2.1 A new look at “backward” traditional (heritage) farms can be the key to our survival

**In 2014 A multi-agency initiative (DA, DENR, NCCA) with FAO** support initiative developed a compendium (above relates to cover of said document). The compendium describes an initial profile of approx. seventy-five (75) initial candidate sites for recognition as Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage System NIAHS) sites. They have high agrobiodiversity, linked to their culture and landscape values. We helped develop the said national compendium.

In school, there was no talk of biodiversity. For a long time, I also thought biodiversity was only for the hopeless tree huggers and wild life enthusiasts. Eventually I realized how foolish I was. Farms today are either the cause or victim of biodiversity loss, environmental degradation as well as climate change. Unlike in our childhood days, people of all classes today (including my family), have lesser access to diverse, safe, nutritious and environmentally friendly food.

In the early part of this century the R and D community realized that our modernizing agricultural production systems was rapidly losing that aspect called agrobiodiversity. Agrobiodiversity refers to the wide variety of genetic codes (in plant varieties), agricultural species and farming systems in our agricultural sector. The issue is about rapid loss of traditional varieties of crops and livestock, and diverse cropping/farming systems.

Fast forward to post Covid days, the topic has become more urgent than ever. Is it part of the solution to the crisis of Philippine agriculture and nutrition today. Closer to home, it’s an important topic for the health-conscious senior!

Ideas that inspired us

Hundreds of traditional varieties of crops exist that store genetic codes for crops that can withstand climate change.
For thousands of years, farmers worldwide have protected these genetic codes by planting traditional varieties as well as facilitating natural selection.
In our uncertain climate driven times, we need these now more than ever.
The key challenge is how to take advantage of both traditional and modern agriculture.
Some remarkable communities modelled the way for dynamic conservation.

Remarkable Communities

Cordillera rice terrace farmers, Bohol ube farmers, and seed keepers of the Hanunuo Mindoro and Kalahan of Nueva Viscaya.

Catalytic projects that helped model the way

The FAO GIAHS (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems) initiative sought to recognize important globally important agricultural heritage systems.
Philippine FAO- DA BAR Dynamic Conservation of Traditional Agriculture systems Project developed the model for dynamic conservation of traditional systems with multiple environment values.
The IFAD – DA Cordillera Highlands Agricultural Resources Management Project (CHARMP) was the Department of agriculture’ s pilot project to find a modus vivendi between traditional agriculture systems of Cordillera and the modern agriculture.

Key Features

**Agriculture for the Generation Z?**…In the near future when some of the ongoing policy reforms will mature, the Philippines could have a large network of registered Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems or NIAHS** sites. Each site would meet certain criteria agreed upon nationally based on global reference such as the GIAHS (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System). The NIAHs sites (with high agrobiodiversity) would be part of regional agricultural landscapes, providing sources of genetic codes for breeding for more climate adaptive crops, and supporting overall forest, and lowland agricultural systems. The following are examples of potential NIAHS sites:

**Example 1: Farm loves Forest (Ifugao)!** The Cordillera and Ifugao Rice Terrance an example of a NIAHS. It is also an example of a globally recognized system. (GIAHS Indigenous farmers here maintain wood lost (muhyong) as organic part of their farming systems! The terraces as a whole, form part of the watersheds that feed into the river systems of North Luzon. A present however the rice terraces are undergoing major pockets of land degradation due to social change, climate change and effect of many well intended agricultural and NRM government programs that did not exactly match the technical and social needs (rice terraces) system.

**Example 2: Kiss the Ube! (Bohol)** Traditional ube (Dioscorea) farmers in Bohol regard the ube as almost sacred. They kiss the tuber if it accidentally dropped to the ground. Their traditional system is a candidate NIAHS site that can be given more support for the multiple environmental and cultural meanings they give to the Boholano people (Reference: C Chiu and A Villalon, 2013.

