Browsing by Author "Espaldon, Maria Victoria O."

Now showing 1 - 16 of 16
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    Balancing economic and environmental concerns in the uplands of Vietnam: A continuing challenge
    Ha, Dang Thanh; Espaldon, Maria Victoria O. (2001)
    This paper presents results of a case study of the SANREM's research project and two other UAF case studies in the Central Highland of Vietnam. These studies used similar participatory research approach to generate empirical evidences to patterns of land use change as these are influenced by multidimensional factors. Environmental consequences associated with these land changes were also reported. The paper shows that changes in economic policies, institutions and market access led to a large transformation of forestland into agriculture. The rapid expansion and intensification of agricultural production, driven in part by expanding population, places high pressure on the natural resource base and causes high negative externalities in the uplands, particularly in marginal lands. In all case studies, rates of degradation of forests, soils, and water remain high and threaten agricultural sustainability. Recently, national and local government took some efforts to overcome negative environmental consequences of agricultural development in the uplands, but their impacts are still limited. Balancing agricultural development and environmental protection is currently a major challenge for upland development. For meeting this challenge, the paper emphasizes the need for setting enabling policies and institutional framework that better promote sustainable agriculture and natural resource management practices in the uplands.
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    The Binahon agroforestry farm: A case study of unity and diversity, balance and sustainability
    Espaldon, Maria Victoria O. (Laguna, Philippines: University of the Philippines at Los Baños College., 2008)
    Summary: This resource booklet accompanies the DVD, Taming the Land, the Wind and the Sun: The story of the Binahon Agroforestry Farm. "The Binahon Agroforestry farm is a model upland farm that incorporates sustainable agricultural practices. It is a must see place where one can learn and experience the different application of farming systems for production as well as conservation." (excerpt from introduction)
  • Challenges for Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources Management in Vietnam Uplands: A Case Study
    Espaldon, Maria Victoria O.; Ha, D.; Phuoc, P.; Thuy, N.; Du, L.; Hung, P.; Thong, L.; Magsino, A. (Laguna, Philippines: SEAMEO SEARCA, 2004)
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    Climate change and agriculture: Adaptations mitigation strategies
    Espaldon, Maria Victoria O. (2009)
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    Enhancing the role of local government units in environmental regulation
    Elazegui, Dulce D.; Espaldon, Maria Victoria O.; Sumbalan, Antonio (Laguna, Philippines: University of the Philippines Los Baños. Institute of Strategic Planning and Policy Studies, 2004)
    This paper reviews the implementation of one major environmental regulation in the Philippines, i.e., the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) system. This deals with the process of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) required of projects or undertakings that have environmental implications. The paper looks into the following aspects - policies and procedures, institutions, and coordination among stakeholders involved in the EIS system. It examines the role of local government units (LGUs) in the implementation of the EIS system and recommends measures to improve the ECC policy and governance at the local level.
  • Impact assessment of SANREM's training program on Participatory Landscape-Lifescape Appraisal (PLLA) for community based resource management in the municipalitities of Lantapan and Valencia, Bukidnon
    Rebancos, C.; Espaldon, Maria Victoria O.; Custodio, A. (2004)
    In this presentation the authors' objectives are: to describe the training inputs: trainee characteristics, and trainee assessment of human resource capabilities and the training course design; to determine the relationship of training inputs to training outputs; to determine the application of knowledge gained and capabilities acquired during the training; and to analyze the impact of the training on the trainees organization
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    Impacts of changes in policy and market conditions on land use, land management and livelihood among farmers in central highlands of Vietnam
    Duc Phuoc, Pham Hong; Ha, Dang Thanh; Thuy, Nguyen Ngoc; Van Du, Le; Hung, Pham Trinh; Espaldon, Maria Victoria O.; Magsino, Annielyn O. (2001)
    This study outlines the changes in agricultural policies and market conditions in Vietnam for the last 20 years characterized with gradual decentralization and integration in the global economy. Using a case study approach, the study examines how these institutional changes influence land use and land management and the impacts on the environment and the livelihood systems among members of a local community in the uplands of Vietnam. Preliminary analysis at the local level shows that changes policies and market conditions result in a rapid transformation of the socio-economic and biophysical landscape in this upland community. Large forest area had been converted into commercial agricultural land. Results of the study also show that farmers base their decisions on short-term market expectations rather than on long-term market information. This lends them more vulnerable to greater economic losses in the long term as shown by the behavior of mulberry and coffee production in the study area. Farmers had not only opened new forest land for coffee cultivation but also shifted from mulberry to coffee after 1994 when the price of coffee beans increased. However, there are risks associated with coffee, as a monocrop in a large area such as fluctuation in market prices and environmental degradation. The study provides empirical evidence to the complex interplay of policies and market conditions on land use, land management and livelihood system of the Vietnamese upland farmers. The study raises issues relating to the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices and the need for agricultural land use planning that aims to deal with the fluctuating global market without compromising the welfare of small farmers and landholders.
