Agri-Ecological Appraisal of Traditional Rice-Based Ecosystem: the Kapangan Experience

Abstract

The study dealt with the characterization of soil fertility, level of crop productivity, floral diversity assessment, and indigenous knowledge system and traditional rice farming practices in two of the few remaining traditional rice­based ecosystems, Sitio Gadang Proper, Gadang and Sitio Malagyao, Cuba, Kapangan, Benguet. The study revealed soil fertility was quite low in both sites since there was an alteration in rice farming practices. Floral diversity was observed to have considerable differences in the two ecosystem sites being composed since that in Sitio Gadang Proper, Gadang was undergoing the planting season while that in Sitio Malagyao, Cuba was in a fallow period. As expected, therefore, a generally more diverse ecosystem was observed in the latter site. The indigenous knowledge system and farming practices in both sites were similar though they just differed in the terminologies or local terms used. The introduction of new farming technologies, formal education and Christian religion affected the beliefs and practices done on the traditional farming practices in the study area. Apparently, these may be seen as threats that might furlher impinge on the already fragile traditional ecosystems