Landscapes and Lives in Transition: Effects of Land Use Conversion on Farmers

This study is directed towards the formulation of a substantiated theory on the effects of land-use conversion on farmers. Six farmers were selected through purposeful sampling design using the snowball method. Construction and interpretivism were utilized as a theoretical research perspective to grounded theory. Results show that there were changes in the economic lives of farmers based on their economic activities and income expenditures. Before the land-use conversion, farmers focused on their work in the field, most of the time together. Activities remained the same after the land-use conversion, and farmers at present still engage in work in the field. Income and expenditures were indicated by farmers' practice of living within their means through expenditure adjustment before the conversion until today. Changes in social lives were focused on values and attitudes. Cooperation occurred on the farm before the conversion which continued even though the farmers dispersed from the land where they used to live together. This value strengthened their positive attitude; hence, no misunderstanding occurred. It is therefore recommended that before farmland is converted, a study must be conducted as to whether it must be converted or not, considering that doing so will have an impact on the lives of the people.