Former miners and their families in the Philippines will be offered alternative livelihoods through agroforestry.

Preparing for the closure of the Canatuan copper mine in 2013, the Sustainable Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) project has been established to encourage indigenous people in the area to grow trees and crops as an alternative source of income and livelihood.

The project is first focusing on rubber. A local farmers’ organization has been established and training provided on the management of rubber trees. The plan is to expand into cacoa and later establish palm oil, lavender, citronella and purple yam (ube) enterprises.

According to an article in The Business Mirror, the SALT project has a two-pronged approach. Upstream, the focus is on agricultural education and research programs, including the reintroduction of tribal and cultural herbs and medicines and the development of high-value cash crops. Downstream, nurseries are being established to further develop agricultural enterprises.

Read the full story: Canatuan miners get support for agro-forestry business