CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — Four Indigenous Peoples (IP) villages in Pola town, Oriental Mindoro launched a meaningful project that turns sloping lands into productive edible gardens.
Through the Department of Agriculture’s Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (DA-AMIA) program, this collaborative effort with the IP villages in Misong, Puting Cacao, Pahilahan and Tagumpay will use the Sloping Agriculture Land Technology (SALT) system.
DA-AMIA MIMAROPA, in a social media post, said that the SALT system is composed of combined technologies for soil conservation that protect against soil erosion. It also aims to maintain soil fertility and ensure better harvest.
“Through the SALT method, these IP communities are expected to obtain a sustainable food source while adapting to the effects of climate change. With this innovative approach, the problem of food security is expected to be enhanced,” DA-AMIA MIMAROPA said.
The project also supports environmental protection and improvement of the well-being of the participating IP communities.
The Mangyan Tribong Tadyawan ng Misong Farmers Association (MTTMFA), Samahang Masipag ng Mangyan Tadyawan ng Sta. Rita Farmers Association (SMMTSRFA), Mangyan Tadyawan ng Calatagan Farmers Association (MTTCFA) and the Nagkakaisang Samahan Ng Mangyan Tadyawan ng Bakyaan Farmers Association (NSMTBFA) are the IP group project beneficiaries from the said barangays/
DA-AMIA MIMAROPA expects continuous progress and long-term success for the project as it strengthens sustainable agriculture in the indigenous communities. (AN-OJT/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro/With information and photos from DA-AMIA MIMAROPA)
