Participatory communication approach to preserve existing indigenous agricultural and natural resource strategies in Barangay [village] Amganad, Banaue, Ifugao [Philippines]

The indigenous knowledge on resource use is a key concept in the sustainability of agriculture land and the environment. It is embedded in community practices, institutions, cultural values and belief systems. To preserve indigenous strategies, the community plays an imporant role in sharing experiences, information and in the process of creating an effective media of communication materials. The study aims to present participatory communication approach as a tool in the development of communication materials to preserve existing Indigenous Agricultural and Natural Resource Strategies (IANRS) in Barangay [village] Amganad, Banaue, Ifugao [Philippines]. Key informant interview was conducted to solicit information on IANRS in the study area along with actual field reconnaissance. Selected participants were invited to join the focus group discussion and workshops in the development of communication materials. The output of the FGD and workshop were used in the development of prototype communication materials on two IANRSD, Muyong and Payew, respectively. The community members identified the most effective forms of communication materials to preserve and popularize their comunity poster, storybook or comics and radio plug. The community poster message was generally well understood and perceived to be intended for the Ifugao farmers and their families. For the comic story booklet, participants showed high comprehension and enjoyed the story they conceptualized during the workshops. The communication materials produced through participatory communication approach are highly understandable, acceptable and attractive to the participating community. It also fosters synergy among experts, semi-technical staffs, government workers and the community. These types of communication materials if properly disseminated could help in the preservation of IANRS.