Socio-economic and environmental contributions of agroforestry based farm
2010
Penaranda, G.L. | Penaranda, F.R., University of Rizal System, Tanay, Rizal (Philippines). Coll. of Agriculture
The agroforestry based technology demonstration farm was established to adopt soil and water management technologies contributing to the stable and sustainable agricultural production in the pilot marginal lands and to establish farmers' participatory techno-demonstration farm (TDF) to disseminate the developed technologies. The farm is located in hillyland agro-ecological zone in Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal, Philippines which represents the country's extensive marginal soil known as acid upland soils. Previously, the area is dominantly grassland. The farm tested mature technologies for dissemination and adoption within the immediate environs with similar soil-related problems. After four years, this study was conducted to evaluate the agroforestry based technology demonstration farm specifically the site, farmer-cooperators and the agro-technologies adopted in term of their impact, efficiency, relevance and sustainability. Results revealed that the adopted agrotechnologies include soil conservation (vegetation control, contour orchard, strip/alley cropping), soil fertility management (combined organic and inforganic fertilization, crop rotation/diversification, soil amendment and fertility restoration), water conservation, pest management showed positive results. The technologies' impact on the environment were: marked reduction of the volume of eroded soil, improved soil fertility, improved chemical soil property, increased organic matter and percent base saturation, and improved pH. There was also a steady increase in vegetative cover and biodiversity. An analysis of the diversified cropland uses showed that there was an increase in land utilization. The project helped increase the net farm income from raising the different alley crops. The farm offered employment opportunities to the community. The demonstration farm was found relevant as it conforms to the thrusts and program of the national government. In general, the farmers in the community are willing to adopt the agro-technologies that were demonstrated.
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