ARB households in ARCs associated with higher incomes, lower poverty incidence, and better welfare outcomes.

Studies on agrarian reform in the Philippines show the role of the Agrarian Reform Community 

(ARC) approach in the Philippines and how membership in an ARC is associated with better incomes and welfare outcomes among agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs):

Impact of Agrarian Reform on Poverty (Celia M. Reyes, 2002)

• Using panel data from ~1,500 farming households (1990 and 2000), the study finds that being an ARB and being in an agrarian reform community (ARC) increases the probability of being non-poor. 

• It also shows that ARB households in ARC areas had higher real per capita incomes and lower poverty incidence compared to non-ARBs.

• The study explicitly mentions: “being in an agrarian reform community also has the same effect” of increasing the chance of being non-poor. 

Agrarian Reform and Poverty Reduction in the Philippines (Arsenio M. Balisacan & others, 2007)

• The paper describes the ARC approach (launched in 1993), which “concentrates resources in selected areas to deliver support services” rather than dispersing them broadly. 

• It asserts that “the ARC approach … if properly implemented, improves the economic conditions, social capital, and democratic participation of the communities.” 

• While it does not always report precise income coefficients for ARCs in all cases, it identifies ARCs as a key channel for delivering complementary services that enhance the poverty-reduction impact of agrarian reform.

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP): Time to Let Go (Raul V. Fabella, 2014)

• This review paper notes that a 2011 internal DAR study (the “ARC Level of Development Assessment (ALDA)”) found that among ARBs in ARCs:

  “the average yield (ton/hectare) among ARC beneficiaries in palay was 10 percent higher than the national average … in corn it was 50 percent higher” and that ARCs receive more credit and irrigation support. 

• Although not purely income data, the yield and support-service data support the link between ARC membership and improved productivity/investment, which ties to higher incomes.

Economic Evaluation of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries in Agrarian Reform Communities in Nueva Ecija (Johnah Jefferson Mercado, Alma Dela Cruz & Ma. Pamela Roguel, 2021)

• This more recent case study investigates two ARCs in Nueva Ecija and evaluates support services, infrastructure and income/benefit outcomes. 

• While the full paper may need to be accessed for detailed income figures, it provides empirical evidence of ARCs being privileged in terms of infrastructure and support, which correlates with better outcomes.

Summary of Evidence

• There is empirical support that being part of an ARC (i.e., a cluster of ARB households with concentrated support services) is associated with higher incomes, lower poverty incidence, and better welfare outcomes.

• The mechanism is that ARCs allow for targeted delivery of infrastructure, credit, irrigation, extension services and community organization, which amplify the benefits of land-reform.

• The evidence is stronger in some cases (like the Reyes 2002 study) and somewhat weaker or mixed in others—but taken together, the weight of evidence supports the proposition that ARCs matter.

Link: What is an Agrarian Reform Community (ARC)

           DAR MC 14-99 Guidelines on ARC Launching

DAR Turns Over P15-Million Farm-to-Market Road to ARBs in Sitio Dammang, Pamplona, Cagayan

Sitio Dammang, Barangay Bagu, Pamplona, Cagayan, June 17, 2025 - In a milestone event for rural development in Cagayan, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) formally turned over a newly completed 1.1-kilometer concrete farm-to-market road (FMR) to 261 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Sitio Dammang, Barangay Bagu.

The road project, which cost ₱15 million, was funded under the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF), the government’s dedicated resource for supporting infrastructure and other development needs of agrarian reform communities. The turnover ceremony was witnessed by DAR officials, local government unit (LGU) representatives headed by Pamplona Mayor Digna Puzon-Antonio and members of the Santa Cruz Multi-Purpose Cooperative, the lead ARB organization of the CURBASTA Agrarian Reform Community (ARC), which includes the barangays of Curva, Bagu, Santa Maria, and surrounding areas.

Regional Director of DAR-Cagayan Valley, Primo C. Lara, emphasized the significance of the infrastructure in his message: “This road is more than just concrete and gravel — it is a symbol of connectivity, opportunity, and progress. It empowers our farmers by bringing their produce closer to markets, reducing transportation costs, and improving their income potential.”

