1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Department of Agriculture-Region VIII (DA-8) - Philippines

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Benguet State University (Benguet State University) - Philippines

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Vegetable terracing is a technology practiced at which point terraces are established from the contours along mountain slope for crop production.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

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.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The technology was inherited from ancestors who started it during 1960's.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Comments:

Major cash crop: cabbage, carrot, potato

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): low productivity, intensive land cultivation

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Soil erosion, decreased soil fertility and excessive chemical inputs

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Cropland: Ca: Annual cropping

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)

Comments:

Forests / woodlands: Fn: Natural

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures, structural measures

Type of agronomic measures: contour planting / strip cropping

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content

Main causes of degradation: soil management (Excessive chemical inputs)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• reduce land degradation

Comments:

Main goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Establishment of terraces

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% 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

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 6 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Land Preparation
2.	Application of chicken manure
3.	Planting
4.	Side raising including application of fertilizer
5.	Weeding
6.	Spraying of insecticide
7.	Harvesting

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Land preparation	Persons/day	30.0	3.3333333	100.0	100.0
Labour	Planting	Persons/day	15.0	3.333333	50.0	100.0
Labour	Applying Fertilizer and sprying insecticide	Persons/day	31.0	3.333333	103.33	100.0
Labour	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
Fertilizers and biocides	Fertilizer	bags	7.0	26.66714	186.67	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	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

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zone: 2375 m a.s.l.

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility low: Needs high fertilizer input

Soil drainage / infiltration: Medium

Soil water storage capacity: Medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Availability of surface water: from river pumped in the farm through gravity

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 1% - 2%; 2%

60% of the land users are average wealthy and own 60% of the land.

Market orientation of production system: Products were delivered to the La Trinidad trading post

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	not well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	not well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

NA

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 91-100%

Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Source of livelihood for the land users in the mountainous area. How can they be sustained / enhanced? It should be balanced by relevant environmental protective measures and alternative farming systems such as agroforestry.
Minimize soil erosion How can they be sustained / enhanced? Construction of Small Water Impounding System (SWIS) and proper drainage canal.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Vegetation is partially removed for vegetable production.	Protection of remaining areas through regulations and implementations of related policies.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information