Agroforestry is a new term learned by 24 Teduray youth who recently took part in a Bentela daw Sayuda activity, a Pulangiyen cultural mechanism of visiting (bentela) and sharing (sayuda) under ESSC's Bridging Leadership in Mindanao project.

Together with ESSC staff and a barangay official from Matuber, they traveled to various communities in Bukidnon province to learn and meet new people outside their province of Maguindanao. The youth visitors are from the barangays of Matuber and Tubuan in Datu Blah Sinsuat municipality, and from Barangay Renti and the parish ministry in Upi municipality. Previously, the Pulangiyen youth visited the Teduray communities in Maguindanao.

When the Teduray youth visited the Binahon Agroforestry Farm and Resource Center, they engaged with the owner, Mr Henry Binahon, who was more than willing to provide the visiting youth with examples of agroforestry practices that he applies in his farm and other useful and practical farm management tips.

Mr Binahon asked the youth to try multi-cropping and crop diversification to control a couple of their major pest problems and drew possible scenarios they can try to successfully diversity their crops. Waste segregation and composting methods were also shown as possible options to augment some of their fertilizer needs. Toilet water and water used in washing kitchen utensils can be re-used to water plants or provide additional water to a fishpond. All waste had a use in Mr Binahon's farm. Brief lectures on cutting, marcotting, and seedling propagation were also provided.

The Binahon Agroforestry Farm

The Binahon Agroforestry Farm's story and the dedication of its owners inspired and motivated the Teduray youth visitors. As Mr Binahon shared, he and his wife Perla dreamt of cultivating a land that was theirs and invested their savings to purchase a 2.75 hectare piece of land in Sitio Bol-ogan in Lantapan, Bukidnon at the foot of Mount Dulang-dulang. And from this land, the Binahon couple developed a model upland farm that practices sustainable ecological agriculture, and where people can learn and experience various farming systems for production and conservation.

The Binahon couple values the land not just as a source of livelihood but also as a source of life, and so they give back to the land. Along with the crops they plant, they ensure that trees endemic to the land are also planted. They treat the land like family and with hard work and patience, and always maintain the harmonious balance between nature, agriculture, and production. Some of the approaches and techniques include soil and water conservation (through contour farming and using natural vegetative strips), ensuring food security and enhancing the food chain (through multi-story and intercropping and integrated pest management), organic farming (through vermiculture, composting, and use of bio-pesticides). The farm also offers wastewater management, livestock production, bee keeping, and can serve as a camping site.

Towards the end of the visit, Mr. Binahon shared a simple scenario of the happiness and contentment he has with his life in his farm: "When I reach heaven and "Bro" or "San Pedro" asks me what I did on earth that merits my entry to heaven, I will answer, ‘I did agroforestry,' and I believe that will be more than enough."

Response from the Teduray youth visitors

In processing the Bentela daw Sayuda experience with the youth participants, most of them expressed appreciation and inspiration for the days spent at the Binahon Agroforestry Farm. They found the farming methods and tips useful and worth trying when they get back home.

The Teduray youth also engaged with the Pulangiyen youth in Bendum, and the opportunity to meet tribal youth outside their province was a cultural re-awakening for many Tedurays. And as the Pulangiyen youth are actively assisting in watershed management and assisted natural regeneration efforts in their community, the Teduray youth were challenged to do their part in the protection and sustainability of their environment. The youth from Barangay Renti promised to make a youth activity in forest restoration and management of water source in their community for proper water distribution.