[Green Fund 2022-2023 Final Report]Agroforestry Project in Benguet Province (Tublay & Mankayan)
Duration of the Project: July 2022 - June 2023
Project Site:
Mankayan, Benguet Province, Philippines
Tublay, Benguet Province, Philippines
Partner Organization: Manalabo, Kyoto City, Japan
Grant: Green Fund, Japan
Forester in charge and community organized by : Mhyra P. Seset
This is Mankayan Agroforestry and GAP Certification Farm Project. It is composed of Agroforestry Development which was located in Balili and Bato, Mankayan in collaboration with the three Association, Man-Gabay Farmers Association, Inc. (23 members); Jademix Coffee Association (35 members) and (7 members) a total of 65 beneficiaries; Coffee Farm GAP Certification was offered to 5 coffee growers (3 in Tublay and 2 in Mankayan) and Coffee Nursery Accreditation passed to BACOFA Nursery in Baayan, Tublay. The implementation was handed to Cordillera Green Network, Inc. in partnership with Manalabo, NGO Japan, and funded by the National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization, Japan – Green Fund. The process took a long, but through the initiative and steadfastness of the coffee farmers, the cooperation of partners with the Office of Municipal Agriculture (Tublay and Mankayan), and the assistance of BPI – CAR Regional Office, the project activities launched are now in progress. They will still be supervised by CGN for the sustainability of the project.
Background of the Project
Mankayan and Tublay, Benguet have the same major economic livelihood industries; these are agriculture and mining, which Mankayan is well known for because of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company, and Tublay has the Sto. Nino Mines and some private small–scale mining operations are in three barangays. However, underground resources are limited, and mining activities cannot continue forever. Thus, the Local Government Unit must embrace and engage in other economic activities that sustain the economy of the municipality and not depend so much on mining profit. The two municipalities have to support different programs, projects, and activities of different sectors that will contribute to the town's growth and development and ensure the people's livelihood. Since farming is the most prominent livelihood for the Cordilleran, the agricultural industry is one of the sectors that Benguet province developed and improved its services by bringing up more farm innovations and programs. That will contribute to economic stability in the locality. Upland barangays of Mankayan constitute a significant source of highland vegetables traded in La Trinidad's center. Tublay is recognized as an organic vegetable town, since many farmers engage in organic highland vegetable production, such as root crops, palay, bananas, flowers, and coffee. But as the agriculture sector improves production, the forest structures drastically change. Biodiversity and natural resources were depleted, and some communities are now prone to natural calamities and climate change were experienced. This calls for the attention of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and other environmental agencies to mitigate these environmental issues and protect the forest and environment while the community achieves sustainable development. The DA creates Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for any kind of crop to ensure eco-friendly farming and healthy production, while the DENR implements the National Greening Program (NGP) to enhance forest cover, restore biodiversity richness, and help in environmental resiliency. Other agencies introduce strategies and projects to support and improve the economic and environmental welfare of the community.
CGN introduced Coffee-based Agroforestry in Tublay after typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng struck in 2009 to help in the rehabilitation of the denuded area of Coroz, Ambassador, Tublay, and uplift the economic status of the community through coffee production. During the time that LGU supported the coffee industry, the mayor of the municipality promoted coffee farming as a way of protecting and making the watershed services productive, a long-term strategy in disaster response and resiliency. With the seminars/training conducted and processing facilities availed by the communities, the Municipality of Tublay is projecting 299,950 kg of harvest per year, coming from 818.02 ha. Meanwhile, due to the initiative of coffee growers in Balili, Mankayan, to enhance their skills in coffee cultivation, CGN conducted trainings and implemented projects on coffee production and donated post-harvest processing facilities to sustain the quality production of the coffee. Believing that through coffee, their wiped-out areas can restore their vegetation cover, the soil and water will be conserved, and agriculture expansion will be minimized.
Implemented Project Activities
▶GAP CERTIFICATION
" Food safety and quality are some of the most prominent concerns worldwide, and foodborne disease outbreaks continue to be a public health challenge. And consumers deserve to be protected from hazards along the entire food chain; food safety has to be ensured following the farm–to–table continuum".
This is one of the programs that the Mankayan Agriculture Office is pushing on to the farmers since commercial gardening has already become more destructive to human health and soil and water production. According to the BPI-DA Region Office report, Mankayan has the most GAP-certified farms, but those are only for garden crops, and LGU wants to extend to coffee. As for Tublay, organic farming must be continued and strengthened by having farms that are certified GAP. This is an excellent factor in coffee marketing as it boosts promotion.
