Project ASEM/2006/091 and earlier forestry projects in the Philippines funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) have identified the prevalence of low quality forestry seedlings. A research strategy involving systems modelling to identify intervention measures, and progress in applying these measures, are described. This has involved developing a seed centre, identifying superior mother trees, developing nursery best management practice guidelines, and assisting the national government to trial these guidelines. Recommendations are made to increase the extension and training effort in production of high quality seedlings, and to conduct further research into watershed restoration utilizing hiqh quality germplasm of indigenous tree species

Gregorio, Nestor

Harrison, Steve

Herbohn, John L.

University of Queensland eSpace

87 
 
10. STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SEEDLING 
QUALITY IN SMALLHOLDER FORESTRY IN 
THE PHILIPPINES: A SYNTHESIS OF 
FINDINGS FROM A SYSTEMS RESEARCH 
PROGRAM 
 
John Herbohn, Steve Harrison and Nestor Gregorio 
 
 
Project ASEM/2006/091 and earlier forestry projects in the Philippines funded by the 
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) have identified the 
prevalence of low quality forestry seedlings. A research strategy involving systems modelling 
to identify intervention measures, and progress in applying these measures, are described. 
This has involved developing a seed centre, identifying superior mother trees, developing 
nursery best management practice guidelines, and assisting the national government to trial 
these guidelines. Recommendations are made to increase the extension and training effort 
in production of high quality seedlings, and to conduct further research into watershed 
restoration utilizing hiqh quality germplasm of indigenous tree species. 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
High quality seedlings are fundamental to the successful establishment of forests, for both 
timber production and reforestation of degraded land. However, in the Philippines, the quality 
of tree seedlings raised in most nurseries is generally low (Tolentino et al. 2002; Gregorio et 
al. 2010a; Edralin et al. 2010). Prior to ACIAR project ASEM/2006/091, there was little 
recognition of the importance of seedling quality by nursery operators or by those purchasing 
seedlings. It was common for most seedlings to have poor root structures (e.g. root coiling, 
J-rooting) and etiolated stems, and many seedlings were often overgrown. Seedlings were 
often not sun-hardened before being planted out in the field, resulting in high mortality rates. 
Disease and nutrient deficiency was also common in seedlings in many nurseries.   
 
Project ASEM/2006/091 was implemented in the Philippines under the auspice of the 
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). The aim of this project 
was to improve the economic efficiency and policy environment of the Philippines tree 
seedling nursery sector. Some of the key project results are outlined in the next section. 
Some reflections are then made about the usefulness of the ‘systems’ approach that was 
applied in the project. Finally, research conclusions are presented, followed by 
recommendations for further actions based on project results. 
 
Key Project Results 
 
One of the first activities of the project was to analyse the structure of the tree nursery 
industry in the Philippines and the related policy environment. This included undertaking a 
comprehensive survey of approximately 160 nurseries in Mindanao and Leyte (reported in 
Gregorio et al. 2010a; Edralin et al. 2010). Simultaneously, a comparative study of the 
seedling production policies for smallholder and community plantations in three selected 
south-east Asian countries was undertaken to identify policies and initiatives that may be 
applied to the Philippines (reported in Mercado et al. 2009; Harrison and Gregorio 2009). 
Strategies to Improve Seedling Quality in Smallholder Forestry 
 
