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PROJECTS
LIVING AND LEARNING:
ECOLOGY AND ORGANIC FARMING
Partner: Magsaysay Farming Association (MAGFAR)
Magsaysay Farming Association (MAGFAR) Living
and Learning: Ecology and Organic Farming was formed in March
1999. The organization came about as a result of the Philippine
government's Agrarian Reform Program. Thirty-seven families in
the Magsaysay region benefited from this program with each family
receiving 3 hectares of land along with a certificate of land
title. Immediately after the land grant, the families came together
to determine how best to organize to meet their individual and
communal needs. They were supported in these initial meetings
by a group of individuals with significant experience in peasant
organizing. It was through these meetings that MAGFAR was formed
and formalized.
Although CFCA began working with MAGFAR more
recently, we have worked with one of their coordinating team members,
Celeste Sambale, since 1990. Since that time, CFCA has supported
a number of initiatives she has facilitated with organizations
of urban poor and with rural squatters. CFCA, with CIDA support
provided the community with support in organizing and developing
a sustainable agricultural production base. Activities included
a recycling / composting center, organic crops, animal husbandry
and extensive training and capacity building for farmers in the
area.
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