Agroforestry Systems and Practices of Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya

Abstract

An assessment for Agroforestry farming systems and practices was done in the 15 barangays of Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya. A total of 150 respondents were interviewed. Forty six (46%) percent of the respondents are experienced in farming, most have formal education and owned the land they cultivated There are three Agroforestry systems being practiced in Kayapa, Nuueva Vizcaya. These are: Agrisilviculture (combination of agricultural crops plus indigenous tree species especially coffee, Alnus and pine tree), Agrisilvipastoral (combination of crops including fruit trees and ipil-ipil or Gmelina plus domestic animals under mango and pine trees), and Silvipastoral (combination of cattle under fruit trees, alnus, and pine trees). Among these Agroforestry systems, Agrisilviculture was the most practiced. These Agroforestry systems are situated in areas having more than 100% slope. Tomatoes, snap beans, “gallang” sweet pepper and cabbage are the common crops cultivated while cattle, native pigs, and native chickens are the domestic animals found in the most Agroforestry systems. On the other hand, Alnus (Alnus spp.), and ipil-ipil (Leucaena leucocephala L) are the dominant Nitrogen fixing trees integrated while pine tree (Pinus kesiya.), Gmelina (Gmelina arborea Roxb.) and indigenous trees are the most visible forest tree cover. Meanwhile, the identified Non-timber Forest Species (NTFS) are different bamboo species, Rattan (calamus scipionum), “rono” (Miscanthus sinenses) and cogon grass (Imperata ylindrical L) which are sold as pole, trellis and cultural materials. The respondents perceived Agroforestry as tree planting for reforestation and contour farming, unaware that they are practicing Agroforestry. However, some respondents still practice the old “kaingin”system.