Studies on the Development of Tropical Agroforestry System Through Local People's Participation: The Case of Sitio Jordan, San Vicente, Sto. Tomas, Batangas, Philippines

This study aimed to develop an agroforestry technology through the participation of local people. The study was conducted in the Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR) of the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB). Diagnosis and Design (D&D) methodology was employed to plan and implement effective research and development projects. Diagnostic interview and direct field observation were conducted to identify the significance of the land-use system and to understand how the system works. As a result of the diagnostic interview and direct field observation in San Vicente, old coconut-based land-use system is shifting to mahogany-based agroforestry system. One of the reasons is due to the very complicated socio-economic and silvicultural factors including lower price of coconut farm products, industry development, lack of labor force, and pest and diseases. Change in land use brought about by the shifting to mahogany-based farming system is slow. Also, mahogany trees are observed to be not well-maintained. However, mahogany based land use system gives farmers' a bigger income as well as environmental benefit. Farmer's cooperation and local forestry policy for CDM were proposed to encourage people's self-restoration effort.