Landcare and livelihoods: the promotion and adoption of conservation farming systems in the Philippine uplands

Slow adoption of conservation farming systems in the Philippine uplands is a major problem.To address this, the landcare approach, based on community landcare groups, is being pilotedin several locations. The results of a study to evaluate the impact of the Landcare Program inBarangay Ned in Southern Mindanao are presented. The sustainable rural livelihoodsapproach was used as a framework for the evaluation. The study focused on two impacts, theadoption of conservation practices and the formation and development of landcare groups,drawing on four data sources – project reports, key informants, a questionnaire survey, andcase studies of landcare groups. The Ned Landcare Program has been associated with rapidadoption of conservation farming practices and the rapid formation of landcare groups linkedin an association. The main effect of the Program was to enhance human capital throughpractical, farmer-led training and extension, enabling farmers to incorporate soil conservationand agroforestry technologies in their farming systems, with desirable outcomes for livelihoodsecurity and environmental sustainability. The social capital formed, especially through thelandcare association, was crucial to these outcomes. Ongoing partnerships with adequatelyresourced facilitating agencies were required to maintain the Landcare Program in the longterm.

---

• View source