Location
Dumangas, the Philippines
Dumangas, Iloilo is a coastal city in Panay island, Visayas, Philippines with a land area of 128.7 square km. In the Municipality of Dumangas, agriculture and fisheries are major industries.
Issue
Natural disaster risks exacerbated by climate change
Due to its geographical conditions, Dumangas has experienced both intensive drought and flooding. Farmers faced hardship in maintaining their crop cultivation because of flooding. Farmers in Dumangas used to employ traditional cropping practices, but these no longer worked due to changing climate. Therefore, scientific evidence and climate information were needed to guide farmers in reconsidering their crop practices or varieties.
Solution / Lesson learned
Climate Field School for disaster risk reduction and agricultural development
The municipal government of Dumangas launched the Climate Field School (CFS) Program in 2007. The CFS program is designed to enhance the capacity of extension workers and farmers to understand and apply various information to reduce risks in agriculture while increasing farm production. Through the program, the farmers learned how to identify crop varieties considering a predicted climate event and to adjust scheduling appropriate farm operations. Farmers found managing climate change allowed them to maintain their production and make monetary profits. The CFS serves as an effective strategy for incorporating climate into agricultural planning and practices.
Related Information
- Ronaldo G. (2012). Climate Field School: An Innovative Approach to Agricultural Adaptation. Agriculture and Development Notes Vol. 2 No. 2
- Rising to the Call: Good Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in the Philippines
- Dumangas on the Go: The Climate Field School of Dumangas, Iloilo, Philippines. Strengthening Climate Resilience (SCR) Program Case Study
KEYWORDS
- # Case Study
- # Agriculture
- # Coastal Areas
- # Fisheries
- # Local Communities
- # Natural Disasters
- # Adaptation Action/implementation
- # Adaptation Planning/Policy
- # Disaster Prevention/Disaster Mitigation
- # Education/Awareness/Information
- # Locally-led Adaptation
- # Participatory Approach
- # Asia
- # Philippines
- # 2011