Plant pigeon pea and avoid erosion

The International Crops Research Institute for Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is advocating the planting of pigeon pea or “kardis” in Ilocano or “kadios” in Tagalog to help prevent soil erosion and to protect and preserve the rapidly deteriorating watersheds in the different parts of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).


According to Dr. Myer Mula, a scientist of ICRISAT, growing “kardis” is a profitable venture for thousands of farmers while helping in the preservation and protection of the environment.

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Pigeon pea is a fast-growing cash crop with four feet long roots, which based on studies, is ideal for holding loosened soil and subsequently preventing soil erosion which usually occurs in denuded mountains thereby posing a serious threat to life and limbs.

Mula explained that pigeon pea has also been proven to condition the soil already stripped of minerals due to decades of farming which is the major source of livelihood of most people based in various parts of the region.

Benguet State University’s food processing center has recently partnered with pigeon pea growers region-wide to develop ways to make use of the seeds as an ingredient in baked food and other products.

Aside from being a mitigating factor for soil erosion and a source of livelihood for farmers, pigeon pea’s wood can be harvested as fuel which has a good burning efficiency compared to other firewood. (PIA/by Joseph B Zambran)



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