For the past decades, the increased agricultural production for food sufficiency has always been the top priority as the population is continuously growing. In effect, to augment the agricultural resource-based, it has driven deforestation in the mountains as farms intrude even into protected areas. This constant destruction of forests threatens biodiversity, decreases carbon absorption, magnifies natural disaster damage, and disrupts water cycles.
One solution to deforestation while sustainable manage food and forest is to simply initiate programs and technologies to address the said problems such as agroforestry. In agroforestry, trees are planted alongside shade-loving shrubs and crops to balance food supply, biodiversity conservation, and isolating carbon.
Thus, to increase awareness benefits of agroforestry on sustainable agriculture alongside with environment protection, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center MIMAROPA conducted a three-day Training on Climate Change themed “Agroforestry: An Opportunity for Sustainability”.
The training promoted various climate change resilient technologies which the farmers could practice nowadays, especially for those who lived in the upland areas. It also highlighted the technology like the Sloping Agricultural Land Technology 4 (SALT 4) to conserve the upland areas while having sustainable agricultural production.
According to Jeana F. Marquez, farmer from Brgy. Manaul, Mansalay, the training was a very informative and beneficial especially to farmers. “We can help save our Mother Earth through our individual ways,” she said.
Moreover, part of the training was the field activities was the demonstration of A-Frame Method in contouring the hilly areas. According to Mr. Jay-ar B. Madriaga, this kind of technology is appropriate in the upland areas to keep the soil from erosion and protect the structure of the land while making the agriculture productive and sustainable.
The participants also planted narra seedling sponsored by DENR-CENRO Socorro in the contoured lines. This is an initiative to sustain biodiversity and prevent landslide in the area.
“This technique in agriculture can augment our income and food while saving mother earth,” Ms. Marquez added in her impression.
Richard Cezar, a Local Farmers Technician said that the training was very good because farmers learned the proper technique and technologies in farming especially those who live in the upland areas. It also enabled them to disseminate the bad effects of the negligence in our environment as well as the responsibilities of each farmer to protect our nature. He further said that all that we have now is just lent by our children and grandchildren; thus, we have to conserve and protect them.
Training on Climate Change held on October 19 – 21, 2021 in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro was attended by 18 Agricultural Extension Workers and farmers – some were Mangyan Farmers.
