The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) joined forces in 2019, leveraging a combined 65 years’ experience in research on the role of forests and trees in solving critical global challenges.
Farmers describe the impact of the Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project in the Philippines.
The Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project (INREMP) of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been working closely with indigenous and people’s organizations to protect and sustainably manage four prioritized upper river basins in the Philippines. INREMP is one of the world’s largest land-restoration programs, funded by the Asian Development Bank.
The basins — Upper Chico, Wahig-Inabanga, Upper Bukidnon and Lake Lanao — have been degraded over many decades of logging and unsustainable land use.
World Agroforestry (ICRAF) is providing technical assistance, specifically, with the establishment of agroforestry farms to showcase economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound production systems. ICRAF has been actively involved in watershed rehabilitation and development in the Philippines since 1993.
ICRAF’s role has been in working with DENR in developing the technical skills in agroforestry and land management of DENR staff, upland farming communities and other development partners for environmental and livelihoods’ benefits.
As part of assessing progress, ICRAF talked with representatives of the people’s organizations involved to ascertain whether knowledge had been gained and applied to improve the environment, the organization and the members’ livelihoods.
The situation was at a low ebb, as Gigi Madarang of Cabaritan Rural Development to Enhance Sustainability, an organization in Mountain Province, aptly describes.
‘Before, we planted corn on our farm because that was all we knew,’ she said. ‘Because that was the only source we had and that's the only crop we knew how to plant. And we just kept doing our old ways because there was no other organization here; it was just us. And we just tilled the ground and practised monocropping of yellow corn. In terms of practices, we had no coordination with other farmers. We worked separately on our own farms. But now that there is INREMP, it did not just help us to coordinate but it also helped us change practices.’
This situation with monocultural cropping wasn’t restricted to corn. Other farmers cultivated different monocultural crops but learned how to broaden their cropping portfolios to include timber and shade trees, fruit trees and a range of other crops to improve their livelihoods and the environment.
‘I am a farmer who grows rice. When we didn't have rice, I drove a tricycle to earn an income for the family,’ said Palao Rinayong of Tangkal Farmers’ Association in Lake Lanao River Basin. ‘While we were working, INREMP came to us. Now, with INREMP, I’m thankful because it really helped us. With INREMP, that’s when I started planting trees; I learned a lot about planting trees. Aside from what I learned about trees and fruits like jackfruit and lanzones, I also learned about agroforestry. My knowledge increased and I helped nature. It’s just for nature and we helped nature. I would thank INREMP for everything because if it weren’t for INREMP, we wouldn’t know what to do.”
Palao noted, too, how INREMP was also able to inspire a sense of community and culture of learning in their organization.
‘I make sure to share what I have learned with other members,’ he said. ‘I hold seminars, to share with them what I know. In other words, I am their teacher. Because of INREMP, the lazy became industrious. Those unemployed before, they are now employed.’
This kind of impact on the motivation of farmers and the overall management of their organizations was echoed by others ICRAF interviewed.
‘INREMP has brought change to our People’s Organization, like planting fruit trees,’ said Claudio Halina of Nan-od Farmers Growers Association in Inabanga Watershed in Wahig-Inabanga River Basin. ‘It gave our members more livelihoods, which has increased incomes. New members decided to work with the organization because it can provide more income for their family and protect the environment.’
Geralden Arnado of Cabatuan Upland Farmers Association agreed, emphasising that not only was the knowledge and implementation important but also the monitoring of the improvements.
‘At first, many were not active members of the organization but after the [ICRAF] seminar we saw the change in their participation in INREMP around May,’ he said. ‘We have observed that everyone is active, monitoring and evaluation is up, and geotagging. Our monitoring and evaluation group organized a seminar on geotagging in order to be able to do surveys so that we would not have difficulty monitoring our contract with DENR. Due to INREMP, the livelihoods of the members of the People’s Organization have improved. Thanks to INREMP, our organization has changed a lot.’
Such experiences are not easily realised. Changing long-held practices and beliefs, and shortages of resources, to reap rewards in the future isn’t easy but it can be done through discussions, training and demonstrations of successful techniques developed in close collaboration with farmers in ways that respect their knowledge and adds more. So that perhaps long-hidden dreams can become reality.
‘We knew that what we did was harmful to the environment but as long as we could plant it was okay,’ said Randy Domingo of Apayao in Chico Upper River Basin. ‘But now we know what will happen to nature when we plant. Back then, many wanted to plant fruits here in our barangay; now there are many agroforestry lands. Our association grew to participate in INREMP. We used to have the largest corn area here in Conner but now there are less than 20 hectares left; now we are known for agroforestry. Household income has increased. I am one of the validators of the local government; I went around the other barangays and I saw that the farms have changed a lot. We used to have only 35 associates, now we are 160-plus members. We are now united in the group and if we used to not care about a seminar, now we know to attend. We have also visited various plantations, which inspired us to beautify our farms.’
As Randy implies through his role as validator for the local government, the relationship of individual farmers and people’s organizations with the Government, specifically, DENR, has also changed, and for the better. Prior to INREMP, there were misconceptions about DENR’s work in communities.
‘Before, the DENR was the enemy of the people but thanks to INREMP, it has opened our minds that INREMP helps people,’ said Lian Pangiyan of Bahagmadani Watershed in Mountain Province. ‘They assist in the strict implementation of the ordinance. One of our perpetual problems was the felling of trees; the barangay ordinance was not implemented. Now, it is the people themselves who implement the ordinance. They are already planting trees and they appreciate planting as if it were human life. When I see the mountain burning, I cry. It seems difficult but it hurts us if we can’t show the good results of this project. We really want to be a model in our barangay.’
ICRAF’s discussions were heartening, hearing of the farmers’ livelihoods improving along with the health of their farmland and the wider environment. While the farmers are thankful for INREMP, we should all be thankful for the farmers’ willingness to take risks, for their hard work, sacrifices and dedication; if all land managers follow their example, the world might just be able to step back from the climate crisis.
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World Agroforestry (ICRAF) is a centre of scientific and development excellence that harnesses the benefits of trees for people and the environment. Knowledge produced by ICRAF enables governments, development agencies and farmers to utilize the power of trees to make farming and livelihoods more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable at multiple scales. ICRAF is one of the 15 members of the CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future. We thank all donors who support research in development through their contributions to the CGIAR Fund.