Modifications in Agroforestry Practices of Farmers in Guina-ang, Bontoc, Mountain Province

BIBLIOGRAPHY
CAMFILI, CHARLOTTE A. APRIL 2006. Modifications in Agroforestry
Practices of Farmers in Guina-ang, Bontoc, Mountain Province. Benguet State
University, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Christopher P. Deponio
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted in Guina-ang, Bontoc, Mountain Province from August
to September 2005.The study was conducted to describe the changes in the traditional
Agroforestry farming practices of farmers in Guina-ang, Bontoc, Mountain Province and
to identify the reasons why farmers modified their farming practices.

The study used qualitative research; where in therefore, the researcher
interviewed 60 key respondents with the use of pre-structured questionnaire. In addition,
actual observations and gathering of secondary information from the local government
unit were done.
Result of the study showed that the traditional Agroforestry practices of the
farmers in Guina-ang Mountain Province underwent change due to education and use of
modern agricultural practices such as application of inorganic fertilizer and introduction
of new crop varieties. Moreover, it is interesting to note that Christianity made a direct
impact on their farming practices particularly in the observance of farm rituals. The
farmers said that, even though we are converted into Christian, farm rituals should be
perform in a practical way because it strengthens unity, love, respect, and respect.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Bibliography ………………………………………………………………
i
Abstract ……………………………………………………………………
i
Table of Contents ………………………………………………………… ii
INTRODUCTION

Rationale…………………………………………………………...
1

Statement of the Problem ………………………………………....
2

Importance of the Study …………………………………………..
2

Objectives of the Study ……………………………………………
3

Scope and Limitation ………………………………………………
3
REVIEW OF LITERATURE ……………………………………………..
4
METHODOLOGY

Locale and Time of the Study ………………………………………
8

Respondents of the Study……………………………………………
8

Data Collection ……………………………………………………...
11

Data Gathered ……………………………………………………...
11

Data Analysis ………………………………………………………
11

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Profile of the Respondents …………………………………………
13

Farm Information …………………………………………………..
17

Farming System and Practices ……………………………………..
19

ii

INTRODUCTION
Indigenous Agroforestry practices are until now observed in most of the villages
in the Cordillera. There is, however, a varying degree of persistence and disintegration
such that in some areas, they are on the verge of getting lost. Barangay Guina-ang in
Bontoc, Mountain Province is rich in Agroforestry practices. Like in Ifugao, they also
practice the “payoh” “pinugo” system which has been in existence since time
immemorial. The “payoh” in Ifugao is called “payew” in Guina-ang and “pinugo” is
called “fatangan” (woodlot). Farmers believe that “fatang” provides irrigation to their rice
fields.
The other agroforestry farming practices in Guina-ang are swidden farming and
home/ backyard gardening. The swidden farm or “uma” is an important source of food
for the farmers so they attend to this regularly. Farmers abandon it only when yields are
drastically reduced.

However, due to the increasing household needs, such as clothing, education and
many others, some farmers prefer to go out in search of work where they are immediately
paid. Other farmers prefer to produce cash crops wherein they use commercial fertilizers
and pesticides within the agroforestry systems, which help them to grow food within a
short time. The above circumstances are some of the factors that changed the practices of
Agroforestry in the rural communities. Such situation prompted the researcher to conduct
a study about the present situation of agroforestry practices in Guina-ang, Bontoc,
Mountain Province.

Guina-ang is rich in traditional Agroforestry practices. With the changes in these
practices however, the researcher believes that it is relevant to review such practices and
Modifications in Agroforestry Practices of Farmers in Guina-ang, Bontoc,
Mountain Province / Charlotte A. Camfili. 2006

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be able to come up with recommendations that might be helpful to the farmers in
sustaining their Agroforestry practices.

Statement of the Problem
This study attempted to find out the reasons why the farmers in Guina-ang,
Bontoc, Mountain Province are modifying their Agroforestry practices. Specifically, it
tried to answer the following questions:
1. What are the traditional Agroforestry practices of farmers in Guina-ang, Bontoc,
Mountain Province?
2. Why do the farmers in the locality modify their agroforestry practices?
3. What are the impacts of modifying the Agroforestry practices?
4. What possible solutions to problem can be recommended to the farmers who are
modifying their agroforestry system?

Importance of the Study

This study will serve as a benchmark data on the traditional Agroforestry farming
practices in Guina-ang, Bontoc, Mountain Province and so with the modifications that
were introduced. It will also serve as a reference for Agroforestry students, researchers
and even government and non-government institutions for various purposes.
Furthermore the result of this research will help educate the farmers so they will
understand the true meaning and impacts of their Agroforestry practices.

