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

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1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

15/06/2001

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

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Cultivating a mixture of crops with different heights (multi-storey) and growth characteristics which together optimise the use of soil, moisture and space.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Under the maramihang pagtatanim multi-storey cropping system, perennial crops (coconut, banana, coffee, papaya, pineapple) and annuals/biennials (root crops: taro, yam, sweet potato etc) are interplanted to maximise productivity and income. This is most applicable where farms are small and the system needs to be intensive. In this particular area, Cavite, coconuts are usually planted first. When they reach a height of 4.5 meters (after 3-4 years), bananas, coffee and/or papaya are planted underneath. Black pepper may also be part of the system. After sufficient space has developed at ground level in about three to four years, root crops are planted. At full establishment, the system develops different layers: coconut (tallest) followed by banana, coffee, papaya (middle), root crops and pineapple (lowest). In recent years, because of its relatively low productivity and decreasing price, coconut has tended to be replaced in the system with higher value crops like the fruit tree santol (Sandoricum koetjape), papaya and sometimes black pepper. However most multi-storey farms adhere to no specific planting layout. The multi-storey agroforestry system is intended to make the best use of resources (soil, moisture and space) for increased farm income. It is also very effective against soil erosion. Previously, continuous monocropping of annual crops resulted in erosion and serious soil fertility decline. Even though the land is sloping and rainfall during the monsoon is extremely intensive, multi-storey cropping provides adequate soil cover throughout the year, protecting the land from erosion.

Fertilization, weeding and pruning are necessary elements of maintenance. ‘Natural’ mulching through fallen leaves from leguminous trees helps restore and maintain soil fertility The system is applied in a volcanic-derived soil with distinct wet and dry periods (6 months wet season, 6 months dry season). There is the risk of a destructive typhoon every 10 years. Farm income is relatively high, but labour and input costs are also high - and the technology is mostly used by relatively wealthy landowners. There is strong spontaneous adoption, as maramihang pagtatanim has been proven to be effective and remunerative. This technology has been practiced in Cavite since the 1970s. Implementation is by individual farmers with strong extension support from the Local Government Units (LGUs), NGOs and the Cavite State University.

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.):

It evolved in the area due to necessity.

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 land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Productivity decline, unstable prices of agricultural products and high costs of inputs are the main land use problems. Inputs also have to be increased to maintain the same yield level in annual cropping systems. There is a severe land use competition: a large proportion of the land is being converted to non-agricultural uses, especially residential and industrial areas because of the proximity to the rapidly expanding capital.
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Productivity decline and unfavourable prices of agricultural products. High costs of inputs.

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 240, Longest growing period from month to month: May - Jan; Second longest growing period in days: 210, Second longest growing period from month to month: May - Dec

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• agroforestry
• improved ground/ vegetation cover

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, indicate approximate area covered:

• 10-100 km2

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 40 m2.
Six adjacent municipalities are practicing multi-storey cropping as a system. This is meant to increase income particularly for small farmers.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Multi-storey cropping includes various species interplanted systematically to optimise use of resources: pineapple and other
root crops (lowest storey); rows of banana trees, coffee and papaya (middle storey); rows of coconut (highest storey). Note: in practice farmers adjust this layout to meet their needs.

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate
Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate
Main technical functions: control of raindrop splash, improvement of ground cover
Secondary technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, increase in organic matter

Mixed cropping / intercropping
Material/ species: coconut, papaya, coffee, banana, pineapple, black pepper, taro, yam...
Quantity/ density: 2500
Remarks: in rows random

Vegetative measure: tree/shrub cover (multi-storey, aligned)
Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs
Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs
Fruit trees / shrubs species: coconut, coffee, banana, pineapple, black pepper

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Peso

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

50.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	1. Planting of tallest storey (coconut).	Vegetative	early rainy season
2.	2. Planting of middle storey (coffee and banana).	Vegetative	early rainy season
3.	3. Planting of lowest storey (pineapple).	Vegetative	early rainy season
4.	4. Planting of lowest storey continued (root crops).	Vegetative	early 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	ha	1.0	150.0	150.0	100.0
Equipment	animal traction	ha	1.0	50.0	50.0	100.0
Equipment	tools	ha	1.0	40.0	40.0	100.0
Plant material	seedlings	ha	1.0	840.0	840.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	fertilizer	ha	1.0	160.0	160.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	biocides	ha	1.0	30.0	30.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	compost/manure	ha	1.0	120.0	120.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					1390.0

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 60 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	1. Pruning.	Agronomic
2.	3. Harvesting.	Agronomic
3.	2.Weeding	Agronomic
4.	4. Spraying.	Agronomic
5.	5. Fertilizing.	Agronomic

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	ha	1.0	300.0	300.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	fertilizer	ha	1.0	160.0	160.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	biocides	ha	1.0	30.0	30.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					490.0

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: animal draft wooden plough, machete, iron bar and spade, machetes, harrows, bolo.
Cost was calculated assuming a per hectare population of 100 coconuts, 400 coffee plants and 3,000 pineapples.
Maintenance activities entail more work than during the establishment phase. Note that the establishment phase usually lasts for 4-5 years, so the labour is spread, unlike during the maintenance phase when all of the components have to be attended to.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labor is the most crucial especially during land preparation and planting, maintenance and harvesting.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: > 500 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 2% - 3%
10% of the land users are very rich and own 40% of the land.
60% of the land users are rich and own 40% of the land.
20% of the land users are average wealthy and own 15% of the land.
10% of the land users are poor and own 5% of the land.
Off-farm income specification: remittances from employment of at least one member of the household. Trading is also important.

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased 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

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Other socio-economic impacts

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Other ecological impacts

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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

Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support
1000 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support
There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology. The technology has been proven to be very effective

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Generates high farm income
Failure of one crop component can be compensated by the other component

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The technology is flexible. It can be modified to suit market condition. Failure of one crop component can be compensated by other components (improved food security)
It maintains soil fertility through the recycling of nutrients
It is a very effective way of using and conserving water
Strong research and development: because of its importance in the economy, the technology has spawned various research activities

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?
High investment cost	Government to provide low interest production loans (seeds, fertilizers).
Highly fluctuating farm prices	Spread out production schedule. Target off-season harvesting of crop (eg pineapple).
Pest and diseases (eg papaya virus, which may have developed because it has been part of the system for a long time)	Intensified research and development.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Prone to typhoon damage	Establishment of windbreaks: Leguminous trees such as Acacias could provide wind protection for lower crops like papaya or coffee.
High labour requirement (eg weeding, harvesting).Weeding may be reduced for some components (eg coffee), but pineapple always requires difficult (due to its thorny leaves) and intensive weeding.	(1) Use labour-reducing techniques (eg mulching), (2) spread activities over the growing season.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Field Report: Multi-Storey Cropping System of Silang, Cavite, Philippines

Available from where? Costs?

Bureau of Soils and Water Management, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

Title, author, year, ISBN:

FAO and IIRR. Resource management for upland areas in Southeast Asia. FARM Field Document 2. 1995.

Available from where? Costs?

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Bangkok, Thailand and International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, Silang, Cavite, Philippines.