Chito P. Medina, Ph.D.National Coordinator, MASIPAGhttp://www.masipag.orgNGO representative., National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB)

Sustainable Agriculture Practices and How Farmer-to- Farmer Network Works

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The new hunting ground is not the best…

Low supply

Yield decline

Climate Change

Market speculation / Futures

High Demand

Hunger

Poverty

Injustice and

Misery

High Prices

Land conversion

Peak Oil

Land grabbing

GMOs

BIGAS(Rice) Conference, 1985

Failure of Green Revolution:

• Loss of local varieties• More inputs, higher

costs• More pests, new

biotypes• Infertile soils• Degraded environment• Poisoning

>>Farmers “forgot how to grow rice” = Farmers’ greater indebtedness,

rural poverty

The Beginnings: Farmers

Victims of social injustice

Complained of the direct effects and impacts of the green revolution

Pushed the implementation of an alternative farming system

Willingness to participate, help, and lead

MASIPAG Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura (Farmer-Scientist Partnership for Development):

organized in 1986 as partnership between farmers , scientists and NGOs as alternative approach to the Green revolution

Goal: Empower resource-poor farmers through access and control of production resources (seeds, technology, land)

Farmer-Scientist Partnership: The MASIPAG Experience

Partners:• Farmers, through their organizations

(wealth of experience)• Non-Government Organizations

(organizing skills)• Scientists

(experimentation skills)

Empowerment of farmers through:

• Farmers’ control of seeds• Farmers’ control of technology• Farmers’ control of other resources• Shared leadership in organizations• Mastery in technology generation• Articulation of needs and pursuit of

aspirations

Strategies

Diversified-Integrated Farming System (DIFS)

Farmer-developed / adapted technology

Network Strengthening Local Processing and

Marketing Advocacy

Programs

Collection, Identification, Maintenance, Multiplication and Evaluation (CIMME)

Breeding (Rice, Corn, Livestock)

Soil Fertility ManagementAlternative Pest

Management (APM)

Strategic Role of Farmers’ Organization

Effective coordination, multiplier

Planning and decision making

Mutual support Ensure diffusion

of benefits

Sustainability of activities

MASIPAG Farmers’ Organizations (PO)

 Luzon: 90 POsNueva Ecija: 8, Pangasinan: 9, Zambales: 7,

Camarines Sur: 16, Occidental Mindoro: 1, Nueva Viscaya: 11, Isabela: 6, Cagayan: 2, Quezon: 7, Pampanga: 1; Rizal: 1; Abra: 2; Kalinga/Apayao: 3; Laguna: 1; Palawan: 4, Ilocos Norte: 1, Albay: 1, La Union: 1

 Visayas: 174 POsNegros Occidental: 95, Iloïlo: 18, Antique: 13,

Aklan: 12, Leyte: 7, Bohol: 1; Capiz: 12; Southern Leyte: 16; E. Samar: 2; N. Samar: 6

 Mindanao: 390 POsAgusan del Norte: 34; Agusan Sur: 35; Bukidnon:

26; Compostela Valley: 1; Davao City: 39; Davao Norte: 29; Davao Oriental: 16; Davao del Sur: 9; Lanao del Norte: 11; Lanao del Sur: 4; Maguindanao: 10; Misamis Occidental: 18; Misamis oriental: 14; North Cotabato: 16; Saranggani: 2; South Cotabato: 6; Sultan Kudarat: 11; Surigao Norte: 7; Surigao Sur: 13; Zamboanga del Norte: 24; Zamboanga Sibugay: 15; Zamboanga del Sur: 50

Masipag in 49 Provinces

Members Undergo the Following Process:

Organizing

Sustainable Agriculture orientation

Establish a trial farm-monitor agronomic characters-conduct field day-select locally adapted

Thematic trainingsDiffusion between farmers and

between POs

Training: Level 1

- Basic orientation on Sustainable Agric.

