PAFERN

The Philippine Agroforestry Education and Research Network (PAFERN) is a coalition of 35 agroforestry institutions engaged in agroforestry education, research and development in the Philippines. PAFERN started in 1998 as an informal coalition of state colleges and universities engaged in agroforestry education programs. It was formally organized on November 24, 2001 as per decision made by the heads of the agroforestry schools who have attended the 1st National Meeting-Workshop.

PAFERN was registered with the securities and Exchange Commission on February 3, 2003. PAFERN aims to build institutional and staff capacities to help strengthen the agroforestry education, research and development programs, and at the same time, promote closer links between and among the agroforestry institutions to be able to address the issues and concerns in agroforestry development and promotionin the country.

Membership to PAFERN is open to all institutions actively engaged in agroforestry development and promotion. It operates through its principal bodies, namely: The General Assembly, comprised of the official representatives of each member-institution, which convenes annually; the Board, composed of two representatives elected by the member-institutions in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and the Chairman, elected by the General Assembly; and, the Secretariat based at the UPLB-IAF primarily responsible in coordinating the network activities.

Among the priority programs of PAFERN are as follows: a) Building institutional capacities for improved delivery of agroforestry education b) Strengthening institutional capacities for collaborative agroforestry research c) Improving learning facilities in agroforestry d) Promoting multisectoral partnership in agroforestry development and promotion e) Creating venues for information exhange among agroforestry stakeholders f) Securing quality agroforestry education g) Intensifying institutional linkages.

Interested institutions may apply for membership by filling-up the PAFERN Membership Form

BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS

Dr. Lutgarda L. Tolentino, Director - UPLB Institute of Agroforestry (Chair of the Board)
Dr. Orlando P. Almoite, Chancellor - Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (Board Member-Luzon)
Dr. Honorio M. Soriano, Jr., President, Pampanga Agricultural College (Board Member-Luzon)
Dr. Ma. Eugenita C. Capaciete, Campus Administrator Western Visayas College of Science and Technology-Leon Campus (Board Member-Visayas)
Dr. Elpidio T. Magante, President - Bohol Island State University (Board Member-Visayas)
Dr. Joanna Cuenca, President, CARAGA State University (Board Member-Mindanao)
Dr. Macapado A. Muslim, President, Mindanao State University (Board Member-Mindanao)
For. Rowena D. Cabahug, University Researcher, UPLB Institute of Agroforestry (Board Treasurer)
Ms. Leila D. Landicho, University Research Associate, UPLB Institute of Agroforestry (Board Secretary)

OFFICERS OF THE NATIONAL AGROFORESTERS' ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NAAP)

Dr. Orlando P. Almoite, Chancellor of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (President)
Dr. Serafin L. Ngohayon, President, Ifugao State College of Agriculture and Forestry (Vice-President)
Dr. Namerod F. Mateo, Research Director, University of Rizal System (Secretary)
Dr. Nelly C. Antolin, Professor, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (Treasurer)
Dr. Eduardo O. Mangaoang, Professor-College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Visayas State University (Public Relations Officer)
Dr. Eduardo T. Bagtang, President, Kalinga Apayao State College (Auditor)
Mr. Rodolfo Galang, Senior Agriculturist, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (Business Manager)
Dr. Wilfredo M. Carandang, Professor, University of the Philippines Los Banos (Board Member-Luzon)
Dr. Ma. Eugenita C. Capaciete, Campus Administrator - Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (Board Member-Visayas).
Dr. Elpidio Bautista, President, Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology (Board Member-Mindanao)

ANNOUNCEMENT

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SMALLHOLDER RUBBER-BASED AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS (June 20-22, 2012, Manila, Philippines)

The International Rubber Research and Development Board (IRRDB), Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), University of the Philippines Los Banos-Institute of Agroforestry (UPLB-IAF) and the Philippine Agroforestry Education and Research Network (PAFERN) are pleased to announce the International Conference on Smallholder Rubber-Based Agroforestry Systems to be held on June 20-22, 2012 in Manila Philippines. This International Conferene will serve as a forum for all concerned stakeholders about the biophysical and socioeconomic requirements to enhance landscape functions of smallholder rubber-based agroforestry systems.

