On Territorial Control and Conservation Behavior: Some Preliminary Findings

Abstract

"Many believe that a stable, sustainable, productive and socially acceptable form of upland farming system could be attained only under the condition of a secure land tenure system. Without secure long-term rights to land, farmers would not have the incentive to plant trees and other perennial crops which are necessary to improve upland conditions.

"Insecurity of tenure has also been hypothesized as an institutional obstacle to conservation. In fact, findings in various studies on soil erosion in the United States revealed that soil degradation is more prevalent in areas with tenurial problems. Pingali added that in the humid tropics, where uncertain ownership or tenure prevents the planting of trees, degradation is most likely to occur.

"Similarly, production activities are held at the minimum in areas suffering from tenurial problems. Cohen observed that food production dropped when the terms of the reform law were unclear, for 'farmers tend to avoid investing in land they may not hold at harvest time.'

"While many researchers point out the relevance of tenurial security on conservation and productivity, no empirical study has been done yet in the Philippines to prove this. It is for this reason that a study of this sort was conducted in the highlands of the Cordillera region."