Proponent: Manalabo -Learning Design for Environment and Peace
Duration of the Project: July 2018 - June 2019
Project Site: Tublay & Mankayan, Benguet Province & Tadian, Mountain Province, Philippines
Grant: Green Fund-National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization, Japan
Person in Charge : Noriko Izuka(Manalabo) & Lily Jamias (CGN)
Introduction
Coffee became in demand livelihood to all coffee value chain of the industry, though Philippines is still dependent to coffees from Brzail, Africa, Central America, Indonesia and Vietnam, the Philippine government has developed the coffee road map to boost the local coffee in the Philippines (Business Mirror 2017). Local tourists are patriotic in looking for coffees, they want local coffees, thus, this help and encourages the farmers to expand their farms for the local market. Coffee stakeholders have to contributed with the ongoing program of the government together with farmers and the local government unit.
With the promotion and calling of the government to work for the coffee production, there are people who are working with the farmers especially for the quality of coffee.
As non-government organization, and an organization working for the protection of environment, we proposed projects where coffee is used in agroforestry systems to help protect and conserve soil and water, and help alleviate the economic condition of the community, thus we are experimenting to produce quality coffee seedlings and certified Arabica coffee. And the experiment was conducted to 3 communities to see the effect of micro-climatic condition of the community to the Arabica seedlings.
Accomplishment Report
From the proposal made and implemented, The activities that were conducted were the following:
A. Choosing of communities:
Based on the proposed sites, higher elevation (1,600 masl), and mid elevation (1,300-1,400 masl) and lower elevation (1,000-1,100 masl), thus, the selected communities were Balili in Mankayan in Benguet for the highest elevation, Coroz community in Benguet Tublay for mid elevation, and in Kayan in Tadian, a barangay of Mountain Province for lower elevation. Balili is the highest elevation in Mankayan were it is usually cloudy starting 11:00 in the morning and often rains in the afternoon. It is cold in the place ranging from 22-15 degrees centigrade in normal days. Coroz is mostly dry place and seldom rain during the onset of rainy season compared to Balili. It is cold from 26 to15 degrees. Kayan is warm but cold in the early morning, it is also dry specially summer time.
◆Mankayan
B. Collection of seeds for sowing
Collection of the certified seeds from Laos was just done on April of this year (2019), due to prohibition of entry of raw seeds. But nonetheless, it reaches the Philippines through personal pick up of Mariko. The seeds are certified by the Coffee Research Center in Laos and named it as follows:
1. H373
2. F5
3. C166
4.P88
5. P 86
6. P90
7. ST113
8. B02
9. F5
10. T8667
11. T5175
12.LC1662
13. Y
14. G1702
15.H377
16.H528
The seeds above were sown in Mankayan, Benguet with 1,600masl on June 18-19, 2019; in Kayan, Tadian, Mountain Province with elevation of 1,000 masl on May 27, 2019 and in Coroz, Tublay, Benguet with elevation of 1,400 masl on May 22, 2019. The two former communities were not germinated yet while the later community some seeds germinated. As of the set-up of the sowing, both the Mankayan and Kayan were sown and tagged according to the name of the coffees while Coroz was not sown and tag according to set-up for research. With this, the 2 community can continue the observation for the seeds.
There are seeds purchased in Benguet State University which is mondonovo seeds. In Mankayan, Coroz, and Kayan, the mondonovo seeds was sown in March 15, 2019; March 5, 2019; May 24, 2019 respectively. The mondonovo strain of Arabica is suited best in the three places as been observed in the growth of germinated seeds. With this, growth performance of the germinated seedlings will be observed with the potted media. The potted seedlings will be observed in the following treatments for at least 200 pots per mixed media:
Soil + Compost
Soil + Compost + inorganic
Soil + Compost + Organic
Soil + Compost + Processed Chicken dung
In the proposal, the mycovam, which is a root enhancer is not available from the source (University of the Philippines, Los Banos) in that it was not included in the application of media.
