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WELCOME DRR AND AGRICULturE elcome to the second issue of our experiencing reduced rainfall and higher newsletter. It has been a busy start temperatures, FAO is working with the DA on W to the year for FAO as we continue to preparing an El Niño damage assessment and Contents vigorously pursue projects in support of the needs analysis report on agricultural crops Government. affected in 28 municipalities in Maguindanao. During the first quarter of the year we have FAO and the DA have also been collaborating Philippines takes launched the web-based Food Security to enhance climate risk management and first steps towards a Information System, completed the chronic disaster preparedness in Bicol - one of the national DRR strategy analysis of food insecurity in 18 provinces in most disaster-prone regions in the Philippines. 3 Mindanao under the Integrated Food Security And today, we’re proud to say that this is now for agriculture Phase Classification (IPC), and scaled up the a model for DRR initiatives. Green Super Rice Early Warning System for Food and Nutrition Security (EWS-FSN) in ten more municipalities. With the ongoing conflict across some areas gives Bicol farmers of Mindanao continuing to cause mass higher yield Meanwhile the recovery interventions have displacement, the restoration of agriculture 4 been accelerated in our Haiyan response and fisheries remains a challenge since the programme. FAO, in close consultation with majority of those affected are smallholder Sustainable agriculture: the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its farmers and marginal fishers, and women. We key to lasting peace in Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources are now currently assessing the impact of this (BFAR), the Department of Agrarian Reform displacement in terms of lost livelihoods. 6 Mindanao (DAR), the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and local government units, is finalizing its Relatedly, FAO has been actively engaged Post-Haiyan Strategic Plan for the medium in the Mindanao peace process and has Seaweed farmers regain term with the aim of building the resilience of assisted the Bangsamoro Development livelihoods after Typhoon affected farming and fishing communities to Agency in formulating the Bangsamoro climate-induced disasters and the impact of Development Plan, particularly on challenges 8 Haiyan climate change. and development prospects in the agriculture and fisheries sector. Among which are In response to a request by the Government the development of strategies that would Contour farming puts early this year, FAO is also assisting in the help link many farmer rebel returnees and farmers back on the formulation of the national disaster risk decommissioned combatants to opportunities reduction (DRR) strategic framework for that would provide better levels of farm path to recovery 10 agriculture and fisheries. The Philippines is incomes. one of the first countries in implementing the shift from reactive emergency response to a Of course, we continue to support the proactive risk reduction approach, and while Government in addressing other equally Events consultations with partners and stakeholders important challenges facing the agriculture at all levels are presently ongoing, I would sector. These include issues on food and 12 like to acknowledge and congratulate the nutrition security, rural poverty, agrarian Government for taking the first steps toward reform, agriculture competitiveness and this direction. market access of small farmers, climate Cover Photo: change impact on agriculture, fisheries ©FAO/J.Lebante The DRR strategy is timely with the resource management and climate smart Philippines currently facing a weak El Niño, aquaculture, and restoring agriculture and as confirmed recently by the state weather fisheries livelihoods in farming and fishing bureau - Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical communities affected by conflicts and natural and Astronomical Services Administration disasters, among others. (PAGASA). With some parts of the country We would like to encourage further support in these areas, which are also considered a priority by the Government. After all, agriculture is one of the fundamental building blocks for reducing poverty, particularly in the farming and fishing communities and also in the attainment of food and nutrition security. Lastly, I would like to thank all the donor agencies and partners that took time out of their busy schedules to attend our Haiyan briefing in January. The accomplishments and milestones presented at the briefing was a testament to the saying that truly, there is success in working together. On behalf of FAO, I look forward to future collaborations as we continue to work towards raising the quality of life of the Filipino farmers and fisher folks. ©FAO/S.Miskelly FAO Representative, José Luis Fernández plants José Luis Fernández mangroves with members of the Barangay Agustin FAO Representative in the Philippines Navarra Environment Conservation Association (BANECA) in the province of Capiz. FAO supports community-based organizations such as BANECA in the rehabilitation of mangrove sites. 2 I FAO Philippines Newsletter 2015 DRR AND AGRICULturE ©FAO/Philippines A climate-smart farmer field school in Mindanao is Philippines takes first steps towards combining DRR knowledge with innovations in climate change adaptation. a national DRR strategy for agriculture hile the Philippines is one in existing structures as well as establishing good practice options. It of the most disaster-prone climate change adaptation (CCA) and also trains DA regional staff and LGU W countries in the world, it DRR complementarities. A planning extension workers on disaster risk is also one of the most advanced workshop involving senior DA officials management systems, community- countries in implementing the was then proposed to elicit high-level based DRR and CCA planning, climate shift from a reactive emergency inputs that will guide the strategy risk management and early warning, response to a proactive risk design. and information and communications reduction approach. Now, through technology-assisted post-disaster the leadership of the Department The workshop was supported by needs assessments in agriculture. of Agriculture (DA), together with the FAO regional ECHO-funded DRR the technical assistance of FAO and project supporting agriculture in In the Philippines, the DA and FAO financial support from the European southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, continue to work in close partnership Commission for Humanitarian Aid Philippines and Democratic People’s to support ongoing efforts at all levels and Civil Protection (ECHO), the Republic of Korea). With the overall to integrate and mainstream the Philippines will soon have a national leadership of the DA, the project is government’s DRR and climate change disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategy assisting select local government adaptation agendas in the agriculture, for agriculture and fisheries. units (LGUs) and farming and fishing fisheries and forestry sectors. communities in identifying and A national planning workshop for the development of strategies for Community-based DRR DRR in agriculture and fisheries was management training held on 26 March 2015 at Subic Bay participants plot the Freeport, with activities led by the Field disaster-prone areas in their municipality. Programs Operation Division of the DA. The workshop was attended by technical staff from various DA central office units as well as senior technical officers, DRR focal points and rice and corn coordinators from all DA regional field offices. The first part of the workshop involved a brainstorming session on ways to integrate DRR in agriculture from both national and regional perspectives. The second part focused on the identification of DRR management- related priority actions, gaps and capacity development needs at different levels. Other points discussed in the workshop included proposed ©FAO/C. Glavan approaches to address mainstreaming Issue 2 I 3 DRR AND AGRICULTURE ©FAO/J.Abelinde A demonstration farm in Camarines Norte Green Super Rice gives Bicol farmers higher yield that showcases a saltwater-resistant Green Super Rice line ronting the Pacific Ocean, Bicol allow farmers to observe and what they can by harvesting their is one of the Philippines’ most compare stress-tolerant lines from crops earlier than they should. F disaster-prone regions, but varieties that they traditionally use. farmers here now have a reason The sites for these demonstration “Because of the saltwater intrusion to expect higher productivity in farms have been specifically and drought and with no irrigation spite of more challenging weather chosen because they are located in to wash out the salt particles from conditions. This is thanks to Green communities where flood, drought my farm, my harvest had gone Super Rice (GSR) lines and other and/or saltwater intrusion are down to as low as 14 bags.” Efren stress-tolerant rice varieties that are prevalent. In these areas, farmers said. “Now, you can see how the being introduced and replicated by often have to live with reduced seeds [GSR lines] are performing in the Department of Agriculture (DA) yield because of these hazards. spite of the condition of my farm. I and FAO. think I can harvest more than 100 For Efren Dayaon, a rice farmer bags by the end of this cropping In the Bicol Region, demonstration from Mercedes in Camarines Norte, period.” farms that feature GSR lines have flooding is an accepted occurrence been established in cooperation

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