TOBOSO, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL — Hope is taking root in the uplands of Brgy. Tabun-ac as local farmers embrace Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) to combat worsening soil erosion and secure sustainable food production for the community.
More than 30 farmer-partners of the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) Village participated in an intensive two-day Crops and Livestock Integration Training held on September 9–10, 2025.
The initiative was spearheaded by the DA-AMIA Western Visayas Program in strategic partnership with the NIR-Organic Agriculture Program, the Local Government Unit of Toboso, the Municipal Agriculture Office, and the Magcalape Tul-angon Gabon-Gabon Farmers Association (MATUGAFA).
Combating Climate Vulnerability
Upland farming in Toboso has long faced the threat of topsoil loss due to heavy rains and steep terrain. SALT, a recognized Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA) approach, provides a solution by introducing contour farming. This method uses nitrogen-fixing hedgerows to stabilize the soil, acting as a physical barrier against landslides while naturally fertilizing the crops.
During the workshop, farmers were introduced to the “A-frame” technique—a simple yet effective tool used to trace the contour lines of the mountain, ensuring that rows are level to slow down water runoff.
The Four Models of Sustainability
To maximize land productivity, the training covered four distinct SALT models that the community will implement:
- SALT 1 (Sloping Agricultural Land Technology)
The foundational model focusing on vegetable and root crop production between hedgerows. - SALT 2 (Simple Agro-Livestock Technology)
Integrating goat and livestock raising, where hedgerows serve as forage/feeds, creating a self-sustaining nutrient cycle. - SALT 3 (Sustainable Agroforest Land Technology)
A transition to communal agro-forestry to restore timber and tree cover in higher elevations. - SALT 4 (Small Agrofruit Livelihood Technology)
Establishing fruit orchards for high-value commercial production.
Before laying out the contour plots, the team conducted a “Panudlak”—a traditional groundbreaking ritual. This activity served as the baseline for tracing contour lines, symbolizing the harmonious blend of indigenous knowledge and modern agricultural science.
A Legacy for the Future
The project aims to do more than just improve yields; it is about securing the land for future generations.
“Indi lang ni teknolohiya, kundi paglaum nga indi na magdalahig ang duta namon kada ulan. May pangabuhian pa kami para sa mga masunod nga henerasyon,” shared Isabel Baynosa, a farmer-member of MATUGAFA.
(This is not just technology, but hope that our land will no longer erode with every rain. We will have a livelihood to leave behind for the next generation.)
By transforming erosion-prone slopes into productive, terraced gardens, the farmers of Tabun-ac are proving that with the right technology and community effort, climate resilience is within reach.
