Field-Level Evidences of Climate Change and Coping Strategies of Smallholder Farmers in Molawin-Dampalit Sub-Watershed, Makiling Forest Reserve, Philippines

Abstract

This article confirms that climate change is indeed a real phenomenon as observed and experienced by smallholder farmers in the Molawin-Dampalit Sub-Watershed. Using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, the smallholder farmers articulated their own indications of climate change. These include increasing temperature, stronger and more frequent typhoons, excessive rainfall, drought, early rainy season, and delayed dry season. Among the effects of climate change on their agricultural production include stunted growth of crops, aborted fruiting of trees, incidence of pests and diseases, and growth of unknown weeds. These have led to increase in the use and dosage of farm inputs, particularly pesticides and fertilizers; decline in crop yield; and ultimately, decline in farm income. To cope with these impacts, the farmers employed strategies such as replanting, use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers to control pests and improve crop growth, pruning, watering and diversion of water source, changing crops, and harvesting their crops earlier to minimize crop loss. Considering the vulnerability of smallholder farmers, the results suggest the need to enhance their adaptive capacities for climate change impacts using a holistic approach via human capital development, improvement of physical capital, and building their social capital.

Tiger grass (Thysanolaena maxima) cultivation in CALSANAG watershed in Romblon, Philippines: dilemmas and prospects for sustainable natural resources management

“…More than half (59%) of them derived their income solely from farming, and many (40%) combined farming with non-farm activities to augment their household income. Compared with other upland farming communities with incomes ranging from PHp10000-20000 (Landicho et al 2015;Landicho 2016), the farmers in Barangay Mari-norte had generally higher household income. About 40% had an estimated annual household income of Php>50000; 17% with income ranging from Php41000-50000; 12% with income ranging from Php31000-40000; 15% with income ranging from Php21000-30000; 15% with income ranging fromPhp10000-20000.…”

“…As shown in Table 1, the total farm size of the 133 farmer-respondents accounts for 348.10 hectares with a mean farm size of 2.78 hectares. As compared to the mean farm size of smallholder upland farmers of 1.50 hectares (Tolentino et al 2010;Visco et al 2013;Landicho et al 2015;Landicho et al 2017), the farm size being cultivated by the farmers in Barangay Mari-norte is relatively bigger. Of the total farm size, about 102 hectares or a mean of 0.90 hectares is allocated to tiger grass production.…”