Suchergebnisse

"The development of the Landcare movement across the world during the last two decades" -- Provided by publisher

Executive Summary: Given the analysis of the policy environment of VAF system in the Philippines as basis, the second objective of the policy study, which is the development of policy and institutional interventions, is being carried out together with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Lantapan particularly the Legislative Council and the Municipal Agriculture's Office. Several meetings, discussions and planning-workshops have been initiated with Lantapan Government officials, policy-makers and local technicians regarding this. A municipal ordinance was enacted supporting the implementation of an incentive-based program to promote the adoption of sustainable farming system (SFS) in the Municipality. The SFS Investment Plan has been finalized and is now ready for implementation. The LGU has allocated budget for the program, particularly the institutional arrangements required to implement the development plan. As part of developing the appropriate institutional mechanism to implement the incentive-based policy and program, various activities will be initially implemented such as the organizational development and analysis workshop and the series of seminars related to sustainable agriculture. ; LTRA-5 (Agroforestry and Sustainable Vegetable Production)

Summary: Having completed the first objective of the K2A research, the author addresses the second objective which is to develop case study report on the context, mechanisms and outcomes of linking knowledge and action for integrated natural resource management in the Manupali watershed, Lantapan, Bukidnon. Primary data was gathered through interviews with researchers, local government officials, policy makers, extension workers, farmer cooperators and farmers. Secondary data was gathered from documents and reports of various research and development projects implemented in Lantapan. Initial findings show a complex system with overlap between agencies, lack of coordination between agencies and weak linkages between research and extension as well as lack of two-way communication. While the study of vegetable agroforestry is deemed suitable, the transfer of knowledge to the end-user is being impeded by the inefficiencies in the system. Interviews with key informants offer insight into ways of improving communication flow and putting knowledge into action. [summary by record creator] ; CCRA-5 (Knowledge to Action)

The first objective of this study is to understand the policy environment of VAF system in the Philippines and Vietnam. In particular, it examines a range of policy interventions, where incentives are directed to encourage smallholders' investment in VAF system. The study under this objective has been completed, and has been summarized in form of a policy brief. The Philippines' study concludes that: ; LTRA-5 (Agroforestry and Sustainable Vegetable Production)

This paper discusses two important changes in the paradigm of protected area and watershed management. The first one is on the increasing interest on community-based and locally led institutions whether farmer groups or local government units that form part of a participatory approach for natural resource management. Locally led institutions are deemed to be the key for addressing local issues and problems with some guidance from external agencies. The second change is in the view that protected area and watershed management should not limit its management concerns within their area of jurisdiction, but extend their efforts beyond their territory to link and work with larger communities outside the protected area where serious problems arising from pressures in the park emanate. The relationship of reconciling, complimenting and co-managing the protected area and watersheds through the three management entities and their respective domains is summarized as the "Preventive Systems Approach" or PSA.

In the Philippines, using agriculture as a basis for rapid economic growth requires both a productivity revolution in smallholder farming, and innovative policies and political commitment. An important aspect of this development has to do with expanding technical options adapted to the ecological potential of the area and changing economic patterns, drawing on existing technologies in the short term, and introducing new practices and technologies in the longer term. Vegetable agroforestry (VAF) is a viable system in the uplands; however, its viability is constrained by various factors, including farmers' inability to invest, inadequate institutional structures for facilitating information flow, and lack of market incentives. Policy incentives are thus needed to stimulate smallholder investments in VAF systems. This paper reports on the scoping study of the policy environment of VAF systems. The study found that, at least in theory, the policy environment supports VAF but is insufficient in stimulating smallholder investments. Incentives for smallholders, albeit limited, do exist, but disincentives persist. Large stakeholders tend to benefit more from national level policies than smallholders because the former have more access to information and can leverage the associated costs of implementation. It is recognized that some issues are better resolved through national-level policies, while others are better addressed locally. For the vegetable sector, issues of price regulation and control, commodity protection, reducing costs across the market value chain, non-tariff barriers, and global trade require national-level interventions. For the tree sector, issues regarding restrictive policies, transaction costs, land tenure and resource rights, and domestic and international market incentives also must be addressed through national-level policies. At the local level, promoting smallholder investments in VAF requires decisive policy action to improve the effectiveness of the extension system, with emphasis on improved technology provision and support for market linkages and infrastructure. Where national-level policies do not effectively address the needs of smallholders, locally crafted policies are needed to close the gap. The viability of VAF depends on a whole set of policies that government can provide. It is therefore a political imperative. ; LTRA-5 (Agroforestry and Sustainable Vegetable Production)

