This project will mobilize upland residents in Misamis Oriental in order to plant and take care of 200,000 trees and implement soil and water conservation activities to improve soil fertility, increase their incomes and contribute to mitigating climate change. If this is not done,
Due to incorrect farming practices, soil desertification is happening in the mountains of Misamis Oriental. Another problem is the lack of initiative to replace the trees that have been cut in order to build houses in the villages. This has become a vicious cycle of poverty, powerlessness and the occurrence of extreme weather events such as long dry season and severe typhoons occurring regularly compared to many years ago.
Promoting sustainable soil and water improvement measures comprising contour farming, mixed cropping, recycling of farm waste and rain water impounding coupled with the planting of trees in at least 20% of the farm will solve this very problematic situation. We will assist the farmers with other support services in order for them to improve their lives. These services will include sanitation, livelihood training and linking with helpers in order to improve their road conditions.
Climate change is real and extreme weather events such as long dry weather and strong typhoons are a reality now and this initiative geared towards the improvement of the upland ecosystem coupled with poverty amelioration is a way to help save our planet.
