Organic Instructional Farm

Farm Tour

Take a tour of our farm.  

Organic Farming

Low-yield crops damage the livelihood of farming communities. By demonstrating organic fertilizing methods, sloping agricultural land technique farming, and innovative ways to utilize livestock, Sigay Kauyagan hopes to participate with local farms in creating a brighter future. This partnership is encouraged through the Agroforestry Training Center in Tupi. Here farmers and agricultural students can come and study different farming techniques such as Sloping Agriculture Land Technology (SALT), farming with Nubian dairy goats, and Vermicast organic fertilization.

SALT is a way to stabilize the steep and easily erodible hillsides so they can eventually be farmed safely and productively. Continuous farming without slope stabilization leads to severe erosion over time and to greater and more permanent environmental degradation. This means lower yield crops and worsening poverty for farmers. With the introduction of SALT, Sigay hopes to see land restored and farmers bringing in larger crops to provide the finances and nourishment their families need.

Reforestation

Due to slash and burn techniques and deforestation, forests currently occupy only 10% of Mindanao’s land mass. This has resulted in topsoil erosion and poor crop outcome on the island’s hillsides. With applied techniques, like terrace farming with rotational cropping, and hardwood planting on the ridge lines, Sigay hopes to promote reforestation of the island and restoration of the water tables to dry and depleted hilltops.

Sloping Agriculture Land Technology is not only helpful for farming, but it also is helping to reforest Mindanao. Because larger landowners occupied much of the land suitable for farming, smaller farming operations were relegated to hillsides. Poor understanding in how to prevent erosion has created mineral deficient farmland and a lack of natural forestation. With the SALT techniques, four species of legume trees are planted along the sloping countryside. This creates a natural “terrace” for farmers and prevents further run-off after large storms.