Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

THE RICE TERRACES OF IFUGAO PROVINCE, NORTHERN PHILIPPINES: CURRENT SCENARIO, GAPS AND FUTURE DIRECTION

Robert T. Ngidlo

The case study was made to identify the drivers of change affecting the rice terraces and obtain information on the current scenarios taking place as an impact of these drivers of change. Data was acquired through key informant interview involving 10 rice terraces farmers. The results disclosed five drivers of change impinging on the integrity of the rice terraces as an agricultural system. The drivers of change are: education, tourism, modern agricultural technologies, Christianity and climate change. Five scenarios are taking place in the rice terraces as the foregone effects of these drivers of change, and these are: vanishing culture, vanishing varieties and breeds, shift in economic activities and outmigration, physical degradation of the rice terraces and urbanization. These drivers of change are either acting singly or in combination with each other to reduce the overall integrity of the rice terraces. Efforts to conserve the rice terraces must address two important gaps/issues, that is: to soften the impacts of these drivers of change and reducing the poverty situation in the rice terraces.

Published Date: 2013-12-16;