(Global, national, and local situation of food and agriculture,

the green and gene revolutions, Masipag as an alternative)

Level 2

- Soil Fertility Management (SFM)- Breeding (rice, corn, chicken)- Alternative Pest Management (APM)- Diversified and Integrated Farming System (DIFS)- Masipag Farmer Guarantee System (MFGS)

Level 3 (Trainor’s training)

Diffusion through People’s Organizations

Farmers / LGU

Trial Farm

Observe / Characterize

Organization

Training

New Technology

New Selection

Field Day /Advocacy

Interested

Orientation

Increased Yield, Improved Income

Breeding

Locally Adapted Variety

Organize

Other Farmers

Experiment

A. Seed Conservation and Diffusion

1. Farmers collect rice varieties (CIMME)>Collection, Identification, Multiplication, Maintenance, Evaluation)

2. Farmers organize and given SA orientation3. Establish a trial farm (laboratory cum seed bank)

-monitor agronomic characters-conduct field day-select locally adapted

4. Farmers’ training5. Do Breeding and further selection6. Diffusion of seeds and knowledge among farmers

Collection, development and use of TRVs:

1,105 Traditional Rice Varieties collected 1,085 Masipag rice developed506 Farmer-bred selections75 Native corn varieties6 native chicken gene pool

Masipag Rice conservation and Seed support system

NationalBack-up Farm

2,160 rice varieties & Selections

Regional (2), Provincial (9)

Back-up farms

300 to 1,200 rice varieties & selections

PO-managed Trial farms (223)

At least 50 varieties per TF

Verification farms

6 to 24 varieties

Farm ProductionAt least 3 varieties

B. Rice Breeding by Farmers

67 farmer-breeders

506 rice developed

C. Role of Farmer- managed Trial Farm

Farmers’ laboratory Develop site-specific varieties

Develop site-specific technology

Seed bank Creative organizing Advocacy

Luzon (83):Nueva Ecija: 8, Pangasinan: 2, Zambales:1, Camarines Sur: 13, Occidental Mindoro: 10, Nueva Viscaya: 9, Isabela: 18, Cagayan: 1, Quezon: 14, Pampanga: 1; Antipolo: 2; Abra: 2, Ilocos Norte: 1, La Union: 1

Visayas (81):Negros Occidental: 29, Negros Oriental: 1, Iloïlo: 10, Antique: 17, Aklan: 1, Cebu: 2, Leyte: 10, Bohol: 1; Capiz: 5; Eastern Samar: 5

Mindanao (61):North Cotabato: 5, Agusan del Norte: 1; Davao City: 1, Davao del Sur: 1; Lanao Norte: 2, Zamboanga del Sur: 3, Zamboanga del Norte: 15; Misamis Oriental: 1, Bukidnon: 6; Compostela Valley: 1; Maguindanao: 3; South Cotabato: 3; Sultan Kudarat: 2; Surigao del Norte: 5; Zamboanga Sibugay: 11

Farmer-Managed Trial Farms in 49 Provinces

Cagayan – Elon-elon, Ag 5, M8-3-1, M35-1-1, M45-1, M69-4-1

Locally Adapted MASIPAG Rice and TRVs Kalinga – Onay

Nueva Vizcaya – Pinili, Hinomay, Valentino, Ag 19, M11-20, M3-6, M109, M5-6, M45, M90, M11-20SG, M5-1, M30-1, M135-1, M19, 102

Nueva Ecija - Wag-wag Aga, Senador, AG5, AG10, Abra white, C22, M115-R, M146-1, M4-3-1, M45-1, M21-2-B2, M104-2R, M108-1R, M35-4-1, M69-2-2, M5-BD-2, M130-3, M48-1-1, M11-5-1, M86-3-1, M21, M11, M69, M5B2, M30, M45, M36-4-2, M4-3-1