Submission of abstracts is due on March 30, 2012. Interested participants may fill-up the confirmation slip and submit to Dr. Roberto G. Visco, Director of the UPLB-IAF (agro_cfnr@yahoo.com; secretariat@pafern.org.ph) or to Dr. Teodoro S. Solsoloy, Assistant Director of DA-BAR (tsolsoloy@bar.gov.ph).

PAFERN HAS NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The 6^thPAFERN General Assembly held on November 16, 2011 was highlighted, among others, by the election of the new Board of Directors. Dr. Roberto G. Visco, the incumbent Director of the UPLB-Institute of Agroforestry was elected by the General Assembly as the Chairman of the Board. Meanwhile, two representatives each from the three island groups were nominated by their respective clusters as Members of the Board. They are: Dr. Eduardo T. Bagtang (President of Kalinga State College) and Dr. Honorio M. Soriano, Jr (President of Pampanga Agricultural College) for Luzon; Dr. Elpidio T. Magante (President of Bohol Island State University) and Prof, Maryann S. Dagunan(Dean-School of Forestry, Negros State College of Agriculture) for the Visayas; and Dr. Joanna Cuenca (President of Caraga State University) and Dr. Ma. Luisa Soliven (President of Central Mindanao University) for Mindanao.

The new members of the Board of Directors will serve the network from 2012-2014

5^TH NATIONAL AGROFORESTRY CONGRESS CONCLUDES

For the fifth time, the different agroforestry stakeholders convened to share the recent developments in agroforestry education, research and development; deliberate on the issues confronting agroforestry promotion; and, chart the path towards institutionalizing agroforestry in the Philippines. The 5th National Agroforestry Congress was held on November 16-18, 2011 at the Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) in Magalang, Pampanga wit the theme, "enhancing public-private partnership towards institutionalization of agroforestry as a development strategy".

This year's National Agroforestry Congress was highlighted by three plenary presentations, namely: The State of Agroforestry Development and Promotion in the Philippines (delivered by Dr. Roberto G. Visco, Director of the UPLB-Institute of Agroforestry); Harnessing Regional Collaboration Towards Institutionalizing Agroforestry Practice in Southeast Asia: Experience of PAFERN (delivered by Dr. Lutgarda L. Tolentino, PAFERN Chair); and, The Other Half of Agroforestry: Forestry Improvement Technology (delivered by Pastor Delbert Rice, Director for Research of Kalahan Educational Foundation); 17 concurrent papers; and 23 poster presentation. A draft Executive Order that calls for the establishment of the National Agroforestry Development Program was likewise presented in plenary to solicit suggestions from the agroforestry stakeholders.

The Congress participants totaled to 90 individuals representing the local government units, non-government organizations, state colleges and universities, national government agencies, and international organizations.

The Philippine Agroforestry Education and Research Network (PAFERN), UPLB Institute of Agroforestry (UPLB-IAF) and the Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) jointly organized the 5th National Agroforestry Congress, with support from the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and SEARCA.

Meanwhile, the 6th National Agroforestry Congress is slated in 2013 in Bohol Province, to be hosted by the Bohol Island State University.

CALL FOR PAPERS: 5^TH NATIONAL AGROFORESTRY CONGRESS (November 16-18, 2011)

The Philippine Agroforestry Education and Research Network (PAFERN), UPLB-Institute of Agroforestry, and Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) are organizing the 5^th National Agroforestry Congress with the theme "enhancing public-private partnership towards institutionalizing agroforestry as a development strategy". The 5th Agroforestry Congress is scheduled on November 16-18, 2011 in Clark, Pampanga with the following objectives:

a) to share experiences and recent developments in agroforestry education, research and technology development, and extension services/approaches

b) to ventilate the issues and concerns confronting agroforestry development and promotion in various sectors and levels

c) to strengthen public-private partnerships for a more effective agroforestry development and promotion

d) to formulate policy recommendations towards institutionalizing agroforestry as a development strategy in the Philippines.

The organizers are now calling for abstract submission for paper and poster presentation, along the following topics/areas:

a) Promoting agroforestry education for sustainable development

b) Enhancing collaborative agroforestry research and development programs

c) Innovative agroforestry extension models and approaches

d) Relevant policies in agroforestry development and promotion

The abstracts (not more than 250 words) should be submitted on or before April 30, 2011 either by fax (049) 536-3809 or email (agro_cfnr@yahoo.com with copies to secretariat@pafern.org.ph) . The organizers will publish a Congress Proceedings. Therefore, this could be a very good opportunity for the research and development workers, including the practitioners to publish the outputs of their R & D programs in agroforestry.