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Objectives of the Study

This study generally aimed to describe the traditional agroforestry farming
practices of farmers in Guina-ang, Bontoc, Mountain Province.

Specifically it aimed to:
a) Describe the traditional Agroforestry farming practices in Guina-ang, Bontoc,
Mountain Province;
b) Identify the reasons/ problems behind the modification of Agroforestry practices;
c) Recommend possible solutions to problems that cause farmers to modify their
agroforestry farming practices.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

The study was conducted in six sitios Guina-ang, Bontoc, Mountain Province
from August to September 2005. In this short span of time, the researcher was not able to
take photograph of the whole agricultural cycle and also the rituals conducted in relation
to farming practices.
Primary data was gathered from key informants and respondents who are
practitioners of agroforestry. Additional data was also based from personal observations
of the researcher as a member of the community. Secondary data related to the study was
obtained from previous researches by some individual experts and also from the available
data of the Barangay.

Modifications in Agroforestry Practices of Farmers in Guina-ang, Bontoc,
Mountain Province / Charlotte A. Camfili. 2006

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development
(PCARRD,1991) defined Agroforestry as a land use system whereby agricultural crops,
forest trees and/or livestock/animals are deliberately raised on the same unit of land either
sequentially or simultaneously and applies practices which are economically viable,
technologically feasible, ecologically sustainable and compatible with the cultural
patterns of local population. Agroforestry, as mentioned in the Encyclopedia of
Agricultural Science (1994), normally involves two or more species of plants at least one
of which is woody perennials; two or more outputs; a production cycle of more than one
year; and both ecology an economics that are more complex than a monocropping
system. It is emphasizing that all Agroforestry systems are characterized by three basic
sets of attributes, namely; productivity (production of preferred commodities as well as
productivity of land resources), sustainability (conservation of production potential of the
resource base) and adoptability (acceptance of the practice by the farming community).
This implies that the merits of Agroforestry systems are not only assessed in terms of the
production but also based on the extent to which the resource base is sustained and the
local land users adopt the practice.
Steppler, and Nair (1987) said that Agroforestry, compared to other land use
system primarily monoculture systems, maintains or increases site productivity through
nutrient recycling and soil protection, at low capital and labor cost and increases the
value of output on a given area of land through spatial and temporal cropping of tree and
other species.

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Indigenous Agroforestry systems are used here to refer to those systems practiced
mainly by cultural minorities, which have been developed over many generations.
Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA, 2002) said that the “uma” or swidden farming
is an old practice among the indigenous people of the Cordillera, Northern, Philippines.
As early as 1500s, missionaries and Spanish Colonialist have recorded its practice not
only in the Cordillera, but also throughout the Philippines. This farming practice is
integral to the ecological conditions of the mountain terrain and the socio-cultural life of
the people.
Agroforestry practice of the Ifugaos is one of the examples, wherein the irrigated
rice terraces were constructed on very steep mountainsides. Without using synthetic
fertilizers or pesticides, yields are much higher than the high yielding varieties of rice.
PCARRD (1986) added that Ifugaos have been practicing “muyong” for some centuries,
the local term for family forest which combines the under planting of annual and
perennial crops in secondary forest. A family maintains a “muyong” which is usually
located in the headwater streams that provide irrigation to their lowland rice fields.
According to Brett (1997), the swidden gardens of the Bontoc people, which are
located on steep mountain slopes, are terraced with available rock or with fallen logs
placed horizontally to prevent soil run-off during heavy rainstorms. These swidden
gardens are consistently planted to a variety of root crops, legumes, fruits (banana) and
some vegetables.
The technique of terracing and building retaining stonewalls for rice agriculture
has largely prevented soil erosion, despite the cultivation in slope areas. This practice has
helped conserve soil for generation of intensive agricultural activity. A balanced water
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intake is maintained to avoid any over flooding of rice field during a heavy downpour. In
addition, majority of the farmers drain their pond field on the second cropping so they
can plant sweet potato. This cropping pattern has been observed by farmers to also
increase the fertility to the pond field soil, which in preparation for the sweet potato crop
is turned over and piled high for aeration.
Traditionally, farming practices of the indigenous people, as mentioned above,
focuses on maintaining and enhancing the quality of the environment and conserving
natural resources. This is observed in the rural communities.
Many years ago, the technology of chemical fertilizers and improved varieties had
not yet reached most of the farmers in the region. But at present, Brett (1994) said that
the rural communities of the Cordillera and Ilocos regions are undergoing change. This
transformation is caused primarily by two factors: the extent and the frequency of the
interactions between them and the market, and by government policies and programs.
Commercialization is used here to refer to the interaction of the local community
with the market- an interaction which changes the characteristics of the production and
consumption of the local communities. Initially, this describes the practice from
subsistence to commercial agriculture. For example, the shift from purely native rice to
partly cash crop agriculture in communities such as Bineng and Suyo in Sagada. This
allows the household to generate cash for increasing household needs such as
supplementary food, clothing, education, transportation and household appliances as
dictated by demonstration effects on the consumption and household investment level
and patterns. Rood (1995) added that attitude of the farmers themselves to the future is
ambivalent. Overwhelmingly, they want their children to finish college so the children
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will not be farmers. Thus, they prefer to produce cash crop and use chemical fertilizers in
order to finance their children’s education.
A researcher also (Anonymous, 1995) said that through the years, significant
changes have taken place in the life and livelihood practice of the Ifugaos. Causal factors
include the influence of the lowlanders, education, Christianity, modern technologies and
the impact of cash crop economy. The water shortage for “payoh” production is a result
of the continuous cutting down of timber. There is insufficient water supply because
upper rice terraces are converted into cash crop gardens due to lack of irrigation.
Modern technologies, such as the use chemical fertilizers and pesticides have
become popular to some Ifugaos. The introduction of these modern technologies has
significantly reduced the biodiversity of the “payoh” affecting, for example the edible
shells. The farmers adapted the use of chemicals to improve their harvest and to
overcome soil fertility problems.
In order to combat whatever ill effects may result to the changes in traditional
cropping systems, Agroforestry farming practices should be maintained because this
system can alleviate both economic and environmental problems.

