Sustainability of the indigenous women's upland farming system: lessons for climate change adaptation in the highlands of Occidental Mindoro, Philippines
2011
Lumbo, S.G., Occidental Mindoro State Coll., San Jose, Occidental Mindoro (Philippines)
This paper describes the sustainability of the Hanunuo Mangyan women's upland farming system in Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. This also determined their socio-economic and psychological characteristics, and perspectives of the environment. This employed participatory rapid appraisal techniques. The triangulation method consisting of household survey, field observation, key informant interview and focused group discussion were used in generating and validating data. The Hanunuo women were young with basic education and actively involved in community organizations. They had high aspirations for an improved life and had good perspectives of the environment. These showed women are potential in helping initiate sustainable upland development in the community. The upland farming system was traditional and subsistence. Cropping system was multistorey with high biodiversity but with low productivity. Some farm practices were detrimental to humans and environment like slash-and-burn cultivation and use of toxic chemicals for native plants varieties. Hence, the farming system can be considered as 'moderately sustainable'. Research results suggest a need to educate the Hanunuo women on responsible stewardship of the environment. Culturally acceptable farm practices and new crops with economic potentials that could adapt to poor soil conditions must be introduced. Adaptation measures appropriate for uplands must be instituted to address the threats of climate change.
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