Agroforestry for the Protection of Sanctuary Forest and Income Generation

Philippines

April 2001 - March 2002

This mother and daughter are previous project participants. After drying, their recently harvested tiger grass will be made into brooms. Since tiger grass is not sensitive to be planted on the barren land, minority farmers such as Ifgao and Kalangyan tribes who settle in the mountain prefer to raise tiger grass.

Project Overview

This environmental preservation project in Nueva Vizcaya, the Philippines, is in a third phase in 2001-2002. Our counter part was the Aldersgate Collage in Solano, and the nearby project sites are in Santa Fe and Malabing valley, Kasibu.
Project objectives were mainly 1) to protect the sanctuary forest and to expand buffer forest by tree plantation, 2) to introduce crops and skills for income generation, and 3) to improve education and medical service conditions in the villages.
The activities for above objectives were 1) to distribute seedlings and plantation, 2) to hold forestry seminars, 3) to establish a coffee tree nursery in Malabing for sustainable purpose (coffee is grown within the forest shade, and so the farmers protect the forests), 4) to issue childrenﾕs work book (nursery level), and 5) to supply pharmacies to clinics in the villages.
Beneficiaries from 6 villages in Malabing and 10 villages in Santa Fe received seedlings for planting. 15,500 of Robusta coffee for 28 ha., and 20,000 of G-melina for 20 ha., were distributed in Malabing. And 18,250 of Arabica coffee for 28 ha., 20,000 of G-melina for 20 ha., 6,000 of Tiger grass for 12 ha., and 10,000 of Rattan for 10 ha., were distributed in Santa Fe. G-melina is a multi-purpose variety tree, and this is for water retaining and also for timber in the future. Both Robusta and Arabica coffees are as commercial crops, Tiger grass is for broom making, and Rattan is for local handicraft products.
Educational and medical activities were based on the needs of villagers. Since more villagers would like to be involved in the tree-planting project, they requested to increase varleiteos of seedlings and total numbers of distribuiton. So, the project is better to be continued and to be expanded from now on.

