EARTH SUMMIT+5 Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise the Implementation of Agenda 21 New York, 23-27 June 1997 SUCCESS STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINES

	Community-Based Seed Banking and Seed Propagation of Indigenous Agro-Forestry Species (IAS)
	Location	Sitio Apnit, Longos, Cabaugan, Zambales, Philippines
	Responsible Organization(s)	Volunteers in Scientific & Technological Action, Inc. (VISTA) Partner Peoples' Organization: Longos Upland Farmers Association, Inc. (LUFA)
	Description	Aimed at establishing an efficient system for the identification, collection, preservation and propagation of indigenous agro-forestry species (IAS), the project was identified in 1991 after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption which brought considerable destruction to communities in Zambales. The project has four components: nursery establishment; collection and propagation of seeds/seedlings and outplanting of IAS capacity building for the local communities on various reforestation technologies research and documentation. An equally important component of the project is the information campaign promoting the use of indigenous agro-forestry species through comics/illustrated primers used by the local schools.
	Issues addressed	Biodiversity conservation
	Objectives	To identify, retrieve, upgrade and preserve existing IAS specifically endangered species of utmost importance and with great potentials in reforestation, set-up strategic community-based seed production areas and nursery in the project site. To develop and upgrade capacities of target communities in reforestation and nursery establishment through technology transfer and skills development. To produce topical training modules for community-based reforestation and nursery establishment. To provide economic opportunities through the development of marketable IAS seeds and seedlings.
	Results achieved	Establishment of a community-based nursery and production of 13,990 seedlings using 17 species of agro-forestry trees. These seedlings were out planted in the communal forests of the partner peoples' organization (PO). Identification of data gaps on IAS and establishment of an efficient system to identify, collect and produce seedling of IAS. A total of 20 indigenous agro-forestry species were identified and collected under the project. Establishment of a seed laboratory to undertake research studies including on packaging of sample seeds for planting/distribution. Production and dissemination of information materials to the local community and other farmer organizations and NGOs. The project area has been chosen as the model site of the Integrated Social Forestry Project (ISFP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). As a result, DENR has expressed its intention to turn over the sole management of the project site to the local community organization (LUFA). The Foundation for Philippine Environment (FPE) is supporting the next two years of the project operations.
	Lessons learned	Forging farmer-scientist partnership to build a bottom-up approach is useful to implement and manage community-based projects requiring technical assistance. Sharing of technology, indigenous knowledge, and skills ensured the sustainability and continuity of the project. Indigenous species are already suited to the agroclimatic conditions of the area hence would mean almost 100% survival upon out planting. Research and process documentation are critical to fully capture the dynamics and impact of the project in the community including developing the mechanism for project replication. The first year of project implementation served as a take-off point for continuous seed identification, seed collection/retrieval, seedling production, and propagation.
	Financing	The project was supported through a grant from the UNDP Global Environment Facility-Small Grants Programme (UNDP GEF-SGP).
	Contact	Ms. Angelita Cunanan, National Coordinator UNDP GEF-Small Grants Programme, Room 210 NEDA sa Makati Bldg. 106 Amorsolo St. - Legaspi Village, Makati City, Philippines Tel: (63-2) 892-06-11 to 20 local 241