The Role of Abaca (Musa textilis) in the Household Economy of a Forest Village

Abaca (Musa textilis) is a plant related to the banana, the leaves of which provide some of the strongest natural fibres used by man. It is indigenous to the Philippines, and grows well particularly in the provinces of Bicol, Samar and Leyte. Abaca is also one of the few cash crops that can grow with relatively little input compared to other crops, in steep forest areas. For this reason, it is often the crop of choice of households living in villages at the forest edge. The role of abaca in the household economy of villagers in Leyte is described. The study shows that abaca is both an important secondary income source of households with lowland farms, and frequently the only source of cash income of the poorest households in the community. The implications of abaca's niche in the village economy, on increasing production of the crop, are discussed

Improving Commercial Possibilities of Non-wood Forest Products from Leyte, the Philippines

Current literature regarding the economic potential of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) has become more cautious than previously, and earning an income from NWFPs is no longer considered a certainty for dwellers in many forested areas. However, there is also more information on the NWFPs, the areas from which there can be sustained collection and the markets where they can be competitive. This paper discusses some of the considerations to be taken into account to prevent costly mistakes in choosing NWFPs for commercialisation. It also highlights the possibilities for particular products to improve their prospects in markets from the local to the national and international level, using information from literature and past data on NWFPs in Leyte Province in the Philippines as an illustration. Past data include a list of several NWFPs from Cienda, Leyte. A table of relative frequency of use was assembled from this list after two rounds of interviews, to form the basis for possibly marketable NWFPs using a provisional template

A combination of methods needed to assess the actual use of provisioning ecosystem services

Failure to recognize that potential provisioning ecosystem services are not necessarily collected and used by people may have important consequences for management of land and resources. Accounting for people's actual use of ecosystem services in decision making processes requires a robust methodological approach that goes beyond mapping the presence of ecosystem services. But no such universally accepted method exists, and there are several shortcomings of existing methods such as the application of land use/cover as a proxy for provisioning ecosystem service availability and surveys based on respondents' recall to assess people's collection of e.g. wild food. By combining four complementary methods and applying these to the shifting cultivation systems of Laos, we show how people’s actual use of ecosystem services from agricultural fields differs from ecosystem service availability. Our study is the first in Southeast Asia to combine plot monitoring, collection diaries, repeat interviews, and participant observation. By applying these multiple methods borrowed from anthropology and botany among other research domains, the study illustrates that no single method is sufficient on its own. It is of key importance for scientists to adopt methods that can account for both availability of various services and actual use of those services

Comparative phylogenetic methods and the cultural evolution of medicinal plant use

Human life depends on plant biodiversity and the ways in which plants are used are culturally determined. Whilst anthropologists have used phylogenetic comparative methods (PCMs) to gain an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the evolution of political, religious, social, and material culture, plant use has been almost entirely neglected. Medicinal plants are of special interest because of their role in maintaining people’s health across the world. PCMs in particular, and cultural evolutionary theory in general, provide a framework in which to study the diversity of medicinal plant applications cross-culturally, and to infer changes in plant use through time. These methods can be applied to single medicinal plants as well as the entire set of plants used by a culture for medicine, and they account for the non-independence of data when testing for floristic, cultural or other drivers of plant use. With cultural, biological, and linguistic diversity under threat, gaining a deeper and broader understanding of the variation of medicinal plant use through time and space is pressing

The use of non-wood forest products by migrants in a new settlement: experiences of a Visayan community in Palawan, Philippines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Migrants are often constrained by a lack of knowledge regarding their new environment and require new skills for their livelihood. In Palawan, some of these necessary skills and knowledge are related to the collection and use of non-wood forest products (NWFPs), many of which the migrants were previously not familiar with. The predominantly Visayan migrants have been successful in familiarizing themselves with the NWFPs in the surrounding forests, with assistance from some of the local indigenous people, in this case the Tagbanua, and from previous migrant settlers. The NWFPs they know about and the extent of use are presented. Currently, except for almaciga (<it>Agathis philippinensis </it>Warb.) resin and house-building materials, NWFPs are considered as supplements to agricultural products, not as main source of either subsistence or income.</p

Cooperative and Rural Development: The Case of Dayap Credit Cooperative and Development Inc., Philippines

The purpose of this study was to understand the organization and operations of a cooperative and examine its contribution to rural development in the Philippines. Quantitive and qualitative data were used in the study. Data analysis showed the socioeconomic characteristics of the cooperative's members. Chi-square and multiple regression analysis revealed that land tenure status was a significant variable in acquiring loans from the cooperative, even if land ownership was not a membership requirement. Regression also showed that land tenure status is a significant factor in achieving leadership positions. Contrary to expectations, respondents with lower tenur status were more inclined to assume leadership roles than respondents with more land, in this cooperative. The most frequently mentioned reason for joining the cooperative is its function as a source of production loans. However, cooperative members also recognize the other social benefits the cooperative provides, including extension and marketing assistance. The cooperative also serves as a source of capital for cottage-industry project which non-farming members can access. The respondents suggest several improvements for the cooperative. These include the more efficient processing of loans, raising the maximim loan limit, and higher prices for produce. Despite its limitations, members regard the cooperative as a viable and dependable source of support and services. Members are cognizant of the benefits of belonging to a self-help organization, as opposed to dependence on external aid