Biocultural Diversity of Sarangani Province, Philippines: An Ethno-Ecological Analysis

Zapico, Florence; Aguilar, Catherine Hazel; Abistano, Angelie; Turner, Josephine Carino; Reyes, Lolymar Jacinto

doi:10.1016/j.rsci.2015.05.018

Cited by 15 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Only 42% of the farmer respondents claimed that they are seed secure while the rest revealed that they occasionally obtain planting materials from off-farm sources out of necessity. Furthermore, 95% of farmer respondents revealed that they save left-over seeds for the next planting season using traditional storage methods (Zapico et al ., 2015). When asked if they experienced seed losses during storage, 72% of respondents disclosed that they lost stored seed due to rats and improper drying.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Genetic erosion in traditional rice agro-ecosystems in Southern Philippines: drivers and consequences

Zapico

Dizon²,

Borromeo

et al. 2020

Plant Genet. Resour.

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This paper examines genetic erosion in rice landraces thriving in traditional smallholder agricultural systems in the Sarangani uplands, Philippines. In these marginal areas, the crop is closely interwoven with tribal culture and is vital in ensuring food security among upland households. Field visits unveiled high varietal diversity for upland rice and a rich tapestry of indigenous knowledge associated with its cultivation and use. Study results, however, revealed the tapering of the crop's genetic base due to farmers' changing priorities, pest infestation, weakening seed supply systems, shift to cash crops, natural calamities, environmental degradation, government programmes and peace and order problems. Consequently, these pressures undermined traditional agricultural systems in Sarangani upland communities causing food and water scarcity, hunger and suffering on a catastrophic scale. Interdisciplinary strategies aimed at simultaneously averting further varietal losses and environmental degradation while improving human well-being are therefore warranted. Furthermore, making traditional rice farming a lucrative endeavour will induce the younger generation to remain in the uplands and choose farming as a profession. This way, biocultural restoration of agriculture will be attained and the continued presence of the tribal groups in the Sarangani uplands will be ensured for a very long time.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Zapico et al . (2015) were able to record high varietal diversity for upland farms after a province-wide inventory. Unfortunately, these premium RLs are gradually diminishing in numbers due to present-day scenarios in these areas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic erosion in traditional rice agro-ecosystems in Southern Philippines: drivers and consequences

Zapico

Dizon²,

Borromeo

et al. 2020

Plant Genet. Resour.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The tempo of the lamgi is synchronized with dibbling by male farmers using an ahak (sharpened pole). Following closely behind, women-farmers drop rice seeds into the dibbled holes and cover these with soil with a sweep of the foot (Zapico et al 2015). Interviewed farmers disclosed that singing the lamgi makes an otherwise tedious activity a joyous one.…”

Section: The Sarangani Rice Resource: Cultural Importancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among the Blaans, harvesting rice is exclusive to women since it is believed that they imbue the crop with female qualities of productivity and fertility. Women farmers excise individual panicles using hand knives (bansong fali) and place them inside a baen, a traditional basket they carry on their backs (Zapico et al 2015). The baen must be filled to the brim because when unfilled, food shortages will plague the household during the coming year.…”

Section: Tuke Fali (Harvesting)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, the tribal farmers still maintain remaining varieties because of cultural values and individual preferences. Farming knowledge, however, seems to be rapidly eroding because of the ingress of agricultural modernization and a mindset change among the local peoples (Zapico et al 2015). Even up to this time, geographic and technological isolation are notable challenges for resource conservationists and people in these remote areas.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Upland Rice: Cultural Keystone Species in a Philippine Traditional Agroecosystem

Zapico¹,

Dizon²,

Fernando³

et al. 2020

AJAD

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This paper examines rice biocultural diversity in Sarangani province, southern Philippines through a socio-anthropological lens. Participatory rural appraisal highlighted the cultural importance of upland rice and the entire suite of farming rituals practiced by ethnic communities in the area. Further unveiled by the study were concomitant rice varietal losses, a highly eroded indigenous knowledge system, or IKS, as well as major driving forces that have significantly impacted biocultural diversity on-farm. Sociological analysis of Sarangani tribal community and resources identified upland rice as a potential cultural keystone species (CKS) whose loss can severely compromise cultural integrity and food security. However, halting biocultural erosion while ensuring human wellbeing can become complicated and constrain conservation initiatives. The CKS model, albeit potentially subjective and controversial, can provide valuable insights for the development of sustainable conservation strategies specifically suited to the Sarangani upland situation. Strengthening of awareness among stakeholders about the link between traditional culture, conservation, and food security is necessary if significant results are to be achieved.

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Biocultural approaches to sustainability: A systematic review of the scientific literature

et al. 2020

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Current sustainability challenges demand approaches that acknowledge a plurality of human–nature interactions and worldviews, for which biocultural approaches are considered appropriate and timely. This systematic review analyses the application of biocultural approaches to sustainability in scientific journal articles published between 1990 and 2018 through a mixed methods approach combining qualitative content analysis and quantitative multivariate methods. The study identifies seven distinct biocultural lenses, that is, different ways of understanding and applying biocultural approaches, which to different degrees consider the key aspects of sustainability science—inter‐ and transdisciplinarity, social justice and normativity. The review suggests that biocultural approaches in sustainability science need to move from describing how nature and culture are co‐produced to co‐producing knowledge for sustainability solutions, and in so doing, better account for questions of power, gender and transformations, which has been largely neglected thus far. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

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Biocultural Diversity of Sarangani Province, Philippines: An Ethno-Ecological Analysis

Cited by 15 publications

References 8 publications

Genetic erosion in traditional rice agro-ecosystems in Southern Philippines: drivers and consequences

Genetic erosion in traditional rice agro-ecosystems in Southern Philippines: drivers and consequences

Upland Rice: Cultural Keystone Species in a Philippine Traditional Agroecosystem

Biocultural approaches to sustainability: A systematic review of the scientific literature

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