Project villages
1. Farmersin Atbu, Santa Fe, burnt ground cover to prepare his new plot; such burning is called Kaingin. It is effective to clear weeds but it decreases the land nutrition, and local specialists are encouraging people to stop this practice.
2. Mothers and their children in Buyasuas, Santa Fe. Their way of living is still in native condition, they live without electricity, and eat boiled meat and vegetables with salt. People hope to have electricity and medical clinic in their village.
3. The way to Malabing valley by Jeep. It takes 3 hours in the dry season; if in the rainy season, it takes more than 4 hours, because the road is not paved yet. People ride on the top of the Jeep along with their belongings and things to be sold.
4. One of the most important income resources is rice planting in Santa Fe. Ifgao tribe people who settle here are very famous for beautiful rice terraces on the slopes in the mountains. Neighbors work together to plant and harvest rice.
5. A women's group has a weaving project in Bantinan, Santa Fe. Traditional fabric which is woven by the Kalaguyan tribe will be sold at a good price in big cities such as Banawe and Baguio. This project recently purchased weaving machines for the group.
6. Water pump at elementary school in Bacneng, Santa Fe. People use natural water from the forest for their life. Since they know the importance of the forest through water, tree planting has started. This will help retain water in the hills for year around usage.
7. Women in the market in Solano. People came to town to sell things twice a week (Tuesday and Friday) for the market day. Only for these days, local jeep transportation is available from the villages. These wives are selling shells, crabs, frogs from river, larvas of bee, and cut bamboo shoots from mountain.
Malabing Valley, Nueva Vizcaya
8. Citrus nursery in Malabing valley. These 5,000 seedlings are about 8 months old. Farmers try to introduce new varieties for good products. The building at the left side is for Malabing valley cooperatives.
9. Farmers banded (like grafting, but only transferring a cluster of leaves with a small sprout) citrus seedlings to make valuable varieties. We imported seeds from U.S.A. and Japan to introduce new varieties last year, and farmers are eager to grow new varieties.
10. This farmer has 3 hectares of citrus farm in Malabing valley. He has introduced new varieties and is sucessfully growing these seedlings.
11. A citrus farm in Malabing, Kasibu. This farm was planted 1 years ago by this project. When farmers change old citrus trees to young seedlings for better harvesting, farmers plant new varieties such as Chinese Ponkan and Japanese Satsuma.
12. A citrus farm in Malabing, Kasibu same as above. This farm was planted 2 years ago by this project. Citrus is now one of the main crops the same as rice, here in Kasibu.
13. Planted citrus seedlings in the farm this year. Ifgao tribe people who has been living here in Malabing valley burrn grasses to expand their farm, and it is called Kaingin. Farmers are interested in introducing new varieties such as Ponkan, because it is easy to peal and is profitable.
14. This is the nursery for Rubsta coffee in Malabing valley. He is working to shade seedlings against strong sunlight. 4,000 Rubsta coffee seedlings are expected to grow here.
15. These are 3 months old Rubsta coffee seedlings after sowing. Farmers can use trees and plants once they plant and grow these on the mountain, whether they own the plots or not. This traditional custom is called "Muyong", and it is helpful for farmers to get agricultural products, at the same time it is also effective to conserve forest.
16. Farmers are slashing grasses on the mountain for the preparation to plant G-melina tree seedlings in June which is the rainy season. The farmers believe that the trees are better for water retention and can also be used for timber which they can sell after ten years.
17. Plantation area of 20 hectares in Tadji. 20,000 G-melina seedlings have been distributed for planting in June, and farmers are working together to prepare for planting on community land.
18. An irrigation pump and hoses are expected to be introduced to Malabing for year around use from now on. One of the biggest requests from farmers is to expand the irrigation system here.
19. At the office of Malabing valley multipurpose cooperative, the manager, Mr. Felnando D.SISON, is working with the newly bought computer system.
20. This is the project expansion meeting in Malabing valley in May 2001. At the same time, coffee seminar was also held here, and about 300 farmers from 6 barangays(villages) in Malabing valley participated in it.
21. This meeting was held in May 2001 in Malabing valley. The community coordinator for Malabing valley, Mr.Felnando SISON explained the goodness of the project to participants. 20,000 seedlings of G-melina and 15,500 seedlings of Rubsta Coffee were distributed to farmers.
22. Mr.Junifen F.Gauuan, the principal of Aldersgate college in Solano, is explaining about the project to farmers in Malabing valley. This college is keen on working for community development, and it also has partnerships with other organizations.
23. Local project staffs visited Nestle coffee plantation farm in Davao in June 2001. After the visit, staff got new ideas for the project this year.
Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya
24. The nursery in Santa Fe. Coffee, Rattan, and Tiger glass seedlings are grown here. These seedlings were distributed to barangays, and they will be planted this coming June, in the rainy season in the Philippines.
25. Arabica coffee seedlings which are 3 months old after germination in our Santa Fe nursery. They were put in the pot 6 months after sowing, then 18,000 were distributed to 7 barangays.
26. Arabica coffee seedlings which are 5 months old after germination. Coffee is popular and has good commercial value, 15kg coffee beans will be harvested after 3 years of the plantation.
27. Rattan seeds have just sprouted. We can see small roots. Seeds should be covered by wet fabric for fast germination.
28. Rattan seedlings which are 2 months after germination. The condition is good enough to put them in plastic pots. When they have 4 leaves, it will be the best time to be planted in the field.
29. Rattan seedlings which are 3 months old after germination. Rattan is a very profitable plant for making crafts, such as bags, chairs, and broomsticks. So, farmers are very much interested in planting Rattan on their plots.
