Community rattan nursery, Abbakeruan, Source FAO Keywords Rattan, nurseries, community projects, Philippines Country of first practice Philippines ID and publishing year 3870 and 2005 Sustainbale Development Goals No poverty, zero hunger, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure Summary A community rattan nursery is a cooperative stands suffered from heavy extraction. Such venture between community members pressure was felt in the 1970s, prompting who all play a part in running it and all the government to impose a ban on the benefit from it. As a larger unit than would export of raw materials. This situation was be feasible at the individual level, the unit however, partly addressed by replenishing has more leverage in accessing inputs and the raw materials by artificial means through selling its outputs. Collective facilities can plantation establishment. be established for the benefit of all, such as Interest was sustained in rattan nursery central propagation facilities, advisers and improvement because of the government’s machinery. policy of using rattans as reforestation Description species to rehabilitate watershed areas with added productive value, along with The Philippines is endowed with the rich other commercial species. The integration natural resources inherent in many tropical of rattans in forest plantation development countries. The plant species are so diverse opened avenues for livelihood development that many plant forms have become integral options for upland dwellers on one hand components in the way of life of many and for future augmentation of supply of Filipinos. Aside from the woody trees that resources on the other. Government projects are the major and dominant components of and tenure agreements that include rattan forest ecosystems, rattans are considered as are the Upland Development Projects highly important non-wood forest resources. (UDP), Community Forestry Projects (CFP), Over time the rattans became very important the Community Based Forest Management sources of livelihood and the mainstays of (CBFM), the Socialized Integrated Forest the global cane industry common to most Management Agreement (SIFMA) and the ASEAN countries. In a recent report, the Integrated Forest Management Agreement Philippines was regarded as the center of (IFMA). In the private sector the National the rattan furniture industry and highly Development Corporation in collaboration acclaimed with the best and most elegant with the Paper Industries designs known in the world. Rattan poles and Corporation and what was finished products have been the top exports. then Provident Farms, TECA Like any forest product derived from the wild Inc. engaged in massive in high demand, rattans in natural plantation development TECHNOLOGIES and PRACTICES for SMALL AGRICULTURAL 1/7 PRODUCERS Forestry

on a commercial scale. This developed 1.1 Establishment and management of the opportunities to explore practical methods community rattan nursery - The Philippines of rattan nursery protocols, including seed experience germination. 1.1.1 Site 1 One step towards the establishment of a Two sites were visited in Valley, plantation is the propagation of planting about 300 km north of Manila. One is stock in the nursery. Initially, the government located in Abbakeruan, Pamplona in spearheaded the trial planting of this the province of Cagayan and the other relatively new plantation crop. The dearth is in Diadi, province in . of technology on rattan nurseries compelled For both sites, there was no formal the government to develop appropriate organization of nursery operators and methods in order to be able to establish no communal or central rattan nursery. plantations. Research work was conducted Business decisions however, are at to explore the technology for rattan seed times taken in consideration with other germination, nursery establishment and individual operators, and information on maintenance. Thus, the protocols for raising management and markets are shared. planting stock were developed and were 1.1.2 Site 1 - A disseminated by various means such as print medium (How to Series, Research Digest), The municipality of Pamplona is situated pilot demonstrations and training. along the northwestern part of the province of Cagayan and is approximately 1. The community rattan nursery 156 km from the provincial capital of The community rattan nursery fulfills two . It is bounded on the north important roles. Firstly it enhances the by the Babuyan Channel; on the south by livelihoods of poor, rural farmers and does the municipality of Luna; on the west by so by drawing upon their own inherent plant the municipality of Sanchez Mira, and on cultivation skills. The community nature of the east by the municipality of Abulug. the unit will empower each worker with The area falls under the Type 3 climatic a voice and a role in its running. Secondly classification which is usually dry from it promotes environmental protection, March to August and wet from September especially if established on degraded lands. to February. As can be seen from the examples in this The major livelihoods of the people are TOTEM, there are many ways of establishing farming, fishing, Nipa wine making, and a community rattan nursery. Fundamentally weaving nipa shingles. There are no all that is required is land, rattan seedlings, prominent industrial facilities in the area some horticultural experience on the part of but there are considerable sources of at least one member of the community and timber, nipa, rattan, bamboo, gravel and access to buyers of the seedlings. Ideally a sand. All of the barangays (villages) are community cooperative would be established accessible by motor vehicles. Trade on the in which all members have a share, and all other hand, is somewhat hampered by the would be able to benefit. distance from major centers resulting in high costs of transport.

