Women-led Agro-reforestation Project

Dear Friend,

Thank you very much for your continuing support to our initiative agro-reforestation initiative led by women farmers. In various literature we can see that women are most affected by poor yields in farming caused by climate change and there is a need to improve their welfare. Reforestation is not effective if we focus only on tree planting but left aside the raising of food crops by and for women. So in this report, we promte the growing of food crops that thrive well under trees that are planted. While waiting for the trees to grow farmers have the security of food as their crops will provide food in the short term. We are able to start this strategy with 10 pilot farmers and hoping that we will be able to expand in the next months. Again thank you very much.

Very sincerely yours,

Michelle Frances Uy

Dear Friend,

Warm greetings and thank you very much for your generous support to our initiative developing women to be the leaders of agro-reforestation projects. The current practice in terms of agriculture is mono-cropping or the growing of single crop under high input system. This is increasingly not viable especially for small farmers with very limited capital for agriculture improvement. The need for alternative system is indeed imperative and the way forward is via agro reforestation or the mix cropping of cash crops with trees, root crops, bamboos and banana. In this way the income stream of farmers are expanded and their food security improved. This reporting period we are able to support the training and capacitation of 120 women thanks so much for your help and that of others. Hoping for your continuing support.

Very sincerely yours,

Michelle Frances Uy

Dear Friend,

Warm greetings and thank you very much for your generous support to our initiative women-led agro-reforestation project. We engage women to be at the forefront in the practice of agro-reforestation as their leadership roles in village development is recognized. Agro-reforestation or the planting of mix trees, vegetables and other crops in a single parcel of land is our strategy in promoting the improvement of the environment in tandem with the improvement of the social and economic status of the farmers. This reporting period our work is focused on the growing of high-valued companion crops like ginger in upland areas. In so doing women get income while their planted trees are growing. Hoping for your continuing support. Thank you very much.

Very sincerely yours,

Michelle Frances Uy

Dear Friend,

Warm greetings and thank you very much for your generous support to our initiative providing support for agro-reforestation efforts led by women. Agroforestry is an approach to poverty amelioration in rural areas and the beauty of this system is that with multiple farming inputs, income and benefits are derived early on not like when pure tree planting program is implemented and the uptake by farmers is very low. Realizing the need for draft or work animals, we initiated the provision of work animals mainly water buffaloes to women farmers and their families. Draft animals is very important because the animal offer multiple benefits not just to asssist in farm work but also to carry heavy load such as water, among others. The animals are also easy to raise and the females produce offspring which is income for the farmers. During this reporting period we are able to provide 7 work animals to 7 women farmers and hoping to increase the number of animals in the coming days. Hoping for your continuing support to us.

Very sincerely yours,

Michelle Frances Uy

Dear Friend,

Warmest greetings and thank you very much for your generous support to our initiative women-led agro-reforestation. During this time with great uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic and the severe changes in weather due to climate change affecting poor farmers, women at the forefront of agro-reforestation is indeed commendable. With crops and trees growing in abundance, food will no longer be scarce and there are a lot of benefits with the growing of trees. Trees provide timber, shade, reduce green house, reduce soil erosion and a lot more benefits. During this reporting period we focus our support to a women's association by providing them with farming inputs in order to grow high-value cash crops such as dragon fruit which is much sought after in the area for their vaunted health benefits and sweet taste. The fruit commands high price in the market. We will continue to seek and promote other crops that will support incomes to women farmers in the medium and long-term. Again thank you very much for your kindness and generosity. 

Very sincerely yours,

Michelle Frances Uy