Webinar on Permaculture Presented by Dream Agritech Consultancy Services

For the next webinar in our Agriculture 20-20 series, we are going to talk about #Permaculture!

Join us on Monday, May 18 at 3 pm (UTC +8)!

The webinar will be conducted by Jabez Flores from Permaculture Research PH!

Register via this link: https://forms.gle/5JmpvBMdsSZ3hvB6A

See you on Monday! Stream will be live here on FB and on our Youtube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkXb1kgihxzbDAN_kDuSEJQ)! #DreamAgri2020

Roberto "Obet" Verzola on Permaculture

Photo from Philippine Permaculture Association Facebook Page

Here is an article written in 2009 by the late Engr. Roberto "Obet" Verzola in his blog, Ecology, technology and social change: Notes on Green theory and practice by Roberto Verzola. Sir Obet was a visionary, a polymath, and a man ahead of his time. A board member of the Philippine Permaculture Association, he is known as the "Father of Philippine Email."

Permanent agriculture

How does one design a farm so that it is environmentally-friendly and economically viable as well?

To many Filipino farmers, this question has not even occurred. Most tenants and farm workers have little say in running the farms they work in, much less in redesigning them. Even farmer-owners often simply take the existing farm set-up as given, preoccupied as they are in the day-to-day problems of keeping their farms afloat.

Yet, a farm’s design is a key factor in its survival and sustainability. In poorly-designed farms, farmers will always feel as if every day were an uphill climb, because the poor design makes the farmer work against the natural flow of matter and energy in the farm. In well-designed farms, farming will feel like a downhill joyride, as the natural forces and components in the farm themselves do most of the work that the farmer normally shoulders.

A sustainable approach to farm design called permaculture, first developed in Australia, is now proving its worth under Philippine conditions. In permaculture (from permanent agriculture), the farmer carefully lays out a system of water containment and channels within the farm, so that water naturally flows slowly, by gravity, from one containment to the next. Then, the farmer gradually “assembles”, following certain principles and guidelines, an increasing variety of plants and animals. These are laid out in a way that each additional farm component performs one or more functions or provides matter or energy which, in a conventional farm, have to be provided by the farmers themselves. After many years, a well-designed permaculture farm will look like a lush forest of food and cash crops. And this forest will essentially maintain itself. Then, the farmers’ job will consist mainly of tending the “forest” and regularly harvesting its products.

Successful permaculture farms in the Philippines include the Center for Ecozoic Living and Learning (CELL) in Silang, Cavite and Cabiokid in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija. Permaculture practitioners and advocates have set up the Philippine Permaculture Association (PPA), which conducts regular trainings and supports those who want to try permaculture in their own farms.

Research on Crop Biodiversity in Permaculture presented at the 9th Biodiversity Forum in UPLB

Poster presentation by Jabez. Photo by Jhong Tolentino

Institute of Biological Sciences
University of the Philippines Los Banos
December 11, 2019

Results of Phase 3 of the "Designing Food Security" permaculture research project entitled "Edible Landscape: Polyculture and Crop Biodiversity in Permaculture Designs in the Philippines" was presented last Friday, December 6 at the 9th Biodiversity Forum in IBS, UPLB. The study identified 71 crop species present in at least two permaculture sites. In addition to crop biodiversity, permaculture sites also have a diversity of functions and services to offer. The research team found an average of 6 different uses per site with the "vegetable garden" being the standard design feature in all sites. 

View the full poster here. Read related article here. 

Oral and poster presentors. Photo by Jhong Tolentino.

Jabez with Forum organizer, Prof. Marj Delos Angeles. Photo by Jhong Tolentino.

How Do I Influence My Landscape? Environmental Communication using Aerial Photography

Oikos Peace Garden in Bilar, Bohol is a permaculture project that practices organic and bio-dynamic farming methods. Aerial photo taken at an altitude of 24 meters by Tello drone.

Permaculture design is about individual action and making positive change in the landscape. And what better way to see our impact than from the sky!  

We're advocating the use of aerial photography for documenting how common people are influencing their landscapes with permaculture. A single aerial photo speaks volumes. It can inspire you and at the same time makes you aware of your surrounding environment from a view that we only get to see either from a plane or a tall building. 

"How do I influence my landscape?" was a question that popped up while scanning through several aerial photos we took with our Ryze (DJI) Tello drone--a budget UAV that we have been using for research since last year. It's a cheap drone ($99.00) with a 5 MP camera. But don't let the specs fool you! When used for a good purpose, there are many opportunities and applications for the Tello. T3.com even awarded it as the top budget drone for 2019.

Our Instagram account is currently focused on answering the question "How do I influence my landscape?" So we are encouraging people to share their photos and their stories with us on social media by using the hashtags #MyLandscape and #PermaGardenPH.

