The project, in partnership with the different stakeholders addresses critical food security needs in the upland communities and organizes them to setup a communal Stock Production Area (SPA) that produces quality seedlings for dispersal to the beneficiary households. The members have also been trained in plant propagation, land preparation, plant care and maintenance. A total of six (6) strategically located barangays serve as pilot barangays. Three (3) of these are located in the Talomo Watershed and the other three (3) in the Lipadas Watershed.

The project has established a Stock Production Area (SPA) in each barangay. Seedlings were distributed to the different member households. As a requisite, members are required to plant at least ten (10) indigenous trees in their own area prior to the dispersal of other seedlings.

Significance of the Project

One of the factors that contribute to the issue on deforestation in the Talomo-Lipadas Watershed is poverty in the upland ecosystem and the inability of the government to provide effective programs on sustainable upland agriculture. Because of this people are forced to cut trees or do activities that are detrimental to the watershed just to have food and other basic needs.

Cognizant of these realities, the pilot project addresses the issue on Food Security. Through the project, upland farmers are ensured with food and at the same time encouraged to contribute to the rehabilitation of the Talomo-Lipadas Watershed within the A & D areas. The project has made available quality materials that will yield better harvests per hectare of land. In turn, this will alleviate the pressure on the forest when food needs are better met.