Meanwhile, a registration fee of Php7500 covers food (November 16 (dinner); November 17 (complete meal); November 18 (breakfast, snacks and lunch); 2-night hotel accommodation; conference bag and souvenir items; conference materials including the book of abstract/souvenir program). The deadline for registration is on June 30, 2011.

DECLARATION OF SUPPORT ON PROMOTING AGROFORESTRY FOR CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION IN THE PHILIPPINES

CONSIDERING that climate change is a very alarming natural phenomenon because of its perceived negative impacts to the humanity around the world;

NOTING that the agriculture sector, particularly the farming communities are most vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change because of the changes in the rainfall and temperature patterns that could limit food supply, alter cropping seasons, increase incidence of pests and diseases, and ultimately lead to declining agricultural productivity;

RECOGNIZING that agroforestry is a land use management system which combines the production of agricultural crops, woody perennials and livestock and/or aquatic resources to address socioeconomic productivity of the upland farmers, and ecological stability in the watershed continuum;

REALIZING that AGROFORESTRY systems produce multiple benefits such as increased income from diverse sources; increased food production; improved supply of fodder for fish and livestock; increased supply of fuelwood; improved soil fertility and water supply; and, improved habitats. Recognizing further that the diverse components of agroforestry provide multiple harvests at different times of the year thereby ensuring income and reducing the risk of crop loss. Because of these benefits, agroforestry can improve the lives of the farmers, help reduce poverty, and maintain ecological stability.

This Congress resolves and urges that:

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs) should pursue policy advocacy to intensify the promotion of agroforestry as a development strategy within their spheres of influence. The policy initiatives may include the inclusion of agroforestry in the annual municipal and provincial development plans of the local government units; creation of plantilla items for Agroforesters at the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of the local government units; and the delineation and classification of agroforestry areas

THE STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITY (SCUs) should continue implementing need-driven and responsive agroforestry education programs that would be able to address the needs of the society. The SCUs should identify strategies that would make their agroforestry education programs more attractive to the prospective students and employers

THE RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS AND SCUs should generate new knowledge through the conduct of research and development programs, including the documentation of successful agroforestry technologies, and climate change adaptation strategies of farmers from various areas in the Philippines. These documentation of agroforestry technologies should be packaged for dissemination among the agroforestry farmers for possible replication in their areas

THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES PARTICULARLY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES to institute national policies and development programs that would lead towards institutionalizing agroforestry as a development strategy in the country

THE NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS to intensify agroforestry advocacy through their grassroots-level oriented extension programs and continuously serve as the bridge between the farming communities and the national and local government for the promotion of pro-farmer development programs

THE PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATIONS AND FARMERS to sustain the adoption of different agroforestry technologies, and the active participation in various agroforestry development endeavors;

THE PHILIPPINE AGROFORESTRY EDUCATION AND RESEARCH NETWORK (PAFERN) and the UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES LOS BANOS-INSTITUTE OF AGROFORESTRY to continue serving as the core organizations in agroforestry development and promotion in the Philippines. These organizations should continue conducting research and development projects; implementing capacity-building programs such as offering relevant training programs; facilitating and coordinating the national agroforestry activities; developing relevant IEC materials for information dissemination; and, lobbying for the institutionalization of agroforestry as a development strategy in the Philippines.

FINALLY, ALL STAKEHOLDERS should actively join the national and global crusade in promoting agroforestry.

In view of the foregoing, WE, the 155 participants of the 4^th National Agroforestry Congress, hereby affix our signatures as a sign of our support and commitment not only to promote agroforestry as a strategy for climate change adaptation, but to work towards institutionalizing agroforestry as a development strategy in the Philippines.