The FMR, which links the agricultural fields of Sitio Dammang to the main barangay roads and nearby trading posts, is expected to boost the mobility of agricultural goods such as rice, corn, root crops, and high-value vegetables. Before its construction, ARBs in the area endured long and difficult trips over muddy and impassable trails, especially during the rainy season.

“For many years, it was a struggle to transport our harvests. Sometimes we would lose part of our crops because we couldn’t deliver on time,” said a farmer-member of the Santa Cruz MPC. “Now, we can reach the market faster, and that means better prices and fewer losses.”

The road project is one of the major interventions under DAR’s Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Program (ARBDSP), which seeks to sustain land reform gains through infrastructure, livelihood, and institutional support.

CURBASTA Agrarian Reform Community: Nestled in the upland barangays of Cagayan province, CURBASTA ARC is a vibrant and growing cluster of agrarian reform areas composed of the barangays Curva, Bagu, and Santa Maria, hence the name “CURBASTA.” Established as a consolidated agrarian reform community in the mid-2000s, continues to thrive with the Santa Cruz MPC at the helm of collective efforts to strengthen agri-enterprise and cooperative operations. With the completion of the FMR, the community is optimistic that young people will also be encouraged to stay and engage in farming.

Formed under the Department of Agrarian Reform's community-based rural development approach, CURBASTA ARC brings together agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) who were awarded lands under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and organized into cooperatives and farmers’ associations.

At the heart of CURBASTA’s development is the Santa Cruz Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC),  the lead ARB organization that has played a crucial role in uniting farmers and spearheading livelihood activities. Over the years, the community has evolved from subsistence farming to more market-oriented agriculture, producing rice, corn, root crops, bananas, and native delicacies. With support from DAR and partner agencies, CURBASTA ARC has benefited from infrastructure projects, farm inputs, capacity building, and livelihood support. 

The recent completion of the 1.1-kilometer concrete farm-to-market road in Sitio Dammang marks another step forward in CURBASTA’s continuing journey toward inclusive rural development and agricultural sustainability. Today, the community stands as a testament to the impact of collective action, government support, and grassroots leadership.

DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Val M. Cristobal reiterated DAR’s commitment to supporting rural communities beyond land distribution. “Infrastructure like this farm-to-market road is critical to making agrarian reform truly transformative. We will continue to work with our ARBOs to ensure inclusive and sustainable rural development.”

The project forms part of the government’s strategy to climate-proof and economically empower agrarian communities, aligning with the broader goals of poverty reduction and agricultural modernization in Region 2.

As the sun set on Sitio Dammang that day, the newly paved road gleamed with promise, not just of faster travel, but of a brighter, more hopeful future for the farmers who till the land.

Photos: DARPO Cagayan-Batanes

The economic impact of Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) in the Philippines

The economic impact of Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) in the Philippines has been extensively studied, revealing a complex picture of both benefits and challenges. Below is a synthesis of empirical findings from various studies:

📈 Positive Economic Outcomes

1. Poverty Reduction and Income Gains

 Between 1990 and 2010, poverty incidence in ARC barangays declined by 28.3 percentage points, a slightly greater reduction than in non-ARC barangays. This suggests that ARCs contributed to faster poverty alleviation in rural areas. -ResearchGate

 A 2002 study by Celia Reyes found that agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) experienced higher real per capita incomes and reduced poverty incidence between 1990 and 2000 compared to non-ARBs. -PIDS

2. Increased Agricultural Productivity

The Agrarian Reform Communities Development Project (ARCDP2) reported significant increases in crop yields post-implementation. For instance, hybrid rice yields increased by 30%, and traditional corn yields rose by 131%. -FFTC Agriculture Platform

3. Enhanced Access to Services

ARBs residing in ARCs had better access to basic services such as potable water and sanitary toilets, and higher ownership of household assets compared to non-ARBs. -FAOHome

Challenges and Criticisms

1. Decline in Farm Productivity

A study by Adamopoulos and Restuccia (2014) found that agricultural productivity under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) fell by 17%, alongside a 34% reduction in average farm size. -AmericanEconomic Association

2. Persistence of Rural Poverty

Despite land redistribution, a 2014 paper by Raul Fabella noted that poverty incidence among ARBs in ARCs stood at 54% in 2011, higher than the national average for farmers. This led to the characterization of ARBs as the "landed poor." -UP School of Economics

 3. Implementation Issues

 Critics argue that restrictions on land markets and the fragmentation of landholdings have hindered the potential economic benefits of agrarian reform.

While Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) have led to notable improvements in poverty reduction, agricultural productivity, and access to services for beneficiaries, challenges such as declining farm sizes, reduced overall productivity, and persistent poverty among ARBs highlight the need for policy adjustments. Addressing land market restrictions and providing sustained support services are crucial for enhancing the economic impact of agrarian reform in the Philippines.

Key policy adjustments made after 2010 in the Philippines aimed at improving the incomes of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs):

✅1. Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) Program.

*Year Implemented: 2011

*Lead Agency: Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)

Objective: Enhance productivity and income of ARBs by supporting ARB organizations (ARBOs) through: Enterprise development, Common Service Facilities (CSFs) like tractors and post-harvest equipment and Business development services and training. 

Impact: Helped ARBs transition from subsistence to commercial farming in many ARCs by integrating them into value chains and improving productivity.

✅ 2. Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP). 

*Year Implemented: 2012

*Lead Agencies: DAR, Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Department of Agriculture (DA)

*Objective: Provide accessible and affordable credit to ARBs for production inputs and agri-enterprises.

*Loan features: Low interest, no collateral for accredited ARBO members

*Impact: Bridged financing gaps for ARBs who previously relied on informal, high-interest sources.

✅ 3. Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP)

 *Year Implemented: 2014(pilot); expanded thereafter

*Lead Agencies: DAR, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DA

*Objective: Link ARBs and ARBOs to institutional buyers (e.g., feeding programs, schools) to ensure markets for their produce.

*Impact: Provided consistent income sources and market assurance for many farmer groups.

✅ 4. Split Project (Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling)

*Year Implemented: 2020 (funded by the World Bank)

*Lead Agency: DAR

*Objective: Fast-track the parcelization of collective Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) into individual titles.

*Rationale: Individual titles give ARBs greater security, enabling access to loans, land-based investments, and formal markets.

*Target: 1.3 million hectares to be titled to 1.1 million ARBs by 2024.

*Impact: Aims to improve land tenure security and farmer confidence in long-term investment.

✅5. Executive Order No. 75, Series of 2019

 *Issued By: President Rodrigo Duterte

 *Purpose: Mandates the distribution of government-owned lands suitable for agriculture to qualified beneficiaries.

*Scope: Accelerated land distribution through administrative means, expanding the land reform coverage without judicial delays.

✅ 6. Republic Act No. 11953 or the “New Agrarian Emancipation Act”

*Signed Into Law: July 2023

*Key Provision: Condones ₱57.6 billion in unpaid debts of over 600,000 ARBs

 *Goal: Free ARBs from amortization burdens and encourage reinvestment in agriculture.

*Impact: Expected to boost income by removing financial constraints tied to land repayment obligations.

In general, the ARC strategy has had a positive impact on poverty reduction, such as: (1) Faster Poverty Reduction in ARC Areas. A study by Ballesteros and dela Cruz (2016) from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) showed that poverty incidence declined faster in ARC barangays compared to non-ARC areas between 1990 and 2010. Poverty incidence dropped by 28.3 percentage points in ARC areas, slightly outperforming non-ARC barangays. This suggests that the integrated approach of providing land and support services (infrastructure, credit, training) had measurable effects on household welfare; and (2)  Improved Income and Welfare Indicators. The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) reported that ARBs in ARC areas generally had higher incomes, more assets, and better access to services (e.g., potable water, electricity, schools). World Bank evaluations (such as of ARCDP1 and ARCDP2) found that ARC strategies helped transition subsistence farmers to market-oriented production, boosting incomes and reducing vulnerability.

📌 Conclusion

The ARC strategy has contributed to poverty reduction among farmers by integrating land reform with support services and infrastructure development. However, its effectiveness depends heavily on sustained government support, cooperative development, and access to markets. In well-functioning ARCs, poverty reduction has been substantial; in weaker or poorly supported areas, gains were limited.

 

DAR milestones in GAD advocacy

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) of the Philippines has been instrumental in advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE), supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and promoting sustainable development in Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (AFF). Through various initiatives, DAR has significantly contributed to uplifting rural communities and fostering inclusive growth.

