EXCEPT in the vegetable production areas of Benguet and Mountain Province, the lowland rice and corn areas of Kalinga-Apayao, Abra, and Ifugao, Cordillera highland agriculture is basically subsistence and fitted to the culture of the local indigenous peoples (IPs).

Much of the lowland areas of the region, particularly in the provinces of Kalinga, Ifugao, Abra, and Apayao had been converted to commercial rice and corn production. But with the growing preference for organically grown food, farmers in these areas are beginning to shift back to the commodities grown by their ancestors.

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Many continue to grow commercial crops and some have returned to the old crop commodities. However, in both cases, they need to learn organic farming or simply return to the old native farming strategies followed by the old folks for the production of heirloom food crops.

When I say subsistence agriculture, I refer to the age-old and traditional ways of farming, which were developed and practiced by the IPs in the region over the years. Because of the limited area, intercropping and farming systems is usually resorted to.

The focus is not so much on mass production or economies of scale but on sustainability, maximizing food production over a limited land, and care for the environment.

With the foregoing, subsistence agriculture is appropriate for the highland communities of the Cordillera. Unless we want to compromise the quality of our highland environment and the future of our children, we are otherwise cautioned from undertaking commercial agriculture with its extractive and destructive consequences.

Subsistence agriculture is sustainable and IP farming practices should indeed be documented, encouraged, and improved where appropriate.

Over the past two weeks, I joined the Charm-2 Project team who went around the provinces of Abra and Apayao to orient stakeholders on what the project is about. Calanasan is the last town in our itinerary for this activity.

Here in Calanasan, it dawned on me that the remaining issue, now particularly in communities with subsistence agriculture, is how to make IP farming practices support their quest for increased income and better livelihood. It is a challenge that stakeholders must seriously consider now before it is too late.

I like what I saw here in Calanasan, probably the last bastion of environmental wellness and eco-tourism destination of North Luzon. Here is a place where biodiversity readily comes out in its reality in each and every place of the land. And that impression comes even if what I see are those that are within the edges of Calanasan.

According to Luisa Magna, municipal agriculturist, Marvey Lawat, municipal accountant, and Luneda Malana of the Office of Mayor Eleanor B. Begtang, "my impressions on the town's biodiversity should become denser to densest if I go deeper in the interior."

Coming from three charming ladies of the town, I am already inspired to come back and experience more of the municipality's interior forest where the last of the region's wild deer, pigs, reptiles, birds, and other wildlife abound.

At the Sta. Felomina barangay, I see a river with clear fresh flowing water almost all year round, a clearing, and rice paddies. The river teems with varieties of indigenous fishes like eel, palileng, tilapia, shells, native crabs, among others.

Upon arrival, we were greeted with the wonderful sound of nature; the loud staccato song of the "kalaw," a big bird with a wide-colored bill dominating the welcome chorus. The croaking of frogs, chirping of night birds and the other sounds of insects, and crawling creatures emanating from the forest cathedral constitute a good music in praise of the good life.

Development workers talk carelessly about improving the quality of life of local folks in the rural areas and promote concepts, strategies, and ways to do this.

The development message is flawed when it can't see and preserve the existing biodiversity with its wonderful sounds and inspiring songs of nature. Nothing beats quality existence in an environment of abundant and endless fresh air and water. Good quality of life to me is hearing nature's chorus, seeing a variety of plants and animals, and enjoying the different scents of life.

Indeed, what is man without all of these other creatures? What is development when all that comes in our consciousness are the scents, faces, figures, sounds, and structures made by man?

Right now, the charm of Calanasan is its balanced ecosystem, the healthy interplay of man, and his communities with natural biodiversity. How to sustain this inherent quality of life, improve existing livelihood, and increase the income of the local populace is the real challenge that Charm-2 and its stakeholders face.

It is a challenge that all development workers and agencies must uphold and not take for granted before it is too late. It's a proposition that Mayor Begtang agrees with and hopes that the next administration will appreciate and sustain.