Modifications in Agroforestry Practices of Farmers in Guina-ang, Bontoc,
Mountain Province / Charlotte A. Camfili. 2006

METHODOLOGY
Locale and Time of the Study

This study was conducted in Barangay Guina-ang, Bontoc, Mountain Province
(Figure1 and plate 1). It is located in the western part of the Municipality of Bontoc in
Mountain Province. The barangay has a total land area of 1,860 ha. It has an average
daily temperature of 190C and has an elevation of 1,300 m above sea level. It has two
pronounced seasons, wet season during the months of June to November and dry season
during the months of December to May 2000 (Provincial Climatic map).

Guina-ang is classified as an Agricultural land, thus farming is the major source
of livelihood. Aside from rice farming, swidden farming is also practiced where the
people till their “uma” to produce other crops such as “camote” or sweet potatoes and
legumes. Their farming practices primarily include raising of woody perennials such as
guava, avocado and others, while maintaining their backyard gardens and raising animals
such as pigs and chicken.

Respondents of the Study

For this study, sixty (60) respondents observed to be agroforestry practitioners
were randomly selected by the researcher. One consideration in selecting for this includes
the availability of the respondents during the conduct of the study. Some Key Informants
helped identify these informants. Ten (10) respondents would represent each sitios.

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Figure 1. Map of Bontoc Municipality showing the area of study
Modifications in Agroforestry Practices of Farmers in Guina-ang, Bontoc,
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Plate 1. Panoramic view of Barangay Guina-ang

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Data Collection
The researcher mainly used the guide questionnaire when she personally
interviewed the respondents. Related questions were raised as part of the informal
interview and this enriched the quality of the data gathered.
Data Gathered
1. Transect map: transect walk of the place was made and a map was drawn to
reflect the general view of the area in terms of slope of land and resources present in the
area (Figure 2).
2. Indigenous Agroforestry farming practices of farmers: This was gathered from
the key informants through interview.
3. Existing Agroforestry farming systems and Practices. This was gathered
through observation and interview of the respondents.
4. Reason/problem of farmers in modifying their agroforestry system: This was
gathered through personal interview with the respondent. Any related researches about
the topic were also considered.

Data Analysis

The data gathered was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean and
percentage for the interpretation of results.

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Slope 90%
50%
60%

Woodlot
Residential
Ricefield
R

Rice field
Avocado, Pomelo
Pigeon pea
i

Swidden farm
Banana, Coffee
Camote
v

e

r

Figure 2. Transect Map of Barangay Guina-ang showing the land use and average slope

Modifications in Agroforestry Practices of Farmers in Guina-ang, Bontoc,
Mountain Province / Charlotte A. Camfili. 2006

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A. Profile of the Respondents