Empowering Women in Agrarian Communities

Recognizing the pivotal role of women in agriculture, DAR has implemented several programs aimed at enhancing their participation and leadership. A notable initiative is the Value-Chain Innovation for Sustainable Transformation in Agrarian Reform Communities (VISTA) project, launched in January 2025. With a budget of P6.2 billion, VISTA aims to empower 175,000 female farmers by addressing the root causes of rural poverty and creating economic opportunities for approximately 350,000 individuals, half of whom are women. 

In addition to VISTA, DAR has institutionalized gender equality within its operations. The department issued Administrative Order No. 01-11, which provides guidelines for mainstreaming Gender and Development (GAD) in the implementation of agrarian reform laws. This order ensures that both men and women have equal access to resources and opportunities, promoting a more equitable agrarian sector. 

Supporting MSMEs in Agrarian Reform Areas

DAR acknowledges the importance of MSMEs in driving rural development and has established policies to facilitate their growth. The Microfinance Policy Framework for Agrarian Reform Areas, outlined in Memorandum Circular No. 17, Series of 2003, aims to provide effective delivery of financial services to household and community-based enterprises. This framework emphasizes savings mobilization, capital build-up generation among agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), and the promotion of sustainable microfinance institutions. 

Furthermore, the Microfinance Capacity Development Program in Agrarian Reform Areas (MicroFin_CAP@ARAs), initiated in collaboration with the Land Bank of the Philippines, focuses on building the capacities of ARBs to engage in viable microfinance activities. This program enhances the entrepreneurial skills of beneficiaries, enabling them to establish and manage successful MSMEs. 

Advancing Sustainable Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry

DAR’s commitment to sustainable development in AFF sectors is evident through its Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) Development Strategy. Adopted in 1993, this strategy focuses on priority agrarian reform areas to maximize resource allocation and mobilization. It aims to improve the quality of life, promote people empowerment, and foster sustainable agro-industrial development within agrarian communities. 

Additionally, DAR’s Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) program seeks to increase the resilience of agricultural communities. By developing climate-resilient infrastructure and providing support services, ARCCESS enhances food security and promotes sustainable livelihoods among ARBs. 

Through these comprehensive initiatives, the Department of Agrarian Reform continues to champion women’s economic empowerment, support the growth of MSMEs, and advance sustainable practices in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, thereby contributing to the overall development and prosperity of rural communities in the Philippines.

DARPO Cagayan 2025 Women's Month Celebration - 

DAR-Cagayan Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support (CRFPS) for CARP beneficiaries

The Department of Agrarian Reform's Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support (DAR-CRFPS) program in Cagayan province is an initiative aimed at helping agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and their organizations (ARBOs) adapt to the effects of climate change. The program provides essential farming support, such as:  (1) Farm inputs and equipment – Seeds, fertilizers, and machinery to enhance productivity; (2) Sustainable livelihood projects – Support for agrarian communities in establishing climate-resilient agricultural enterprises; (3) Capacity-building and training – Educating farmers on climate-smart farming techniques. 

The key Goals of DAR-CRFPS are: to increase farm productivity despite climate challenges, enhance food security in agrarian communities and empower ARBOs to become more self-sustaining. 

In the heart of Cagayan province, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is making significant strides to bolster agricultural resilience through its Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support (CRFPS) program. This initiative is designed to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on agrarian communities, ensuring that farmers not only survive but thrive amidst environmental challenges.

For instance, In January 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic), DAR distributed essential farm supplies and inputs to five Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in Cagayan. Each organization received 101 bags of hybrid seeds (rice and corn) and organic fertilizers under the CRFPS-Sustainable Livelihood Project/Enterprise (CRFPS-SLP/E) program, amounting to a total of ₱1,350,000. The recipient ARBOs included: Salamin Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SMPC) of Tuao; Rang-ay ti Pussian MPC of Alcala; MBG Farmers Irrigators Credit Cooperative of Rizal; Lasvinag MPC of Gattaran; and Payagan Farmers Credit Cooperative of Ballesteros.

