Commercial Forestry Investment Sub-Projects for upland watersheds: constraints, improvement strategies and extension in the Philippines

Upland watersheds in many developing countries are degrading and their health is declining due to various natural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. Upland watersheds in the Philippines are no exception as they face problems of growing population that puts increasing pressure on timber and forest resources and food production systems. Effective land use systems that enhance productivity, ensures food security, increase livelihood income, improve ecological outcomes, and maintain social acceptance are needed. We share our experience and lessons learned in enhancing the Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project’s commercial forestry investment sub-project (CFISP) models by demonstrating these in the learning sites of conservation farms, agroforestry and commercial tree plantation – land use systems that offer opportunity to meet those goals. Designing the learning sites that integrates the needs and aspirations of farmer-cooperators and establishing these at the village level with the combined efforts of farmers and extension staff from various agencies can be a productive extension approach. These enhanced CFISP learning sites provided venues for farmers’ learning activities, such as trainings and field visits. Although the COVID19 pandemic seriously affected the scaling up activities, these resulted to some agencies supporting the extension activities and with several farmers adopting the model farms. Sufficient time for social preparation, value orientation, capacitation, and mobilization for development projects like INREMP is important to drive collective actions and build social capital. Adaptive management and flexibility to uncertain events such as the pandemic is also critical. While learning sites are useful extension approach, equally important are the extension program, the attitudes and capacities of extension staff to provide regular and timely technical assistance, and effective use of appropriate communication tools among others. Sustainable land use systems and effective extension program are inevitably important future strategies to improve the upland watersheds in the Philippines. Abstract by: Caroline D. Piñon, Rodel D. Lasco, and Agustin R. Mercado, Jr.