Taungya in the Philippines

background

This book chapter provides a description of the ecological effects of deforestation in the Philippines and a history of the failed social forestry programs that began in the 1970s.

Conclusions & Takeaways

Native dipterocarp forests no longer provide an important source of revenue for the Philippines. The government does not currently promote re-establishment of these forests. The author suggests that re-establishment must be supported by investment from the government, international banks, and development agencies. Social forestry programs will not support native forest re-establishment because the time to pay-off is too long for peasants. Taungya systems can lessen competition between industrial forestry and agriculture, and native species may be more appropriate for long-term plantations because they are better adapted to local soils and pests.