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Based on information generated from these two initial project activities, a policy assessment 
model was developed and then used to analyse the institutional issues surrounding the 
Philippine nursery sector (reported in Gregorio et al. 2010b, these proceedings). That 
analysis revealed a complex mix of factors that influence both seedling quality and nursery 
effectiveness, many of which are interrelated. Working in partnership with key stakeholders, 
team members identified a number of key areas in which to pilot test initiatives that were 
most likely to result in substantial improvements in seedling quality. These initiatives 
included the development of best seedling nursery practice guidelines suited to the 
Philippines, and the design, implementation and testing of an information, education and 
communication (IEC) campaign. The ‘Q-Seedling’ brand was developed as part of these 
initiatives and proved highly effective in communicating the benefits of producing high quality 
seedlings. Demonstration activities including the establishment of a demonstration nursery at 
the Visayas State University, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, local 
government units and another in partnership with a large private company. Outplanting 
demonstration sites and ‘hands-on’ training also proved to be effective means of conveying 
key messages about seedling quality. The project also pilot-tested the establishment of seed 
centres located at VSU, DENR Region 10 and in conjunction with Sagittarius Mining 
Incorporated (SMI) to supply high quality germplasm for commonly planted timber species. 
The project also developed mother tree program to identify sources of germplasm for both 
common exotic timber species and difficult-to-grow native species. Both initiatives appear to 
have been successful in improving the access of nursery operators to high quality 
germplasm. A capstone activity of the project was to develop and pilot test a nursery 
accreditation scheme at the local level. The accreditation program incorporated or drew 
upon elements of various project initiatives, including the IEC activities, extension materials, 
best practice guidelines, training, and use of high quality germplasm from seed centres. 
Accredited nurseries were then allowed to use the ‘Q-seedling’ brand in marketing their 
seedlings. Accredited nurseries were able to increase both their sales volume and the 
average price obtained per seedling. The local accreditation program was used as a basis to 
draft a national policy which was subsequently incorporated into DENR Departmental 
Administrative Order 2010-1 Revised Regulations in Governing Tree seed and Seedling 
Production, Collection and Disposition. In effect, this DAO institutionalised the national policy 
on forest nursery accreditation developed in ASEM/2010. Through DAO 2010-11, the project 
will have a major impact on the quality of seedlings produced in the Philippines in coming 
years. 
 
Some Reflections on Using a Systems Approach 
 
The factors affecting the quality of tree seedlings and the effectiveness of the nursery 
industry in producing high quality seedlings are complex. There are many factors that affect 
both seedling quality and nursery effectiveness. Many of these were previously identified in 
ACIAR project ASEM/2003/052. However, there is a critical knowledge gap relating to 
understanding the relative influences of (and interactions between) technical, biophysical, 
socio-economic, institutional, policy and management factors (drivers) on the outcomes of 
improved seedling quality and nursery effectiveness. The seedling enhancement project 
used a systems approach to address this critical knowledge gap. The development of a 
policy assessment model was a fundamental part of this approach. 
 
To illustrate, a similar approach was used in ASEM/2006/091 to identify initiatives to pilot 
test which would improve the quality of tree seedlings produced in the Philippines. One of 
the key factors influencing seedling quality was that few nursery operators were using high 
quality germplasm, apparently because no such germplasm was available. A simple solution 
was to establish a seed supply centre that had stocks of common exotic species in high 
demand. However, by understanding the interactions between various interventions, the 
project team were able to predict ex ante that simply providing access to improved 
ACIAR Seedling Enhancement Project 
89 
 
germplasm would be ineffective. The analysis with the policy assessment model indicated 
the need to simultaneously: 
 
(1) improve the technical skills of nursery operators (some of the species needed special 
propagation procedures); 
(2) ensure that nursery operators had knowledge about the benefits of using improved 
germplasm; and 
(3) ensure nursery operators could afford to purchase the seed. 
 
In response, a training program was established that addressed points 1 and 2 and provided 
the initial supply of seeds from the seed centre to nursery operators without cost. The 
combined initiatives were highly effective in improving the quality of seedlings produced in 
participating nurseries. In addition, the survey on which the model was based revealed a 
very high demand for seedlings of native tree species, for which seeds of most were difficult 
to obtain and store. In response, a program of marking ‘mother trees’ of high demand native 
species was established and details about location and fruiting patterns were provided to 
nursery operators wanting to propagate these species (reported in Gregorio et al. 2010c, this 
proceedings; Gregorio et al. 2010d). The requirement to use high quality germplasm was 
subsequently incorporated into a national nursery accreditation program implemented by the 
DENR. Previously germplasm quality was not recognised by the DENR as being important. 
 
The above example of how a systems approach facilitated an integrated approach to 
addressing one of several key drivers for seedling quality illustrates the power of ‘systems’ 
approaches to address highly complex issues. This technique has wide applicability to 
address a range of complex natural resource management issues.  
 
