Man and ANA help mangroves in Philippines
Citation
CTA. 1999. Man and ANA help mangroves in Philippines. Spore 84. CTA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Permanent link to cite or share this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10568/46560
External link to download this item: http://spore.cta.int/images/stories/pdf/old/spore84.pdf
Abstract/Description
Mangroves are a precious asset, providing protection against coastal erosion and shelter for fish and shellfish, and a source of wood (see Spore 82). The issue is how to get the best out of mangroves without destroying them, and in the Philippines...
Notes
Mangroves are a precious asset, providing protection against coastal erosion and shelter for fish and shellfish, and a source of wood (see Spore 82). The issue is how to get the best out of mangroves without destroying them, and in the Philippines they seem to have found the solution in a simple measure called ANA'. Abbreviated from Agri-nipa-aquaculture, ANA is a technique which integrates three practices on one mangrove plot: sugar palm plantation (the palm is also known as Nipa - Nypa fruticans), market gardening and aquaculture. The nipa trees are planted in the centre of the plot. They stabilise the soil, their fibres and wood can be used in handicrafts, and sugar, vinegar and alcohol is made from their sap. Depending on the tides, the trees are partially submerged and provide a natural refuge for fish, as well as a place to raise tilapia and milkfish (Chanos chanos), which breed and grow there very quickly. Ditches are dug around the perimeter of the nipa plantation, and dikes are built up on the outside of the ditches. The dikes are then planted with market garden vegetables and fruits; those best suited for the saline conditions are tomatoes, aubergine, okra, maize, groundnuts, pineapples, passionfruit, bananas and jackfruit. Waste vegetation from the mangrove is used in a compost which is applied to the dikes. All in all, this is an efficient and well-integrated system but it cannot be used everywhere. To grow nipa and raise tilapia, you need a flow of freshwater.
Santiago Baconguis
College 4031, Laguna
Philippines
Email: erdb@laguna.net
Countries
PHILIPPINESCollections
- CTA Spore (English) [5126]