The general profile of the respondents is shown in Table 1.
Age. The age of the respondents ranged from 40 to 91 years old. Table 1a shows
that 24 (40%) were on the age range of 61 to 70 years old, while 6 (10%) were on the age
range of 71 and above (Plate 2 and 3). The rest belongs to age range 40 to 60. This
indicates that half of the respondents belong to the senior bracket which is from 61 years
old and above while 50 percent belongs to 40-60 years old. The data means that the
senior respondents are as active as the rest in farming activities.
Sex. Among the respondents, 13 (22%) were males while 47 (78%) were
females. This data, however, does not mean that there is lesser participation of men in
farming. In fact, observation shows that men are equally active as women in farming
activities. It just happened that during the conduct of the interview, most of the men were
not available because of some responsibilities related to the community. Similarly, the
respondents explained that men and women share equal responsibility in both farm work
and household chores. There is however a division of labor such that men are usually in
charge of plowing rice fields with the use of carabao, trap making for animals that
destroy plants, cutting of trees and hauling these for fire wood or “mamating” as locally
termed and stone walling (“tuping”). Meanwhile women do the weeding and planting.
Both men and women do the building dikes of rice paddies (“pakpak”), irrigating
(“mananum”), setting of scare crows (“insapor”), harvesting, hauling palay, and driving
away of rice/maya birds (“inferew”).

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Plate 2. The researcher with some of the respondents

Plate 3. The researcher and her companion interviewing one of the respondents

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Table 1. Profile of the Respondents
PARTICULAR

NUMBER

PERCENTAGE %

a. Age
40-50

13

22
51-60

17

28
61-70

24

40
71 and above

6

10

Total

60

100

b. Sex
male

13

22
female

47

78

Total

60

100

c. Civil Status
married

55

91.7
single

1

1.7
widow/er

4

6.7

Total

60

100

d. Number of Children
0

2

3.3
1-5

49

81.7
6-10

9

15

Total

60

100

e. Educational Attainment
elementary

16

26.7
high school

2

3.3
college

5

8.3
no formal education

37

61.7

Total

60

100

f. Number of years Practicing Agroforestry
1-10

9

15
11-20

24

40
21-30

27

45

Total

60

100
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Civil Status. As shown on table 1c, 55 or 91.6% of the respondents were married
while 4 (6.7%) were widow/ers and 1 (1.7%) is single. This could mean that married
farmers are more involved in farming activities here because it is their family’s main
source of food. On the other hand, the singles have other opportunities like going out of
the community to work on “ por dia”/ daily wage basis.
Number of Children. Table 1d shows that 49 (81.7%) of the respondents have 1-5
children, 9 (15%) have 6-10 children and 2 (3.3%) have no children. The big number of
children partially reflects the typical Cordillera Family. It’s part of the notion that
children are one’s future support system not only economically but also socially. So
couples prefer many children to help them in their farm work. It is also believed that
parents will be taken care of by their children of when they grow old.
Educational Attainment. Thirty seven (61.7%) of the 60 respondent, did not have
formal education; 16 (26.7%) reached elementary; 2(3.3%) reached high school; and 5
(8.3%) reached college. This implies that most of the respondents did not undergo formal
education. The respondents shared that their parents prohibited them from going to
school and pushed them to help in the farm work. They believe that when their children
will go to school, they will become lazy and will no longer help in the farm work. Who
then will continue to take care of the farms and how will the coming generations survive
if the farms get abandoned?
Number of Years Practicing Agroforestry. Most of the respondents have been
farming for a long period of time. Results in table 1f show that 27 (45%) had been
practicing agroforestry for 21 years or more; 24 (40%) for 11-20 years; and 9 (15%) for
1-10 years. During the interview, most of the respondents did not know the term
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Agroforestry. The interviewer defined and described agroforestry in their own dialect and
they came to agree that agroforestry is no other than what they are doing for their
livelihood. During the sharing and discussions, it was realized that agroforestry is
practiced not only because the farmers wanted to provide food for their family. Aside
from this, their agroforestry practices had a lot to do with the efficient use of natural
resources. For instance, they plant woody perennials to minimize soil erosion and at the
same time provide a sustained supply of water to their “payew” or rice fields. This
practice helped maintain the ecological balance of the farm while providing food.

B. Farm Information

Table 2a presents the farm size of the respondents. Forty seven (78.3%) of the
respondents have an Agroforestry farm of 500 m2 to 1000 m2 and the remaining 13
(21.7%) have a farm of 1001 m2 to 1500 m2. These measurements, however, are
estimates given the fact that the farms of individuals are by “kerreng” or pieces of
lands/or small lots/ terrace and are located in different areas. Hence the total farm area is
difficult to measure. The data however indicates that the size of their farm in the study
area is generally small.
As shown on table 2b, all of the respondents claimed that they have an irrigated
farm, but, there are some respondents 16(27%) who maintained farms that are not
irrigated, which according to them, is the swidden farm. This indicates that there are
some respondents who maintain both swidden farms and irrigated farm during a certain
period of the year.
Table 2c shows the source of irrigation of the respondents. Similar to table 3,
those 16 (27%) who maintained swidden farm, claimed that their farms are mainly
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dependent on rain for irrigation. Finally, all of them claimed that flowing water (rivers,
creeks, wells and springs) is the source of farm irrigation. This implies that there is
relatively enough source of irrigation, such that the farmers before were able to maintain
two rice cropping in a year. However, at present the respondents explained that
deforestation resulted to scarce water.