Aside from documenting landscapes with a permaculture design, some delegates from the recently concluded 3rd Philippine Permaculture Convergence had some ideas for the drone:

1) Citizen science - the general public can provide real-time visual data to scientists and researchers

2) Environment - documentation of land use and land cover change; detection of polluted areas in coastlines, forests, and other ecosystems; detection of illegal activities such as backyard burning 

3) Agriculture - crop and livestock monitoring; farm management

4) Biodiversity Conservation - surveillance of protected areas; monitoring of reforestation projects

5) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management - reconnaissance and aerial survey; search and rescue

and of course,

6) Environmental communication - aerial photos can be used for info dissemination campaigns and public education regarding environmental and climate issues. Students can use the drone for research projects, posters, and presentations.

This aerial photo of a group of people in a forest gave us the idea that Tello can be used to report illegal logging or poaching activities in the forest. The small drone is relatively quiet and can be a useful tool for park rangers. 

Using a 3D-printed mirror clip attachment from PHTek, the Tello can take downward view aerial photos.

While high-end drones with better cameras are available in the market, the price, size, portability, durability, and usability of the Tello sets it apart from other commercial drones. Well, at least until DJI/Ryze releases a new version of the Tello.

You can purchase the Tello at any DJI outlet or you can order it at the DJI store. The drone is also available on Lazada. 

Research Timeline

Kudos to the all the people who have been part of the research team since last year. It's a long process but we will get there. The people we studied...their voices will be heard in due time.

Permaculture research in the Philippines still has a long, long, looong way to go. We really believe that permaculture can be part of the sustainable development agenda here in our country. It's a philosophy that focuses on what we can do right here, right now, with what we have. And this mindset, worldview, and advocacy is manifesting physically in landscapes across the country. We commend all the practitioners here, who in spite of ridicule and hardships, are trying to adapt, to be resilient, to be sustainable. Their landscapes reflect what's in their hearts...it's a heartscape.

We need radical solutions to address complex problems like food security and climate change. Permaculture is radical in a way that it encourages you, the reader, to step up and do something in your immediate environment, no matter how small it is. Of course this is not the solution to everything. But if you know how to cook what's growing in your backyard, then it's a solution to your hunger at the moment. For some this is a huge step, but my goodness, we live in desperate times.  

Map of Permaculture Projects in the Philippines

Presented here is a map of the 12 permaculture sites we studied for our research. We hope to document and study more sites soon, if ever we get the support that we need to continue in this endeavor. We also encourage students, researchers, and scientists to see and visit these places and conduct their own researches to contribute to our understanding of what "permaculture" is in the context of the Philippines. We believe that permaculture is an important emerging social movement that would help in the realization of our country's sustainable development goals. 

Below are the links to each site. Feel free to contact them and learn more from these permaculture practitioners.

Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Luzon

Site: Olaussen Permaculture Park in Layog Country Farm, Tadian, Mountain Province

Contact Person: Flordelina Layog 

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/olaussenlayogagroforestgarden/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/layogcountryfarm/

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/7eWs5yTP24RDEGRk8

Vlog episode: https://youtu.be/94Z6vQJuxNM

Region II, Luzon

Site: Lorenza's Garden and Food Forest Farm, San Manuel, Isabela

Contact Person: Enrico Navea

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/goeof/

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Yxxf3wUcuAPrs6979

Vlog episode: https://youtu.be/94Z6vQJuxNM

Region II, Luzon

Site: Isabela Permaculture Development Center, Ilagan City, Isabela*

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/isabelapermaculture/

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/tcWy2StpRci1jiZM7

Vlog episode: https://youtu.be/YGfLBSDtt5I

Region III, Luzon

Site: Cabiokid Foundation Inc., Cabiao, Nueva Ecija

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CaBIOKid/

News article: https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/cabiokid-eco-technology-farming-sustainability

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/utbspX7Znd4ZG6rh7

Vlog episode: https://youtu.be/FKaDK3pRgZI

National Capital Region, Luzon

Site: Eco-house, Philippine Permaculture Association Office, Marikina, Metro Manila

Contact person: Bert Peeters

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PhilPermaAssoc/

Website: https://phpermaculture.com/

News article: https://www.agriculture.com.ph/2020/05/26/permaculture-site-is-a-sight-to-see-in-the-city/

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/VWYiEnvm8XiJzQz4A

Vlog episode: https://youtu.be/sxZcR9Jh-7Y

Region IV-A, Luzon

Site: Kai Farms, Silang, Cavite

Contact person: Karla Delgado, Thomas Caristea

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaifarmsph/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kaifarmsph/

News article: https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/250335/green-food-clean-farming-tree-preservation-kai-farms-back-basics-living

