114 families availed of agro-forestry and livelihood projects
San Jose, Antique – A total of 114 families in four upland barangays in Barbaza, Antique availed of agro-forestry and livelihood projects under the Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) – Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources and Agrarian Reform.
The project will provide alternative livelihood activities to the beneficiaries through the establishment of 30-hectares Abaca fiber production intercropped with vegetables in Barangay Mablad, Biga-a, Lankaon and Lumboyan in Barbaza.
The plantation will also include Akleng Parang locally known as "payhud" a nitrogen fixing tree, mongo, bush sitao, tauri beans and squash to partially shade and enhance stability/fertility of the soil for abaca production.
The project will not only provide additional income to farmer beneficiaries but will also help in the restoration of forest cover in the area and improve soil fertility and water holding capacity through the "payhud" tree plantation.
The farmer beneficiaries are members of the MALAUBI Upland Farmers Association Incorporated also a holder of Community Based Forest Management Agreement occupying 533.09 hectares awarded last November 17, 1999. (Jtemana/DENR/PENRO)