To support the coffee industry, DA, through the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), in collaboration with the experts of the Technical Working Group (TWG), developed the Code of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for coffee. The standard, particularly that GAP, provides guidance to farmers and other relevant stakeholders through principle–based practices from pre-planting operations up to post-harvest handling. These practices are focused on ensuring food safety, produce quality, workers' welfare, and environmental management. It aspires to be used as a basis for providing appropriate assistance and technical support to increase productivity, improve the quality and use of natural resources, and comply with at least minimum sustainability, leading to improved farmer income and making coffee farming attractive to future generations of farmers.
December 11, 2022, the three farmers in Tublay submitted their application to the Municipal Agriculture Office for pre-assessment; likewise, the Mankayan group revised their application and submitted it (November 14, 2023) to the OMAG Office.
January – April 2023, the two offices reviewed the application, as the farmers continually followed up and waited for the pre-assessment, as the DA-Regulatory office advised them. April 2023, in Tublay, OMAG did the pre-mapping of the three farms; Vina's farm is 1 hectare wide. Also, Elsie's Farm is 1 ha, while Monroe's Farm approved the 0.25-hectare coffee plantation. The two applicants in Mankayan had an advisory from the OMAG office on the details of the crops to be certified as coffee (newly planted – 3 years of age) and vegetable crops. Since the coffee farms in Baayan and Sayatan, Tublay were organically managed and away from the mining or areas that are potentially harmful to the production, the farmers will be required only to add some facilities in the farm and observe/practice the hygienic procedures for the convenient and safety of the workers. Farmers should minimize coffee contamination during its growing stage, harvest, and post-harvest handling. For Mankayan coffee farms, it is more complicated because of the commercial gardening being practiced by the farmers. But somehow, the two applicants had already engaged in organic farming and attended training on GAP, so they knew and already started the preparation. The five farmer candidates improved their farms by building up structures in their farm storage and receiving area and doing sanitation cutting to the infected coffee trees.
Ms. Belen and Ms. Sonia had their farm pre–assessed by the staff of OMAG-Mankayan on May 3, 2023, and some lacking requirements were processed by the OMAG Office. They were advised to wait for the schedule of the BPI Regional Office and National Office's inspection/assessment. Notifications will be sent to the applicants to prepare and install their signage and some documents needed. On June 21-23, 2023, the group of Tublay underwent formal training on Package Of Technology (POT) cum Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for coffee through the invitation of the High-Value Crops Development Program Section Regional Office at the City of Veterinary Office, Baguio City. The 3-day seminar brought the farmers a higher awareness of good agricultural practices. They were reminded that food safety starts from the farm; thus, the farm's environment is healthy, the soil is fertile and productive, and it is free from chemical toxicities. Also, the water source for irrigation is not contaminated to reduce the risk of microbial diseases. This is the reason why farms should not be situated near residential areas, poultry and piggery, and fencing is recommended if near the road and houses to avoid the infections of plant diseases that the animals may transmit. The location and structure of the farm are also considered for the plant growth development and the workers' security during maintenance and processing activities. Planted coffee trees and other intercrop crops must be free of pests and diseases so they won't affect the quality and quantity of the harvest. Quality of the harvested crops includes the visual attributes, sensory attributes, nutritional/ health & wellness attributes, and wholesomeness (absence of HAZARDS that affect human health). If the farm is well managed under GAP Standards, then the welfare of producers, consumers, and animals is guaranteed safe and healthy.
CGN assisted the farmers in collecting soil samples for Soil Nutrient Analysis and testing in the BSU Soil Laboratory. The result shows relatively sound; the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents are at medium levels, meaning the soil can still provide the nutrients needed by plants but not at the maximum level. Thus, application of compost (6-7kg/ tree) is required for the coffee tree to be more productive. While on the soil (PH) acidity, the three samples got 4.02 – 4.2 PH, not surpassing the 4.5 pH level for coffee. The recommendation from this result is the application of hydrated lime (2 tons/ha) to balance the acidity level of the soil. Farmers must also pay attention to the fertility of the soil they're cultivating to ensure the good production of the crops. The three farmers continue designing their farms, applying what they've learned facts, like installing the fences, comfort rooms, and signages, revising drying houses, organizing the post-harvest facilities and areas, and completing documents such as the 1-year field operations and production and harvest records. CGN helped purchase some materials such as two plastic toilet bowls, two irrigation hoses, two small water drums, 3 plywood, 1 stainless sink, one roll black net, and five farm signages for farm facilities. The five coffee farmers are pursuing their application to be finished this year (2023) and need the supervision and endorsement of the OMAG to be able to get their farm certification released by the BPI Central Office.