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ioG3JEe36zeXJt9a6

Vlog episode: https://youtu.be/50Rz5js1kL8

Region IV-A, Luzon

Site: Glinoga Organic Farm, Pitogo, Quezon

Contact person: Nenieveh "Weng" Glinoga

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Glinoga-Organic-Farm-1532891910348546/

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/XZpk9YtoJFC78mzc9

Vlog episode: https://youtu.be/zBFbM-2-BLc

Region IV-A, Luzon

Site: Tara Farms, Bay, Laguna

Contact person: Paulo Sandoval

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tarafarmsph/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarafarms.ph/

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Y25sXpLkTv4C7zqR9

Vlog episode: https://youtu.be/-76sOTetAqU

Region IV-A, Luzon

Site: Foronda-Bonita Residence, Jubileeville, Bay, Laguna

Contact person: Edu Foronda

Vlog episode: https://youtu.be/coYirwWMRrM

Region IV-B, Luzon

Site: Aloha House/Aloha Natural Farm, Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Contact person: Keith O. Mikkelson

Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/alohahousepalawan/ and

https://www.facebook.com/Aloha-Natural-Farm-Palawan-Philippines-144103812350662/

News article: http://www.agrowingculture.org/the-aloha-natural-farm-puerto-princesa-city-palawan-philippines/

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Me4fjni4yDt2nUN38

Vlog episode: https://youtu.be/rr8Mi3WDWTg

Region IV-B, Luzon

Site: Aloha Ranch and Organic Farm

Contact person: Keith O. Mikkelson

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AlohaRanchAndOrganicFarm/

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Gn6KUtbVpfq42vWs7

Vlog episode: https://youtu.be/U0L0c53C86o

Region VI, Visayas

Site: Alpas, Tobias Fornier (Dau), Antique

Contact person: Kimberly Eng

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/alpasphere/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alpas.ph/

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/f3sBGux3nWvtqcuv6

Vlog episode: https://youtu.be/b6krAT7pkaU

Region VII, Visayas

Site: The Justice German Lee Jr. Nature Sanctuary, Carcar City, Cebu

Contact person: Edna Lee and Joel Lee

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/justiceleenaturesanctuary/

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/8cizRqFH6rTjyKvq7

Vlog episode: https://youtu.be/xOjr6boykt8

Region VII, Visayas

Contact person: Edna Lee and Joel Lee

Vlog episode: https://youtu.be/b-pG4hpIsyg

Permaculture-inspired hotels and lodging:

West Gorordo Hotel, Cebu City, Cebu*

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Gorordo-Hotel/203337766354779

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/QjyNfBY4gJPDFWd59

Mayflower Inn, Cebu City, Cebu*

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mayflower-Inn-Cebu-City/223461421002942

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/2Y7MDijRfLvbqqgJ6

Elicon House, Cebu City, Cebu*

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elicon-House/146492458750880

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/mSt3Xn1dXMXSmdTM7

Region IX, Mindanao

Site: Umaleng Permaculture Farm/Dumingag Organics, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur

Contact Person: Joan Pacalioga Abejuela and Elgyn Pacalioga

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dumingagorganicsph/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uma.leng/?hl=en

News clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWj7rCltA5E

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/w4vx6NFhzBFHEiD36

Vlog episode: https://youtu.be/RpKbtmgfYFM

Region IX, Mindanao

Site: Bukid ni Bogs, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur*

Contact person: Bogs Castro

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bukidnibogs/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bukidnibogs/

*Visited but not included in study

Thanks to Malvin Biguerras for making this map. This endeavor would not be possible without the financial support of SEAMEO-SEARCA and DOST-SEI. Special thanks to UPLB, UPLB-GS, and UPLB-SESAM for making this possible. 

Common Permaculture Crops in the Philippines

Gabi and siling labuyo are resilient crops and grow quite easily. The two crops ranked 6th and 4th respectively in terms of food preference based on a focus group discussion with our respondents

Sharing these findings to all the practitioners out there who might find this useful. 

In our research in twelve permaculture projects in the Philippines (Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Isabela, Palawan, Metro Manila, Antique, Cebu, Cavite, Zamboanga del Sur, Mountain Province), we identified 71 crops found in at least two locations. Though these projects are not necessarily representative of all permaculture projects, the data should provide us with an idea on what kinds of plants we can find in a farm or garden project with a permaculture design. What's interesting is that our respondents actually prefer these crops in their diets. 

Eat what you grow, grow what you eat. Strengthen the connection between the garden and the kitchen by learning how to cook what's available and creating innovative dishes.

We're still in the process of revising and editing the full report. In the meantime, we will be posting research highlights in the form of short blogs like this. 

Do you have these crops in your permaculture garden/farm? Let us know by e-mailing us at permacultureresearchph@gmail.com.