  • Knowledge system in climate change adaptation among upland farming communities in the Philippines
    Espaldon, Maria Victoria O.; Lawas, T.; Pulhin, F.; Garcia, K. (2009)
  • Knowledge systems in upland farming practices in the Philippines and implications for climate change adaptation
    Espaldon, Maria Victoria O. (Laguna, Philippines: University of the Philippines Los Baños, 2008)
    The paper focuses on the importance of multiple knowledge systems on enhancing the adaptive capacity of farming communities in the Philippines. It discusses the epistemologies of knowledge that are pertinent to strengthen the resilience of small farmers and farming households, who are one of the most vulnerable groups in the event of climatic variabilities, climatic extremes and climate change. It also brings to the discussion the need for effective communication systems to disseminate the knowledge systems related to climate change in order to promote sound adaptation strategies. The paper also draws insights from researches undertaken in Bukidnon and Misamis, Oriental Philippines.
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    Natural resources management in globalizing Asia
    Espaldon, Maria Victoria O. (2007)
    A presentation of agroforestry as an adaptation and mitigation strategy for climatic changes and variabilities. The cases of agroforestry farms (at least 2) were discussed to provide the audience of about 70 teachers of the Dept Ed of Albay some information on the benefits of agroforestry system drawing on the data collected and observed in the uplands of Lantapan.
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    Participatory process in natural resources management and the politics of empowerment
    Arances, J.; Espaldon, Maria Victoria O.; Cubillas, E.; Magsino, A. (2001)
    This paper draws concepts from the experiences in Manupali Watershed in Bukidnon, Philippines. Participatory process has become imperative in agricultural development work because of the dismal failures of conventional top-down models. Because farmers are the main stakeholders of the Manupali watershed, they need to become equal partners in development actions that concern them. To achieve this, a new paradigm is required. This paper focuses on the central question of how participatory process can be institutionalized in natural resources planning and management. In the case of Manupali watershed with various stakeholders and different levels of control, it is viewed that local capacity building results to a gradual sharing of power among local stakeholders and in the longer term leads to a more sustainable use of watershed resources. This paper outlines the attempt to institutionalize the process via training needs assessment (TNA) and related capacity in the watershed. This paper aims to contribute to the discussion on how stakeholders participation can be made meaningful and can be integrated into existing institutions and local community processes particularly in the household level.
  • Scaling up integration of vegetable and agroforestry systems in Asian watersheds: The SANREM-TMPEGS Philippines strategy
    Espaldon, Maria Victoria O.; Isidra, B.; Sofia, A. (2008)
    This paper presents the initial output of the scaling-up component of the SANREM CRSP- TMPEGS Philippines. The primary objective of this component is to test and employ different methods of scaling up to disseminate the benefits that can be generated from research on the integration of vegetables and agroforestry systems in Philippine watersheds. The study area is Barangay Songco, Lantapan, Bukidnon, Philippines.
  • Scaling-up - Integration of vegetables and agroforestry system in Asian watersheds: The SANREM-TMPEGS Philippine strategy
    Espaldon, Maria Victoria O. (Los Baños, Philippines: School of Environmental Science and Management, University of the Philippines, 2008)
    The training need assessment was conducted with the main objectives of determining the specific capacity building needs of the different stakeholders (training needs assessment TNA) and identifying gaps that TMPEGS can address in terms of capacity building for two major groups: farmers and tree growers and policy makers. The TNA has the following specific objectives: 1) to determine prospective participants / clients of capacity building activities; and 2) to design IEC materials; and 3) to formulate design for scaling up strategy.
  • Semi-annual report: Scaling-Up: Integration of vegetables and agroforestry system in Asian watersheds - the SANREM-TMPEGS Philippine strategy
    Espaldon, Maria Victoria O.; Alaira, S. (2009)
    Executive Summary: This paper presents the outputs of the scaling-up component of the SANREM TMPEGS Philippines. The primary objective of this component is to test and employ different methods of scaling up in the dissemination of the benefits that can be generated from the research on the Integration of Vegetables and Agroforestry System in Philippine Watershed. The study area is located in Barangay Songco, Municipality of Lantapan, Province of Bukidnon, Philippines.
  • Taming the land, the wind and the sun: The story of the Binahon Agroforestry Farm
    Espaldon, Maria Victoria O. (Laguna, Philippines: University of the Philippines at Los Baños College, 2007)
    A short film released by SANREM documents how a family applied sustainable agriculture practices to establish a highly successful business in Lantapan, Bukidnon, Philippines.
  • Vegetable-Agroforestry Systems in the Philippines
    Catacutan, Delia C.; Mercado, Agustin R. Jr.; Chiong-Javier, M. E.; Ella, Victor B.; Espaldon, Maria Victoria O.; Rola, Agnes C.; Palada, Manuel C.; Duque-Piñon, Caroline; Saludadez, J. A.; Penaso, A. M.; Nguyen, M. R.; Pailagao, C. T.; Bagares, I. B.; Alibuyog, N. R.; Midmore, David J.; Reyes, Manuel R.; Cajilig, R.; Suthumchai, W.; Kunta, K.; Sombatpanit, Samran (Beijing, China: World Association of Soil and Water Conservation (WASWAC), Nairobi, Kenya: the World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF), 2012)