**Example 3: The Tanudan warriors- agri-cultural landscape (Kalinga).** Known as the rice granary of Kalinga province, the Tanudan rice terraces also served as security assets to the renowned Kalinga warriors in the old times. Settlements perched on top of the terraces allowed a panoramic view of incoming enemies. Today, Tanudan continues to host multiple rice varieties and it’s known for growing the best coffee in Kalinga (Reference: DENR DA FAO Compendium)

**Example 4: The gentle Hanunuo Mangyan (Mindoro). write poetry on the bamboo using their own alphabet!** They also maintain swidden agriculture systems involving over 100 rice varieties (reference: Mangyan Mission).

**Example 5: The Camote (Sweet potato) system in Kalahan Cagayan Valley (Region 2):**. The Kalahan farming community plant so many different varieties of Camote (over 150 are in their local gene bank). The plant also serves as an old biological soil conservation agent and soil conditioner. Camote is also part of an improved fallow systems. The system is able to reduce the fallow period from 15 to 7 years, thereby doubling the agricultural land in the community at any one time (Reference: Kalahan Foundation).

The **Globally Important Agriculture Heritage Systems** or GIAHs is a registry of unique traditional agricultural systems with unique food production, biodiversity enhancing and unique sociological features. I had the chance to help document four systems (Mongolia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and the Philippines (pls see succeeding related country stories).

The **Cordillera Agricultural Resources Management Project** of CHARM tried to model the way for a” fusion “between traditional and modern farming systems. Farm leaders above express concern on sustainability of project benefits, eventually would depend on more progressive, Agricultural policy reforms that is more sensitive to the needs of the socio ecological needs of the highland region. We were involved in reviewing the progress of its agroforestry component.

Mentors and Co-travelers

In my book the unforgettable characters here are peers Prof. Tess Borromeo and Prof. Nestor Altoveros both of UPLB. They unselfishly explained the why’s and how’s of agrobiodiversity and what’s in it for us… Colleagues Neneng Andres, Nelsoon Devanadera, Brenda Saquing, Larry Digal, Beki Tenafrancia and Jane Ramos Rodel Carating and colleagues at DA, DENR NCIP and NCCA, and LGU friends of Hungduan Hingyon and Lake Sebu were instrumental.

I cannot forget Pastor Rice was part of the pioneers in the 70s /80s in upland agriculture. Speaking in fluent kalahan language he helped guide the Kalahan community gain tenure and launch enterprises that anchored on forest and agrobiodiversity
Marlon Martin and his team of the Save Ifugao Terraces movement or SITMO are showing the way how dynamic conservation can be achieved as modelled in Kiangnan, Ifugao.

DA Dir Ron Odsey was the former DA Regional Director who presided the CHARM project. He had many progressive ideas on how the governments agricultural program could be reformed to be truly cordilleran in approach!

Personal Insights

While I like Tinola (native chicken), my grandchild and her friends would prefer fast food chicken. What does it mean for her nutrition, health down the road? What are its effects on, farmers income and the environment?
At the end of the day, it is about the kind of food in your dinner table. Does it have important diversity for taste and nutrition? is it safe? Did its production give farmers better income? And did the production system affect the environment?
As modern Agriculture showed its weakness (low resiliency, high environmental footprint) traditional farming systems are being given a second look. Today, in the era of climate change most traditional systems particularly in upland areas, are being studied for their high agrobiodiversity and cultural underpinnings and features that enhance resiliency.
But there is general fear in the DA about promoting them as “backward systems”, going against the goal of agricultural modernization. In reality, NIAHS is not about fossilizing the past but about investing in the future! (Especially; under climate change).
The true and multiple value of traditional farming systems must be better recognized! This is aside from their role as sanctuaries of genetic codes for breeding. The agrobiodiversity rich upland farming systems also protect wildlife and watersheds too. They are part of the integrated food systems of upland communities / indigenous people who in turn can help protect our forests.
Establishing a network of mostly upland NIAHS sites is crucial and support for their dynamic conservation is vital. They can be part of the overall part of the agricultural landscape, co-existing with the modernization of the lowland agriculture system.

2.1 A new look at “backward” traditional (heritage) farms can be the key to our survival

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