ROLE OF THE FARMER IN THE AGRARIAN REFORM The role of the government in agrarian reform is vital because the

agrarian problem is a basic problem which cannot be solved without the strong force of the sovereign will. On the other hand, the role of the farmer himself is even more important. For the farmer is both the object and principal agent of the principal of agrarian reform. The government has to remove the obstacles in order that a favorable climate for change may develop. But it is the farmer who will buy and apply the fertilizer, pull out the weeds, fix and pay for the loans. In other words, it is the farmer who will assume responsibility for the ultimate success of the program. To do this, he must be informed, educated, motivated and organized thru self-help and self-discovery. ROLE OF THE LANDLORDS IN THE AGRARIAN REFORM 1. Role in the past in the distant as well as in the recent past, landowners have performed roles that were in keeping with the needs of traditional society. When landed estates were held under feudalism, the landowners or the feudal lords gave protection to the peasantry. In exchange for this protection the peasant paid tribute to the landlords. Where the land was suited to agriculture, rental was paid by the peasant for the privilege of using the land. As time passed, landowners started to provide services essential to agriculture. It soon became a matter of course that the landowners provided for practically every need of the tenants. In the Philippines, this picture was common to us. The dependence of the tenants was subject to the approval of the landowners. 2. New Role historical evidence reveals that the rich countries are rich because they are highly industrialized, while the poor countries remained poor because their economy is closely tied to agriculture. The objective of agrarian is very clear: to establish owner cultivator ship and the economic family size as the basis of Philippine agriculture and as a consequences, divert landlord capital from agriculture to the industrial sector. Here, the new role of the landowners is well emphasized. If we want to develop, we must give more emphasis on industries. 3. Agrarian Reform not against landowners agrarian reform is project designed for the tenants as well as for the landowners. Even the absentee landlords cannot claim that they are being dispossessed because they are paid the value of their lands transferred to their tenants and they are being given all the opportunities to invest in the industries and other business ventures. Furthermore, they are allowed to retain a portion of their lands.

Prepared by: Ariane M. Canlas Lea Carmina P. Miranda

BSED 4A