CONCLUSIONS 
 
The implementation of ASEM/2006/091 was timely and corresponded with an increased 
demand for high quality seedlings for reforestation. In 2004, there were nearly 21,000 ha 
reforested by government and smallholders in the Philippines (DENR-FMB 2006), which 
roughly equates to 63 M seedlings being planted per annum. Since ASEM/2006/091 
commenced in 2007, the Philippine Government has implemented the Upland Development 
Program in 2009, with the intention of reforesting over 51,000 ha in that year. Even more 
recently, in February 2011 President Aquino announced the establishment of the National 
Greening Program (NGP), which will reforest 1.5 M ha over the coming five years. There will 
be about 1.5 billion seedlings required for this program. Improved seedling quality through 
the implementation DAO 2010-11, which was developed based on project outputs, will be 
used to guide the production of these 1.5 billion seedlings. The seedlings produced following 
the guidelines set out in DAO 2010-11 will meet basic quality standards which will then result 
in better outcomes of reforestation efforts, including reduced mortality and improved growth 
on outplanting. 
 
The initial research revealed that factors influencing seedling quality and nursery 
effectiveness are highly complex and there are many interactions between various factors. A 
systems approach was used to help deal with this complexity. Various systems thinking tools 
were applied that allowed quantitative information from the survey and qualitative information 
from stakeholders to be integrated to produce a visual representation (model) of the nursery 
sector in the Philippines that identified the major interactions between key elements. 
Working in partnership with key stakeholders, team members then used this policy 
assessment model to identify a number of key areas in which to pilot test initiatives that were 
most likely to result in substantial improvements in seedling quality. This approach proved 
highly effective and has great potential for application to other complex problems in the 
agricultural and natural resource management fields. 
Strategies to Improve Seedling Quality in Smallholder Forestry 
 
90 
 
The project has developed many extension products that have the potential for much 
broader distribution, and which will help nursery operators produce seedlings of high 
physical and genetic quality. The best practice guidelines set out in simple terms the basic 
requirements to produce high quality seedlings and offer a simple manual for nursery 
operators to follow to assist in improving the physical infrastructure and the propagation 
techniques they use. In addition, the project has produced many posters and DVDs (in 
English, Cebuano and Waray) that highlight important aspects of seedling production. The 
demonstration activities, including demonstration nurseries and ‘hands-on training’ have 
proven to be effective in educating nursery operators about better practices and can be used 
as a template for an expanded program. In addition, it appears that the field outplanting trials 
in two municipalities in Leyte have been effective in demonstrating the benefits to both 
buyers and nursery operators of using superior germplasm; the difference in growth of trees 
from improved germplasm is apparent, even at a relatively young age. Initial indications are 
that the seed centres and mother tree programs have been highly effective in improving 
access to germplasm by nursery operators. There is great scope for expansion of these 
programs to other regions within the Philippines.  
 
RECOMMENDATIONS 
 
Recommendation 1 
ACIAR and project staff approach AusAID to fund the outscaling of the project extension 
materials and training programs to other areas in the Philippines. This could be done in 
conjunction with the development of the National Greening Program. 
 
Justification 
Since the Phase 1 application for a new project was prepared, President Aquino has 
announced the National Greening Program (NGP) through Executive Order 26 issued in 
March 2011. This is a very large commitment to reforestation in the Philippines. About 1.5 
billion seedlings will be planted under the NGP. The various project outputs have great 
relevance to the production of those seedlings. In addition, this would allow the Australian 
Government to demonstrate a strong commitment to assisting the Philippines in addressing 
its substantial problems with highly degraded watersheds through funding the 
implementation of a training program based on previous research it has funded through 
ACIAR 
 
Recommendation 2 
Develop a new ACIAR project aimed at improving the way in which reforestation is 
undertaken within the Philippines.  
 
Justification 
Past efforts in watershed rehabilitation in the Philippines have had limited success, largely 
due to the failure of programs to adequately address the key socio-economic and 
institutional issues. The NGP will face similar challenges unless a better understanding of 
the factors that contribute to the success and failure of rehabilitation is gained. The 
methodology and approach used in ASEM/2006/091 has great potential to be applied in a 
similar manner to address the complex issues that affect the success of reforestation efforts. 
In addition, much of the research undertaken in previous ACIAR projects (e.g. Project 
ASEM/2003/052 – Improving financial returns to smallholder tree farmers in the Philippines) 
highlighted the need for watershed restoration using indigenous tree species in critical 
catchments, with a particular focus on the socio-economic, policy and technical issues. 
 
