Technologies

Seed Production of Multipurpose Shrubs/Legumes [Philippines]

technologies_1701 - Philippines

Completeness: 80%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:

Dinamling Djolly Ma.

Bureau of Soils and Water Management

Visayas Avenue, Vasra, Quezon City, Philippines

Philippines

SLM specialist:

Gregorio Elizabeth

Department of Agriculture-STIARC, RFO IVA

RMIC Bldg., BPI Compound Visayas Ave Quezon City

Philippines

SLM specialist:

Luistro Aida

Department of Agriculture-STIARC, RFO IVA

RMIC Bldg., BPI Compound Visayas Ave Quezon City

Philippines

SLM specialist:

Gutierrez Albert

LGU of La Libertad

Negros Orienta

Philippines

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Bureau of Soils and Water Management (Bureau of Soils and Water Management) - Philippines
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural Research Center (STIARC) - Philippines
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
LGU of La Libertad - Philippines

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

27/05/2015

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

Ja

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches

Conservation Farming Village
approaches

Conservation Farming Village [Philippines]

A modality in mobilizing resources for sustainable upland development which utilizes a basket of strategies, technologies, and interventions to catalyze the widespread transformation of traditional upland farming systems into resilient and sustainable upland production systems.

  • Compiler: Philippine Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Seed production of multipurpose shrubs and legumes, a soil conservation practice in sloping areas wherein flemingia (Flemingia macrophylla) and Indigofera (Indigofera tinctoria) are densely planted along contours.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Seed production of multipurpose shrubs/legumes is introduced through the Conservation Farming Village (CFV) project in Barangay Elecia, La Libertad, Negros Oriental. Flemingia and Indigofera in particular are drilled along contour lines and maintained until seeds are matured enough for harvesting. Flemengia is a leguminous perennial, deep rooting and leafy shrub with plant height ranging from 0.5 -2.5 m. Indigofera is also a perennial shrub with height of 0.4-1.3 m. The leaves and other plant parts of these shrubs are used as mulch, green manure, feeds for livestock while hard portions and branches are used as firewood. It is regarded as high drought resistant, staying green even during dry periods of 3-4 months. Seeds produced are sold to the local government of La Libertad for the CFV project expansion.

Purpose of the Technology: Seed production of forage legumes like Flemingia and Indigofera is practiced by farmers primarily to enrich the soil and supplement the seed requirement of expansion areas of the CFV project in the municipality. The technology improves ground cover and traps dispersed or concentrated run-off in sloping areas.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: In a hectare, contour establishment using an A-frame requires eight person-days while land preparation (i.e plowing and furrowing) requires at least 30 person-animal-days. Flemingia and Indigofera seeds are drilled along contours at rate of 24kg/ha and 8kg/ha, respectively. Weeding and hilling-up are done in 30 person-animal-day.
Harvesting of pods starts during the months of February, May and October. Meanwhile, Indigofera produces seeds three months after flowering which starts a year from planting. Matured pods are harvested twice a year by hand-picking then sun-dried for at least two days. Seeds are removed from pods manually.

Natural / human environment: The area is under a humid climate condition with an average annual rainfall of 1000-1500 mm per year and elevation ranging from 500-1000 m above sea level. Flemengia and Indigofera are grown by small scale farmers with a cropland size of 0.5-1 ha. Water supply for crop development mainly relies on the occurrence of rain. The area has a low access to services and infrastructure such as education, market, road and transport.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

Country:

Philippines

Region/ State/ Province:

Brgy. Elecia, La Libertad

Further specification of location:

Negros Oriental

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
  • less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through projects/ external interventions

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • conserve ecosystem
  • create beneficial economic impact

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Tree and shrub cropping
Main crops (cash and food crops):

Other crops: Flemengia and Idigofera

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Land degradation, soil erosion, poor soil fertility condition

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Problem of flooding, soil erosion, lack of vegetation to control erosion

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Cropland: Ct: Tree and shrub cropping

If land use has changed due to the implementation of the Technology, indicate land use before implementation of the Technology:

Forests / woodlands: Fn: Natural

3.3 Further information about land use

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

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • improved ground/ vegetation cover
  • increased income through selling of seeds

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 13.75 m2.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V1: Tree and shrub cover
Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
biological degradation

biological degradation

  • Bc: reduction of vegetation cover
Comments:

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

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (removal of trees), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (slash and burn practice)

Secondary causes of degradation: change in temperature (temperature increase), change of seasonal rainfall (unpredictable seasonal rainfall), droughts (experienced on the month of February), education, access to knowledge and support services (limited access to learning facilities and information)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land
Comments:

Main goals: rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Author:

Patricio A. Yambot, Bureau Of Soils and Water Management

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Flemingia stand at the top portion of Herminigilda Cabasag's farm.