Table 2 Farm Information
PARTICULAR

NUMBER*
PERCENTAGE %

a. Size of Farm
500-1000 m2

47

78.3
1001-1500 m2

13

21.7

Total

60

100

b. Farm
Irrigated

60

100
Not Irrigated

16

27

* Multiple Responses

c. Source of irrigation
Rain

16

27
Flowing water (river, creeks,
wells and spring)

60

100

* Multiple Responses

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C. Farming Systems and Practices

Agrisilvipastoral (agricultural crops + livestock + forage crops) system is
commonly practiced by the respondents. Farming practices under this is rice field with
trees and draft carabao; and backyard or home gardening with native pigs and chicken
(Plate 4a and 4b).
They also practice the agrisivilvicultural system (involves the combination of agronomic
crops such as rice, vegetables with horticultural crop, and or forest trees (Plate 5a and
5b). It was observed that nobody was growing trees in association with animals.

Agricultural crops, fruit crops and forest trees integrated in this system are shown
on table 3. It shows that all of the respondents plant rice, sweet potato, corn, legumes,
cassava, squash, sugar cane and banana. For fruit trees/crops, 26 (43 have coffee and
guava, 21 (35%) for mango, 23 (41%) for pomelo and 14 (23.3%) for avocado. For forest
trees, all of the respondents claimed that there are Benguet pine on their farms and 2
(3.3%) have alnus. For animals, all of the respondents raised pigs and chickens, 13 (21.27
have carabao and 2 (3.3%) raised ducks.

These results shows that all of the respondents plant rice, their main crop while
sweet potato is grown to serve as supplement to rice and at the same time provide feed
for the pigs. Legumes, squash and corn are grown seasonally by all respondents on their
swidden farms, home gardens and/or beside the rice fields. According to them they raise
native pigs and chickens, which are prescribed for religious rituals and at the same time,
their manure is used to fertilize their farm.

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Agrisilvipastoral system

Plate 4a. guava, banana, sweet potato, taro “lakat” with pig

Plate 4b. Guava, pomelo, avocado, banana, with native chicken and swine

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Agrisilvicultural system

Plate 5a. Mango, banana,cassava, corn, lemon grass and sweet potato in mixed planting.

Plate 5b. Corn integrated legumes (pole snap bean, mung bean and lima bean.

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Table 3. Plants and animals commonly integrated in agroforestry System
PARTICULAR

NUMBER *
PERCENTAGE%

a. agricultural crops
rice

6o

100
sweetpotato

60

100
corn

60

100
legumes

60

100
squash

60

100
cassava

60

100
sugar cane

60

100
banana

60 100

b. fruit trees/crops
coffee

26

43.3
mango

21

35
pomelo

23

41.7
guava

26

43.3
avocado

14

23.3

c. forest trees
benguet pine

60

100
alnus

2

3.3

d. animals
pigs

60

100
carabao

13 21.7
chickens

60

100
* Multiple Responses

Aside from these observations, the respondents claimed that they were still
practicing these agrisilvipastoral and agrisilvicultural system because as they said they
are safe, require simple operation, and entail lesser expenses. Until now, all of them are
still doing manual cleaning, direct seeding and harvesting for their crops. Transplanting
however is practiced with crops like rice and petchay. Tools that are employed are simple
like the spading fork, shovel and others.

In plowing the fields, farmers employ the carabao so this animal plays a very
important role to the farmers. But despite the tedious and manual farm works, the farmers
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developed a communal ethos like “ob obfu” (traditional exchange labor) where in they
help each other in the farm like harvesting of rice. (Plate 6). Aside from the reality that
work is accomplished faster through this, unity and cooperation is also instilled among
them.

In terms of farm inputs, the farmers utilize organic fertilizers. Such practice
was learned from their parents and their fellow farmers. According to them, the organic
fertilizers that they used were animal manure, sunflower, rice stalks, coffee pulp and
legumes. During land preparation of both irrigated and non-irrigated farms, they slash
sunflower plants and directly incorporate these into the soil to serve as green manure.

At present however, the use of inorganic fertilizer is very common. The
respondents relate that the use of inorganic fertilizers is to their advantage in the sense
that it is more convenient to just buy it from the market compared to the gathering of
organic fertilizers, which requires a lot of effort and time.

As a coping mechanism with the effect of pests, animals and plants that were
observed to have been infected were better removed. For instance, they usually remove
the plant parts that are infected with pest and diseases. If animals such as pigs and
chickens are infected with pest and diseases, they immediately butcher the animal to
avoid or prevent the other animals from getting infected with the same disease.