Aurora – Elon-elon, Camoros, Sampaguita, Wag-wag Aga, Palawan, Raminad, Londan-honay, Galo, Ag 5, Ag 17, Kadali, Ag 27, White Borong, Fortuna, M21, M6-11-1, M3, M4, M35

Laguna – Wag-wag Aga, Sampaguita, BS Nagkarlan, Africa, M5-AS, M8-2-1, M62-1-2, M45, M5-B-2, M13-1-1, M13-1-1B, M36-4-1, M30-10-1B, M4-3-1, M3-2-1, M10-2-1

Quezon – AG17, AG5, M41, M35, M12-21

Camarines Sur – AG24, Elon-elon, M5-A, M48, M70, M102, M103, M106, M107, M110, M112, M128, M131, M143

Agusan del Norte- Palay Damo, AG5, AG10, Sta. Maria, San pablo, Carandang, Bengawan, Jap 1, Tapol 1, India, M5-AS, M117, M11-20-1, M11-20-B2, M4-4B, M5C, MC14-2R, M87-W, M6-14-1-1

Surigao del Sur – San Pablo, M2-1-1, M5-BD, M13-2-1B, M3-4-1, M93-1

Davao del Norte – AG5, Layong Mabilog, Cicadiz, Sampaguita, Milagrosa, Hinumay, Malagkit, Tinangi, Bogret, Camoros, San Pablo, Red Wag-wag, Wag-wag Aga, M35, 4-11-90, M21-4-1, M58, M50, M59, M75-1, M4-4-B2

Davao del Sur – AG5, M117-3, M15-12-1, M117, M95-5, M5-AS

Pangasinan – Lamyung, Bulik, Mogen, Cinamon, , Pandan, Sampaguita, Parirutong, India, Resco, Imp. Milagrosa, C22, M45, M3-4-1-2, M69-2-1, M120-4, M10-2-2-5, M44-3, M4-B1, M5-B1, M40-2-2, M44-1, M140-2, M8-3-1

Oriental Mindoro – Elon-elon, Ka Luis, AG5, GV3, M13, XO, M97, M11, M45-1

Aklan – Imp. Camoros, M45-1, M15-12-1, M11-5-1, M31-37-B4, M21-b1-1, M76-4-1, M2-1-1, M5-CS, M125-2, M140-1, M13-2-1B, M5-A1, M11-5-1, M36-2-1

Antique – AG5, AG10, 16-70D, San Pablo, Minantika, Red Rice, M5-BD, M5-CS, M21-B3, M21-B1-1, M21-37-B4, M36-1, M36-3, M36-4-1, M62-1-1, M104-2, M139-2

Negros Occidental – Wag-wag, AG10, AG5, Binangan, Dinorado, Fortuna, Imp. Borong, Imp. Milagrosa, Inuwak, Macan, Red Borong, Sampaguita, White Borong, Zambales, 2R-IN, 90D-42, 90D-43, 90D-44 Bugana Rice, GL1-8-1, GL4-5-5, GL4-9, M10-2-1, M104-1R, M11-20-1, M117-1R, M127-3, M13-2, M133-1, M139-1, M15-12-1, M20-1, M21-37-B4, M22-2-1, M36-1, M36-4-1, M4-4B, M5-BD, M50-1-1, M50-2, M5-AS, M62-1-1, M62-1-2, M6-6, M69-3-1, M8-2-1, M8-3-1, M90-2, M90-LG, MV4-4, Mv4-8

Zamboanga del Sur – White Bengawan, Red Elon-elon, Red Wag-wag, AG5, AG17, C35, M101-1-1, M112-4, M115-6, M76-3-1, M8-1-1-2, M86-4-1, M97-2-1, M35-1-4-1, M97-ES, M5-AS, M15-12

Lanao del Norte – Ala, Wag-wag Aga, Sulig, Hinumay, AG5, M15-12-1, M19, M68, M91, M86-4-1, M109, M117-1-1R, M108-1R, M36-2, M86-4-1, M8-3-1