2/7 Abbankeruan has a total land area of at a time. The gathering area was along the 352 hectares and has forested mountains riverbanks where rattan grew with nipa and on its southern border. This is where other vegetation. A gatherer can collect local residents gather forest products like about half to one 19-liter can of seeds a day rattan. In 1997, the had about or about 10 to 20 thousand seeds.Rattan 150 households with about 775 inhabitants seeds were more preferable when they had (Pamplona Municipal Planning and started to fall naturally. They are usually Development Office). gathered by climbing the tree itself or by The population is a mixture of Ibanags using long poles to pulling them down. and Ilocanos. There is no available Seeds that have fallen naturally a long comprehensive report on the income of time ago were not collected as the farmers the households but on average farmers’ deemed it difficult to pick them up one by earnings ranged from subsistence to about one under the litter. Farmers were not sure P 75 000 per year from farming and related of the seed viability as they had already activities. These are spent for basic daily been exposed to elements such as water, needs, their children’s education and other insects and rodents. needs. 2.2 Sowing in seed beds 1.2 Rattan nursery technology The collected seeds were spread in about The technology involves the production of 1 x 10 meter seedbeds that were usually rattan germinants from collected seeds of found at the farmers backyards. The palasan (Calamus merrillii). The operators number of seedbeds depended on the obtained the technology from fellow amount of seeds gathered. Farmers usually farmers who had previous experience in had two to four seeds each. The seeds were rattan plantation development and nursery then covered with a thin layer of garden operations from the Philippine Forestry soil. Coconut fronds spread on bamboo Development Project in Ilocos Norte slats were placed about 1 foot above the (PFDFIN). The process of transferring this beds to protect the latter from the direct technology from one farmer to another impact of rain and intense sunlight. The involves frequent interactions and actual beds were watered occasionally and other observation of the activities performed by maintenance activities such as weeding the ones who had the experience. were done. 2. Rattan nursery operation 3. Collection and marketing of germinants 2.1 Gathering of rattan seeds About two months after sowing, the seeds have already sprouted into germinant Rattan seeds are gathered in September with hypocotyl just emerging. In this case, and October. Only one species, Calamus farmers cannot determine seed mortality merrillii, was identified. The farmers/ just set because some seeds germinate long gatherers devoted two to three days after most of the others did. The farmers/ per month to collecting the seeds. operators then contact the representatives The gathering area was approximately from the GNI so that the germinant could be 10‑15 kms and the farmers/operators ply collected and transported. The germinant the area in batches of 10 or more persons are carefully picked by hand, cleansed of

3/7 soil and then placed in plastic bags of 100 Smallholder farmers were also unaware of or 1000 pieces each plus 10% allowance for any government policy or regulation that mortality. Women and children are actively would affect their business. However they involved in this activity. The GNI pays the had previous experience in rattan nursery farmers P1.25 to P1.50 per germinant. The operations while employed in a forestry bags of germinant are secured in ice chests project in a nearby province several years for transport directly to the contractor back. Some relied more on their sole outlet, where the latter paid the GNI an undisclosed the Greeners North, Inc. in terms of rattan- amount. The contractors further raised the based livelihood. germinant into full seedlings in their own 4. Perceptions and recommendations nurseries until they were able to be planted which is usually from June to September or This kind of business Is easy to start given the until the planting season of the next year. minimal need for capital, labor and space. The activities involved in this business are 3.1 Economics and other considerations fair to women and children and can easily be Inputs on the part of the farmers are: adapted by others and that it is ecologically • unpaid family labor; sound. Competition for the source in the • a small space in the backyard; and future could be a potential problem. As a • some local materials. recommendation, the government should identify and develop rattan reforestation There were no or little use of fertilizers, areas to sustain the market and that pesticides, materials and other supplies. technologies in terms of seed storage and Hence, given a viable demand, farmers can nursery operation should be extended to easily start with the business. them. The income generated by a farmer can 4.1 Socio-cultural and institutional factors be estimated. Roughly around 40 to Despite some limitations, technology 80 thousand seeds can be collected within transfer in community based rattan the four days of seed gathering. Assuming nurseries has led to the realization of 50 percent mortality after sowing, about economic potentials. The technologies are 20 000 to 40 000 germinant can be manageable and do not need sophisticated produced. Deducting 10 percent allowance gadgets. Labor is available all year round for mortality during transport, there would and capital requirements maybe considered be about 18 000 to 36 000 germinants insignificant compared to most small sold at P 1.25 each. This would amount scale business endeavors. Minimal space to P 22 500 to P 45 000 of gross income is needed for the nurseries. Although realized. Considering that the farmers did somewhat affected by the seasonality of not work in the seedbeds on a full time fruiting, seeds and germinant are available basis, considerable earnings can be derived wherever nursery operators need them. even if family labor were valued. Indigenous materials such as bamboo and 3.2 Economic viability coconut fronds are readily available in the Any form of indigenous beliefs, rituals, communities. The farmers derive positive customs or traditions related to or affecting net benefits despite the fluctuations their nursery operation were not recalled. in prices and limited market outlets. In

