The Agronomist

  Are you curious about the history of agriculture in the Philippines? Do you want to know how our ancestors started growing crops and feeding their families thousands of years ago? Then buckle up, because we're about to take you on a journey through time. It all started around 4,000 years ago when the Austronesian people arrived in the Philippines. These ancient seafarers brought with them a wealth of knowledge and skills, including their expertise in agriculture. They introduced new crops such as rice, yams, and taro, which were cultivated in swidden fields or kaingin. Over time, different indigenous groups developed their own agricultural practices, depending on their local environment and available resources. For example, the Ifugao people in the Cordillera region built elaborate rice terraces, which are now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the Spanish colonial period, new crops such as corn, tobacco, and coffee were introduced, and large haciendas or pl