The Integration of Traditional and Modern Bioproduction Systems for a Sustainable and Resilient Future Under Climate and Ecosystem Changes (ITMoB) project is preparing to assess the dominant bioproduction systems in the Baroro watershed through a farm-household survey at the Baroro Watershed in La Union on April 2-3 and April 15-18, 2024.

ITMoB, a project of the UPLB Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management (UPLB-INREM), prepared for and started the deployment of the farm-household survey during the period.

The survey aims to determine the conditions of cultivated lands, understand farming practices and water conservation methods used by farmers, and investigate the factors influencing farmers’ choices, among others. Through the survey, the project will be able to propose interventions that will improve watershed ecosystem services. 

The training and orientation took place at the Old Sangguniang Panlalawigan Conference Room in the Provincial Capitol of San Fernando City from April 2 to 3, 2024. The event was organized in collaboration with the Provincial Government of La Union. 

ITMoB recruited and trained 12 recent college graduates from the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) and other local SUCs to acquaint them with the survey modules and protocols. In particular, Dr. Asa Jose Sajise, UPLB professor and ITMoB project staff, introduced Choice Modeling, a valuation technique, during the training. 

Moreover, ITMoB trained the participants on using the Kobo Toolbox, a digital software designed for collecting and managing survey data that will be utilized during the survey. With the assistance of the Municipal Agriculture Office of San Juan, the survey instrument was piloted with actual farmers on the second day of the training.  

To ensure the integrity of the sampling frame, the municipal agriculture officers and other authorities in the six municipalities within Baroro, specifically in San Gabriel, San Juan, San Fernando, Bagulin, Bacnotan, and Santol, verified the sample list generated through a two-stage stratified random sampling from April 15 to 18, 2024. 

The project researchers, together with Kharmina Paola Anit-Evangelista, a UPLB faculty member and a DOST-GREAT PhD scholar, monitored the initial field surveys conducted by the enumerators to ensure the smooth operation of the survey. With 662 target respondents, the project aims to complete the survey by June 2024.

ITMoB is a 3-year collaborative research endeavor involving the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) in Japan, the University of Padjadjaran in Indonesia, and UPLB-INREM in the Philippines. The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) is funding the implementation in the Philippines. (Laizha Lynn Lomente, Angelica Magpantay, Pia Montoya)