◆Tublay
Observation of the seedlings
As of this month (July 2019), the status of the seedlings were robust and healthy (mondonovo). The height of the seedlings sown in Mankayan, Kayan, and Coroz is about ____, ____, and ____ respectively. Due to time of sowing differences and weather condition, and moisture content of seeds, the germination period was also affected. Germination of coffee seeds is one month when wet season, more or less 2 months when dry season.
| Place | Sowing Period | Germination period |
| Balili, Mankayan, Benguet | March 15, 2019 | 1st week of May |
| Coroz, Tubaly, Benguet | May 24, 2019 | 3rd weePlacek of July |
| Kayan, Tadian | March 5, 2019 | 1st week of April |
The seedlings have no any growth enhancer and insecticide applied. The observation of the seedlings will still continue while it is in the nursery. Another observation will be conducted when the seedlings will be out planted to complete the data of micro-climate compatibility.
◆Kayan
C. Setting-up of nursery
The nurseries were established later after the sowing of seedlings. In Mankayan, the nursery was put up started on first week t of June. The lot owner was helped by the military/police men. Potting was started by the community and was being helped by the police men and women, and also the students of Benguet state University from College of Forestry as their practicum course. The potting is still being continued by the members and lot owners. In Coroz, Tublay, the establishment of nursery was done prior to sowing where it was completed on last week of May 2019. Potting is being started by the members of MOAPA and was helped by the students of Benguet State University of College of Forestry. The potting will be continued by the members when the seeds will germinate to provide space for pots to be installed. For the nursery in Kayan, experimental seedlings were put up in private nursery and for massive plantation in Kapangan, Benguet.
Registrations of the nurseries were denied by the Bureau of Plant and Industry due to nurseries did meet the requirements which are nursery should contain 25,000 potted seedlings, and 1 year of operation. For this time, the nurseries contain 10,000 each and did not operate yet for 1 year. The registration will then be continued by the in-charge organizations if they would want.
◆Volunteer work of Benguet State University students
D. Seminars:
1. Information about nursery establishment
This seminar was conducted by Lily Jamias, Incharge of the project, on February 15, 2019. The seminar was conducted in preparation for the nursery for set-up. The speaker mentioned some points to remember.
1. Plastic pots to use
The proper pots to be used for Arabica coffee is 3x3x8 or 3x3x10, the pot bigger compared to plastics being used for forest trees. Coffee is plantable after 6 months (classic beans) to 1 year (BSU technology). The coffee roots will curl when over grown, root pruning is needed. The stem-root ration should be observe.
2. Potting Media
As the Indonesian coffee expert is emphasizing, roots of coffee is very important because it is the main basis which makes coffee grow. The potting media should also be screened (removed the stones, big soil, stems, etc) so that roots will grow straight. Potting media should have compost to loosened the dripping of water.
3. Coffee seedlings needs to have shade
The nursery should have shade (black net or leaves) to avoid burning of leaves of seedlings and also cause blight to seedlings and also weakening of the seedlings that becomes prone to diseases. Coffee seedlings needs 50% shade.
4. Sowing of seeds
As what Eko explained to them, seeds needs to be sown downward (embryo part touching the soil) and engraving a line where seeds needs to be in line for easier pricking. Seeds for sowing are not damage, diseased-free, no pea berry, and no shell beans as what was also mentioned by Eko in his workshop-seminar.
2. Coffee sustainability
The coffee sustainability was facilitated by Eko Poromwidi from Coffee Classics of Indonesia. He is worth qualified speaker about coffee sustainability he talks and act for it.
The seminar was conducted on February 12, 2019 to 22 participants (member of MOAPA) and 3 individuals from BACOFA, SACOFA, BOFPA. The seminar in Kayan was conducted on February 14, 2019 to 27 participants in Kayan Barangay Hall, and in Balili, Mankayan, 15 participants joined the seminars on February 15, 2019 at Baguitan’s residence.
