33 Role of Agroforestry in the Food Security of Upland Farmers in the Degraded Soils of Claveria, Northern Mindanao, Philippines D.M. Macandog 1 , F.K. Mallion 2 , P.A.B. Ani 3 1 Assistant Professor, 3 Research Assistant, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines, Email: macandog@pacific.net.ph ; 2 Forestry Development Center, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines ABSTRACT A combination of participatory approaches including Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), household survey and focus group discussions was conducted in Claveria, Northern Mindanao, Philippines. The study was aimed at understanding the role of agroforestry systems in the household food security of smallhold upland farmers in terms of availability, stability of supply and accessibility to food. Sixty-four percent of the 300 households surveyed adopted agroforestry systems (AFS). The average proportion of land devoted to annual crops ranged from 35% in block planting, 75% in parkland, 55% in hedgerow, to 90% in border planting systems. About 95% of the annual cropping fields were planted to annual crops, with trees found in the rest of the parcels. The widely planted staple annual crops were corn and rice. The respondents adopted agroforestry systems in their farms to ensure the availability of food and income for their households. Trees combined with annual crops increased production. However, during the months when crops were in their growing period and food supply was low, farmers sought alternatives to cope with food insecurity. Among the coping mechanisms identified were the enhancement of home garden establishment; improved livestock production; integration of tree species that not only provided biophysical benefits but food as well; and increasing the soil fertility through fallow system. This paper discusses the coping mechanisms of agroforestry farmers and the emerging issues on food security in relation to agroforestry systems. Keywords: agroforestry systems, fruit trees, home gardens, household survey, livestock, upland farming INTRODUCTION In a country that is resource abundant, it is ironic to find that many Filipinos still go to bed hungry. This means that many Filipinos suffer from food insecurity and do not have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs (Briones et.al, 2003). Most of the hungry people are found in rural areas and include subsistence farmers, forest dwellers and settlers, tenure-insecure families and livestock herders. Claveria, Misamis Oriental in northern Mindanao is an upland area where the supply of food is constrained by seasonal availability. Corn (Zea mays) is the main staple food while some households consume rice (Oryza sativa). Protein source is the backyard production of swine and poultry. Large ruminants such as cattle and carabao provide the draft animal power for farming activities including land cultivation and hauling of farm supplies and implements. Starting April during land preparation until August before crop harvest the food supply declines. This threatens the household’s food security, thus it becomes imperative for farmers to have alternative sources of food or additional income to buy food during the cropping period. This study was conducted to have a deeper understanding of the importance of agroforestry in ensuring food security of farming households in the Philippine uplands. Factors which constrained farmers and their coping mechanisms in meeting their food and cash needs were documented as well as the emerging issues on food security in relation to current agroforestry practices. It is envisioned that the distinct role of agroforestry in providing the farm households with stable and ready source of sufficient food will reduce the upland farmers’ food insecurity. METHODOLOGY A combination of tools was used to document the food security status of farmers in Claveria. Household survey was conducted to obtain preliminary information on the farmer-respondents’ socio-economic characteristics and the biophysical characteristics of their farms. More detailed information on food security was gathered through focus group discussion among selected farmers.