DINALUPIHAN, Bataan – The Department of Agriculture on Friday launched the soil conservation guided farm in a mountain village here as “show window” for soil and water technologies in a bid to create awareness on the continuing degradation of natural resources in the country.
Joel Rudinas, undersecretary for field operations of DA, said that the guided farms or slopping technology provides upland farmers the best farming practices without hastening land degradation.
He said that two thirds of the total land area in the country or about 20 million hectares are uplands or slopping lands.
Rudinas also said that eight million hectares of these lands can be used for agriculture but there is a need for a management technique.
He voiced his concern that with the shortage of agricultural lands in the lowland, more farmers are going to the uplands.
“Ang nakakatakot galing sila sa lowland na dala-dala ang teknolohiya na hindi angkop sa ecosystem o environment sa upland kaya ang nangyayari nagkakaroon ng maraming problema tulad ng low productivity at environmental disasters gaya ng landslides, excess water run off at pagkasira ng lupain na nararanasan na natin dahil sa maling paggamit ng uplands for agriculture,” Rudinas said.
He also said that land degradation has become a serious problem not only in the Philippines but in many countries that have land and water conflicts because of the threat of climate change.
Rudinas added that the common source of water for agriculture and power is water run offs from the uplands brought by the rains that has to be preserved and protected.
DA Region 3 Executive Director Redentor Gatus, Bureau of Soils and Water Management Director Silvino Tejada, Provincial Agriculturist Imelda Inieto, Rudinas and students of the Bataan Peninsula State University planted seedlings of trees during the launching of soil conservation guided farm in barangay Payangan.
They were assisted by 47 members of the Payangan Indigenous Farmers Cooperative in planting tree seedlings in the 3.2 hectare-slopping land. Inieto said the area will serve as a “show window” for the project but will be increased to more than 42 hectares.
Aside from forest trees, also presently planted in the Payangan project are bananas, pineapple and root crops like sweet potato. Grasses, branches of trees are piled like dikes along rows of pineapples to serve as water barrier.
Meanwhile, Mayor Joel Payumo lauded the project in barangay Payangan that used to be inhabited by Aetas. But now, it has become home to many lowlanders mostly from the Bicol region. Dinalupihan is the only land-locked town in Bataan,
Rep. Herminia Roman of Bataan’s First District urged every one to help in protecting the environment.
Joel Rudinas, undersecretary for field operations of DA, said that the guided farms or slopping technology provides upland farmers the best farming practices without hastening land degradation.
He said that two thirds of the total land area in the country or about 20 million hectares are uplands or slopping lands.
Rudinas also said that eight million hectares of these lands can be used for agriculture but there is a need for a management technique.
He voiced his concern that with the shortage of agricultural lands in the lowland, more farmers are going to the uplands.
“Ang nakakatakot galing sila sa lowland na dala-dala ang teknolohiya na hindi angkop sa ecosystem o environment sa upland kaya ang nangyayari nagkakaroon ng maraming problema tulad ng low productivity at environmental disasters gaya ng landslides, excess water run off at pagkasira ng lupain na nararanasan na natin dahil sa maling paggamit ng uplands for agriculture,” Rudinas said.
He also said that land degradation has become a serious problem not only in the Philippines but in many countries that have land and water conflicts because of the threat of climate change.
Rudinas added that the common source of water for agriculture and power is water run offs from the uplands brought by the rains that has to be preserved and protected.
DA Region 3 Executive Director Redentor Gatus, Bureau of Soils and Water Management Director Silvino Tejada, Provincial Agriculturist Imelda Inieto, Rudinas and students of the Bataan Peninsula State University planted seedlings of trees during the launching of soil conservation guided farm in barangay Payangan.
They were assisted by 47 members of the Payangan Indigenous Farmers Cooperative in planting tree seedlings in the 3.2 hectare-slopping land. Inieto said the area will serve as a “show window” for the project but will be increased to more than 42 hectares.
Aside from forest trees, also presently planted in the Payangan project are bananas, pineapple and root crops like sweet potato. Grasses, branches of trees are piled like dikes along rows of pineapples to serve as water barrier.
Meanwhile, Mayor Joel Payumo lauded the project in barangay Payangan that used to be inhabited by Aetas. But now, it has become home to many lowlanders mostly from the Bicol region. Dinalupihan is the only land-locked town in Bataan,
Rep. Herminia Roman of Bataan’s First District urged every one to help in protecting the environment.