North Cotabato – C21, Moguama Africa, Nagdami, Vahari, Vadani, BS Nagkarlan, Maligaya Rice, Pinitumpo, AG5, Puro-puro, San pablo, Tinagi, M35-1-2-1, M67-2-1, M5-BD, M26-4-1, M115-1A, M108-1R, M5-C3, M5-CS, M4-4B, M36-4-1, M14-1-1, M11-6-1, M123-2, M129-1, M10-2-2-5, M11-20-1, M11-6-1, M30-10-1B, M36-4, M-AS, M5-B2, M94-4-1,, M11-6-1, M126-1-2, M13-21B, M131-1, M146-1, 21-2-B2, M15-12-1

South Cotabato – San Pablo, AG5, M2, M3-1-1, M5-CS

Bukidnon – Lubang, C18, Senador, Wag-wag Aga, Bengawan Puti, red Elon-elon, Red Borong, AG24, Bogret, Makagina, Mamintana, Pungko, Sologanon, SP Red, Sta. Maria, Sto. Niño, Sulig, AG5, Maligaya Rice, AG10, Puro-puro, Red Binato, M5-BD, C11-4, Dong Red, M76-1, M94, M15-12-1, M3-4-1, M35-3-1, M51-1-1, M51-2, M5-C, M70-1W, M75-1, M86-1, M90-LG, M93-1

Iloilo - Kagingi, Imp. Camoros, Malido, Lubang, Inuwak, red Borong, M15-12-1R, M10-2-1

Capiz – Libtong Mal, Milagrosa, Kadidit, Ag 23, M16-3, M115-1R, M114-4

Zambales -, Fortuna, Pandan, Japanese 3, C21, M45, M11R

Bohol - Melobina, Maragay, Ag 5, Magsanaya, M148-1, SKK

Characteristic / Adaptation

Traditional rice varieties

Masipag rice

High tillering capacity - 42

Good ratooning ability - 24

Low fertility soils 12 36

Drought tolerance 8 9

Saltwater tolerance 7 12

Flooding tolerance 1 7

Pest/disease resistance 6 17

Red / Black/Violet 152 79

Number of Traditional Rice Varieties (TRVs) and Masipag rice with desired characteristics.

RESULTS:

Flood tolerant – M116-2, M115-1R, M160-1, M45-1, PBB 401

Flood tolerant – JDC 3 , JDC8, Dalagang Bukid

Salt water tolerant – Jasmine, Kanoni, Elon-elon, Makaginga, Binulawan

Drought tolerant – Elon-elon, San Vicente, Palawan, M160-1

Drought tolerant – M4-3-1, Hinumay

Salt Water tolerant– Loreto, Binulungan, M115-1R, M45-1

Drought tolerant – Red Borong, Zambales MLD 4-1

Legends: Farmer-bred lines Traditional rice varieties MASIPAG Selections

Solano, Nueva Vizcaya

Calabanga, Cam Sur

Bato, Cam Sur

Sta. Josefa, Agusan del Sur

Malng, North Cotabato

Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani

Alimodian, Iloilo Libagon, Southern Leyte Drought tolerant – M148-2, M394-1, M51-2, M177-3, M74-1

Batbatngon, Leyte Drought tolerantt – Senador, HubanibPatnongon, Antique

Drought tolerant – M6-14-1R

Climate Change-ready varieties

Green manure

Compost,Vermicompost

Soi

l Fer

tility

Man

agem

ent

D. Soil Fertility Management

Fermented Plant Juice,Fish Amino Acid,Indigenous microorganisms

Soil fertility

E. Alternative Pest Management

Farm Management Practices• Soil nutrient management• Method and time of planting Crop and Varietal

• Water management Diversification• Crop rotation

Maintain Insect Pest,Pathogen, Ecological

Weed Balance

Technology Development by Farmers

F. Diversified and Integrated Farming System (DIFS)

• Diversification is insurance against stochastic events> 3-5 varieties of rice per farmer> Diversification in time (crop rotation)> Diversification in space (vertical space,

horizontal space)> Diversification by use > Diversified and Integrated Farming System (DIFS) = a farm plan is needed

DIFS: more sources, more food, more income

DIFS and multifunctionality

• Maintain stock resources in the Farm

Livestock: Bank in the backyard !