Vegetable-Agroforestry (VAF) system is a viable farming system that integrates vegetables in a tree-based system, or vice-versa. The system provides multiple benefits, including provision of micronutrients to the diet of rural communities and enhancement of on-farm biodiversity and environmental sustainability. However, its viability is constrained by various factors, including farmers' inability to invest in the system, inadequate institutional structures to facilitate information flow, and lack of market incentives. Smallholders, who account for over 90% of all farmers and fisherfolk are financially constrained to invest in VAF system compared to large holders, but are also expected to increase their share in the nation's GDP. Policy incentives are thus needed to stimulate smallholder investments in VAF system. Incentives are needed beyond the technical viability of VAF system, and they can generally come as a combination of direct and indirect incentives. To find out whether or not incentives for smallholders to invest in VAF system exist, an intensive review of key national policies related to tree growing and vegetable production was undertaken. Local level policies and perspectives of farmers and policy-makers were also taken into account, to identify policy responses that are needed at the local level. ; LTRA-5 (Agroforestry and Sustainable Vegetable Production)

Agriculture as a basis for rapid economic growth in the Philippines requires both productivity revolution in smallholder farming, innovative policies and political commitment. Vegetable-Agroforestry (VAF) system is a viable farming system that integrates vegetables in tree-based systems, and vice versa. The system provides multiple benefits, including provision of ; LTRA-5 (Agroforestry and Sustainable Vegetable Production)

Landcare is a movement of farmer led organizations supported by local governments with backstopping from technical service providers - that share knowledge about sustainable and profitable agriculture on sloping lands while conserving natural resources. The success of Landcare stemmed mostly from the strength of a tripart relationship of three key actors: the farmers and other community members, the Local Government, and Technical Facilitators. These three actors depend on each other, finding strength in working together - thus, forming an interdependent relationship to form a solid base for participatory program management. Participation in the triadic approach is fundamental in Landcare, but we also recognized that utopian participation is far below from reality. The triadic approach, as has been effectively applied in Landcare is largely applicable to any development program, because the essential elements comprising this approach are simple and basic. Following broad participatory principles, right motivation, trust, identification of common issues and partnership building, are fundamental elements that enhance participation in Landcare. What is perhaps, unique in Landcare, is its flexibility and openness to range of issues and the members ability to adopt alternative approaches and methods that suit local conditions. Participatory project management requires a great deal of hard facilitation work. It is often costly at the beginning, but the perceived benefits can be much higher. It is an investment requiring much human capital, commitment, trust and relationship building. These are basic requisites to participatory project management. Foremost, it should be aimed to address the participants needs rather than, the needs of project management and donors.

In this issue we cover the topic on effecting a full devolution of environmental management functions to LGU's by creating the local Environment and Natural Resources Office

The concept and practice of governance and natural resource management is emerging as a popular debate in the Philippines, as in many countries in the region. It is now widely accepted that Local Government Units (LGU) play a critical role in the management of resources within their jurisdiction. This debate is constructed from a combination of people, processes and structures under a diversity of circumstances. Hence, its pluralistic nature, necessitates participation more widely by various civil society sectors, including the scientific community.

This publication reports on the devolution and growth in community-based resource that is taking place in the Philippines. The authors suggest effective, innovative approaches for enabling local governments to manage resources.

Watershed management is one the focal issues in the debate about sustainable development. Contemporary innovations in watershed management focus on involving community people in the protection and conservation of these resources, using a variety of participatory approaches. Use of participatory watershed management began in the Philippines after passage of the decentralizing, devolving Local Government Code (LGC) in 1991, which provides the legal framework for local governments to initiate institutional innovations. Although the number of LGUs proactively responding to environmental and resource degradation issues is increasing, the majority remain complacent about their devolved responsibilities in NRM. This led us to search for ways of understanding the methodological and policy hurdles impinging successful watershed management.

Local Government Units (LGU) play a critical role in the management of resources within their jurisdiction. Our collaborative work with SANREM/seeks to understand better the methodological, institutional and policy hurdles impinging the success of local natural resource management. The experience started in Lantapan in phase 1 of SANREM, with the aim to better integrate environmental knowledge in planning and decision-making at the watershed level. SANREM supported an LGU-led planning process for the development of a five-year Municipal Natural Resource Management and Development Plan (NRMDP). The NRMDP was recognized as a national model for locally led and research-based NRM planning by the Philippines' National Strategy for Watershed Management. Inspired by the Lantapan experience, a scaling-up process was pursued in four municipalities in northern Bukidnon. We concluded that there are socio-political and technical factors affecting the sustainability of local NRM. Four sustainability factors to successful NRM emerged from our study. These are: clear local financial investment, enhanced local technical capacity, sound political culture conducive to NRM, and a supporting National Mandate. To ensure that these conditions are met will require pressures for a virtual overhaul of programmatic areas of effective governance, as well as, setting a national level policy direction, and local level enforcement of such policies. We aim to translate these factors into policy statements communicated at the national level for wider impacts.