Abstract
Rice systems are of particular significance to building climate resilience in the Philippines. This research brief summarizes a case study that comparatively measures differences in climate resilience between organic and conventional rice systems in four neighboring villages in Negros Occidental Province, as well as explores features of smallholder rice systems that are significant to building resilience. Data were collected through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and participant observation. A participatory approach was applied to account for socioecological context and to identify targeted interventions for enhancing climate resilience based on local conditions and farmer experiences. The results indicate that (a) of the participating rice systems, organic systems exhibit greater resilience than their conventional counterparts; (b) the current institutional arrangement prevents smallholders from transitioning to organic; and (c) a polycentric food sovereignty development approach helps Philippine smallholders overcome these institutional barriers, as well as builds smallholder capacities for resilience by supporting place-based knowledge and resource generation. More effort is needed to explore, analyze, and strengthen such polycentric food sovereignty interventions for climate change. See the press release for this article.
Highlights
The Philippines is one of the foremost countries at risk to climate change, ranked number 3 for the third consecutive year by the 2017 World Risk Index and number 5 by the 2017 Global Climate Risk Index
I summarize here three key findings from the overall study: (1) organic rice systems exhibit greater resilience than their conventional counterparts; (2) the institutional arrangement responsible for supporting organic transition remains locked in the Green Revolution paradigm; and (3) a polycentric food sovereignty development approach is key to addressing these institutional lock-ins and creating pathways for smallholder resilience
Organic rice systems contain higher crop, farm, and landscape diversity, which serves to enhance adaptive capacity; employ more land- and soilimprovement measures that increase mitigation potential; and are governed by household and community mechanisms that serve to reduce vulnerability (Heckelman et al, 2018). This finding is consistent with Philippines-based research indicating that organic systems outperform their conventional counterparts due to yielding similar or sometimes higher production levels (Bachmann et al, 2009; Broad & Cavanagh, 2012; Icamina, 2011; Mendoza, 2005, 2016) and being more profitable due to lower production costs and higher returns (Bachmann et al, 2009; Lamban et al 2011; Mendoza, 2004; Pantoja, Badayos, & Agnes, 2016; Rubinos, Jalipa, & Bacaya, 2007)
Summary
The Philippines is one of the foremost countries at risk to climate change, ranked number 3 for the third consecutive year by the 2017 World Risk Index and number 5 by the 2017 Global Climate Risk Index. Results and Discussion I summarize here three key findings from the overall study: (1) organic rice systems exhibit greater resilience than their conventional counterparts; (2) the institutional arrangement responsible for supporting organic transition remains locked in the Green Revolution paradigm; and (3) a polycentric food sovereignty development approach is key to addressing these institutional lock-ins and creating pathways for smallholder resilience.
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