抄録
Agricultural biodiversity refers to the natural capital of an agricultural ecosystem, including plants and animals, that sustains key ecological functions, maintain agricultural production and thereby supports food security. Rice ecosystems are an example of agroecosystems that prioritize human needs and perform other ecological roles. To investigate their substantial socio-economic contributions, a case study of the current in situ rice germplasm, the overall crop-animal landscape, farming practices and local development initiatives was conducted in the province of Camarines Sur, The Philippines.
Sixty rice farmers were interviewed in three villages. Sixty-one species belonging to 30 plant families including cereals, vegetables, fruit trees, beverage crops, fiber crops, forestry and agroforestry trees were found growing in the farms. A total of 18 local, improved and hybrid rice cultivars comprised rice germplasm in 2006-2007. In earlier decades, farmers had grown 18 rice landraces, but only one was planted in 2006-2007. In addition to growing crops, 95% of the total farmer-respondents produced livestock while 93% raised poultry as well. Thus, production of different animal species was an integral part of their economic activities. Innovative farming techniques were adopted by several farmers to favor the existence of diverse domesticated flora and fauna in rice farms. These techniques include seed production of different plant varieties and utilization of farm animal wastes as organic fertilizer. Researchers and officers of academic institutions, national government agencies and civil society organizations reported a range of local development initiatives to facilitate the adoption of appropriate technologies in support of agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture.
This study highlighted the diverse crop and animal species of rice farms, their important socioeconomic contributions and the potential of rice farms for in-situ conservation of agricultural biodiversity. This study also underscores the need to implement research and development programs to improve genetic conservation of rice, other crops and animals for both ecological and socioeconomic reasons. Thus, capacity development, policy advocacy and institutional partnerships should focus on intensification of sustainable rice-based farming systems to ultimately improve the quality of life of farmers.
