment, seminars or training attended and high length of experience. The test of relationship showed that there is a significant relationship between the level of conversion of rice farming and the current status of catfish farming. Instead of fishing in the rivers, farmers may convert the lower portion of their rice fields into fish ponds. However, the test of relationship showed that there is no significant relationship between the level of conversion and the current status of rice farming, government programs on rice production, and environmental conditions.