Ducks: Natural pest control

G. Poultry Gene Pool and Development

Nine PO managed chicken gene pool

No Regrets Adaptation to Climate change:

Cultivation of survival crops:• Tuber crops are food insurance

(sweet potato, cassava, taro, yam)• Resilient crops (banana)• Sturdy crops (coconut)

> non-traditional food crops and animals• Drought tolerant (sorghum, pigeon pea)

Carabao driven rotary used in rice farming by Abraham of Sultan Kudarat

H. Farmer-developed and Adapted technologies

Pangi leaves used as botanical pest control by Doming of Zamboanga del Sur

Organic farming for rural development

• Organic farming: use resources within the farm

> Green Manuring (biofertilizers)> Crop and animal wastes

(as organic fertilizers)> Vermicomposting> Companion crops

>>> reduces farmers’ economic exposure to risks (less production costs)

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Reduce vulnerability through farmer-based adaptive strategies

• Diversification> 3-5 varieties of rice per farmer> Diversified and Integrated Farming Systems> Tuber crops (food insurance)> non-traditional food crops and animals> Green Manuring (biofertilizers)> Livestock (bank in the backyard)> Medicinal plants (pharmacy in the backyard)

I. Local marketing of organic products

MASIPAG Farmers’ Guarantee System:• Organic standards• Internal quality control• Product and market development• Processing facilities• Management capacity bldg.

J. Advocacy• Advocacy against development

aggression: -GMOs, patenting of life, corporate control -Mining -Aerial spraying -Land grabbing and land conversion -Biofuels• Advocacy in favor of:

- agrarian reform - susag/organic ag and food security

>> practical work is our best advocacy

Improved Income:Net agricultural income per hectare, 2007 (Pesos)

Masipag Organic

Masipag In Conversion

Chemical Faming

Luzon 24,412** 18,991** 13,403**

Visayas 22,868** 16,039** 13,728**

Mindanao Average

23,715ns

23,599***17,362ns

17,457***19,588ns

15,643***

** = highly significant differences*** = very highly significant differencesNs = no significant difference

MASIPAG, after 26 years:

As organization and network: 635 Peoples Organizations; 35,000+

farmers 60 Non-Government Organizations 15 Scientist-partners 67 farmer rice breeders; 12 corn breeders 100+ volunteer farmer-trainers

On-farm research resources 223 PO-managed trial farms +10 back-up 9 PO-managed native chicken gene pools

Active in 49 provinces

Summary MASIPAG works on:

• Farmers’ Empowerment • Biodiversity conservation• Sustainable agriculture and farming• Organic production and marketing• Food security and Poverty alleviation• Coping mechanism to climate change

>> Not Green or Gene revolution but “Farmer revolution”

>> A partnership, a network, a philosophy and a way of life

Some Lessons in Participatory Research

Agricultural problems have technological as well as non-technological solutions

Certain degree of trust and confidence building as well as leveling-off is needed

R & D should be farmer-centered, not project-, discipline-, scientist-, agency-, or NGO-centered

Need-driven, not fund driven

Some Lessons in Participatory Research

Farmers’ counterparting and no dole-outs should be observed

Sense of ownership by the farmers should be inculcated

Organization has multiplier and sustainability effect

Change and development should only be as fast as the farmers can assimilate

Source: Barefoot Guide to Organizations

The paths are not to be found, but made And the activity of making them Changes both the maker and the

destination.John Schaar

Wanderer, your footsteps are on the road, Wanderer, there is no road, The road is made by walking.

Antonio Machado

Thank you for your attention.