Location: Brgy. Elecia,. La Libertad, Negros Oriental

Date: May 28, 2015

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, improvement of ground cover, promotion of vegetation species and varieties (quality, eg palatable fodder)

Secondary technical functions: reduction of slope angle, reduction of slope length, increase of surface roughness, increase in organic matter, reduction in wind speed

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 6 kilogram
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.5m
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 2m
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): drill
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.3048

Trees/ shrubs species: Flemengia and Indigofera

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
  • per Technology area
Indicate size and area unit:

1 hectare

Specify currency used for cost calculations:
  • US Dollars
Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

45.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

2.78

4.4 Establishment activities

Activity Type of measure Timing
1. Land Preparation:PlowingHarrowing and Furrowing Vegetative Before onset of rainy season
2. Establishment of contour lines/ laying out Vegetative Before onset of rainy season

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Labour 0.25ha 1.0 49.44 49.44 100.0
Equipment Bamboo sticks 50 pegs 1.0 2.22 2.22 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 51.66

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Type of measure Timing/ frequency
1. Weeding/ Hilling-up Vegetative Rainy Season
2. Harvesting Vegetative Five times per year
3. Sun Drying Vegetative
4. Manual Threshing Vegetative
5. Harvesting of Flemengia and Indigofera Vegetative

4.7 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 Labour 0.25ha 1.0 43.1 43.1 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 43.1

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Agro-climatic zone
  • humid

Thermal climate class: tropics

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zone: 501-1000m a.s.l. (552 meters)

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • fine/ heavy (clay)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • high (>3%)
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 is medium
Soil drainage / infiltration is medium
Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

< 5 m

Availability of surface water:

good

Water quality (untreated):

good drinking water

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • medium
Habitat diversity:
  • medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • commercial/ market
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • animal traction
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

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

Population density: < 10 persons/km2

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

60% of the land users are average wealthy and own 60% of the land.
40% of the land users are poor and own 40% of the land.
Level of mechanization: Manual work and animal traction (carabao)
Market orientation: Commercial/market (for Local Governmnet Unit expansion projects)

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • small-scale

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

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

product diversity

decreased
increased
Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased

diversity of income sources

decreased
increased

Socio-cultural impacts

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

Improved livelihoods and human well-being

decreased
increased

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

harvesting/ collection of water

reduced
improved
Soil

soil cover

reduced
improved

soil loss

increased
decreased

nutrient cycling/ recharge

decreased
increased

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

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change
Season Type of climatic change/ extreme How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature increase not well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm well
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought not well
Comments:

Mitigating measure is recommended such as drip irrigation if it is for commercial seed production.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

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

10 land user families/households

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 50-90%
Comments:

63% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

10 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: External support in terms of seed subsidy and trainings provided for the land user.

37% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

6 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Other neighboring villages are adopting the technology to supplement the production of forage seeds used as hedgerows in the municipality.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Increased and diversified income of the land users to support their families and send their children to school.
Strong LGU support through provision of trainings on vermi composting, nursery establishment, farm planning, forestry, vegetable production, determining soil erosion and rapid composting.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Establishment of training centers for farmers and agricultural technician of the LGU for knowledge sharing.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Multipurpose shrubs/legumes planted along contour control soil erosion, increased soil fertility and serve as wind break.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Continuous practice and support from the local government.
Available market for the seeds. Flemingia and Indigofera seeds are sold to the Local Government Unit of La Libertad at 250 pesos (5.56 dollar) per kilogram to be used in other CFV barangay as hedgerows.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Improvement of the packaging of the forage seeds to increase its viability and marketability outside the municipality.

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
Prone to pod-popping when seeds are over matured resulting in low seed harvest To harvest on time
Lack of post-harvest facility on the seed storage area Provision of storage facility to maintain seed viability and prolong seed shelf life.
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Low seed production during long dry season or drought Provision of irrigation system

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys
  • interviews with land users

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