Loren cites big climate change mitigation potential of agroforestry

Loren cites big climate change mitigation potential of agroforestry

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (July 30) - Senator Loren Legarda lauded today an initiative by the International Council for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) to use agroforesty measures and techniques in helping to mitigate the already widespread effects of climate change in the country.

"I am thrilled by the prospect of forging a bond between climate change mitigation and agriculture to better serve the needs of our people," said Loren, referring to agroforestry's dual function of addressing food security and maintaining a balanced ecosystem.

The chair of the Senate standing and oversight committees on climate change and the Congressional oversight committee on agriculture and fisheries modernization, Loren issued the statement in keynoting the ICRAF-organized Conference Workshop on Climate Change Adaptation through Agroforestry.

"Agroforestry improves soil quality and enhances the conservation of other biomes. Through agroforestry, farmers' incomes are augmented, since cash crops are planted simultaneously with forest trees," said Loren.

"This, in turn, translates to greater access to health services, food, shelter, etc. Further, agroforestry improves the quality of water and air, thus promoting water and energy conservation," she said.

Loren said that the organizers of the seminar-workshop had taken the issue of climate change one step further by building collective, as well as individual capacity, for climate change adaptation.

She pointed out that agroforestry can mitigate the effects of climate change as it promotes a cool and good quality environment, while reducing the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere.

"Agroforestry has high carbon sequestration capacity, averaging at 21 tons per hectare for sub-humid zones and 50 tons per hectare for humid zones, of which the Philippines is an example. Likewise, it promotes biodiversity and wildlife habitat and enhances aesthetic and amenity value of lands," Loren said.

A regional champion for Asia-Pacific of the United Nations program on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, Loren told the workshop participants that the ill effects of climate change are already being globally.

In the Philippines, Loren said climate change is being blamed for the rains that had caused floods in Cagayan de Oro City last January, during what should have been still the dry season.

"Everyone of us was caught by surprise. Residents sought refuge on roofs. Houses in Barangay Gusa had been washed out. Evacuees were temporarily houses in elementary schools," Loren recounted.

She also cited the flashflood that hit the city last month, resulting to two children going missing and effects being reported by families reaching 5,480 from 13 riverside barangays.

"All these climactic changes - in temperature, rainfall, sea level - present severe problems for a country that is highly reliant on agriculture for livelihood and sustenance. These changes would be disastrous to agriculture and forestry," Loren said.

The senator warned the potential impacts are tremendous, with crop yield expected to decline by 19% toward the end of the century and rice yield in the Philippines would decline by 75%.

"As changes continue, the adaptability of crops to fields on which they are planted would be lessened through time. On the other hand, the varying lengths of rainy and dry seasons will require a different cycle of crop planting. Frequent flooding will also impair food production."