Help, 3! Farm Crops + Tree Crops (Agroforestry) To Produce The New Rich Rice Farmer, To Help Him Raise Rice Right!

PhilRice has much to say about “Agroforestry,” which is “growing farm crops along with tree crops,” with many advantages aside from good income! So! 

I am pleasantly surprised. In the PhilRice website, Christina Frediles writes, “The Science Behind Trees” (12 Apr 2016, PhilRice, philrice.gov.ph):

“Some farms in Claveria, Misamis Oriental … tend plants in steep slopes with erosion-prone and acidic soils while rainfall serves as main source of water. But these obstacles do not bother them. Their ally? The trees – which are beneficial to rice and other crops.”

Dr Agustin Mercado Jr, research manager of the World Agroforestry Center-Philippines, says “In planting trees with rice, farmers should consider its economic, environmental, and social benefits.”

”Trees maintain soil organic matters such as leaves and root decays. They improve vegetable productivity by reducing windspeed and increasing relative humidity and soil moisture at the surface.”

Nevertheless: IRRI and UP Los Baños are not teaching agroforestry!

“In a 2005 report to the World Bank, Roehlano M Briones of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies pointed out that the country has over 12.2 million ha of sloping land.”
(top image from environmentbuddy.com)

So! Let us practice agroforestry in those sloping lands!

“In a study (by) Mercado’s team (cited above), the integration of rubber tree and upland rice normally yields the best result. While rubber trees prevent soil erosion, upland rice… does not emit methane gas unlike flooded rice. Methane contributes to global warming and climate change.”

“’Integration of rice and rubber tree is a good option to increase rice production, food, and economic security of the country while mitigating climate change,’ Mercado said.”

“… With trees proving their worth to climate change adaptation and mitigation, agroforestry practices should be adopted to complement the needs of crops and animals. After all, farmers are expected to produce food while standing resilient despite the changing climate.

“What could be more challenging than farming at the top of a mountain? Some farms in Claveria, Misamis Oriental do just that. Farmers here tend plants in steep slopes with erosion-prone and acidic soils while rainfall serves as main source.“

On the website: UP Los Baños has zero entry for “Agroforestry”!

The same sad story for IRRI!

The World Economic Forum says, via Libby Leonard – “Agroforestry 101: Everything you need to know” 08 Dec 2022 (weforum.org):

Here's all you need to know about farming with trees:

Currently, agroforestry and its ability to sequester carbon has made the practice at the forefront of sustainable agricultural systems that can not only help the world reach climate goals, but also diversify income for farmers, as well as provide opportunities for food security, soil protection, wildlife habitats, and community empowerment.

The Soil Association says (soilassociation.org):

“Agroforestry… is a way to increase crop yields, while also benefitting the environment.”

“While also benefitting the farmer!” So, more PH farmers should be practicing agroforestry.

Meanwhile, for the environment and farmers’ pockets, those rice terraces should be growing many more trees and harboring much less water!@517