On August 17, 2023, Farm Monitoring/Coaching of GAP-interested Farms was conducted by the Office of Municipal Agriculture – Tublay to the farm of Mr. Monroe Macay, Ms. Elsie Lamsis, Ms. Vina Picpican, assisted by the CGN. They reviewed the application forms again, and they advised each farmer to be more accurate and diligent in recording their farm activities, farm inputs (fertilizer, wages, other materials), pest and disease occurrence and methods of control, the formulation and use of organic fertilizer and everything they do in the farm.
From the assessment/ monitoring conducted, Ms. Wallang gave the farmers an 80% rate of accomplishment, 20% still to be accomplished by the farmer applicants for them to be endorsed in the OPAG Office/Regional Office and BPI –National Office. In summary, the application status of Tublay farmers is still at the Municipal level; meanwhile, the Mankayan farmers proceed to the Provincial level, expecting to be assessed by the Office of Provincial Agriculture and BPI - Regional Office.
▶Coffee Nursery Accreditation and Mother Plant Certification
As they are mentioning, quality coffee begins in the nursery. Raised seedlings must be high-quality, not merely seeing them growing robustly but also ensuring the genetic material of the seedling. Plant nursery accreditation ensures the production and distribution of quality plant materials of recommended crop varieties/species that are true to type and resistant to pests and diseases to coffee growers.
BACOFA was established in 2015 and started producing seedlings in the same year; with this experience, the organization wants to be accredited and distribute genetically tested seedlings to other communities. By having a certificate of accreditation from the Bureau of Plant and Industry(BPI), the association will be entitled to identify plant propagules from government-registered scion groves. It could create a network for selling their produced seedlings. It is also an advantage to the BACOFA; they have easy access to technical assistance/supervision and other government programs in terms of marketing. CGN and BACOFA inquired and have been directed about the updated process application of Plant Nursery Accreditation from the Bureau of Plant and Industry in Region Office in August 2022.
Since the nursery still has seedlings, they were advised to dispose of all the seedlings and renew the registration papers as they renovate the nursery to prepare for accreditation. Two basic requirements for the nursery, such as certified mother plants certification and attending the training/ seminar implemented by ATI, BPI, and SUCS, makes the application delayed because certified seedling to be planted for mother plant has yet to be available. Seminars for the nursery in charge and members still need to attend a face-to-face schedule for Benguet Province. The participants will be oriented and guided to plant nursery structure and management standards in the seminar.
February 18, 2023, the association decided to reorganize the management of the BACOFA Nursery and relocate the nursery for accreditation. Procured seeds came from BSU-IHVAF on February 27, 2023, and sown on March 13, 2023; a new coffee nursery was laid out on May – June 2023. The nursery in charge started doing soil potting in June and transplanting at the start of July. They requested coffee seedlings from BPI to be planted and tagged as mother plant material, which were delivered on July 06, 2023. The association representatives are waiting for the seminar on Nursery Establishment and Management (Fruit trees and plantation crops) to be conducted by ATI. Nursery accreditation is still in process. It will take a year to be approved, but they still need to monitor the nursery for one year of operation.
▶COFFEE QUALITY TRAINING
On February 16, 2023, the CGN conducted a seminar on Coffee Quality Management and a workshop on Coffee Cupping. This is to enhance farmers' skills and knowledge in processing their coffee and meeting quality standards. The 28 coffee growers were able to participate in the discussion as Forester Jamias (Licensed Coffee Q-Grader) pointed out the important details on the post-harvest processing, the proper handling of green beans to maintain good quality, and the help of skilled roasters and baristas in serving a good coffee. She elaborates on how coffee is being evaluated in the market and the importance of quality and quantity in sustaining its economic growth to the market. Coffee farmers learned the differences and potentials of each coffee from their taste and aromatic components. Their questions about coffee are being answered as they proceed in a cupping session guided by Forester Jamias. They started with the calibration of the roasting level (light-medium-dark), good and bad roasted beans, differentiating the two varieties of coffee (Arabica Coffee and Robusta), the process (Washed and Naturals), and they also tried to cupped the six produced coffee by the six farmers of Balili, Mankayan. For the six samples that the farmers submitted, Ms. Jamias did the evaluation and shared with the participants the common taste of their coffee. She then suggested the techniques on how they will process their coffee, starting from the harvesting to the fermentation stage, which is strictly selective picking of fully ripe cherry, flotation, de-pulping upon the harvest, and fermentation of 48 hours or anaerobic technique. In this way, the innate qualities or complexity of taste will appear. It gives a distinct taste from the other origin. She added that drying is very important so the coffee does not become moldy. That's why she encouraged the growers to use the wash process since their location is cold and humid and does not have too much sun exposure. All participants laughed at themselves because of their wrong practices in harvesting and fermenting. They were not aware that it could be detected in the taste. They admitted that because of the work in the gardens and other affairs, the coffee post-harvest processing is not taken care of, resulting in poor quality of the harvest. At the end of the workshop, participants shared a cup of coffee with the lecturer as they thanked and appreciated that they've learned many things about coffee properties, the value of processing it well, how to market coffee, and how to provide exceptional quality coffee to the consumers. They're really immersed in cupping, and they want it to do more for them to be more knowledgeable in evaluating their coffee.
