Establishing a Community-Based Pro-Biodiversity Enterprise: A Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for Local Green Economic Development Planning

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Establishing a Community-Based Pro-Biodiversity Enterprise: A Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for Local Green Economic Development Planning"

Transcription

1 Establishing a Community-Based Pro-Biodiversity Enterprise: A Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for Local Green Economic Development Planning Dina Cartagena Magnaye, PhD, EnP Assistant Professor, University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning (UP SURP) and Program Chair, Diploma in and Master of Land Valuation and Management (D/MLVM), UP Open University

2 Outline of Presentation 1. Background and Rationale 2. Objectives of the Study 3. Research Design 4. Results and Discussion 4.1 Brief Situationer 4.2 Perceived Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for Local Green Economic Development Planning 4.3 Mobilizing a Community-Based Pro-Biodiversity Enterprise 5. Conclusions and Recommendations

3 1. Background and Rationale

4 1.1 Motivation of the Study Gauging the performance of the agricultural sector crop productivity and returns from farm production biodiversity in the agricultural ecosystem AGRICULTURE SECTOR Philippine economic driver 1. Provides an avenue to ensure food security 2. Strengthen adaptation to changing conditions 3. Mitigate the negative impacts of climate change Goal of agricultural development increasing productivity through intensive agriculture, monoculture, utilization of high yielding varieties in plants and genetic upgrading in animals Creates human pressures - biodiversity and habitat loss, rapid depletion of natural resources, environmental pollution, and climate change Equilibrium State (Balancing Effect): environment friendly enterprises to increase economic returns from the agriculture sector and dissuade the alarming rate of environmental degradation

5 2. Objectives of the Study

6 General Establish the mechanism of setting up community-based probiodiversity enterprises as local climate change adaptation strategy for local green economic development planning. Specific Assess the potential of setting up community-based probiodiversity enterprises at the local level. Identify climate change adaptation strategies for communitybased pro-biodiversity enterprises as input to local green economic development planning. Develop a modality that can be mainstreamed in planning and managing local green economic enterprises.

7 3. Research Design

8 3.1 Framework of Analysis

9 Community- Based Probiodiversity Enterprises Community-Based Organic Farming Green Economy Contours Pro- Biodiversity Entrepreneurs Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Local Green Economic Development Planning

10 The CCA Strategy in Context: Pro-Biodiversity Enterprises Pro-Biodiversity Enterprises Community-Based Organic Farming Activity that pursues wealth creation, conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of biological resources, and equitable sharing of benefits [from the use of of the resources] (Cubillas, 2014) GREEN ECONOMY Based on the lesson from the assessment of the Philippine Agenda 21 = putting language to RIO+20 Green Economy and Inclusive Growth 3/26/ Production management system that aims to promote and enhance ecosystem health, including biological cycles and soil biological activity. Minimizing use of external inputs, and making the best use of local natural resources. Methods are used to minimize pollution of air, soil and water (FAO, 2013)

11 Importance Pro-Biodiversity Enterprise (Community-based Organic Farming) Essential to rural communities and smallholder farmers that do not have financial resources to access expensive synthetic pesticides and inorganic fertilizers. Cost-efficient means of crop and animal production that would address food insecurity and alleviate poverty given the continuous and rapid growth in the demand for organic produce. Highly relevant to income generation if farmers become market-oriented and transform themselves into innovative and forward-looking entrepreneurs. Source:

12 Source:

13 Ecosystems Resilience Value Natural Capital Greenhouse Gas Emissions Climate Adaptation & Mitigation Biodiversity and Ecosystems Goods and Services GREEN GROWTH Strong Communities & Habitats Low Carbon Growth Social Development and Poverty Reduction Economic Growth Equitable Growth Source:

14 3.2 Methodology

15 Nature of the Study Interpretive case study approach Interpret data by developing conceptual categories, supporting or challenging assumptions made regarding them researcher adding judgment to phenomenon found in the data. Qualitative research allows researcher to understand a specific phenomenon and a given set of participants for a given study (Mc Donough and McDonough as cited by Zainal, 2007 ) Data Collection Primary Data (Open Ended Questionnaire)+ Secondary Data+ Actual Field Visits Respondents (Pro-Biodiversity Entrepreneurs) 1) Farmer-Owner 2) Farmer-Worker 3) Farmer- Entrepreneur

