Terraces vegetable farm within a forest. (Engr. Djolly Ma. Dinamling (Bureau of Soils and Water Management))
Vegetables are mostly produced in the mountains of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). It is extensively practiced in the Municipalities of Atok, Buguias, Mankayan, Kibungan, Bakun, Kabayan in Benguet; Bauko in Mountain Province and Tinoc in Ifugao. Benguet is known as the "Salad Bowl of the Philippines" and major producer of temperate vegetables. This is mainly due to the climatic condition of the province which is suitable for vegetable production.Vegetable industry in Benguet is very vital in the country since it supplies 60-70% of the total sub-tropical vegetables in the Philippines. Major vegetable crops grown are potato, cabbage, chinese cabbage, carrots, chayote, beans, lettuce and broccoli. These are sold to traders, consolidators, wholesalers who transport the produce at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post or other local markets in the region.
Purpose of the Technology: Available arable lands are not expanding but the population is increasing. This situation contributes to the conversion of sloping areas to a suitable land for agricultural production,thus, the technology was developed. This had become an economic practicality to the land user as source of livelihood and income. Vegetable terracing is also a conservation measure to minimize soil degradation by varying the terrace type and plot orientation. Some follow the contour while other plots are parallel to the slopes.
Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Prior to terrace establishment, vegetation is partly removed. Residues are cleared for the establishment of the contour lines of the area. From the established contour lines, terraces will be graded and leveled depending on the slope of the area. Most of these activities are done manually. After the establishment of the terraces, land preparation is done followed by planting of the vegetables.
Natural / human environment: The area is under humid agro-climate condition with an average annual rainfall of approximately 1000-1500 mm per year. Its elevation ranges from 2000-2500 meter above sea level. Majority of the population is dependent on agricultural activities as their source of income and livelihood. The average farm size of the land users ranges from 0.5 to 1 hectare. Most of these lands are not owned by the farmers but have a tax declaration. These are owned by the government classified as forest reservations or watershed areas.
Location: Benguet, Atok and Buguias, Philippines
No. of Technology sites analysed:
Spread of the Technology: evenly spread over an area (approx. 0.1-1 km2)
In a permanently protected area?:
Date of implementation: more than 50 years ago (traditional)
Type of introduction
| Specify input | Unit | Quantity | Costs per Unit (USD) | Total costs per input (USD) | % of costs borne by land users |
| Labour | |||||
| Building terraces | Persons/day | 120.0 | 4.44166666 | 533.0 | 100.0 |
| Equipment | |||||
| tools | pieces | 2.0 | 6.666666 | 13.33 | 100.0 |
| Total costs for establishment of the Technology | 546.33 | ||||
| Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD | 546.33 | ||||
| Specify input | Unit | Quantity | Costs per Unit (USD) | Total costs per input (USD) | % of costs borne by land users |
| Labour | |||||
| Land preparation | Persons/day | 30.0 | 3.3333333 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| Planting | Persons/day | 15.0 | 3.333333 | 50.0 | 100.0 |
| Applying Fertilizer and sprying insecticide | Persons/day | 31.0 | 3.333333 | 103.33 | 100.0 |
| Weeding/Harvesting | Persons/day | 18.0 | 3.333333 | 60.0 | 100.0 |
| Plant material | |||||
| seeds | ha | 1.0 | 11.11 | 11.11 | 100.0 |
| Fertilizers and biocides | |||||
| Inseciticides | litres | 2.5 | 13.156 | 32.89 | 100.0 |
| Fertilizer | bags | 7.0 | 26.66714 | 186.67 | 100.0 |
| Chicken manure | bags | 15.0 | 5.5553333 | 83.33 | 100.0 |
| Total costs for maintenance of the Technology | 627.33 | ||||
| Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD | 627.33 | ||||
Natural vegetation such as forest is partially reduced for vegetable production