The CRFPS-SLP/E project aims to minimize the adverse effects of climate change in agrarian reform communities, helping farmers become more resilient. The project also serves as a starting kit to establish agri-enterprises for the recipient ARBOs. in an interview, an ARB in Tuao expressed his gratitude, stating, "We are so grateful that DAR has been always there to support us from land distribution to support services. DAR never failed to provide our needs, a total package of intervention which differentiates DAR from other national government agencies."

In Cagayan province, DAR-CRFPS has assisted multiple ARBOs by distributing seeds, fertilizers, and farm tools to help farmers cope with climate-related challenges and boost agricultural productivity.

Beyond providing immediate agricultural inputs, the CRFPS program emphasizes sustainable livelihood projects and enterprises, enabling ARBOs to establish agri-enterprises that can withstand climatic adversities. This holistic approach ensures that support extends beyond mere resource distribution, focusing on long-term sustainability and economic growth.

The success of the CRFPS program in Cagayan province underscores DAR's commitment to empowering agrarian communities. By equipping farmers with the necessary tools, knowledge, and support, DAR is paving the way for a more resilient and prosperous agricultural sector in the region.

Links: 

• Payagan Farmers Cooperative tractor turnover. 
• DARPO-Cagayan distributes CRFPS FMEs 
• Cagayan ARBOs receive farm machineries
• PATASDA ARC Tulay ng Pangulo
• DAR Tulay ng Pangulo and FMEs distribution
• Amulung Farm-to-Market Roads 
• Gattaran Farm-to-Market Road
• Abulug Farm-to-Market Roads

DARPO starts IT-based assessment tool for ARCs and ARBOs

The Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office of Cagayan has started to conduct a series of information technology-enabled assessment system (IT-eASy) for agrarian reform communities (ARCs) and agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs), to determine their level or stages of development. The IT-eASy is a tool used by the Department of Agrarian Reform to gauge the organizational maturity of each agrarian reform community (ARC) and agrarian reform and beneficiaries’ organization (ARBO).

There is a need to assess the level of organizational maturity of the ARBOs for the DAR to determine the outcomes of the basic and advance interventions that has been provided to these groups in terms of land tenure improvement, agrarian justice delivery and delivery of support services.

By assessing their maturity, it will reflect the effectivity of DAR's support interventions and what needs to be improved or if needed, a more tailor-fit approach anchored on the needs of the farmer organizations and their communities. ARBOs with a high maturity score may also be given the opportunity to receive greater support services from DAR, that is, based the ability and competency of the ARBOs to successfully manage the programs and projects aimed at increasing productivity and income.

DAR turns over P33.3M “Tulay ng Pangulo” in Allacapan, Cagayan.

 

The Tulay ng Pangulo para sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo (TPKP) project at PATASDA ARC in Pacac, Allacapan, Cagayan

Allacapan, Cagayan - Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) and other residents of PATASDA Agrarian Reform Community (PATASDA ARC) in Pacac, Allacapan, Cagayan will now have a safer and more convenient  way to cross the river to transport their harvests and other agricultural products to the market due to the completion of the  two-lane 34.2 linear meter metallic bridge costing Php33,300,000.00 facilitated by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) under the Tulay ng Pangulo Para sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo (TPKP) project in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Allacapan headed by Mayor Harry D. Florida. The TPKP project uses pre-fabricated materials imported from France and is said to be of the same quality materials used in the world  famous Eifel Tower in Paris. 

DAR Secretary Bernie F. Cruz led the turnover ceremony of the Php33.3 million metallic bridge. 

The DAR headed by then Secretary Bernie Cruz led the inauguration and turnover of the said bridge with Allacapan municipal Mayor Harry D. Florida and other representatives from the local government unit (LGU), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and DAR central, regional and provincial offices. Aside from easier access to farmers, the new bridge will also help the residents in availing various support services. The bridge also links neighboring barangays to the economic mainstream and opens opportunities for the ARBs and other stakeholders to enhance their agricultural productivity and household income. 

The TPKP aims to promote rural development primarily in agrarian reform communities. 

The bridge, a project of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the Tulay ng Pangulo Para sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo (TPKP), aims to promote rural development primarily  in agrarian reform communities, enhance productivity and income through reduced marketing cost, and alleviate poverty among agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in agrarian reform areas.

Allacapan municipal Mayor Harry D. Florida receiving yet again another significant project from DAR. 
 

