Production and consumption linkages in a sustainable farming systems project

The Bicol Rainfed Agricultural Development Project in the Philippines was a joint project of the Philippine Department of Agriculture and the US Agency for International Development. Beginning in 1983, its primary purpose was to improve national capacity to identify profitable and sustainable agricultural technologies for rainfed areas and to develop ways to effectively disseminate them. Production/consumption linkages were analysed as one aspect of sustainable agriculture. The most important production/consumption linkages appeared to be related to crop mix, seasonality, income, and marketing. The most successful and major project strategies are at least taking into account the important consumption problems of food and income gaps by increasing subsistence crops, crop yields, and flows of income to households throughout the year. They are also intended to decrease household susceptibility to typhoon damage and to improve environmental conditions such as soil fertility which eventually could build a stronger household resource base. (CabDirect)