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

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

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:

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:

Terraces supporting rainfed paddy rice on steep mountain slopes: these have been in existence for more than a thousand years.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Terraced paddy rice on steep mountain slopes is the main method of rice cultivation in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) of the Philippines. This is a traditional technology: most of the terraces are at least a thousand years old. The terraces were constructed manually on steep hill slopes (30-60%) with small portions located in narrow valley bottoms. Farmers generally own one hectare or less of terraced land, and cultivation is intensive. The terraces (‘paddies’) curve along the contour, and are narrow, ranging from one to five meters in width, depending on the slope. The height of the riser is between one and two meters. Water supply for the rice crop depends on rainfall, and only one rice crop is grown per year.
The terraces impound rainwater - average rainfall is around 2,000 mm - and thus prevent soil erosion. Soil fertility is largely maintained because the impounded water and a zero rate of erosion preserve organic matter levels. Some nutrient loss occurs however with each harvest. The terraces are multi-functional: in addition to their agricultural use, they assist in environmental protection through flood mitigation, and they contribute to biodiversity. Furthermore they have become a tourist attraction.
Land preparation is mainly manual. Farmers puddle the soil with their bare feet. Excess water is drained to the terrace below by a small opening in the lip on top of the riser. Maintenance consists basically of repairing breached bunds/risers. Every planting season, a few centimetres of soil is added. To strengthen the bunds, some farmers plant grasses, which may be cut and carried for animal fodder: napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is an example. It is important not to disturb the soil of the bund, as this may encourage breaching.
The area where the technology is practiced is mostly between 2,000 and 2,500 m. Because of the cool climate caused by the high elevation, crop maturity takes longer than in the lowlands. In some cases, vegetables such as cabbages and sweet potatoes are grown after the rice is harvested. The farmers, indigenous to the area, have a distinct culture that is different to lowland rice farmers. Rituals connected with farming are widely practiced. There is an added economic benefit from tourism, as people from all over the Philippines - and beyond - travel there for the spectacular views and mild climate.

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:

Cordillera Region

Further specification of location:

Cordillera Region

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):

15000.0

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• > 10,000 km2

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 15000 km2.
The above provinces are basically dependent on terraced paddy rice. Most of it are rainfed with some areas under irrigation

Map

×

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.):

Devised by the land users themselves due to extreme necessity

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem

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

Cropland

• Annual cropping

• rice

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 240

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): The terraces allow crop cultivation in an area characterised by steep slopes and high rainfall. However, farming in this marginal areas is labour intensive, mechanisation is not an option on the narrow paddies, and even animal traction is rarely possible due to the steepness of the terrain and the high terrace risers. Non-terraced hill slopes are prone to very high runoff and soil erosion, production is zero.
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): High runoff and soil erosion, zero productivity.

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

vegetative measures

• V2: Grasses and perennial herbaceous plants

structural measures

• S1: Terraces

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

chemical soil deterioration

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

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

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Layout of rainfed paddy rice terraces. The level terraces allow cultivation of paddy rice (right) on steep slopes. In some places the terrace risers are as tall as the beds are wide.

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate
Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate
Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, increase / maintain water stored in soil
Secondary technical functions: reduction of slope angle, reduction of slope length, indirect maintenance of fertility

Vegetative measure: grass on bunds/risers (supp.)
Structural measure: level bench terrace

Author:

Mats Gurtner

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 12 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

Comments:

The costs of establishment are estimates - as new terrace construction no longer takes place. The land has already been terraced for centuries. The 800 person days are for land levelling and bund construction, which comprises the main activity. The calculation was based on a land slope of 30-60%. The maintenance figure assumes regular light maintenance - and does not include major repairs to bunds.

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:

Off-farm income specification: carpentry, trading, labour for neighbouring farms, overseas employment, transport services, activities associated with tourism

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

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

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

There is no trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology. The technology is widely accepted. As the terraces were constructed hundreds of years ago and construction of new terraces is no longer done the question of ‘adoption’ is not relevant.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

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

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Breemen van N, Oldeman LR, Plantinga WJ and Wielemaker WG (1970) The Ifugao Rice Terraces. In: Miscellaneous papers (7) 1970,eds. N van Breemen et al Landbouwhogeschool, Wageningen, The Netherlands.