The speaker gave an overview on the importance of trees. Where coffee is considered a tree which makes an agroforestry system together with other forest trees. Trees through the carbon content absorbs pollution made by man and produce oxygen for the people. Trees serves as air cleaner because they absorbs poison for all living things. There are many things trees can give but all these things were being ignored by man. If you forget those who are helping you, you will not succeed. And always do small things with sincerity.
Eko also shared about agroforestry. Agroforestry needs thorough planning because if carefully implemented we human can be part of the system, but if not, there are things that will not part of the system anymore. Doing this system, we need to consider others (people, plants, animals, etc) in order to have a good system within an environment. There are 10 principles that needs to be considered to become sustainable.
1. Social and environment
We learn together with other farmers, each person’s idea is very important because each of us has different gifts (talent) which we can impart with people. And this, you can only do it when you are willing to help other people.
2. Ecosystem Conservation
Conservation of the environment through planting more trees, making nurseries as source of seedlings are acts which is not only for your benefit but also for the benefit of others such as for wildlife habitat, for source of food, and oxygen. It is a home for all living things, without one , others are being affected.
3. Wildlife
Wildlife are not only for big animals, but also refers to insects and organisms, small mammals, and birds. Even small insects are very important in the system , they have their own role in the environment . protecting these wildlife starts with small thing.
4. Water conservation
We need to conserve our water resources (watershed) for every human being and living things needs to survive. To maintain our water is planting more trees. Using chemicals in farming harms and contaminate the water which is very detrimental to human health and to our environment. Protect the water.
5. Fair Treatment
There should be equal treatment between every farmer and human being. Learning together needs respect and listening. Fair treatment also is giving a place or venue for every children to learn how things work, thus, letting them stay in a place where they can watch would help them learn things.
6. Health and safety
Farmers make everybody’s food. They produce our coffee, rice, vegetables etc.. Farmers should make it safe for every consumer. The safeties of food should start from the farm- use organic or environment friendly fertilizers for human health and environment. if coffee is planted without synthetic fertilizer and processed well, it is surely clean and cupping profile will follow.
7. Community Relation
Sharing what you know, what you have is helping other farmer. Teaching others motivates them to share what they know, the result might make them better teacher. In this, also maintains the knowledge because it exist to every person who accepts the sharing.
8. Integrated crop management
This is similar to agroforestry system where agriculture and forest crops are integrated in same area. Integration of crops is the Cordilleran culture but due to promotion of commercial agriculture, the culture vanished. Integration of coffee with other crops to coffee is additional income. Integration of crops depends with the purpose such as preventing diseases and insects, in other words, integration of crops is good practice.
9. Soil Management
Soil is also depleting because nutrients are being used by plants and being irrigated into the river, in that, it is needed to maintain the quality because it reflects to coffee and other plants. What we put into the soil is what we got also. With this, we need to treat the soil as living things.
10. Waste management
Farmers has to practice zero waste, biodegrable waste needs to return to the soil. If possible, make use of the waste. The quality of the soil also reflects in the cupping profiles of the coffee.
The principles summed-up the protection of the environment, and protection of the welfare of the people working in coffee. it also summarizes being done in the coffee quality such as nursery establishment, composting, soil and water conservation, and human welfare.
E. Rejuvenation of old coffee trees
Rejuvenation of old coffee trees was conducted in the coffee farm of Fely Damilo in Coroz, Tublay as a trial. The 40 coffee trees rejuvenated were more than more than 20 years old coffee, these trees are candidate for rejuvenation. It was conducted on July 2018 by 4 students of Benguet State University at the College of Agriculture and instructed by the coffee farm owner.
As of present, the rejuvenated coffee trees has 100% survival, sprouts are being maintained by Fely Damilo. It will also serve as site for comparison for rejuvenated and non-rejuvenated coffee trees.