Bungalon increases the live weight of goats

"Bungalon," a mangrove species, increases the live weight of goats, so communities in mangrove areas are encouraged to raise goats as a livelihood option.

Compared with pure grasses and combination of grasses and mangrove species, "bungalon" (Avicenia marina) was found better at increasing the live weight of goats, according to experts.

A study on small ruminants (goat) production in the mangrove areas as a sustainable alternative livelihood is now being implemented in a coastal community in Barangay Cabuyao Sur, Padre Burgos, Quezon. Dr. Lamberta Meraña of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources—Ecosystems Research and Development Service in Region IV led the implementation of the study.

Cooperators/beneficiaries were encouraged to plant "bungalon" in the area. Initially, a pair of goats (male and female) was awarded to couple cooperators/beneficiaries and fed with "bungalon." After the mother goat gave birth to its young, the pair was awarded to another couple cooperator, leaving the kid to the previous cooperators and so on until all cooperators were awarded.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) evaluated the project.

Mangroves provide ecological, economic, anda aesthetic benefits through the function and role played by the ecosystem. These benefits include provision of nursery grounds for fish, prawns, and crabs; production of leaf litter and detrital matter, which are sources of food for animals in estuaries and coastal waters; protection of coastal areas and communities from storm surges, waves, tidal currents, and typhoons; production of organic biomass (carbon) and reduction of organic pollution in near shore areas; provision of recreational grounds for bird watching and other wildlife; and source of wood, timber, and "nipa" shingles for housing.

However, with these various uses provided by mangroves also occurs the fast degradation of this resource. Mangroves are exploited either directly or indirectly. Direct exploitations consist of clear cutting and conversion to fishpond while indirect exploitations consist of fuel wood gathering, charcoal production, and timber extraction.

To lessen dependence of coastal communities on mangrove resources and to control futher degradation of this resource, alternative land uses and livelihood options for coastal areas are developed. – Vella A. Atienza, S&T Media Service