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CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES AND PRACTICES FOR AGRICULTURAL

ECOSYSTEMS IN BUKIDNON, NORTHERN MINDANAO

Engr Guadalupe D Calalang

Xavier University

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Content

I . Introduction

II . Adaptation Strategies and

Practices

Lowland Rice Farming

Upland and Hilly Land Farming

III. Summary

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I. Introduction • Land area – 829,378 hectares • Highest corn and rice producer in Region 10 (NEDA, 2007) • Corn production – 703,735 MT (67% to the total production) • Home of banana, pineapple and sugar cane plantations

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• Rice production - 266,598 MT (53% of entire production) • Yield in irrigated areas – 4.01 MT/ha • Yield in rain fed areas – 3.16 MT/ha

Bukidnon

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Natural Calamities and Crop Damage

• Drought and pest and diseases – major crop damage • Water stress – damage of portion of Pulangui River Irrigation System

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Claim Statistics for Bukidnon from 2000-2007 (PCIC Region 10)

• Drought - highest in 2003 (PhP652,591.87), followed in 2005 (PhP587,378.25) • Pest and diseases – highest in 2005 (PhP975,703.03) • Rats – highest in 2004 (PhP1,169,455.27)

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II. Adaptation Strategies and Practices

High vulnerability in agricultural ecosystems (IACCC, 1999)

Losses of arable lands due to sea level rise

Decrease in soil fertility due to increased soil erosion

Declined of crop productivity

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Possible strategies for adaptation and mitigation in agriculture (IPCC)

• Economic – subsidies, incentive policies, changing of trade •Technological – agricultural management practices, soil and water conservation and management, access to information, infrastructures and other support facilities

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Possible strategies for adaptation and mitigation in agriculture (IPCC)

• Institutional – mainstreaming of agricultural drought management, extension work of LGUs, legislations and land use conversions, upgrading of food storage systems, collaborations between agencies and farmers, law makers and government agencies.

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Some adaptation strategies and practices in Bukidnon

Lowland rice farming

Researches

Institutions’ initiatives

Local technical knowledge

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Research

• NOMIARC – testing of the Modified Sustainable System of Irrigation Agriculture Technology

• Requires less water use • Employs intermittent irrigation • Uses organic fertilizers • Follows prescribed crop management procedures

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Institutions’ initiatives • Sustainable Agriculture Organic Rice Development (SAORD) Master Plan – Valencia City •Valencia City Ordinance Number 2008 – 09 • Xavier University College of Agriculture – Sustainable Agriculture Center • Tongan-tongan Organic Rice Farming Society on Sustainable Agriculture

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Local technical knowledge in rice farming

• Use of clean and good seeds •Use of rice straws, animal manure and vermicasts as fertilizers • Control of pests and insect infestations through water management and botanical sprays

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• Alternative sources of income – poultry and livestock, growing vegetables, food processing

• Farm management

Local technical knowledge in rice farming

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Upland and hilly land farming

• Initiatives of institutions • Local technical knowledge • Water saving technologies • Other adaptations strategies

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Initiatives by institutions • Researches by NOMIARC

• soil conservation and management • organic farming in marginal soils

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Initiatives by institutions

• Agricultural input subsidies – Valencia City Ordinance 2008-09

• Capacity building – livelihood skills training activities, vermicomposting, livestock production, food processing

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Local technical knowledge

• Diversified and integrated farming systems – crops and livestock • Planting of drought tolerant crops • Timing of planting for short term crops

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Local technical knowledge

• Use of compost, manure as fertilizers, • Control for soil moisture evaporation – mulching •Farm management

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Water saving technologies

• Drip irrigation

• Small farm reservoirs

• Shallow tube wells

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Other adaptation strategies

• Tree harvesting for firewood and charcoal

making •Paid labor in sugarcane and other industrial crop plantations • Sari-sari stores, food processing and selling • Getting jobs outside the community (e.g. household help, sales, etc.)

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Upland community

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With the women farmers

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With their families

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TOFSSA Vermicomposting project

Hog raising

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Charcoal

Firewood

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Paddy field before planting

Rice straws

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III. Summary

Subsistence farmers – most vulnerable sector to the impacts of climate change

Institutions have existing programs but not labeled as adaptation strategies for climate change

Emphases of organic farming in agricultural development planning

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Summary continued..

Agricultural diversification and integration

Local technical knowledge: indigenous materials as inputs, water management, use of clean good seeds, planting of drought resistant crops

Water saving technologies

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