Varietal diversity and genetic erosion of traditional upland rice cultivars in Barangay [village] Kihan, Malapatan, Sarangani Province, Philippines
2008
Namocatcat, J.A. | Lasolita-Zapico, F., Mindanao State Univ., Fatima 9500, General Santos City (Philippines). Science Dept. | Cariño, J.L., Office of the Provincial Governor, Sarangani Province (Philippines) Indigenous Peoples Development Program
Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) techniques combined with on-farm documentation in Kihan, a remote Blaan farming village in the uplands of Malapatan, Sarangani Province revealed a very high level of varietal diversity of traditional upland rice. About 108 cultivars were identified, categorized by farmers as 'Mial Fale' (early maturing), 'Laweh Sale' (late maturing) and 'Mikat' (glutinous), including a sub-categorization for distinctly aromatic cultivars. As of 2005, about 59 cultivars were documented on site, where only 48 varieties were actually retrieved for ex situ characterization. Estimates for actual losses or extinction of traditional rice may be as high as 45%, a staggering loss of biodiversity. A province-wide inventory of traditional rice focusing on the remotest IP communities is necessary to establish the genetic base of traditional rice in Sarangani Province as well as documented to rich cultural heritage associated with traditional rice as a vanishing indigenous resource. Conservation and wise use of premium traditional rice resource may be one prospect to alleviate poverty and boost upland economy in Sarangani Province.
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