30. Rattan seedlings same as ther last page. 10 months after sowing is the time to plant them in the plots. After 3 years of planting, Rattan fruits also can be expected to harvested.
31. This farmer who has been involved in ICA project, harvests Tiger grass in Atbu, Sta Fe. Tiger grass grows fast, so, farmers can produce brooms and sell them in the short term.
32. This is a giant fern. Farmers prefer to raise giant ferns for not only broomstick but also timbers for their house. It reaches up to 5 meters high. Giant fern is also promising to benefit farmers, so farmers want ICA to include giant ferns for the next project.
33. G-melina seedlings have been planted in the mountain. They were planted with stick to mark planting points. Weeding is better to be done in October, so that new sprouts protect seedlings from bush fire which always happens in February and March which is the dry season in the Philippines.
34. This is a family of beneficiaries in Bacneng, Santa Fe. After one year, these small seedlings grow up almost same height as the adult and bring farmers income.
35. This mother and daughter are previous project participants. After drying, their recently harvested tiger grass will be made into brooms.
36. This farmer in Bacneng, Santa Fe, received Tiger grass seedlings this project phase. Since tiger grass is sensitive for dryness, farmers need to wait to plant them for rainy season, in June in the Philippines.
37. This farmer makes Tiger grass brooms at home. Farmers harvest young tiger grass flowers for brooms, so brooms will be durable.
38. G-melina seedlings have been planted in the mountain in Balete, Santa Fe. Since Balete is on the slope in the mountain, farmers are interested in inter-cropping both vegetables and trees. It makes plantation easier to be maintained, and seedlings can survive well.
39. G-melina seedlings in front were planted this year, and seedlings in the back were planted last year. G-melina seedlings were never distributed last year here in Balete, Santa Fe, but since farmers were conscious of the importance of the forestry as a water resource, they just started tree plantation by themselves.
40. After harvesting the upper portion of the tiger grass containing the flowers, the remaining Tiger grass branches are cut off. Farmers need to dry tiger grass flowers like this.
41. This farmer in Bantinan, Santa Fe, is making a Rattan basket. Dried Rattan bark can be utilized not only for baskets but also broomsticks, so farmers prefer to raise Rattan at the same time as Tiger grass.
42. Rattan seedlings were planted in the mountain. Rattan grows fast and some reach up to 2 meters after 1 year.
43. Tiger grass seedlings were distributed to these farmers in Baracbac, Santa fe. They cover seedlings to avoid strong sunshine.
44. This farmer puts tiger grass on the roof to dry. Each farmer drys them by their own way.
45. This farmer in Buyasyas is now making a broom. One broom can be sold for about 60 peso (180 yen) in local the market.
46. A tiger grass farm in Canabuan, Santa Fe. Seedlings were distributed for the last year project. Tiger grass is now one of the main crops here in Santa Fe.
47. A tiger grass farm in Imugan, Stanta Fe. Farmers slash the plants after the harvest because it is good for their growth.
48. A tiger grass farm in Bantinan, Santa Fe. Seedlings were distributed two years ago in this same project. Tiger grass does not mind to be planted in the slopes, so farmers can plant vegetables in flat space. We can see sweet potato farm in front.
49. A tiger grass farm Atbu, Santa Fe. This farm was planted 2 years ago by this project. Tiger grasses grew taller than a farmer who is harvesting, and it is now about 2 meters tall.
セミナー
Seminars
50. Coffee seminar at Malico, Santa Fe in May 2001. Vice president of Nestle Philippines, Mr. Dave SANTOS recommended farmers to launch coffee plantation.
51. At the same coffee seminar as above. Mr Baugtong, coffee plantation specialist gave a lecture to farmers. Farmers became interested in coffee plantation, so 7 balangays in Santa Fe participated in the project this year, and about 18,000 seedlings were distributed.
52. At Rattan plantation seminar at Santa Fe in December 2001. Rattan specialist, Mr. Albert DULNUAN was explaining about germination, and a participant tried to cut seeds a bit for faster germination. After that, it takes only 2 weeks to sprout instead of 1 month generally.
53. Farmers are trying to wash Rattan seeds for disinfection. It is very effective to prevent diseases.
54. Mr. Dulunuan is giving lecture about the importance of forest preservation. Participants are beneficiaries of previous ICA project who were distributed Tiger glass, Rattan, and G-melina seedlings in previous years.
55. There were many participants for this 2 day seminar in Santa Fe. Also some staff from the municipal office participated. They try to estimate the profit from Rattan plantation, and confirm importance of the project both for and by themselves.
56. Rattan plantation specialist, Mr. Dulnuan was explaining about the period from germination to putting the seedlings into plastic pots. Since Rattan is sensitive for dryness, he asked the participants to pay attention to it.
57. Mr. Baranadu from Bambang gave a lecture on Agro-forestry in December 2001. Participants became interested in inter-cropping both vegetables and trees.
58. Participants were shown small Rattan seedlings, so that they can learn more about how to grow seedlings well.
59. Rattan fruits are edible and rattan bark can be used for basket crafts, so participants are keen on learning about it. Mr. Dulunuan was explaining about the good conditions necessary for Rattan germination.
60. We put the booth in SantaFe at the Kalangyan festival to show the project to people attending. On the left is Ms. Marlene Cadang, a local coordinator, and on the right is Ms.Yasue Kobayashi, an ICA staff for the project.
Future Project site, Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
61. In the beginning of the project during May 2001, an area survey was going on in Bambang. Bambang is expected to be one of project sites for the future. Engineers came and surveyed.
62. Early area preparation for vegetable plantation in Bambang. After vegetable planting, G-melina will be inter-cropped in 2m x 5m distances. Local cooperative members are responsible for the project. Farmers used grab-hoe for land preparation.
63. The nursery on the mountain in Bambang. Farmers tried both to plant seedlings and to sow these directly, in order to know better methods for planting.

 

 

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