Philippine E-Journals

Baseline Data Generation of Agro-Forestry Systems in Abra, Philippines

Demetrio B Millare

 

Abstract:

The study was conducted to identify, describe, and evaluate the agroforestry systems practiced in the province of Abra. Data gathering was done through personal interviews using a prepared interview schedule. Inputs provided by the key informants were supplemented through field visits and personal observations. The snowball sampling technique of data gathering was employed in this study. Results of the study revealed that different agro-forestry farming systems exist in the province of Abra. There were four (4) distinct systems identified by the respondents: a) multi-story; b) hedgerow cropping; c) live fence/boundary planting; and d) contour terracing systems. After an evaluation of the result, two (2) variants of the multi-story system emerged. The former refers to a multistory system wherein no orderly pattern of crop arrangement is practiced. The principle of hedgerow cropping employed by the farmers is modified. The use of strips of grass vegetation was employed as hedgerow plants instead of using woody perennials. In sloping grounds, contour terracing is practiced. Stones are piled at the base of the terrace forming retaining stonewalls and agricultural crops are planted along the terrace. The live fence/boundary planting is commonly practiced by the farmers to demarcate boundaries of land properties and to provide protection and privacy.