ACCCA - Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation in Watershed Management and Upland Farming in the Philippines

About the Project:

Being an archipelagic developing country composed of more than 7000 small islands, the Philippines is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate related events such as tropical cyclones and ENSO. Impacts of these climatic events are further aggravated by the deteriorating condition of the watersheds in the country. The most vulnerable sectors are the upland farmers who have very limited resources and who rely on rain as source of water for farming and domestic use. To reduce vulnerability of upland farmers to climate change and at the same time ensure that the watersheds can continue to deliver the environmental services foremost among which is water, adaptation strategies for the watershed and upland farmers need to be developed.

The overall goal of the project is to promote climate change adaptation by upland farmers and watershed managers at the national and local levels in the Philippines. Specifically it intends to: (1) Assess the impacts of climate variability and extremes and climate change to crop yield of farmers in Lantapan, Bukidnon and water yield of Manupali watershed, Bukidnon; (2) Develop adaptation strategies for Landcare farmers and concerned Manupali watershed managers/concerned institutions to minimize risks and maximize opportunities associated with climate change; (3) Promote a multi-stakeholder approach in the formulation of climate risk adaptation through participatory approaches and capacity building of Landcare farmers and watershed managers; (4) Develop risk communication products targeted for the watershed planners and Landcare farmers; and (5) Contribute to the preparation of the Philippines' Second National Communication by providing case materials.

Results indicate that climate extreme and variability affect the crop yield, farm income, soil quality and health of the upland farmers. Adaptation strategies undertaken by upland farmers to cope with the impacts depend on the nature of climatic event and the extent of their dependency on land based livelihood.

Sources of information of the stakeholders as regards, climate variability and extremes and climate change include the different capability building activities of the project such as: (1) IEC during barangay assembly meetings; (2) Focus group discussions; (3) seminars; (4) trainings; (5) distribution of climate change magazine (in English and local dialect); and (6) showing and distribution of video (Heeding the cries of the skies in local dialect and English).

World Agroforestry Centre
PHILIPPINES Country Office
Khush Hall, International Rice Research Institute
Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
PO Box 35024, UPLB, College, Laguna
4031, Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 845 0563/70/75
Telefax: +63 49 536 2925