Tanim Kalikasan’s Extension Approach

Washington State University and Tanim Kalikasan utilize a collaborative community-based approach that relies on participation by individuals, organizations and institutions. This allows the Team to promote better information exchange, education and other needed resources with the farmer at the community level.  An integrated, demand-driven approach addresses diverse needs. Resource scarcities which limit opportunities are identified and addressed to ensure impact and sustainability.

The principles which guide Washington State University and Tanim Kalikasan’s decisions are based upon:

• Empowerment of people and their communities to become self sufficient through the transfer of knowledge, tools and skills,
• Building capacity and sustainability based on a policy of ‘partnerships for the provision of goods and services’, and,
• Use of an intensive participatory approach to design, develop and implement Program activities.

During the first eight months of Phase 1, among many other accomplishments, the WSU/TNK Team:

• Set up and provisioned the field office in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines.
• Hired staff necessary to achieve tree planting targets.
• Developed linkages with government, private business and farm business entrepreneurs at both national and local levels.
• Identified land in communities that could be validated for participation in the program.
• Locate seedlings in from locations within and outside the region to meet targets,
• Set up nurseries in the targeted communities and
• Assist with transportation, tree planting and management of the newly planted trees.

The minimum target expected to be achieved was 20,000 seedlings delivered and planted in production and protected areas. The maximum targeted thought achievable was 100,000 seedlings. The TNK/WSU team surpassed the maximum target by delivering and planting over 110,000 seedlings.

Based upon this success, a Phase 2 Program has been funded. The JT Group has provided funds to implement the Phase II Program during the period 2010-2013.  This expansion of level of activity also expands the scope of the Gift Use Agreement to accommodate activities across Southeast Asia should additional programs of mutual interest be identified.

During  2010 – 2011 year there will be a 7-fold increase in the number of trees planted during Phase 2. In Year 1, 750,000 trees will be planted with large increases each year thereafter. A second field office will be established as a ramping up expansion into five provinces of the Philippines occurs. At the end of Phase 2, WSU and TNK (http://tanimkalikasan.org/index.html) will be working in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, the Cordillera Administrative Area, and Abra Provinces supporting the planting of over 2 million trees per year. Currently, two WSU-V students have been hired to support and participate in Phase 2 activities. More opportunities for students and faculty to participate are expected. With our colleagues in the Philippines, we will continue to improve our ability to educate and function effectively in a global economy while providing a continuous benefit stream to the funding organization, the JT Group.^1/

The principal investigators on the program are Thomas E. Byers, Associate Director for North Africa and Asia Programs, International Programs Research and Development and Marina Rabe-Manuel, In-Country Program Coordinator. The PIs collaborate together and with all stakeholders in the design, implementation and evaluation of Program activities.

^1/ The JT Group consists of Japan Tobacco International, Inc. located in Geneva, Switzerland and Japan Tobacco, Incorporated located in Tokyo, Japan.