Adoption of Improved Pastures Under Coconuts in Albay, Philippines:
Experiences of a Local Government Officer

J.D. Losa, Jr.
Provincial Veterinary Services, Albay
Legazpi City, Philippines

INTRODUCTION

Albay lies strategically at the central part of Bicol Region, a place known for the majestically perfect cone-shaped Mayon Volcano with an elevation of almost 2,462 meters above sea-level. The southernmost part of Albay is comprised of sedimentary hills and volcanic mountains, on the western side are broad plains and southwest are the Burias pass and the Panganiran Bay. Albay has fertile lands and is endowed with water resources for the vast crop plantation and green fields of the province. The province has a total land area of 255, 260 has, 62 % of which is devoted to agriculture, 15.5 % is  forest  areas  and  0.7 % is  commercial and industrial activities. Albay’s climatic condition is moderately fair with a pronounced rainy period during the months of September to February. The province is also frequently visited by typhoons which usually caused massive destruction to crops and livestock. The principal crop in Albay is coconut which occupies 95,794 hectares. Despite farmers’ dependency on coconut, the present slump in the price of copra brought tremendous losses in the production and income of farmers. Other crops produced in the province are rice, corn, abaca, banana and rootcrops. Animal industry is also gaining importance in the province. Swine industry is predominant over other livestock with a population of 93,216 raised mostly in their backyard or smallholder farms. Few semi-commercial and commercial farms operate in Albay.

The concept of livestock integration with tree crops such as coconut is not new in the province. This method is currently practiced and gaining popularity to most farmers due to its effective land utilization. Indeed, Albay being an agriculture-based region, crop and animal production has been a major contributor to its total economic output and development.

Pasture Development Activities

In the preceding discussion, the statistical reality tells us that Albay has a wide area of land under coconut which once utilized for a cattle-coconut integration which boost the cattle industry thereby increasing the income of coconut farmers.  The data also revealed that the consumers of beef in the province is increasing at a phase by which ruminant production cannot cope-up with the demands. Being a typhoon prone area, Albay is facing serious economic problems created by the calamity. With all these factors taken into consideration, a conclusion can be drawn that indeed cattle under coconuts is one of the solutions to offset the grim reality of the coconut industry in our country and the income of our coconut farmers.

This brings us to the question of what have been our paticipation in realizing these objectives?

Succeeding discussions is presented in a historical manner that considers changes of events in the evolution of the present day status of the Department of Agriculture personnel who were devolved to the Local Government Units pursuant to R.A. 7160.

1. Bureau  of Animal Industry era

The author, being the provincial veterinarian of Albay has the task of safeguarding the livestock industry against zoonitic disease like rabies, initiates  regular workshops, seminars, trainings, farm visits and short term courses on ruminant development and nutrition were oftenly undertaken which in turn were echoed to our livestock raisers. Demonstration area for forage and pasture particularly in breeding stations and stock farms of the BAI were the usual venues for on farm researches and as source of planting materials for its clients. Cooperators were aware of the recent development of the livestock industry and one way of driving it is the sponsorship of the Livestock/ Poultry Production week, a week long livestock fair where the clients are exposed to the different livestock development. This affair enable them to organized the Albay Dairy Farmers Association. The activity is focus on ruminant development including forage and pasture and to established technical and sociological relationship of the stakeholders in the livestock development.

2. Integration of the Department of Agriculture

In 1983, the entire DA family was reorganized, all the Bureaus were integrated in the Regional and Provincial level while the national level became staff bureaus. This period slowed down the forage and pasture development in the province.

A generalist approach on the extension services by the technicians were implemented, even non-livestock disciplined employees were required to perform livestock related activities.  Although the intentions were good but in the overall effect, it created confusion on the part of the extension workers for they were made to perform jobs which were not included in their scope of work. However, one good observation here is the fact that despite the new extension scheme, the forage and pasture program of the BAI is still commited towards the upliftment of the agricultural programs of the province. Furthermore, the efforts were more confined in the breeding stations and stock farms doing researches and as well as resource speakers during seminars and trainings conducted.

