Ethnobotanical Knowledge of Farmers in Baybay, Leyte

Noriel et al. (ViSCA) surveyed four barangays in Baybay, Leyte to document the traditional knowledge of farmers on medicinal and pesticidal plants. The survey covered more than 40 farmer-respondents.

Findings:

• Tubli (Derris sp.), lagtang (Archangelissa flava (L.) Mer.), kasla (Croton tiglium L.),a re the top three popular pesticidal plants.
• Other pesticidal plants used to control common insect pests included: tigaw (Callicarpa candidans L.), sili (Capsicum frutescens), kot (Dioscorea hispida D.) and pangi (Pangium edule Reiner.).
• Farmers know more that 58 medicinal plants.
• These plants were used to relieve common ailments such as cough, scabies/wounds, fever and diarrhea.
• Farmers were also familiar with the dosage, plant parts used, and the exact procedure for the preparation of these medicinal plants.
• Farmer-respondents had limited knowledge on pesticidal plants, but they were very familiar with plants which had medicinal value.
• Medicinal plants were also used as condiments, raw vegetable, and as roofing materials.
• About 72.5% of the respondents claimed that knowledge on pesticidal and medicinal plants came from their forefathers, 12.5% got the information from fellow farmers and from radio broadcast, 5% believed that these valuable plants were entrusted to them by a ‘tuga’ or a supernatural being, while the rest acquired knowledge from experimentation or quack doctors.

Source: PCARRD, 1998. Highlights 1997, Los Banos, Laguna.

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