Philippine E-Journals

Food Sufficiency in the Terraces: The Case of Globally-Important Agricultural Heritage Systems In Ifugao, Central Cordillera, Philippines

Romeo Gomez Jr.

 

Abstract:

The rice terrace clusters in Nagacadan, Kiangan and those in Bocos, Banaue, Ifugao aside from recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites are now regarded as relevant landscapes belonging to the so-called Globally-Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). These landscapes are characterized by being sustainable showcase of one of humanity’s greatest human-nature interrelationships, whose ecological flows have maintained these highland agroecosystems for over two millennia and continuing to do so. Although differing in soil quality characteristics as a result of gradual introductions of inorganic inputs into the production system, this rice terraced ecosystem remains predominantly organic in terms of production. The focal dimension assessed in this paper is the food supply contributions of commonly cultivated native rice varieties to food sufficiency at the community level as well as the basic Ifugao household level. These native rice varieties are, of course, raised in a primarily organic farming setting. It is revealed, however, that the average household in these two study sites has their native rice supply lasting for about six months or less, both at 2001 and 2008 levels.