There have been many studies in recent years on fallow management practices in indigenous upland agricultural systems in the Philippines. Most have focused on agroecological and socioeconomic conditions that cause changes in the traditional agricultural systems. To understand fallows as they operate within farming systems and to identify their agroecological effects, fallow management practices need to be characterized within the context of agricultural systems. In collaboration with members of the Farm and Resource Management Institute (FARMI) at the Visayas College of Agriculture (ViSCA), CARE/Cebu, MOIST, and local farmers, I carried out a characterization of Chromolaena odorata-based indigenous fallow systems in Matalom, Leyte, Philippines in August 1998.

Chromolaena odorata, locally known as "murag-hagunoy," is increasingly recognized as one of the most abundant "weed" species occurring in fallows in Leyte. Although not palatable to animals, chromolaena has many attributes of an improved fallow species. It grows rapidly, accumulates a large amount of biomass and nutrients, and the litter has a fast decomposition rate.

Farmers acknowledge the positive effect of chromolaena fallow on their crops but have limited confidence in its ability to suppress other weeds. This was the preliminary assessment based on a long-term study and learning process led by FARMI and local farmers on the use of chromolaena as an alternative fallow system for upland farmers in southern Leyte.

The participatory methodology used for characterizing the Chromolaena odorata-based indigenous fallow system created an interface among scientists, development practitioners, and major stakeholders in the upland farming system of Matalom to work collaboratively. The process included two phases: an assessment phase using participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools; and a planning phase using "Future Search" methodologies.

PRA techniques for assessing fallow conditions and the prevalence of chromolaena included community maps, seasonal calendars, historical production patterns, and transects as tools for observing land use patterns, species, soils conditions, systems management practices, and types of cropping systems. Open-ended interviews gathered information on concepts, beliefs, traditions, practices and knowledge related to fallows. Information was also gathered on socioeconomic conditions of the farmers involved in the study.

"Future Search" tools for planning involved a semi-structured guide for open discussions about past and present trends affecting farming systems as well as for finding common ground for future action regarding chromolaena fallow management. Future search tools gave farmers a chance to take ownership of their past, present and future, confirm their mutual concerns, and commit themselves to action plans based on using Chromolaena odorata in their farming systems.

This action plan will be followed up by FARMI at ViSCA and by the Fallow Management–Philippines Network. Video documentation allowed farmers to document their own fallow practices and extend advice to other farmers.