Young farmers who are already involved with cash crop gardening are now
employing chemical pesticides in their farms especially if a portion of their farm is
planted with crops like pepper, tomatoes, string beans and the like. They want to ensure
that their crops will grow faster and bear good fruits so that they can sell it and be able to
recover their expenses.
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Plate 6. Performing “ob obfu” or exchange labor during harvest time.

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Table 4. Farm management and Practices
PARTICULARS

NUMBER

PERCENTAGE %

a. cleaning
manual cleaning

60

100
burning

0

0

Total

60

100

b. planting
direct planting

60

100
transplanting

60

100

* Multiple Responses

c. fertilizer
organic

0

0
Inoragani

0

0
Both organic and organic

60

100

Total

60

100

d. ways to control pest and diseases
chemical

47

78
physical

60

100

* Multiple Responses

e. harvesting
manual

60

100

Total

60

100

D. Modifications in farming Practices

Due to the need for immediate cash in order to support the education of their
children, the farmers tried to modify or adopt some innovations in their farming
practices.Table 5 shows, the modification in farming practices of farmers in Guina-ang,
Bontoc, Mountain province.

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Table 5. Modification in farming practices
PRACTICES

TRADITIONAL

CHANGES
a. Crops
►Native varieties of rice, sweet ►High yielding rice, and
potato, legumes, squash and cash or commercial crops
other traditional crops.
such as pepper and
tomatoes in place of native
varieties

b. Animals
►Native pigs and chicken
►Hybrid such as
landrace, and sasso for
chicken

c. Fertilizer
►Purely organic or compost ►Organic plus inorganic
such as sunflower, rice hull, rice such as 14-14-14, 21-0-0
straw and animal manure.
and others

d. Fertilizer
►No commercial fertilizer or ►They just broadcast the
application
pesticide is used. Rather, rice in organic fertilizers.
stalks, rice hull, coffee pulp and Every time they plant they
sunflower cutting are left to apply urea, complete, and
decompose on the fields to serve other inorganic fertilizer
as natural fertilizer.
and less application of

compost.
e. Seed selection
►Most farmers select their seeds ►The farmers can not
after harvest, while others make already select the best
their choice in the field. Farmers seeds because some of
who select after harvesting may their crops are new to them
just put aside part of their or not familiar to them.
harvest, but they can also make
careful selection for a particular
seed appearance.

f.Ways in controlling ►Physical control such as using ►From the traditional
pest and diseases
rat guards; biological control they included the use of
such as not killing the predators; chemical in controlling
cultural control such as
pest and diseases. For
synchronized planting and
example they use racumin
weeding the canals; and and other chemical spray.
performing rituals such as rest
day “te-er” to prevent the spread
of pest and diseases.

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D. Problems of farmers

According to the respondents, since they started to modify some of their farming
practices they encountered some problems on their yields. According to them, the yield
of their plants nowadays is lesser as compared to their younger years in farming. From
the data gathered, a number of problems emerged through time in the farming practices
that resulted to the reduction of yields. Some have natural causes, while others are man
made.

1. Decreasing water supply

Guina-ang is rich in water sources for irrigation on crops. However, these
are also threatened due to fast forest denudation brought about by rampant forest fire
especially during summer. This situation contributed to the reduction of yield.
2. Deterioration of the soil

The respondents said that the soil of their farm is becoming hard and dry and
the fertility of the farm soil is being depleted. According to the respondents, the repeated
cultivation and application of inorganic fertilizer destroys natural aggregation, and
reduces organic matter content in the soil. Using inorganic fertilizers also, limit the
movement of water and air into the soil.
3. Increased pest and disease problems.

Infestation of crops by rats has become more frequent and led to a
significant reduction in yields of their rice, sweet potato and other crops. Golden kuhol
also become a serious pest of rice because they attack the base of the young seedlings
before devouring the upper parts.
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4. Labor scarcity

This was not a problem in the past, but due to the number of children
supported through tertiary education, parents are pressured to seek cash paying jobs in
other places.

E. Factors that contributed to the occurrence of problems in Guina-ang, Bontoc,
Mountain province.

1. Decrease in Agricultural Land area

The increase in population resulted to the decrease of land area for each
farmer to till. As a result, farmers at present are developing their swidden farm towards
permanency because the usual fallow period of fifteen to twenty years is now impossible
due to limited areas for expansion. The increase in population also resulted to the
conversion of farmlands to residential lands. In relation to this, cutting down of trees both
for building houses and cooking resulted also to the shortage of water supply.