▶SEMINAR ＆WORKSOP COFFEE PLANTATION MAINTENANCE AND MAINTENANCE
Coffee is one of the commodities that helps in the socio-economic and environmental welfare of the community. Balili farmers are getting interested, and older people are shifting to planting coffee trees. On June 28, 2023, CGN conducted a seminar and demo on Coffee Plantation Establishment and Maintenance in Balili, Mankayan. 24 interested farmers and some retired professionals who want to establish and develop their coffee farms participated in it. Forester Jamias started the lecture by sharing the origin of coffee coming from the land of Ethiopia to the Philippines and Cordillera region, giving insight into why coffee is precious and valued from then and now. She then enumerated the four varieties of coffee with their characteristics and environment, followed by introducing a coffee-based - Agroforestry system displaying coffee farms with different crops and shade trees being integrated.
In establishing a coffee-based agroforestry farm, Ms. Fely Damilo (well–trained organic practitioner farmer) informatively discussed tips on how to raise good seedlings, pointing out that quality coffee starts from good seedlings. Ms. Damilo focused her lectures on establishing a productive and environmentally friendly coffee farm, sharing her experiences on her farm and some lessons learned from visiting other agroforestry farms. She blended the old practices and the new farm techniques introduced to her in sharing the laborious work of preparing the area and planting, the skills in maintaining the growth of coffee trees, and the patience to do the processing work during the harvesting time were all discussed by the speaker. Quality coffee must be tenderly produced from good and productive coffee trees in a healthy environment. She stressed the concept of plant diversification; she was once a farmer and knew the feeling of need for life subsistence; thus, she encouraged farmers to know the crop's compatibility and adaptability to have more excellent production simultaneously in one area. She also motivates farmers to practice organic farming to lessen farm inputs and produce safe and healthy foods and eco-friendly farms. She further recommended using plant juices, Mokusako, and vermicomposting in fertilizing and controlling pests and diseases of the plants. Promoting organic farming, she added that farmers must be environmentally resourceful; it's still better not to neglect the traditional way of farming, with no need for the application of synthetic fertilizer. Make and use natural fertilizer (decomposed leaves, forest litter, and biodegradable wastes) because it's more beneficial to the soil. "Adapting Coffee Agroforestry farming or Organic farming is a way of taking good care of our environment, protecting the land cover and all living organisms. Also, let the pandemic be a lesson to us, let's create a healthy environment where we can get a natural immune booster/ vitamin and nutritious food for this is what our body in surviving".
Techniques and proper execution of the maintenance of coffee were explained by Ms. Vina Picpican, and coffee rejuvenation, tapping, bending, and pruning were discussed; this topic excited the participants on how to make the Spanish coffee time productive again. She carefully instructed the tips for performing the maintenance, considering the right time, tools to use, and the candidate tree. The participants witnessed the ground demo led by the three lecturers on proper coffee planting and techniques for rejuvenating. Coffee growers were enlightened on coffee agroforestry establishment and maintenance; they have new perspectives and learnings in coffee farming. This is the essence of disseminating information and educating locals or the stakeholders; they need to be empowered and learn for them to strongly promote and work on the environmental and economic development of the community. The two farmer speakers made a motivational lecture that participants could easily understand and get along with the topics being discussed. Maybe there is a farmer connection; they're on the same level, so they can catch up with everyone's point of view.
▶AGROFORESTRY DEVELOPMENT
As commercial gardening provided higher income to farmers, and as population growth increased over the years, the forest, including the coffee trees, was cut just to have wide space for vegetable production. The conversion of the forest to wide agricultural land led to the community suffering from water shortage, soil productivity depletion, and strong wind and water run-off being experienced during typhoons or rainy seasons.
