Home of the diverse flora and fauna species in the Philippine, Bukidnon Province is also Known as the

'Food Basket of Mindanao,' Bukidnon is a farming economy, and therefore a major producer of rice,
maize, and sugarcane. Bukidnon also boasts rich biodiversity and a vast array of endemic species of flora
and fauna.

However, Recent, accelerating development has led to increasing pressures on the land. Population
growth, weak land use planning, industrialisation, and unsustainable land use have all taken a toll on the
country’s natural resources, while erratic storms have ravaged its coasts and biodiversity is heavily
impacted

As in many parts of the world, the negative impacts of unpredictable and extreme climatic conditions
are now recurrent, more frequent and intense in Bukidnon.

Saving the forest to save ourselves

In the Philippines, deforestation and land use change have reduced forest cover from about 90 per cent
in the 16th century, to 70 per cent by 1900, and about 23 per cent at present.

Unintended consequences

Many of the farmers in Bukidnon relies on subsistence corn cultivation and knows that a healthy soil is
the foundation for both agricultural productivity and functioning ecosystems.

But the intensive cultivation of yellow maize has required taking over sloping forest lands - with
unintended consequences.

In an area with limited access to land and lack of information about the impact of unsustainable farming
practices, farming these often steeply sloped protected forest areas has unintentionally resulted in
varying forms and degrees of soil erosion, with their attendant impacts on soil fertility.

Enhancing resilience of land and people

Reversing land degradation and its outcomes while accelerating positive achievements for people and
for ecosystems, the UNDP-supported, Global Environment Facility (GEF)-financed project, Sustainable
Land Management Practices to Address Land Degradation and Mitigate Effects of Drought (‘SLM
project’), implemented by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), has put forward
community solutions benefitting farmers and the soil.

Through the SLM Project, BSWM implemented interventions to enhance climate-resilient and
sustainable land management practices among local farmers. These interventions are helping to achieve
sustainable agriculture and agroforestry development. Additionally, the adoption of diverse crops on
farms offers a regular source of earnings.

Protection of our land, benefits not only the people but also the different flora and fauna species in our
provinces. Therefore, as a citizen of this province, it is imperative that we support any sustainable
project that will protect our flora and fauna species. We can plant local flowers, fruits and vegetables in
our backyard. Respect local habitats and support local farms, Buying from our local farmer at a farmers’
market or through a farm stand gives us the ability to find out how our food was grown and learn what
they are doing on the farm to help conserve biodiversity. Human impact on the earth can have a
devastating impact on biodiversity. Small steps like keeping to walking paths, and not stepping through
flowers or crops, can help protect what is growing there. Lastly, educating people about the importance
of biodiversity conservation increases public awareness of the issue. As public awareness increases,
people become more involved in caring about their environment.

UNDP Ecosystems and Biodiversity. (2019, September 4). Sustainable Land Management

enhances soil productivity and. Global Environment Facility. Retrieved December 1,

2021, from https://www.thegef.org/news/sustainable-land-management-enhances-soil-

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