IPSI Case Study Summary Sheet
Basic Information
Title of case study
Protecting Biodiversity in The Philippines: A Community-Based Sustainable Approach to the Use of NaturalResources
Submitting IPSI member organization(s)Shumei International

Other contributing organization(s) (IPSI members and/or non-members)
Earth Day Network Philippines, Inc; United Nations Development Programme-Global Environment Finance (UNDP-GEF);
Local Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); University of Rizal, Sampaloc Campus; University of thePhilippines, Diliman; National Department of Science and Technology; the Department of Trade and IndustryAuthor(s) and affiliation(s)Alan Imai – Shumei International
Antonio De Castro – Shumei International Philippines
Elizabeth De Castro – Shumei International Philippines
Format of case study
Manuscript
Language
EnglishKeywords
Ecological Agriculture, Indigenous Knowledge and Practices, Biodiversity Conservation, Community Development
Date of submission
July 17, 2019
Web link (of the case study or lead organization if
www.shumei-international.org
available for more information)

Geographical Information
Country
Philippines
Location(s)Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal Province
Longitude/latitude or Google Maps link
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Daraitan,+Tanay,+Rizal,+Philippines/@14.6166661,121.3824904,11z/Ecosystem(s)ForestX
Grassland
Agricultural
X
In-land water
CoastalDryland
Mountain
XUrban/peri-urban
Other (Please specify)
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area (within 50 words)
The Sierra Mountains have the last remaining rainforest areas in the Philippines, considered a biodiversity
hotspot. The surrounding area consists of several watershed areas that support agriculture, irrigation systems
and power plants. Social inequalities impact indigenous people, fishing communities, women and the informal
sector the most.
Description of human-nature interactions in the area
The local communities are adversely affected by environmental degradation and deforestation due to slash andburn agriculture practices, illegal logging and the contamination of water tables due to overuse of chemicalfertilizers and pesticides. Small-scale farmers sell their produce unprocessed, immediately after harvest, whichputs them at risk for low prices or food loss.

Contents
Status (“ongoing” or “completed”)

Completed

Period (MM/YY to MM/YY)

06/2016 – 12/2018

Rationale (why activities or policies described, or information shared in the case study are needed)
While the Philippines is abundant in natural resources, environmental assets remain unavailable to impoverishedcommunities due to exclusion, insecure land tenure, lack of access to technologies; or resource degradation.
Agricultural productivity, a main source of income, is negatively affected due to soil erosion and poor water andsoil quality.
Objectives (goals of activities or policies described, or of producing the case study)
The program objective is to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and indigenous communities in thePhilippines through Natural Agriculture. The project aimed to protect the rich biodiversity of the Sierra Madre
mountain range by improving the natural cultivation of indigenous roselle crops and to increase incomes byprocessing harvests.
Activities and/or practices employed••••

Introduced ecological farming techniques to indigenous communities to cultivate local crops withoutchemical additives
Provided technical assistance and training workshops on processing and packaging products
Constructed a processing center and developed distribution chain for products
Hosted the Annual Harvest Festival where farmers were able to sell agriculture and processedbyproducts

Results
More than 30 Sucatan Dumagat community members were trained in the Natural Agriculture approach, morethan 6,500 roselle seedlings planted and 9 hectares cultivated. The roselle calyx was utilized to create traditional
byproducts, such as tea and jam, which contributed to poverty reduction, health benefits and food security.
Lessons learned (factors in success or failure, challenges and opportunities)
Through marketing workshops community members learned how to add value to their natural resources, aswell as the importance of packaging for their processed products. Crop yields were impacted by unpredictable
weather and climate change.
Key messages
It is critical to empower local communities and indigenous people with income generating skills that can bothpreserve their regional biodiversity while supporting poverty reduction. This project provided opportunities forcommunities to honor their traditional knowledge through a multi-stakeholder partnership.
Relationship to other IPSI activities (if the case study is related to any other IPSI collaborative activities, case studies, etc.)
N/A
Funding (any relevant information about funding of activities or projects described in the case study)
Shumei International provided financial and capacity building assistance, with support of the United Nations
Development Programme-Global Environment Finance and the local Department of Environment and NaturalResources.

Contributions to Global Agendas
CBD Aichi Biodiversity Targets (https://www.cbd.int/sp/targets/)
The table below shows based on the self-evaluation by author(s). ⚫ and ◼ indicates the “direct” or “indirect” contributions to theCBD’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets respectively to which the work described in this case study contributes to.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs)
The table below shows based on the self-evaluation by author(s). ⚫ and ◼ indicates the “direct” or “indirect” contributions to theSDGs respectively to which the work described in this case study contributes to.
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