2. Education

It was observed that the introduction of formal education also is one factor
that affected the farming practices in Guina-ang. The need to send children to schools for
formal education shifted the priority of some parents from farming works to contractual
works outside the community. More so, many educated youth especially when they
become professionals, no longer attend to farm works. In effect, many farms are
abandoned because of the shortage of farm workers.
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3. Introduction of Inorganic Fertilizers

The traditional agricultural crops of the village are also affected by the use
of inorganic fertilizers like chemical pesticides mainly to sustain the cash crops being
grown. The respondents explained that when they started using the inorganic fertilizer the
yields of their crops is very high, but now, they observed that the quality and yield of
their crops became less and smaller in size. Moreover, they observed that their crops
especially sweet potatoes are easily rotten.

4. Rituals Related to agriculture

These rituals are the coping mechanisms for the agricultural stresses.

According to the respondents, performing rituals is an effective way in
preventing rats from damaging their plants especially the grains. But now due to the
introduction of Christianity, some farmers don’t believe in the rituals so that during the
implementation of this “te-er” , instead of having their rest, a lot of farmers to go outside
the community, and one of the respondents said that this is one factor why their crop
production is reduced

According to Scott (1969), he mentioned that rituals and sacrifices are done
to attract spirits who will make the plants grow and to appease the spirits who might harm
the plants. Likewise, rituals play a very important role in the life of the farmers in Guina-
ang. In order to have a successful result in production, they perform these rituals.
a) Te-er si Khiling- Before the panaran (small parcel of ricefield) is prepared for the
sowing of seeds, locally called “panar”, the rest day ritual called “ te-er si
khiling” is performed. During the rest day, a native chicken is butchered and
Modifications in Agroforestry Practices of Farmers in Guina-ang, Bontoc,
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prayers are recited to call the attention of the ancestor’s spirit and also to
Lumawig (God), so that they will bless the incoming farm activity of sowing
seeds “pumanar”. This is to ask the guidance of the spirits so they will increase
the seedlings to be abundant when transplanted; and to protect their seedlings
from rats, chicken and other animals, which may destroy their seedlings. In the
procedure of sowing seeds, they will strew first sunflower, ash or rice hull as they
lessen or drain water to serve as fertilizer. After that, they will sow the seedlings
and have runo (miscanthus) leaves or anything that will warn the animals not to
destroy the seedlings.
b) Te-er si Surat- When the rice are already transplanted, a rest day ritual called “te-
er si surrat” will be performed. If the authorized men will reached the rice field,
where the “surat” will be placed, a short prayer will be said “Now I brought the
surat here as what our forefather did, Lumawig (God), please keep the rats and
disease away from our crop”. The message of this ritual is to block the holes/
burrows of rats or to prevent the rats from transferring disease from other places.
c) Te-er si Lusad- When the villagers observed that the palay starts to produce
grains; they declare the “te-er si lusad”. The villagers take a rest to make the
activity successful and scarecrow effective. The message of this ritual is to allow
the villagers to go to their fields and make scarecrows in order to frighten the
maya birds from damaging rice crop. Farmer’s must also be present to physically
supplement these in driving the mayabirds away while cleaning the field
surroundings.
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d) Te-er si Saar- When the grains are fully matured, the villagers will have a rest day
ritual called “te-er si surat”. The message of this ritual is to ensure the abundant
harvest or to maximize production of rice. The villagers come to help each other
through “ob-obfu” (exchanged labor) to finish the work faster.

In this ritual, visitors are not allowed to enter in the village and villagers
are not allowed to go outside the village and no one is allowed to go to the farm.

F. Possible Solutions

According to the respondents, possible solutions to these problems bring
experienced by the farmers include the following:

1. Reforestation of the forest and mountains. The Barangay should initiate
a program to involve the community in tree planting because the farmers believe that the
trees produce water and water is very important to their farms.

2. They also expressed that that young generation should still learn to do
farm works. Even though they finished their studies they should know how to plant,
because all food that we take in comes from the plant.

3. Another possible solution is to minimize the use of inorganic fertilizer or
totally avoid it.

4. Conduct of rituals should also be more practical. We can not avoid this
because in reality, it strengthens unity, solidarity, peace and love, respect and
industriousness.

Modifications in Agroforestry Practices of Farmers in Guina-ang, Bontoc,
Mountain Province / Charlotte A. Camfili. 2006

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary

The study was conducted to describe the changes in the traditional
Agroforestry farming practices of farmers in Guina-ang, Bontoc, Mountain province and
to identify the reasons why farmers are modifying their farming practices.

The study used the method of a qualitative research. The respondents
observed to be agroforestry practitioners were randomly selected. One half of the
respondents aged 40-60 years old, while the rest were aged 61 and above. Majority were
female, married, and did not have formal education.

The farmers have small (500-1500 sq.meter) and irrigated farm. Their
sources of irrigation are from river, wells, spring, creeks and rain.