ROBA ARC counters Climate Change hazards with Bamboo Plantation

      The municipality of Enrile in Cagayan province is on the frequent path of typhoons. It is often visited by other disasters such as flood, man-made and other natural calamities. According to the climate projection of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), unfavourable changes in climate conditions will be expected in 2006-2035 for the southern part of Cagayan where Enrile is located. Such changes may have direct or indirect effect on the farming activities of the ROBA Agrarian Reform Community (ROBA ARC) farmers. Temperature in the area is projected to increase at an average of 0.9 degree Celsius in 2006-2035 (2020). Temperature will be highest in months of June-August. PAGASA also projects significant increase in rainfall by 16.3% in months of September-November when the season of corn planting starts, which is an alarming increase in all aspects of climate events. ROBA ARC is also threatened by the projected tripling in the number of days with rainfall above 200 mm. Heavy rainfall is identified as the primary cause of soil erosion in the area. Eroded farms may eventually result to loss of livelihood of the farmers.

Enrile town in Cagayan province is easily flooded during typhoon season and wrecks havoc on farms along Cagayan River. Photo: LGU-Cagayan

     Roma Sur Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Roma Sur MPC) is the lead agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organization (ARBO) within the ROBA ARC located in the municipality of Enrile, Cagayan which embraces barangays Roma Sur, Roma Norte and Batu (with Liwan Norte and San Antonio as expansion barangays).  

     To counter the devastating effects of climate change in their community, members of Roma Sur MPC was able to access a total of P716,230 (P650,000 from DAR; P20,000 from LGU and P40,230 as its counterpart) for funding a project entitled: The Promotion of Climate Change Adaptive Measures to Counter Adverse Effects in ROBA ARC (Planting of Bamboo Along Contours and Riverbanks with Climate Change Adaptation Capability Training). The project was duly approved under DAR’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support (CRFPS) services.

Roma Sur MPC in ROBA ARC was able to acquire funds from DAR-CRFPS for a Bamboo Plantation project. (Photo by: Lau Miguel)

     The project provides environmental protection through the planting of bamboo along the contours and riverbanks which primarily addresses the concern on the rapid erosion and disappearance of farmlands near the Cagayan River.  This component is being pursued in close partnership with the LGU and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). It also involves the establishment of a five thousand square-meter Bamboo Nursery for the propagation of propagules locally known as Kawayan Tinik and Bayog after which they are planted into a five-hectare plantation both managed by the ARBO. The five-hectare bamboo plantation will be the source for the of the member’s income generating project.  

Bamboo seedlings for the Nursery. (Photo by: Lau Miguel) 

      The remaining propagules will be sold at reasonable price so as to generate income and portion of the money raised will be used again for the next cycle of the bamboo propagule-growing to cater to the additional demands on bamboo seedlings. This is a cost recovery and an income generating project. Net proceeds will be capitalized on the next batch of bamboo production making the project self-liquidating and sustainable.

      The bamboo harvested from the project will become a sustainable source of raw materials for the bamboo craft industry of the ARB organization and for other bamboo requirements of third parties such as construction scaffolding, bahay-kubo builders, bamboo furniture, etc. As part of their community involvement and contribution to the overall development goal of the Municipality, the cooperative will provide a portion of seedlings to the LGU as their counterpart to the Greening Program of the municipality.

    The member of the ARBO were also provided with capability training on Climate Change Adaptation and Bamboo Farming. Climate change is a phenomenon that needs to be fully understood by everyone.  The series of events that led to drastic changes in weather patterns, which now threatens the lives, livelihood and practically the very existence of this civilization, is not singlehandedly accounted to an act, a group or an individual for that matter. 

      Climate change is an effect of the collaborative actions, and sometimes inaction, of a generation so much bent on consumerism – the resultant culture of industrialization.  To counter its impact and reverse its consequences, whenever possible, its origins, nature, effects and countermeasures were studied and explained.

