Conservation farming village (CFV) programme for protecting uplands and building resilient communities

Abstract

The present publication is the 4th issue of the APN Science Bulletin series to be published in the APN's Third 5-year Strategic Phase, which runs until March 2015. Issue 4 ( 2014) is a peer-reviewed publication that has become a main source, next to the APN website, for up-to-the-minute information on activities undertaken by the APN. As a landmark publication written by the global environmental community and supported by the APN, the bulletin focuses on issues of underpinning science that are policy-relevant. The 2014 Science Bulletin aims to satisfy readers in both the science and non-science communities who have a keen interest in Global Environmental Change in the Asia-Pacific region.

Strengthening adaptive capacity of rural farming communities in Southeast Asia: Experiences, best practices and lessons for scaling-up

“…More importantly, the webinar allowed the project collaborators to communicate and share the lessons and experiences of their capacity development projects with a broader audience. (Carandang et al, 2015;Visco et al, 2014;Tolentino et al, 2012;Landicho et al, 2021;Cruz et al, 2014;Comia et al, 2016).…”

“…Five APN capacity development projects have put up demonstration plots that showcase sustainable farming practices for climate change adaptation, such as agroforestry systems (Cruz et al, 2014;Comia et al, 2016); conservation farming practices (Cruz et al, 2014;Comia et al, 2016;Visco et al, 2014); indigenous agricultural practices involving intercropping of local crops (Ho et al, 2019); and rainwater harvesting ponds (Landicho et al, 2021). These demonstration plots served as models for the adoption of smallholder farmers within the project sites and for scaling up in other communities.…”

“…An estimated 100 million smallholder farmers are actively producing staple crops (i.e., maise, rice, and wheat) and other high-value crops such as cacao and coffee (Mikolajczyk, Mikulcak, Thompson, & Long, 2021). But agriculture in general and smallholder farmers, in particular, are vulnerable to numerous challenges such as natural disasters (Israel & Briones, 2013) Tolentino & Landicho, 2013;Landicho, Cabahug, Baliton, & Gonzales, 2021;Ho, Ha, Luu, & Dong, 2019;Cruz, Carandang, Galapia, Carandang, & De Luna, 2014;Pulhin et al, 2020;Visco, Wulandari, & Huy, 2014;Diana, Zulkepli, Siwar, & Zainol, 2022); and the recent COVID-19 pandemic (Sleet, 2020;Kim, Kim, & Park, 2020;FAO, 2021) With the crucial role of agriculture in the economy and its vulnerability to climate change impacts and other stressors, numerous studies point out the need to invest in measures that would build and enhance the adaptive capacity and resilience of rural farming communities (Silici, Rowe, Suppiramaniam, & Knox, 2021;Landicho et al, 2021;Lasco, Habito, Delfino, Pulhin, & Concepcion, 2011).…”

“…There have been numerous efforts that would help enhance the adaptive capacity of rural farming communities. These include, among others, the promotion of climatesmart agriculture (Sebastian & Bernardo, 2019;Nkumulwa & Pauline, 2021;Scherr, Shames, & Friedman, 2012); agroforestry (Baliton et al, 2017;Landicho et al, 2016Landicho et al, , 2021; conservation farming techniques (Cruz et al, 2016;De Luna, 2018); rainwater harvesting (Landicho et al, 2021), and, training, awareness-building and capabilitybuilding programmes (Carandang, Huy, Wulandari, Visco, & Vilayphone, 2015;Landicho et al, 2019). This article highlights the lessons and best practices of selected APN capacity development projects that were implemented to help improve the adaptive capacity of rural farming communities in various countries in Southeast Asia.…”

Rainwater harvesting for enhancing upland agriculture: Lessons and experiences in selected upland farming communities in Albay Province, Philippines

“…Given the potential of rainwater harvesting ponds and SWIPs in addressing the impacts of climate change on agricultural production of smallholder farmers, a capacity development project was implemented in Albay Province, Philippines, in 2019, which centred on the establishment of rainwater harvesting ponds, using the principles of multisectoral collaboration and engagement. Multisectoral collaboration means that multiple sectors and stakeholders collaborate in a managed process to achieve shared outcomes and common goals (Kuruvilla et al, 2018) and enhance technology promotion and adoption (Landicho, Cabahug, & De Luna, 2009;Cruz, Carandang, Galapia, Carandang, & De Luna, 2014). This article highlights the lessons and experiences of establishing rainwater harvesting ponds in the three upland farming communities in Albay Province, Philippines, using the multisectoral collaboration as an approach.…”