The respondents identified two traditional agroforestry farming systems in
the area. These are the Agri Silvipastoral and Agri Silvicultural. All of the respondents
raised traditional rice varieties, sweet potato, corn, legumes, squash, cassava, and banana.
The domestic animals raised are pigs and chickens. These plants and animals are
integrated either on swidden farm, rice field or home garden. Benguet pine is the
dominant forest cover.

These traditional farming practices still exist because they are safe; require
simple operation and lesser expenses. Practicing these also instills unity in the
community as manifested in the conduct of rituals related to agriculture and the
communal ethos practiced.

Due to some factors like education, use of inorganic fertilizers and
introduction of Christianity, there are already changes happening both in the process of
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farming and at the same time to the quantity and quality of crops produced. According to
the respondents, the yield of their plants decreased due to the shortage of water,
instability of the soil, occurrence of pest and diseases and labor scarcity.

Because of these problems, respondents suggest planting more trees and
avoiding the use of inorganic fertilizer and practical use of rituals.
Conclusion

The traditional agroforestry farming practices of farmers espoused the use of
organic fertilizers particularly compost that maintain the fertility of the soil. The benefits
derived from these practices, include more harvest, less cash expenses, soil conservation
and the strengthened unity among the people through the rituals and “ob-obfu” that serve
as social glue that maintain unity and friendship of the community people.

Recommendations

Based on the results gathered, the following are recommended:
1. New varieties/ cash crops maybe adopted as long as it is compatible with cultural
practices, and indigenous varieties must not be sacrificed.
2. There should be trainings for farmers in the locality in order for the farmers to be
aware or to be educated on proper farming.
3. Farmers should maintain their traditional farming practices because these practice
improve soil fertility and prevent the attack of pest and diseases.

Modifications in Agroforestry Practices of Farmers in Guina-ang, Bontoc,
Mountain Province / Charlotte A. Camfili. 2006

LITERATURE CITED
ANONYMOUS. 1995. “The Way We Live” Indigenous Practices of the Ifugaos, Atis
and Badjaos of the Philippines. Cooperative Branch International Labour
Organization.

BRETT, J. 1997. Coping Strategies in Bontoc Highland Agroecosystem. The Role of
Ritual. CSC Working Paper 01. Baguio City. Cordillera Studies Center, U.P.
Baguio.

BRETT, J. 1994. Comparative Study of Agricultural Commercialization in Selected
Highland Communities of the Cordillera Ilocos Region. CSC Working Paper 24,
Baguio City. Cordillera Studies Center, U.P. Baguio.

CPA (CORDILLERA PEOPLES ALLIANCE) 2002. Rotational Agriculture of
Indigenous Peoples in Asia, Case Studies Analysis and Recommendations.
International Alliance of Indigenous Tribal People of the Tropical Forests
(IAITPTF).

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE. 1994. Vol. I. A – D Academic
Press Inc.

PCARRD (PHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR AGRICULTURE AND RESOURCES
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT). 1986. The Philippine Recommend for
Agroforestry. Technical Bulletin Series No.59. Philippine Agriculture Resources
Research Foundation, Inc.

PCARRD. 1991. Agroforestry Research in the PhilippineS.

ROOD, S. 1995. Indigenous Practices and State Policy in the Sustainable Management of
Agricultural Lands and Forests in the Cordillera. A Summary Report. CSC
Working Paper 25. Baguio City. Cordillera Studies Center, U.P. Baguio.

SCOTT,W.H.. 1969. On the Cordillera. MCS Interprises, Inc.

STEPPLER and NAIR. 1987. Agroforestry: A Decade of Development. ICRAF. Nairobi,
Kenya.

Modifications in Agroforestry Practices of Farmers in Guina-ang, Bontoc,
Mountain Province / Charlotte A. Camfili. 2006

Document Outline

Modifications in Agroforestry Practices of Farmers in Guina-ang, Bontoc, Mountain Province
- BIBLIOGRAPHY
- ABSTRACT
- TABLE OF CONTENTS
- INTRODUCTION
  - Rationale
  - Statement of the Problem
  - Importance of the Study
  - Objectives of the Study
  - Scope and Limitations of the Study
- REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
- METHODOLOGY
  - Locale and Time of the Study
  - Respondents of the Study
  - Data Collection
  - Data Gathered
  - Data Analysis
- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
  - Profile of the Respondents
  - Farm Information
  - Farming Systems and Practices
  - Modifications in farming Practices
  - Problems of farmers
  - Factors that contributed to the occurrence of problems in Guina-ang, Bontoc,Mountain province.
  - Possible Solutions
- SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
  - Summary
  - Conclusion
  - Recommendations
- LITERATURE CITED