REFERENCES 
 
Edralin, DI and Mercado Jr, A 2010, ‘Profiling tree nurseries in Northern Mindanao, the Philippines‘, 
Annals of Tropical Research, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 15−26. 
ACIAR Seedling Enhancement Project 
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Gregorio, NO, Harrison, SR, Herbohn, JL 2010a, ‘The seedling nursery survey on Leyte Island, the 
Philippines’, Annals of Tropical Research, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 1–14. 
Gregorio, N, Smith, C, Herbohn, J and Harrison, S 2010b, ‘Designing intervention strategies for 
forestry seedling production in the Philippines‘, in S Harrison, A Bosch, N Gregorio and J 
Herbohn (eds), ASEM/2006/091 Enhancing Tree Seedling Supply via Economic and Policy 
Changes in the Philippines Nursery Sector, Proceedings from the End of Project Workshop 
held at the Visayas State University, Baybay, Leyte, the Philippines, 19–20 June 2010, pp. 99–
112. 
Gregorio, N, Doydora, U, Harrison, S, Herbohn, J and Sebua, J 2010c, ‘Inventory and assessment of 
mother trees of indigenous timber species on Leyte Island and in Southern Mindanao, 
Philippines’, in S Harrison, A Bosch, N Gregorio and J Herbohn (eds), ASEM/2006/091 
Enhancing Tree Seedling Supply via Economic and Policy Changes in the Philippines Nursery 
Sector, Proceedings from the End of Project Workshop held at the Visayas State University, 
Baybay, Leyte, the Philippines, 19–20 June 2010, pp.113–125. 
Gregorio, N, Bosch, A and Herbohn, J 2010d, Trees of Tampakan Mine and Surrounding Areas: 
Characteristics of Important Mother Trees in the Philippines for SMI Reforestation Activities. 
The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 192 pp. 
Harrison, S and Gregorio, S 2010, ‘Observations of forestry seedling production systems in Thailand 
and Vietnam’, in S Harrison, A Bosch, N Gregorio and J Herbohn (eds), ASEM/2006/091 
Improving the Effectiveness and Efficiency of the Philippines Tree Nursery Sector, Proceedings 
from the Mid-term Workshop held at the Visayas State University, Baybay, Leyte, the 
Philippines, 13 February 2010, pp. 35–50. 
Mercado, A Jr, Dargusch, P and Gregorio, N 2009, ‘Insights from the farm forestry tree seedling 
nursery sector in Western Java, Indonesia‘, in S Harrison, A Bosch, N Gregorio and J Herbohn 
(eds), ASEM/2006/091 Improving the Effectiveness and Efficiency of the Philippines Tree 
Nursery Sector, Proceedings from the Mid-term Workshop held at the Visayas State University, 
Baybay, 13 February 2010, pp. 21–34. 
Tolentino, EL, Carandang, WM and Roshetko, J 2002, Evaluation of Small-holder Tree Farmers 
Nursery: Quality Stock Production in Support of the Tree Domestication Program of the 
Philippines, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, UPLB, Los Banos and ICRAF. 
 


Strategies to improve seedling quality in smallholder forestry in the Philippines: A synthesis of findings from a systems research program

Project ASEM/2006/091 and earlier forestry projects in the Philippines funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) have identified the prevalence of low quality forestry seedlings. A research strategy involving systems modelling to identify intervention measures, and progress in applying these measures, are described. This has involved developing a seed centre, identifying superior mother trees, developing nursery best management practice guidelines, and assisting the national government to trial  these guidelines. Recommendations are made to increase the extension and training effort in production of high quality seedlings, and to conduct further research into watershed restoration utilizing hiqh quality germplasm of indigenous tree species

Strategies to improve seedling quality in smallholder forestry in the Philippines: A synthesis of findings from a systems research program

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