Communicating indigenous agroforest knowledge and practices: the case of the Bugkalots [village people of Cawayan and Pelaway, Alfonso Castaneda, Nueva Ecija (Philippines)]

Bugkalots are indigenous people in the villages of Cawayan and Pelaway in Alfonso Castaneda, Nueva Ecija [Philippines]. These villages are part of the Project Impact Zone of the Casecnan Multi-Purpose Irrigation and Power Project (CMIPP). Subsistence farming was the major source of livelihood. Swidden farming was commonly practiced. The area cultivated was from 0.25 to 1 ha "uma" or "kaingin". A hectare of "uma" planted to rice usually yielded 1,000 kg of palay. Other income sources were gardening, vending of vegetables, hunting, and rattan gathering. Their average annual income from farming and off-farm activities amounted to P10,423. Because of low income, some of them had abandoned their "uma" and had sought employment at CM IPP. The Bugkalots had high regard for the soil. The forest and its resources were considered as sources of livelihood, hence they took care of these. Their agroforest farming practices were found to be sustainable in terms of maintaining biodiversity, ecological balance, and sustenance to the people. Resources were maximized to improve farm productivity. Crop diversification and intercropping were commonly practiced. They used minimal soil cultivation, herbal and faunal fumigation, and fertilization. Crops were harvested on staggered basis. Fallow period was long, four to ten years. The Bugkalots have a unique way of expressing themselves and of conveying information. Being clannish and closely knit individuals, their main source of information with regards to their daily living concerns were the parents, brothers, sisters, other relatives, friends, and neighbors. For agroforest farming, they preffered information on exchange labor for clearing, cleaning, planting, and harvesting; seeds to plant, and advice for ideal location of the "uma". The barangay leaders who were also their relatives, friends, and neighbors served as "linkers" to individuals and institutions outside of their community. Information seeking and sharing took place in some particular spots in the village which could be a relative's house, under a tree, the cooperative store or simply while walking up the trail to their farm. The Bugkalots taught their young by word of mouth, hands on experiences, and coaching. Through these methods, their indigenous agroforest practices as well as their societal and cultural norms survived. The findings of the study have implications on sustainable development and communication and extension programs. Communication is an effective tool to empower, unite and involve local communities in the process of conserving environment, indigenous knowledge, and cultural heritage. Recommendations were presented and discussed