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)

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:

Yes

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

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

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

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

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

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 is: Medium
Soil water storage capacity is: Medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

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%; 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

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

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

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Other ecological impacts

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)

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)?

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 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

7.1 Methods/ sources of information