4/7 addition to the direct benefit that can fertilizers are applied. However, these are be drawn by the nursery operators, the administered in minimal amounts and can employment of occasional labor services readily be assimilated in the field. Other offers indirect benefits to society. The processes require indigenous materials vast economic potential of rattan nursery and needs no sophistication. Furthermore, operation can be better realized if proper energy and water requirements are business and policy environment are minimal. facilitated. Considering that the supply of More than the minimal disturbance, these rattan canes dwindles with time, the need are long term impacts of rattan nursery to shift to plantations grows even stronger. development. Development of plantations This will raise the demand for seedlings in mean microclimatic amelioration, carbon the very near future. sequestration, minimization of soil loss, 5. Conclusions soil quality improvement, improvement of 5.1 Role of market biodiversity and many other environmental From the cases presented, it is apparent benefits. that the market plays the major role in 5.3 Social aspects production. The market on the other hand Rattan nursery technologies are not very is highly influenced by the availability of sensitive to cultural norms nor are they reforestation areas in the vicinities of rattan governed by any traditions and beliefs nurseries. This is very much exemplified by that would hinder their development and the case in (This study site). adoption by other farmers and would- In the case of the other sites, there are no be operators. They show no particular formal markets and the seedlings produced potential to generate conflicts between substitute for the demand of the seedlings interested groups. There is little need that otherwise will be bought. for specialization of labor that would The respondents are cognizant of the need concentrate authority or power with a to expand the market for rattan seedlings. selected few while marginalizing others. And because rattan seedlings are raised Rattan nursery and seedling production in areas where there are considerable technologies offer significant participation amounts of existing rattan stands, market in terms of gender concerns. The roles expansion is somewhat limited. The role of women and children are evidently of information here is very important and seen and these result into closer working responsibility lies in the hands of the private relationships within the family and the and public sector. community. Consequently, everybody 5.2 Environmental aspects enjoys the access to benefits and resources. Rattan nursery operations and the 5.4 Transferability of technology application of pertinent technologies follow Needing no sophistication and costly sound environmental principles. These do gadgets, rattan nursery technologies can not require materials and substances that easily be transferred into communities. The will damage the environment considerably. advantage with these kind of technologies Of course, pesticides and chemical is that the products are tangible and can

5/7 easily be compared to those produced by 5.6 Research needs traditional means. It can be surmised from the responses It can be surmised that the presence of of the interviewees that they need more organized communities can hasten the access to information. Without bringing transfer of technologies. Information is them a package of technologies, they readily shared and the spirit of self-help would rely on informal communication and reinforces the desire and ability to learn. by occasional participation in the training And since organized communities command programs of particular government projects. some bargaining power, they can deal with There is a need for an active dissemination reputable entities with more influence. of rattan technologies through extension strategies that would meet the specific 5.5 Weaknesses and threats need of the local people. The present Situations are not usually perfect. There are technologies require refinement and factors that threaten the sustainability of improvement with integration of indigenous rattan nursery operation despite technology knowledge that should be verified. transfer efforts. Biophysically sustainability is adversely affected by the distance of the Parallel to the gaps in the policy and communities from the centers of services. technology transfer is the need to conduct Production is governed by the seasonality relevant research on rattan production. of the supply of seeds and adverse climatic This will enable decision-makers to draft conditions are forces to reckon with. It their courses of action more accurately is sad to note that most if not all seed rather than iteratively. The following may gatherers find their materials from stands be considered as research areas both in the that may not be genetically superior. short and long terms: This is one aspect that proper authorities • inventory of growth and yield studies of may have to explore. Economically the rattan stands both in natural forests and market for rattan seedlings has not yet plantations; been fully developed and is marked by • potentials for the development of rattan restrictions such as limited information plantation; and the presence of sole buyers and sellers • supply and demand studies; in some areas. The economics of rattan • site-species compatibility studies; seedling production is highly influenced by • performance trials for rattan grown from the proximity of the nursery to potential seedlings; reforestation areas. • socio-economics of community nursery Among the major gaps affecting the operations, market research, market sustainability of community rattan nursery based instruments for rattan seedling technologies are on the policy side. There production and incentive system; have been few incentive systems to • technology transfer schemes among encourage nursery operators to produce nursery operators and developers; and more effectively and efficiently. Policies • policy research instituting mechanisms to use stocks only 6. Validation of the practice from genetically superior and proven The practice was tested by farmers in sources are also lacking. Abbakeruan, Philippines.

6/7 7. Minimum requirements for the successful 10. Objectives fulfilled by the project implementation of the practice • Labour-saving technology (LST) • Availability of Rattans The collection of the Rattan seed can be 8. Further reading done three or four days a month and the • Community rattan nursery, Philippines. farmer can use the other days to do other • Southern Mindanao A & B, Community income generating activity. rattan nursery, Philippines. • Women-friendly • NorthEastern Mindanao, Community rattan nursery, Philippines. The work is not drudgery therefore women • Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya and children can easily be involved. 9. Agro-ecological zones • Pro-poor technology Agro-ecological conditions under which the Very limited capital is required, mainly a practice has been carried out. farmer needs labor and land. • Subtropics, warm/mod cool • Tropics, warm

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