Why Agroforestry is Important in the Philippines

April 13, 2024 by Lauro Braganza

Agroforestry offers a sustainable solution to restore and preserve the country’s environment while providing economic opportunities for local communities. In this blog post, we’ll explore why agroforestry is essential in the Philippines, how it can create jobs and livelihoods, mitigate climate change effects like floods, and highlight ten native trees perfect for planting in your backyard.

The Philippines is known for its lush forests and diverse wildlife, but over the years, deforestation has taken a toll on these natural resources. So get ready to discover how agroforestry can contribute to sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation in the beautiful Philippines archipelago!

The role of agroforestry in forest restoration

Agroforestry plays a crucial role in forest restoration. As we all know, forests are an essential part of our environment. They help maintain the balance of nature by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Unfortunately, deforestation has led to many negative consequences, such as soil erosion, flooding, and biodiversity loss.

However, agroforestry differs from traditional agriculture because it involves planting trees with crops or animals on the same farm. This method helps restore degraded lands by providing shade for new tree seedlings and creating wildlife habitats.

Moreover, agroforestry allows farmers to grow multiple crops on one piece of land instead of relying solely on monoculture farming methods that strip nutrients from the soil and require extensive fertilizers and pesticides.

By promoting agroforestry practices among farmers in the Philippines, we can help restore forests lost to human activities while also improving local livelihoods through sustainable agriculture practices that benefit both people and the planet.

How agroforestry can create local jobs and livelihood

Agroforestry has the potential to create local jobs and livelihoods in many ways. By integrating trees into farms, agroforestry can diversify agricultural products and provide additional sources of income for farmers. For example, fruit trees can be grown alongside crops, providing an additional source of revenue from selling fruits.

In addition, agroforestry practices require more labor than traditional monoculture farming methods. This increased demand for labor means more job opportunities are available in rural areas where poverty rates tend to be higher. Furthermore, by incorporating sustainable agriculture practices such as composting and intercropping, farmers can reduce their reliance on costly inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, further increasing profits.

Agroforestry also creates opportunities beyond just farming itself. It opens up new markets for non-timber forest products like medicinal plants and honey, which can be harvested sustainably without damaging the ecosystem. These products not only provide additional sources of income but also help protect the natural environment.

Agroforestry is a promising solution for improving livelihoods in rural areas across the Philippines. It can generate employment opportunities while promoting sustainable agriculture practices and environmental conservation efforts.

The role of agroforestry in climate change flood control

Agroforestry benefits communities by providing economic opportunities and restoring degraded forests. It also plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change impacts, particularly flood control. Deforestation and land use changes are major contributing factors to the increasing frequency of flooding incidents worldwide. This has been evident in the Philippines recently, with numerous cases reported across different regions.

Agroforestry systems can improve soil structure and fertility while reducing erosion by integrating trees into agricultural landscapes. Trees have extensive root structures that hold water and absorb rainfall runoff before it reaches streams and rivers, thereby minimizing flood risks downstream. Additionally, tree canopies intercept raindrops, reducing soil compaction.

Agroforestry systems also play an important role by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, reducing greenhouse gases responsible for climate change effects, including floods due to extreme weather events such as typhoons.

Agroforestry effectively addresses climate change challenges like flooding since it combines sustainable agriculture practices with environmental conservation goals. Through its holistic approach to food production combined with ecological restoration efforts aimed at improving ecosystem services like water retention capacity, among others, agroforestry is proving itself valuable to farmers and policymakers alike because of its multiple benefits beyond just food production or timbering.

Ten native trees to plant in the Philippines

The Philippines is home to a diverse range of native trees, each with its unique benefits and characteristics. Here are 10 native trees that are perfect for planting in agroforestry systems:

1. Narra (Pterocarpus indicus) – prized for its rugged, durable wood and beautiful yellow flowers.

2. Yakal (Shorea astylosa) is known for its strong timber resistance to decay.

3. Molave (Vitex parviflora) – highly valued for its durability and resistance to pests.

4. Bagtikan (Parashorea malaanonan) – produces high-quality timber used in construction.

5. Kamagong (Diospyros blancoi) – prized for its dense, dark wood commonly used in furniture-making.

6. Apitong (Dipterocarpus grandiflorus) – has robust and durable wood resistant to rotting and termites.

7. Lauan or Philippine Mahogany (Shorea spp.)- popular choice among homeowners as it provides shade while adding aesthetic value

8. Tanguile or Red Lauan( Shorea polysperma)- similar properties with lauan but reddish brown color, making it a great alternative

9. Moluccan Sau (Alstonia scholaris)- this tree purifies the air from pollutants due to having large leaves

10. Niyog-Niyogan (Ipomea pentaphylla)-primarily grown in upland environments, which helps prevent soil erosion while providing a food source through its fruits.

These trees provide valuable resources like timber and fruit, but they also help support local ecosystems by providing habitat for wildlife and improving soil health through nutrient-cycling practices.

The profitability and sustainability of agroforestry

Agroforestry is a sustainable and profitable agricultural system that is gaining traction in the Philippines. By combining trees with crops and livestock, agroforestry can benefit farmers and promote environmental conservation.

One of agroforestry’s main advantages is its ability to increase crop yields and improve soil health. Trees planted between crops can help protect them from strong winds, heavy rainfalls, and extreme temperatures. They can also attract beneficial insects like pollinators that aid in fertilization.

Moreover, many tree species used in agroforestry have high market values, such as coffee, cacao, coconut, mangoes, and bananas. This means that farmers who practice agroforestry can earn more income than those who do monoculture farming. Additionally, by planting different types of trees together with crops or livestock on their land, farmers reduce risk because they rely less heavily on one crop alone, which could be damaged by pest infestations or natural calamities.

Furthermore, investing in agroforestry helps create long-term sustainability for smallholder farmers and the environment since it promotes biodiversity preservation through reforesting degraded lands, thereby providing wildlife habitat protection and protecting water sources essential for local communities.

In conclusion, Agroecology practices like Agroforestry provide a balanced approach toward food security without sacrificing ecological balance or human health concerns over time.

Conclusion

Agroforestry is a sustainable agricultural practice essential in environmental conservation and forest restoration. It creates local jobs and livelihood opportunities while contributing to climate change adaptation and flood control.

The Philippines, with its rich biodiversity of native trees, has the potential to implement agroforestry practices successfully. By planting these native trees, we can restore degraded lands while providing alternative sources of income for communities that rely on agriculture.

Agroforestry benefits the environment and farmers economically. Combining crops and trees increases soil fertility and crop yield, increasing profits in the long run.

Promoting agroforestry in the Philippines should be a priority as it presents a win-win solution for both people and nature. By doing our part in supporting this sustainable agricultural practice, we are ensuring a brighter future not just for ourselves but also for generations to come.