Technologies

Pressing of Cogon Grass (Imperata cylindrica) [Philippines]

technologies_1729 - Philippines

Completeness: 73%

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:

Padilla Alberto

Danao Municipality, Local Government Unit

Philippines

SLM specialist:

Dacumos Evangeline

Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Soils and Water Management

Philippines

SLM specialist:

Espanto Patrick Benson

Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Soils and Water Management

Philippines

SLM specialist:

Dinamling Djolly Ma

Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Soils and Water Management

Philippines

SLM specialist:

Castillo Forester Emma

Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Forest Management Bureau

Philippines

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Danao Municipality - 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)
Forest Management Bureau (Forest Management Bureau) - 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

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

An indigenous technology of enhancing wildling growth by pressing of cogon grass.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Cogon pressing is a simple low-cost technique of deterring the rapid growth of grasses that serve as competitors of wildlings for nutrient, water and light in the natural forest. The technology is described as the pressing down of cogon grass using a wooden plank tied in a rope, manually-operated by foot of the land user. Instead of cutting or burning the cogon, this technology is being used by the land user it was proven to be more effective in controlling cogon grass to grow fast. Wildlings are seedlings derived from seeds scattered by birds, insects, animals and wind without human intervention. By pressing the cogon, the wildlings can grow faster in the natural forest.

Purpose of the Technology: Cogon grass is a weed which grows quickly. It is difficult to control due to its small seeds carried by wind and rhizomes that are very resilient even to low soil fertility and harsh environment. In regenerating wildlings in the natural forest, these invasive weeds are the main competitor for nutrients water and space. The land user's common practice is to cut or burn the cogon grass in order to plant trees. However, this cannot be done in a natural forest because it destroys the flora and fauna. Thus, the indigenous technology of pressing the cogon grass was adapted to nurture wildlings of indigenous tree species. It allows the wildlings to grow naturally by reducing the competition from weedy species. It also provides an alternative technique of controlling weeds/grasses without burning. Burning grasses release greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Prior to the pressing of cogon grass, the selection of wildlings for natural regeneration is done by marking it with a peg. The wildling must be a robust/healthy indigenous tree species. Ring weeding is done at least one half meter radius around the wildling. Then, the surrounding cogon grass are suppressed through a method called “ pressing” or “lodging” using a wooden plank approximately 1” x 6-12” x 3-4’. A rope is knotted on both ends of the plank and looped over the shoulder of the land user for support and ease the pressing operation. The length of the rope is adjusted according to the height of the land user. The land user holds the rope on both side to lift the plank, and then, stepping on it to press the cogon grass repeatedly. The activity is done before and after the onset of rainy season. It is best to practice the technology when the stems of the cogon grass are still soft. The pressed cogon will last up to six months before it will produce new shoot and regenerate again.

Natural / human environment: The area is part of the forest reserve in Danao, Bohol primarily intended for nature conservation and protection. It is about 100-500 m.a.s.l with moderately rolling to hilly slopes. It is under humid tropics climate with an average annual rainfall of 1500-2000 mm per year. The soil is loam, shallow depth, low fertility, with good drainage and medium water storage capacity. The area has high biodiversity as indicated by the presence of different indigenous trees and plants species, and wild birds. The land users who apply the technology are small holder farmers. They are members of a local cooperative. The population density is about 10-50 persons per sq. km. Since extraction of resources from the forest is prohibited, off-farm income is very important to the land users. Access to basic services and infrastructures are low.

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. San Miguel

Further specification of location:

Danao, Bohol

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, specify area covered (in km2):

0.2

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 0.1-1 km2
Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.2 km2.

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 introduced through the Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) Project.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

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

Forest/ woodlands

Forest/ woodlands

  • Deforested land
Products and services:
  • Nature conservation/ protection
  • Protection against natural hazards
  • Increase in biodiversity
Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Competition with speedy species and recurring disturbances such as fire

Other type of forest: Deforested land

Forest products and services: nature conservation / protection, protection against natural hazards

Other forest products and services: increase biodiversity

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • natural and semi-natural forest management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V5: Others
Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures

Specification of other vegetative measures: Suppressing of cogon grasses

Type of vegetative measures: scattered / dispersed

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

biological degradation

biological degradation

  • Bh: loss of habitats
  • Bf: detrimental effects of fires
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Bh: loss of habitats

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Bf: detrimental effects of fires

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), other human induced causes (specify) (fire)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation
Comments:

Main goals: prevention of land degradation

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Pressing grass with the use of wooden board

Location: Brgy. San Miguel. Danao, Bohol

Date: June 10, 2015

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate (Hands-on training for land users, they should learn the craft of pressing)

Main technical functions: control of fires

Secondary technical functions: stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides)

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs

Trees/ shrubs species: dipterocarps and indigenous species, naturally regenarated

Author:

Mr. Patricio A. Yambot, Bureau of Soils and Water Management

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

peso

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

45.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

4.44

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Identification of wildlings (2 feet high)
2. ring weeding
3. pressing of cogon away from wildlings 3 times/year
4. Application of fertilizer

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 Labour ha 1.0 24.44 24.44 100.0
Construction material Wood ha 1.0 2.22 2.22 100.0
Construction material Rope ha 1.0 1.78 1.78 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 28.44
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 0.63
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 3 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Pressing of Cogon every other month

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 Labour ha 1.0 26.68 26.68 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 26.68
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 0.59

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: 101-500 m a.s.l. (220m)

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):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)
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 water storage capacity is: Medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

Availability of surface water:

medium

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • high

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
Off-farm income:
  • > 50% of all income
Individuals or groups:
  • employee (company, government)
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users
Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 1% - 2%; 1%
Off-farm income specification: Since extraction of resources from the forest is prohibited, off- farm income is very important to the land users.
Market orientation of production system: Forest conservation. Green braks are planted with cash crops as immediate source of food for subistence.

5.7 Average area of land used 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)?
  • medium-scale

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

Land ownership:
  • state
Land 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

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

risk of production failure

increased
decreased
Income and costs

workload

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

conflict mitigation

worsened
improved

Improved livelihoods and human well-being

no
yes
Comments/ specify:

yes little, it generated jobs

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

surface runoff

increased
decreased

evaporation

increased
decreased
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil cover

reduced
improved

nutrient cycling/ recharge

decreased
increased

soil organic matter/ below ground C

decreased
increased
Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

biomass/ above ground C

decreased
increased

plant diversity

decreased
increased

beneficial species

decreased
increased

habitat diversity

decreased
increased
Climate and disaster risk reduction

emission of carbon and greenhouse gases

increased
decreased

fire risk

increased
decreased
Other ecological impacts

Regeneration of indigenous species

decreased
increased

Adaption to climate change

decreased
increased

Accidents/injuries induced by humans

decreased
increased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

damage on neighbours' fields

increased
reduced

damage on public/ private infrastructure

increased
reduced

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 increase or decrease 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 not known
local windstorm not known
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought not known
Hydrological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood not known

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences
How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period not known

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

Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) provided financial and technical support for the implementation of the technology. The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bohol provided additional labor force for the maintenance.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Low cost technology

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Re-use and proper safe keeping of material.
Limits height of fire

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Frequent regular conduct of "pressing" activity

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?
Labor may cause some injury to workers Extra care in conducting pressing activity particularly in steep areas
Increased dry matter susceptible to forest fire Maintenance of fire lines
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Labor intensive Thorough "pressing" of cogon grass to deter growth

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

Links and modules

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