NEWS AND EVENTS	RSS

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SMALLHOLDER RUBBER-BASED AGROFORESTRY (June 20-22, 2012, Manila, Philippines) The International Rubber Research Development Board, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), University of the Philippines Los Banos through the Institute of Agroforestry, and the Philippine Agroforestry Education and Research Network (PAFERN) are pleased to announce the INTERNATIONAL CONFERENE ON SMALLHOLDER RUBBER-BASED AGROFORESTRY to be held on June 20-22, 2012 in Manila, Philippines. This Conference will serve as a forum for concerned stakeholders about the biophysical and socioeconomic requirements to enhance landscape functions of smallholder rubber-based agroforestry systems. The organizers are calling for papers along the following themes: a) promoting potentially sustainable rubber-based agroforestry systems; b) enterprising rubber-based agroforestry systems; and, c) institutional support mechanisms towards scaling-up smallholder rubber-based agroforestry systems. Submission of abstracts is due on or before March 30, 2012. Interested participants may fill-up the Registration form and send to Dr. Roberto G. Visco, Director of the UPLB Institute of Agroforestry (agro_cfnr@yahoo.com; secretariat@pafern.org.ph or to Dr. Teodoro Solsoloy, Assistant Director of DA-BAR (tsolsoloy@bar.gov.ph). [more...]

The Southeast Asian Network for Agroforestry Education (SEANAFE) is organizing the 2nd International Conference of Agroforestry Education with the theme "mainstreaming agroforestry in the natural resources management and climate change adaptation programs in Southeast Asia". The Conference is scheduled on December 15-17, 2010 at Maejo University in Chiangmai, Thailand with the following objectives: a) Develop a shared understanding of the issues and challenges in the promotion of the science and practice of agroforestry in the region; b) Share innovative methods and approaches in the effective implementation of agroforestry education programs in Southeast Asia c) Identify the potentials and contributions of agroforestry in climate change mitigation and adaptation d) Review the policies that are relevant to the agroforestry development and promotion initiatives in Southeast Asia e) Serve as a venue for the SEANAFE member-institutions to deliberate on the results of the conference and identify strategies to sustain the SEANAFE operations [more...]

4th Philippine Agroforestry Congress Highlights Agroforestry's Role in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation The 4^th Philippine Agroforestry Congress was held on November 18-20, 2009 at the Chali Beach Resort and Conference Center in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Philippines with the theme “agroforestry promotion for climate change mitigation and adaptation: building lessons from the field”. This year’s Agroforestry Congress was convened to serve as a venue to promote sharing of experiences of various stakeholders in agroforestry technology development, promotion and adoption; intensify agroforestry promotion through agroforestry roadshow; and highlight the experiences of agroforestry practitioners/farmers in agroforestry farm development. [more...]

PAFERN Welcomes New Board Members The 5^th PAFERN General Assembly held on November 18, 2009 served as a venue to elect the new set of PAFERN Board Members for 2010-2011. Official representatives from each of the three PAFERN zones (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) elected their two representatives to the Board as follows: [more...]

Regional Training-Workshop on Scaling-Up Agroforestry Promotion Towards Mitigating Climate Change in Southeast Asia Concludes One of the major components of the Asia-Pacific Network (APN)-funded PAFERN Project entitled "Scaling-Up Agroforestry Promotion Towards Mitigating Climate Change in Southeast Asia" is a Regional-Training Workshop that is aimed at strengthening the knowledge and skills of junior agroforestry teaching staff in agroforestry, and climate change, and at the same time, develop information materials for instruction and promotion purposes. [more...]

PAFERN and UPLB-IAF Conduct Regional Training on Promoting Sustainable Upland Development in Southeast Asia (SUDSEA) Sixteen (16) teaching staff and development workers from the six member-countries of the Southeast Asian Network for Agroforestry Education (SEANAFE), namely: Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam were convened in a Regional Training on SUDSEA. Held on September 28 to October 8, 2009 at the SEARCA Residence Hotel, UPLB, College, Laguna, the said regional training primarily aimed at enhancing the capacities of the trainers engaged in promoting sustainable upland development in Southeast Asia. [more...]

PAFERN Avails Fund Support from the Asia-Pacific Network (APN) for Global Change Research The PAFERN’s project proposal entitled “Scaling-Up Agroforestry Promotion Towards Climate Change Mitigation in Southeast Asia” was approved for funding by the APN under its CaPABLE Program. The project revolves around capacity-building, exchange/sharing of knowledge and technical expertise, and public awareness programs aimed at disseminating the potentials of agroforestry in mitigating climate change. [more...]