    Incorporating further in the capability building were skills training on bamboo farming to strengthen the capacity of ARBs to handle and manage the project effectively. The farmers, their organizations, households and their entire community were encouraged to learn adaptive measures and put into practice eco-friendly technologies in their day-to-day activities.
     Machineries and equipment were provided as part of the mechanization aspect for easier and timely production and postharvest operations.  It reduces drudgery of field work and lowers production costs. These machineries and equipment would be very essential in the production activities of the project i.e. hauling of seedlings from nursery to plantation, plantation site (harvested bamboo poles) to production and manufacturing center of furniture and handicrafts (ARBO’s existing enterprise), it will also function as service vehicle of the ARBO for the delivery of pre-ordered furniture and seedlings trading.  Aside from these inevitable uses, said machineries can also be utilize in other farm activities of farmer-members. Suggested machineries can be an income generating equipment itself through custom hiring. The ARBO could maximize the utilization of the equipment and have an extra earnings since custom hiring is a growing industry now a days because of the emerging trend in farm mechanization. 

Farm machineries for the Bamboo Plantation project were also provided. 

     The Roma Sur MPC has long acknowledged the potential of bamboo furniture as an income source.  For several years, members of this cooperative in ROBA ARC have augmented their farm income from the sale of sala sets, chairs, tables, beds and lampshades made of bamboo.  However, the production of good quality furniture is hampered by the lack of technology and the insufficient supply of bamboo to the ARC. Bamboo farming and bamboo processing are well suited to the twin concerns of livelihood enhancement and environmental protection – the key components for developing third world countries today. The production of these products can be organized and formed as industries that provide material benefits and livelihood development to the people.

     Climate impacts do not affect all communities equally. The region's most vulnerable areas, including low-income communities, often bear a disproportionate burden of climate impacts. Geography also determines a community's exposure to climate effects. For instance, communities have greater exposure to flooding based on their underlying natural landscapes, infrastructure capacities, and impervious surface coverage. To successfully build climate resilience, the region must address the complex intersections of these built, natural, and social systems.

      The municipality of Enrile in Cagayan province is one of the most vulnerable areas, being located among the low-income communities. It often endures a disproportionate burden of climate impacts. It has a greater exposure to flooding due to typhoons and heavy rains which always challenges its move towards attaining a sustainable agro-industrial growth. To successfully build climate resilience, the community must address the compound intersections of natural and social systems affecting its existence. One of these measures is the Bamboo plantation in the ROBA Agrarian Reform Community. /with Marvi Trinidad-Bulan

DAR builds Solar Pump Irrigation System in ARCs in Cagayan province

The Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office of Cagayan-Batanes (DARPO Cagayan-Batanes) has provided funds thru its DAR Central Office, for the construction of the initial three (3) solar pump irrigation system in Cagayan province with technology provided by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Soil and Water Management (DA-BSWM). The project costs approximately P877,500.00 per site.

The Solar Pump Irrigation System project will provide solar panels and control accessories that will generate solar energy. Submersible water pumps will draw water from an underground source into concrete water tanks as storage,  and the water from the storage tank shall flow into the vegetable farms through pipes. 

The three pilot sites for the solar pump irrigation systems are located in Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs), specfically: (1) San Esteban Farmers Cooperative in the Eastern Alcala Agrarian Reform Community (Eastern Alcala ARC) in the municipality of Alcala; (2) Lasvinag Multi-Purpose Cooperative in the Lasvinag Agrarian Reform Community (Lasvinag ARC) in the municipality of Gattaran; and (3) Nabbotuan Multi-Purpose Cooperative in the Furaban Agrarian Reform Community (Furaban ARC) in the municipality of Solana. 

On December 18, 2017, an Operation and Maintenance Seminar was conducted to prepare the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBO) members to be able to properly operate and maintain the facilities with a site visit to familiarize the participants with the system.

The Solar Pump Irrigation System resolves the vegetable farmers’ water supply challenges specially with today’s devastating effects of climate change. When operational, they can utilize the systems to provide water to irrigate their vegetable farms, household water supply, livestock raising, etc. The construction of solar pump irrigation systems in the pilot sites are expected to be completed by the end of January 2018 and will be turned over to the ARBO immediately after completion.  

Solar panels provide energy to run the water pumps in vegetable farms with no access to electricity. 

A training on the operation and maintenance was conducted for the recipient-operators of the project. 

Members of the three ARBO-recipients of the project in Cagayan undergo training on operation and maintenance. 

Unlimited water for vegetable farmers through the solar pump (submersible) irrigation system.