3.    Post EDSA I Philippine Revolution

In 1986, after the political turn of event numerous developmental thrusts were undertaken through the active collaboration of the BAI forage and pasture group with the PAO's Office. Through the provision of some amount from the Livestock Development Council, and in collaboration with  BAI , a 200 hectare land in Ligao, Albay was developed  and became the source of planting materials for so many clients for a cattle-coconut integration. It serves as the source of  matured technology for cattle under  coconut   and   the  improved   pasture  technology   for commercialization. The 90 hectares  became the source of humidicola for planting to the interested clientele not only in Albay but even to neighboring provinces of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon and the island province of Catanduanes.  It became also a favorite destination of livestock raisers from different provinces of Bicol and as far as Quezon province as well as source of planting materials for some forage pasture grasses. During this period a massive campaign on the adoption of the establishment of a pasture garden was undertaken. This was implemented by Albay Dairy Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

4.  Foreign assisted projects

In 1990, the Philippine -Australian government undertook a joint project known as the Pilot Provincial Agricultural Extension Project (PPAEP). Initially, this was for three years only but was extended for another 2 years.   This grant project was conducted to investigate an extension approach where the point of entry is through agricultural development and to be implemented by a contracted NGO while the technical aspect were done by the employees of the DA provincial office. Forage and pasture development were given focus and some of the employees were even exposed into the activities undertaken by the Center International de Agriculture Tropical with base at IRRI Los Baños, Laguna Philippines. 

Another training approach was undertaken to established forage and pasture through testing of different varieties in small plots where cultivators showing potential characteristics and traits multiplied.

Experimentation in small land holding was  the  approach  learned  during  this period, however what is to be desired of is the sustainability in view of the massive logistical support in a short period of time.

The Effects of Devolution or Local Government Code (R.A. 7160)

The Local Government Code devolved the personnel and functions of the Dept. of Agriculture to the Local Government Units both provincial and municipal. With this move, veterinary profession was given equal status to that of the agriculturist. Veterinary officer was given the authority to decide what is best for the livestock industry in Albay. With the BAI support, pasture and forage development was continuously and vigorously pursued.

In this period, considerable accomplishments were done.   On the legislative side, a resolution imploring all municipalities to establish at least a hectare for demonstration area for forage and pasture was promulgated. As a result three (3) municipalities complied.  However, sad to note that in every election where changes in leadership affect priorities in the agricultural scenario so that sustainability is compromised. Intensified establishment of pasture garden to members of the Albay Dairy Farmers MP cooperative has been maximized. Researches in cattle under coconut integration have been done and can be a reference for researchers as well as the basis for a province-wide implementation of cattle under coconut project. This is actually undergoing activity particularly with the continuous lending program of the BAI with the Multi-Livestock Loan Dispersal Program where a farmer is allowed to borrow for 2 heads of cattle or a carabao and is paid within 5 year period with an interest rate of 10% per annum. In Albay, considerable borrowers had been the recipients of this scheme.

The return of a live stockman in the portrait of the development in the province constitutes a big step towards livestock development moving forward. Focus, proper technical direction and proper representative in the local governance make it a plus factor for the industry.

Future plans

With the strong technological and sociological bondage of the BAI technical people and the local provincial office, it is envisioned that a sustained collaborative undertaking shall be maintained.  Intensified forage and pasture under coconut development shall be pursued in view of the impending global threat to the coconut industry in the Philippines included where the price is at its lowest ebb nowadays. A massive campaign and establishment of good relations with newly elected local officials for the support in the development of small ruminants shall be undertaken. Above all the organization of small livestock raisers group federating them in the provincial level to constitute a louder voice for lobbying for the support in all levels of governance for a wholistic developmental thrust of the industry.

CONCLUSIONS

Viewed in the actual scenario of the hinterlands of Albay nowadays shows that poverty is prevailing in the midst of the majority of the coconut farmers. It is because of the very low price of copra plus the sporadic disturbances in the peace and order situation in the province.  Given this scenario,  the challenge now is to  undertake measures to provide moral, technical and spiritual support to these people. With the vast resources sorrounding the province, what the province  needs is more of a technical support. More often in the past the lowlanders were given too much attention but with the massive urbanization in these areas the upland areas should be given more attention. Appropriate technology and proper community mobilization with livestock development as the point of entry will create a social impact in the relationship of the government and its clientele particularly if these people will be organized into a people's organization. Once bridged and proper networking both with GO-NGO's a domino effect will be experienced in the empowerment of the economic status of these clientele. Side-by-side with there improvement shall be  the proper management of the province resources.