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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 47(6)

The ‘Landcare’ approach to soil conservation in the Philippines: an assessment of farm-level impacts

R. A. Cramb A D , D. Catacutan B , Z. Culasero-Arellano B and K. Mariano C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Natural and Rural Systems Management, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.

B World Agroforestry Center, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, UPLB, 4031College, Laguna, Philippines.

C Asian Development Bank, PO Box 789, Manila 0980, Philippines.

D Corresponding author. Email: r.cramb@uq.edu.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47(6) 721-726 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA06049
Submitted: 9 March 2006  Accepted: 19 October 2006   Published: 17 May 2007

Abstract

‘Landcare’ is a group-based approach to the promotion of conservation farming. A case study of the Landcare program in Lantapan in the southern Philippines is presented to assess the farm-level impacts of this approach. The program was successful in promoting the formation of Landcare groups and a municipal Landcare association, resulting in rapid and widespread adoption of conservation practices, particularly among maize farmers. This in turn significantly reduced soil erosion, though the impact on crop yield and income was somewhat delayed. Adoption was thus not motivated primarily by short-term returns but by a concern to reduce soil erosion and provide a basis for diversification into agroforestry.


Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Edith Tajeda and Josephine Liu for assistance with data collection and to Arnold Garcia for advice in the application of SCUAF. Funding was provided by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. Thanks also to an anonymous reviewer for helpful comments.


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