New book guides grassroots landcare approach in the Philippines

Marcelino Patindol, one of the original farmers involved in landcare in the Philippines. [Photographer: Econnect]

A book based on the experiences of landcare facilitators and farmers involved in the ten-year Philippines-Australia Landcare Project has been officially launched in Australia during National Landcare Week.

Landcare in the Philippines: a practical guide to getting it started and keeping it going has been published by ACIAR to help guide new landcare facilitators in developing countries.

The Philippines Landcare Project has helped farmers tackle the alarming rate of erosion of the steep, upland slopes of southern Philippines. Soil losses of 50–300 tonnes per hectare were occurring every year, leaving many families living in extreme poverty.

The Project was implemented in a partnership between five agencies from the Philippines and two from Australia, including Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries and the University of Queensland.

At least 8,000 farmers on the islands of Mindanao and Bohol are currently involved in landcare and many have adopted conservation farming techniques. Landcare is also helping communities address soil fertility, farm diversification and gain access to markets.

The practical guide for landcare facilitators contains over 70 photos and drawings and 34 stories from landcare farmers, facilitators, and staff.

Related stories

• Australian project leader, Noel Vock
• Landcare farmer Marcelino Patindol
• Landcare researcher Agustin (‘Jun’) Mercado, Jr
• Women’s group in southern Mindanao
• Children teaching parents

Media release from Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Mr Bob McMullan - http://www.ausaid.gov.au/media/release.cfm?BC=Media&ID=684_4940_8788_519...

Funding and support

The Philippines Landcare Project was funded for 10 years by ACIAR, with co-funding from AusAID for the last five years.

Australian partners

• QLD Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries: lead agency
• University of Queensland
• Department of Natural Resources
• Barung Landcare Association

Philippines partners

• Landcare Foundation of the Philippines Inc.
• World Agroforestry Centre
• Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and research in Agriculture
• Catholic Relief Services Philippines
• University of the Philippines Los Banos

The project has also been supported and encouraged by Landcare Australia Limited, the Australian Landcare Council, Secretariat for International Landcare, Australian Landcare International and the Crawford Fund for International Development. Econnect Communication co-produced two publications (below).