Documentation and assessment of soil and water conservation technologies in the Philippines upland areas

This study endeavors to document and assess various soil and water conservation technologies generally being practiced in Philippine upland areas. It also tries to explore ways to effectively disseminate these technologies and institutionalize efforts in promoting the adoption of soil and water conservation technologies in upland areas. The general situation in Philippine upland areas is a grim reality that well-meaning soil and water conservation efforts should be undertaken by all sectors and stakeholders concerned. An encouraging aspect though, is that a number of technologies, both indigenous and introduced are available to help mitigate the problem. Generally, terracing is the most commonly practiced conservation technology among regions and respondents surveyed. This finding is good to note, considering that terracing is the most effective SWC technology, as attested by resilience of Banawe Rice Terraces. Other commonly technologies are hedgerow system, mixed cropping, mulching, contour farming and rock-walls. Farmers engaged in establishing SWC technologies in their farms were also found to belong to the younger age bracket. While higher endurance and tenacity is needed to establish these technologies, the involvement of younger farmers could auger well for the much needed rehabilitation and protection of the highly degraded Philippine upland areas. As such, information dissemination is a vital component in the conservation of upland areas. Easy-to-understand information materials relevant to conservation farming must be developed for farmers, extension personnel or even for policy makers. Another strategy is the recognition of those who have endeavored, even in their own farms to establish SWC technologies, such that in one way or another have become models to others. Closer collaboration among institutions promoting soil and water conservation to farmers and in Philippine upland areas should also be strengthened. Concerned government agencies should be at the forefront of this undertaking.