As the Coffee industry escalated its market, the DA or DENR started to introduce coffee as a highly valued crop for production and land protection cover. CGN also helps revive and retain coffee farming by implementing coffee-based agroforestry projects.
2,000 coffee seedlings coming from the Kapi Tako Social Enterprise Nursery, Coroz Tublay, Benguet were distributed to sitio Atayan, Mogao, Conacon, Amadlem, Nagawaan, Dalip-ac, Balili, on June 9, 2023, and Bato, Tabio, Mankayan (Table 1) on August 19, 2023. Farmers still need to wait for the seedlings to be of plantable size and have sturdy stems for the coffee seedlings to be ready to be transplanted on the plantation site. Simultaneous coffee planting followed upon the distribution of the seedlings. They planted in their own backyard, along the borderline of their gardens to serve as buffer plants, coffee farm extension, and in the barren area where they want to develop as a coffee plantation. On August 19, 2023, the group of farmers in Bato had a brief orientation on coffee planting and coffee tree management. Forester Jamias demonstrated the proper techniques in planting coffee and gave some tips on the mechanical treatment for sooty mold present in the coffee trees, as well as the rejuvenation techniques. Bato and Tabio have old coffee trees (75 – 80 yrs of age) – Typica Arabica Coffee, which was inherited by the beneficiaries from their parents. They're processing their coffee manually, and first-timers attended training on coffee post-harvest processing last February. They said they need more practical/ technical techniques on coffee plantation management, and they're interested more in having training aside from the GAP training they attended. Additional income is their main reason for establishing their own coffee farm; they want to maintain the old coffee trees and expand them more, as well as add a highly valued crop to their garden for their GAP Certification. During the assessment conducted on the areas to be planted last September and December 2022, the CGN staff mostly advised the farmers to consider the soil productivity, shade availability, and its environment (not garbage dumpsite) so coffee trees can withstand the pressure from the commercial garden activities. The farms in Mankayan lack shade for coffee trees, but with the elevation of the place and moderate sun exposure area, the coffee can withstand growth. Continued irrigation and fertilization with synthetic fertilizer help the coffee grow vigorously. However, excessive application of commercial Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorous fertilizers can have a negative impact on the environment (soil and water) and animal and human health. Later on, putting lime into the soil is needed to meet the standard acidity of soil suitable for crop growth. If only farmers could plant leguminous shrubs along the borderline of their gardens, then at least soil nutrients would be sustained, and water and soil would be conserved. Coffee trees planted will serve as greenbelts of the gardens, protecting the crops from strong winds. Monitoring of the plantation by the CGN will be in the month of October to assist in the growth development of the planted seedlings for the progress of the project as well.
Balili coffee grower community is moving up, especially now that they've witnessed the potential of coffee in the market. They're trying to create an organization where they could unite and work to produce quality coffee and organic crops and promote eco-friendly and sustainable farming. The OMAG-Mankayan are also supportive of the advancement of organic or conventional agriculture. Ms. Damilo and Ms. Picpican motivated the leaders of the different organizations to create an active coffee organization for coffee farming to grow in terms of social and economic development; it's their means of transportation to engage the government and other agencies. They advised the group to make a big effort and sacrifices for the team to be sustained. Everyone hopes that the Tublay farmers' presentations of their experiences can influence the Mankayan group.
For both Tublay and Mankayan in coffee-based agroforestry development, coffee fertilizer management is very important for farmers to practice. This is to ensure that nutrients are equally provided and utilized by the soil and crop yield; managing the right amount, source, timing, and method of nutrient application with the goal of optimizing farm productivity is also minimizing nutrient loss that could create environmental problems such as eutrophication, soil erosion. A wise nutrient management plan by the farmer will be beneficial in maintaining adequate soil nutrient, soil, and water quality while reducing the supplementary amount of inorganic fertilizer needed by the crop for production through accounting of nutrient input based on the result of Soil Nutrient Analysis. Coffee growers must know the soil fertility condition of their farms so they'll know what to improve their farms for better production. Following the standards of GAP in coffee cultivation and other crop production will ease the problem of chemical pollution, soil deterioration, health, and environmental challenges. Every farmer should engage in this program to contribute to the protection and conservation of our natural resources and care for the welfare of the community and the next generation.
Table 1. List of Beneficiaries who planted coffee trees
*** There are 8,000 pcs of seedlings to be distributed September, 2023 to the farmers in Mankayan
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