16 Respondents Scope of Interview Selection Criteria 1. Number of years engaged in organic farming; 2. Technical knowledge in organic farming principles, approaches and methods; and 3. Knowhow in organic farming enterprise planning, development operation and business management 1) Organic Farmer-Owner Organic farm owner from the Province of Ifugao in CAR identified the motivating factors in organic farming; the challenges and experiences encountered in the organic production process perceptions on organic farming and its contribution to food security as well as the conservation of the environment necessary formal training in organic farming and management 2) Organic Farmer-Worker A farm worker cum farm supervisor from Calamba, Laguna determine the economic aspect of smallholder organic farming personal motivation benefits of working in an organic farm 3) Organic Farmer-Entrepreneur An organic farmer cum entrepreneur from Calamba, Laguna determine how the idea of engaging in smallholder organic farming (vegetables, fruit trees and indigenous crops production, among others) started history of the enterprise from start-up up to where it is today technical background in organic farming and its management

17 Introducing the Pro-Biodiversity Entrepreneurs Farmer- Owner Considers farm as enterprise and means to earn profits Produces exclusively for the market Demonstrates interest in profits Possesses farm management and entrepreneurial skills Farmer- Worker Engages in farming partly for the market and partly for home consumption Does not prioritize long-term investment and not yet keen on diversifying to higher value products Prefers to sell farm surpluses Farmer- Entrepreneur Farmers with similar goals and objectives of pooling farm resources, sharing risks and developing social safety net (Community-Supported Agriculture) Values sharing of benefits and risks in farm production Ownership and control of the farm enterprise are divided among the members of the group

18 4. Results and Discussions

19 4.1 Brief Situationer

20 Organic Agriculture Learning Sites in the Philippines (40) 18 organic agriculture learning sites: Cordillera Administrative Region 5; MIMAROPA organic agriculture learning sites: Western Visayas organic agriculture learning sites: Northern Mindanao 3; Davao Region 4; and CARAGA Region - 3

21 Maximizing the Potential of Pro-biodiversity Enterprises Table 3. Area and volume of production, organic agriculture, Philippines. Region Average Area of Production ( ) (Ha) Volume of Production (2016) (MT) Volume of Production as Percentage of Total CAR 3, , % Region 1 1,842 11, % Region 2 5, % Region 3 3, ,471 40% CALABARZON 1, % MIMAROPA 2, % Region 5 5,705 67, % LUZON 25, ,879 72% Region 6 15, % Region 7 2,782 8, % Region 8 3,233 24, % Region 9 26,833 75, % VISAYAS 48, , % Region , % Region 11 10,343 3, % Region 12 11,117 20, % Region 13 2,348 27, % ARMM 3, % MINDANAO 27,795 56,251 10% Total 101, , % Source: Department of Agriculture National Organic Agriculture Program Nationwide organic agriculture production (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) Volume of production (2016): 585, mt Average area of production ( ): 101,231 ha

22 4.2 Perceived Strategies to Sustain Community-Based Pro-Biodiversity Enterprises

23 Farmer-Owner Adopt crop rotation in the farm as a cultural practice Different crops are cultivated in a given parcel of land for a period of time ic-agriculture-a-booming-business-in-the-philippines/ Carefully designed crop rotation scheme: sustains soil nutrients, improves soil fertility and structure, enhances presence of soil organic matter, controls pest populations and diseases, deters growth of weeds, maintains healthy soil, controls soil erosion, improves biodiversity, and reduces commercial risk, among others. (Shahim, 2016) Practice resource use within the capacity and resilience of the farm Allows the field to rest for a season by planting a crop (in this case mungbean) and cultivates the soil again without harvesting the crop. The crop rots in the field to revitalize the soils and accumulate the nutrients in the form of nitrogen fixing bacteria.

24 Farmer-Owner Prepare organic feeds formulation using the leaves of indigenous plants and recycled peelings of fruits as well as vegetables from the kitchen as feeds for the livestock Leaves of many trees contain twice as many minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, nitrogen and ash) as animal manure that the plants need as their food. Peelings of fruits such as banana are also good source of nutrients for the soil and make a good fertilizer. Banana peels contain high levels of potassium, magnesium and other good minerals. The peeling of citrus has d-limonene, which serves as a natural insecticide. Formulate organic sprays and organic fertilizers using livestock manure as fertilizer for rice and vegetables using Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO) formula to speed up decomposition The use of IMO in natural framing is an old practice adopted by a number of countries to include Japan, the Philippines, Mongolia, China, among others. Studies revealed many benefits from the use of IMO as follows: a) act as reserve source for all nutrients; b) add organic matter to the soil; and c) increase soil fertility (Sumathi, et. al. 2012).

