Saving the Grain of Culture: Historic Rice Terraces In Danger

by Imelda V. Abaño
– Philippines –

For centuries, rice has sculpted the culture of Asia. In fact, more than 2,000 years ago in the Philippines, tribal farmers revered the amazing native grain by carving out rice terraces using only traditional knowledge and primitive tools.

In the mountainous region of the Northern Philippines, about 340 kilometers away from Manila, the Ifugao Rice Terraces (or as they are more commonly known off the island – the Banaue Rice Terraces) run like giant stepping stones and, if laid end to end, archaeologists estimate they would encircle half the globe. Described as the “stairway to heaven”, the rice terraces are so spectacular that they have captured the imagination of tourists worldwide and have stood for thousands of years as a symbol of human ingenuity. Thus, with good reason, the terraces have been dubbed by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

But rice farming traditions are falling out of favor in the region, especially among the young, and the marvelous landscape of the terraces is in danger of becoming a thing of the past.

On the brink of destruction

While the rice terraces have withstood the wrath of both natural and manmade calamities for centuries (World War II greatly devastated the country), they have since deteriorated and are in danger of falling fallow from lack of use. Of the 15,000 hectares (approximately 37,000 acres) once cultivated in the 1950s, only an estimated 5,000 hectares (approximately 12,000 acres) are currently maintained by some 100,000 tribal farmers.

Environmental degradation and neglect, pesticide use, lower rice yield, urbanization, poverty and erosion of the indigenous culture are a few of the many issues surrounding the rapid deterioration of the rice terraces. Once green and fertile farms are now eroded grasslands.

“Our rice terraces [are] in a state of rapid deterioration due to many factors. [They are] crumbling into oblivion,” said Raymundo Bahatan, head of the Ifugao Province Agricultural Department and a farmer himself.

In 2001 UNESCO warned that it may remove the terraces from its World Heritage List because little is being done to save them. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) also warns that if the ongoing destruction of the terraces is not arrested, widespread damage may be irreversible.

Lack of care

Already, abandoned terraces in remote valleys have worn away while others are disappearing from lack of care. An exodus of the younger generation into the cities has resulted in the erosion of local culture as well as the old traditions.

“The young people are not interested [in tilling] the terraces anymore. They are turning their backs on the hard grind of working the terraces. The influence of education and religion has also altered the mindsets of the locals. The current generation does not have much appreciation for the heritage value of the rice terraces,” laments Bahatan.

Some old farmers, no longer able to work the fields, dress up instead in tribal costume and perform for tourists in exchange for a few pesos.

“If young people do not develop an appreciation, these terraces will continue to deteriorate,” Bahatan warns.
Because the productivity of the terraces remains low, Bahatan explains that the profit farmers gain is not even enough to support them. As a result, they abandon rice farming and seek other means of livelihood like woodcarving, weaving handicrafts or even lucrative overseas employment.

“As much as we would like to preserve the rice terraces, we can no longer till the soil. Who will take care of the terraces now [that] we are getting older?” says 56-year-old farmer Jose Tindungan.

Tindungan says that in a 50 square meter paddy, farmers can only produce 1.5 cavans (approximately 165 pounds or 75 kilograms) of native palay annually, which is not enough to support them for the rest of the year. Productivity wise, farmers in this region usually only harvest an average of 1.7 tons (about 35 cavans) per hectare (approximately 2 acres).

Tindungan explains that among the numerous challenges the farmers face, they must also contend with “the flooding of hybrid and imported varieties of rice and other crops being introduced – we cannot compete with their high prices”.

Climate change, environmental degradation and pests

The rice terraces that feed thousands of people in the Philippines and other neighboring countries are also endangered by global warming.

According to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), severe drought and massive deforestation of the highlands protecting the watershed areas that provide water and irrigation to the terraces have contributed to the terraces’ collapse.

“We are running out of agricultural land. Climate change, the denudation of forests, destruction of watersheds which are the primary sources of the terraces’ irrigation were just some reasons for its degradation,” says Dr. Ravi Joshi, Chief Science Research Specialist at PhilRice.

Dr. Joshi says the rice terraces have been plagued with menacing pests like giant earthworms, usually 7 to 20 inches in length, that burrow into the soil.

“These giant earthworms tear down the earthen support of the rice terraces by slithering through the paddies’ walls. When submerged in water, the terraces collapse, resulting in [their] disappearance,” Dr. Joshi explains.

In the past, varieties of pesticides were used to control the earthworm population but proved destructive to other valuable aquatic life in the rice paddy.

Dr. Joshi says earthworms can be destroyed by keeping the rice paddies flooded, but the farms’ rice yield may suffer as a result.

“Based on our work over the years, we have seen the damage of the walls of the terraces, but farmers do not want to use any pesticide — so some areas are being degraded,” he explains. He adds that PhilRice has been collaborating with the farmers on proper management of the remaining rice fields to maintain the farming areas.

Reviving the culture

Reviving the rice rituals practiced by their great ancestors is one of the more effective efforts in preserving the terraces, says Ifugao Provincial Governor Teodoro Baguilat, Jr.

While some farmers interpret the rapid deterioration of the rice terraces as a curse, tribal folk perform rituals to appease the gods. Through chants and the offering of some chickens and ducks, farmers implore the gods to help them revive the beauty of the terraces.

“It is important to preserve the terraces as they are not only a source of food, but also a reminder of our ancestors and their connection to the land,” asserts Baguilat.

During the planting season from July to September, native high priests and tribal farmers perform their rituals, believing that the old way of farming is still the best, despite the introduction of modern rice planting methods.

Peoples’ initiative

Saving the rice terraces from total deterioration started back in 1993 with the creation of the Ifugao Rice Terraces Commission, which had initial funding of $59.8 million (USD) until 1999. The commission was mandated to maintain the terraces’ culture, uplift the economic status of the farmers, as well as improve the agricultural and ecological conditions of the rice terraces.

In 2002, the Philippine government released another $460,000 (USD) to ensure the program’s sustainability in safeguarding this important cultural landscape.

But not enough was done to save the crumbling rice terraces.

Early this year, another $345,000 (USD) was committed for the restoration of the terraces’ damaged stone walls. Even the government of Japan has given nearly $30,000 (USD) as an agricultural grant for further rehabilitation.

On the other hand, PhilRice, the Department of Agriculture and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), have been collaborating on the introduction of rice varieties suitable to the highland areas of the rice terraces.

Aside from rehabilitation and preservation programs, practices and traditions associated with rice farming and the terraces are slowly being incorporated into school curriculum to increase the appreciation of the cultural heritage among the schoolchildren.

Native farmers themselves agree that in order for the ancient rice terraces to endure as a living landscape in the face of the present challenges to its integrity and survival, it is necessary that the traditional lifestyle of the natives continues.

“The preservation of the rice terraces should not be made at the expense of local values, culture and environment. One sure way of reviving the rice culture is to encourage the young people to value their rich heritage,” says Governor Baguilat.

For these tribal rice farmers, the preservation of the Ifugao Rice Terraces in the Philippines is critical as their continued existence is a testament to their respect for their ancestors and their priceless heritage.

About the Author

Imelda Visaya-Abaño, began her journalism career in 1998 as a reporter at the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the leading daily newspaper in the Philippines. Her areas of interest are women and children’s issues, science, environment, health, agriculture and education.

In 2002, Ms. Abaño was honored as the Asian Winner of the Global REUTERS-IUCN Media Awards on Environmental Reporting.

Ms. Abaño vows to continue serving her community through balanced news and fearless views. She believes in better journalism for better communities.