PAFERN Conducts Training-Workshop on Documentation and Assessment of Different Agroforestry Models in the Philippines PAFERN organized a two-day Training-Workshop on Documentation and Assessment of Different Agroforestry Models in the Philippines". Held on May 14-15, 2009 at the University of the Philippines Los Banos, this training-workshop aimed to: a) share the UPLB-IAF's experiences in conducting the documentation and assessment of agroforestry models; b) review and improve the data gathering guide; c) enhance knowledge and skills in conducting biodiversity assessment and carbon stock assessment; and, d) identify the potential agroforestry models for documentation by the participating faculty members. [more...]

PAFERN Holds Writeshop on Agroforestry Teaching Materials Development Sixteen (16) faculty members from 13 PAFERN member-institutions were convened in a writeshop on November 3-5, 2008 at the Aklan State University in Banga, Aklan. The writeshop aimed to develop agroforestry teaching materials of three major agroforestry courses, namely: Agroforestry Entrepreneurship, Soil and Water Conservation, and Agroforestry Ecology. This initiative is in line with the implementation of the new Policy, Standards and Guidelines (PSG) for BS Agroforestry. [more...]

PAFERN Organizes Multistakeholder Consultation on the Professionalization of Agroforestry Practice in the Philippines A Multistakeholder Consultation/Dialogue was organized by PAFERN on November 6, 2008 as a Special Session during the 2nd Visayas Agroforestry Congress. The consultation/dialogue aimed to ventilate issues on the Senate Bill No. 872 otherwise known as the Philippine Agroforestry Act, which calls for the professionalization of agroforestry practice in the Philippines. [more...]

DBP-Funded PAFERN Project Kicks-Off PAFERN was tapped by the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to monitor and evaluate its DBP-Forest Projects for 15 months (July 2008 to September 2009). DBP has been financing the implementation of about 22 forest projects all over the Philippines. Through the project "Participatory Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation (PAME)", PAFERN will assess the progress of the overall project implementation, relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of the different DBP-Forest Projects vis-a-vis their project goals and objectives. [more...]

PAFERN Conducts National Training on Agroforestry Landscape Analysis One of the project themes of the Southeast Asian Network for Agroforestry Education (SEANAFE)-Phase II is Agroforestry Landscape Analysis (AFLA). This project generally aims to: 1) review and understand principles on how agroforestry landscapes function; 2) identify and characterize key drivers behind landscape change and be able to use participatory tools and methods for studying agroforestry landscape dynamics; 3) strengthen the teaching of Landscape Agroforestry in universities and colleges in Southeast Asia by developing teaching materials, and; 4) enhance the teaching capacity in Landscape Agroforestry. [more...]

2nd World Congress on Agroforestry Slated in 2009 "Agroforestry -- The Future of Global Land Use" is the overall theme of the 2nd World Congress on Agroforestry to be held on August 23-28, 2009 in Nairobi, Kenya. The 2nd World Congress on Agroforestry will assess opportunities to leverage scientific agroforestry in promoting sustainable land use worldwide. It will serve as a forum for agroforestry researchers, educators, practitioners and policies from around the world to: a) share new research findings, lessons, experiences and ideas that will help influence decisions that impact on livelihoods and the global environment; b) explore new opportunities and cement existing partnerships in agroforestry research, education, training and development; and, c) form new networks and communities of practice, and nurture old ones. [more...]

4th Philippine Agroforestry Congress in 2009 The University of the Philippine Los Banos-Institute of Agroforestry (UPLB-IAF) and PAFERN are organizing the 4th Philippine Agroforestry Congress. With the theme "Agroforestry Promotion for Climate Change Adaptation: Building Lessons from the Field", this National Agroforestry Congress is slated on November 18-20, 2009, with the Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology (MOSCAT) as the host-institution. [more...]

PAFERN Completes Documentation of Different Agroforestry Models in the Philippines PAFERN embarked on a six-month project "Characterization and Assessment of the Different Agroforestry Models in the Philippines". This study aimed to: a) analyze the economic and financial viability of the different agroforestry systems that are being practiced in selected areas in the Philippines; and, b) assess their impact on the environmental, biophysical and socioeconomic conditions of the farmers and the farming community. [more...]