25 Farmer-Owner Carry out vermicomposting Vermicompost refers to the process of composting using earthworms and microorganism. Vermicomposting is also a low-cost technology, environmentfriendly process used to treat organic waste and has the following influences on plants: stimulates plant growth to include aromatic and medicinal plants; b) hastens seed germination; c) stimulates shoot and root development; d) stimulates flowering of the plants; among others (Lascano and Dominguez, 2011)

26 Farmer-Worker Build up passion in organic farming Preference to work in the farm was due to intense passion and perseverance in organic farming. Deep-seeded commitment to learn and practice organic farming developed his passion. Earn from being a farm worker-farm enterprise partner Earns a share in the sale of vegetables from the farm Co-cultivates and co-manages the organic farm with the owner.

27 Farmer-Worker Participate in formal training regarding organic farming Attend formal training in organic farming conducted by the DA. Adopt learning from formal training in organic farming and modern methods in combination with traditional knowledge. At least five years is needed for a previously non-organic farm to heal or be converted into organic one. The success of an organic farm is gradual and profit is minimal. But what is important is that he is eating and selling healthy food that contributes to the conservation of the environment.

28 crowdnewswire.com/2015/07/27/community-sharedagriculture-in-the-philippines-lets-change-the-world-with-food/ Farmer-Entrepreneur Act as an advocate of Organic Agriculture Being an advocate of OA is a way of making a difference which includes its promotion to a younger, stronger and more capable generation. A voluntary campaign for the youth, participates in the introduction and implementation of Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) in the community. CSA as a sustainable alternative distribution system that supports smallholder organic farming by subscribing to prepaid, local and seasonal vegetables delivered weekly to a community. (Yummy Magazine, Undated) Adopt forward linkage activities of organic farming with the food enterprise Operates a food enterprise which serves a combination of organic and non-organic food products. The former are sourced from the farms owned by the farmer-entrepreneur.

29 Farmer-Entrepreneur Operate the farm enterprise on a trust basis The farm products of the farmer-entrepreneur are not certified as organic. Given the long and tedious process as well as the high amount needed to obtain a certification. The farmer-entrepreneur operates on a trust basis where most of his customers are friends and supporters of organic farming. The farmer-entrepreneur has not received support or seeking assistance from the government. Expose individuals on organic agriculture practices through field observation and networking As advocate of organic farming, his group NU WAVE Farmers conducts free training, farm tours, volunteer work in farms, networking and advocacy in organic agriculture. w/goodfoodcommunity He is also hoping that organic farming, being the core of his group s advocacy, would somehow change the perception of people on organic farming.

30 4.3 Mobilizing Community-Based Pro-Biodiversity Enterpreneurship for Local Green Economic Development Planning

31 Entrepreneurial Competencies Competencies for Community- Based Probiodiversity Entrepreneurship Technical Competencies Managerial Competencies

32 Full control of financial gains capitalizing on entrepreneurial spirit & management skills Acquire assets and capital equipment to support expansion of operation Resource (Maturity) Take-Off (Rapid Growth) Establishment MOBILIZING COMMUNITY- BASED PRO- BIODIVERSITY ENTEPRISES Take-Off (Early Growth) Community resource or capital asset profiling Enterprise development vision Strategy formulation Survival monitor income & expenditures through proper recording based on business plan Deal with competition and increase manpower and diversify operation. Networking

33 5. Conclusions and Recommendations

34 Local green economic development planning for community-based pro-biodiversity enterprises can be effected utilizing existing community supported agriculture (CSA) models Pro-biodiversity entrepreneurs should possess entrepreneurial, technical & managerial competencies to fully realize the success of pro-biodiversity enterprises at the community level Pro-biodiversity enterprises should be managed in harmony with nature taking into account food security, ecosystems conservation, and most importantly climate adaptation and mitigation.

35 Thank You!