Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs), Livelihood Resources and Aspirations of the Matigsalog and Ata Tribes

Comment/Suggestions

Authors responses

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Title of the manuscript: Indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSP), livelihood resources and aspirations of the Matigsalog and Ata tribes

Comments:

This type of indigenous knowledge from tribal people is very useful for future food and nutrition security in a changing climate. I appreciate the authors for conducting this data collection. But, my major concern is the incomplete design and purpose of this study. I feel that the authors could have collected more indigenous knowledge from tribal people related to this study. My comments and suggestion are given below for the benefit of the authors. It will improve the value of the manuscript significantly.

The authors are very appreciative that you took the effort to improve this paper by making corrections, recommendations and suggestions.

1.      The authors could have collected indigenous knowledge about post-harvesting storage practices of agriculture productivity. Value added products    

The authors appreciate your comment on improving this manuscript.

The context-specific post-harvest  of the tribe are stated in lines 323 to 329.

Line 323 to 329

 2.      Authors should include the climatic conditions, nature of the soil, geographical background, etc of the study area in the materials and method sections.   

The proposed comment has been added by the authors to the materials and methods section.

Moreover, Marilog District, Davao City is situated approximately 7.4846, 125.2527 (7° 29' North, 125° 15' East) with an elevation of 1,218.2 m above sea level while Paradise Embak, Paquibato District, Davao City is situated approximately 7.3495, 125.5287 (7° 21' North, 125° 32' East) with an elevation of 310.4 m above sea level. Paradise Embak has a tropical rainforest climate with little seasonal variation in temperature.

Line 131 to 138

3.      I feel that lack of reference citations in the materials and method section.  

Thank for your comment in improving this manuscript. The authors have added articles to support the materials and methods.

4.      I suggest shortening the result section.

We sincerely appreciate your feedback with regards to improving this manuscript.  

Therefore, we modified the results according to the suggestion to make it short.

5.      In the section “Different crops available in Marilog District and their uses” the authors mentioned only a few crop plants. Are these the only crops grown in this area? This is my major concern about this manuscript. It shows the incomplete design and purpose of this study.

Thank you for your comment.

Considering that we interviewed participants in a focus group to analyze the crops available in the area. Data recorded were based on the data collected from the respondents. They also claim that some crops cannot be disclose to the public.

6.      Authors should provide the questionnaire used for this study in the supplemental file.

The authors have provided the questionnaire to the supplemental file. Thank you.

7.      Is it possible to include the indigenous knowledge of agriculture practices in this manuscript?

The authors appreciate your comment.

The agriculture practices of both tribes are stated on the context of crop management and utilization part.

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8.      Authors should include this indigenous knowledge of future directions in the conclusion section. 

Thank you very much that you have given time in reviewing this manuscript. The authors included the comment on the conclusion.

Furthermore, future research demands encompass a comprehensive exploration of traditional farming practices, indigenous knowledge systems, economic viability.

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Comment/Suggestions

Authors responses

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I reviewed the article " Indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSP), livelihood resources and aspirations of the Matigsalog and Ata tribes " and I found it very interesting. Provided research is undoubtfully unique and despite some minor flaws it is consist and comprehendible. The article is an interesting kind of synthesis between the environmental sciences and the sociological description of indigenous Philippines tribes perception about key, and occurring, problems. Both conceptualization and the results presentation are on sufficient level. The, background was nicely written introducing potent problems that need to be solved.  Methodology has been reasonably chosen, but there are some parts which were not clear for me. Thus, the description needs some corrections. Layout of pictures and graphs fits nicely to the descriptive part of the results which I find very nice and coherent. Altogether, there are some minor corrections that have to be implemented before recommending the manuscript to be published but I find them easy to revise.

The authors are very appreciative that you took the effort to improve this paper by making corrections, recommendations and suggestions.

Please see detailed review below:

Introduction:

The research background and aims were presented clearly and transparently. It is clear which topics had to be broaden in order to enrich the knowledge of IKPS. Given reasoning is easy to follow which makes the perception of the introduction very positive.

In my opinion this section doesn’t need any corrections. 

Thank you for your comment we appreciate it greatly!

 Materials and Methods:

This section was written nicely from the both environmental and sociology perspectives but there are too few details described to find it repetitive  

[134-144] -  Authors did indicate the topics of questions that were asked but there is no information about how many questions were asked, nor how detailed the questions were. This needs to be corrected. Please do indicate how did you structure the survey in terms of the question order and character. It would be very beneficial to include the questionnaire as a supplement material and reference it in this subsection.

Thank you for your comment.

We included the questionnaire on the supplemental file.

 [150-151] What do you mean by “. The group was divided into two sessions..” ? Did you mean the program of surveying that was divided into two parts? Or, that the actual participants were divided into two separate groups? Please do clarify it in the text.

We appreciate your comment and suggestions.

To gather information about farming and cultivation practices, the participants were divided into two groups. Afterwards, they are questioned about their livelihood and aspiration as a whole. 

 Results

I have positive feelings after reading the results section. No corrections are needed in my opinion. Presentation was done accordingly to the proper manner. The descriptive part of the section significantly completes presented data. The section is pleasant to read and comprehend.

Thank you very much we appreciate it!

Discussion

Discussion section was written coherently. It has to be said that the presented statements follow the reasoning from previous section. It is also understandable why and what authors wanted to explain here. Proper references where used.

The authors are deeply grateful for your positive review.  

Conclusions

The conclusions result directly from the authors findings and are properly supported by the discussion section. Unfortunately, the opportunity to inform about the future research demands was not fulfilled at all. This has to be corrected.

Thank you for your comment.

The opportunity to inform the future research demands was added on the context.

 Furthermore, future research demands encompass a comprehensive exploration of traditional farming practices, indigenous knowledge systems, economic viability.

Comment/Suggestions

Authors responses

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The manuscript can be of interest to wide readers of journals and literatures  on the subject matter. However, I have pointed out few pertinent points for improving the clarity of the content and boosting the scientific soundness of the manuscript. Please see attached pdf file for detail comments. Author need to focus on the given issues prior to its final acceptance.

The authors are grateful for the time you took in correcting this manuscript in order for it to improve.

Some general comments are:

Journal instructions were not respected in the whole MS

We are grateful for your comment on improving this manuscript.

The authors have checked the journal instructions and made some changes to meet the journal format. Thank you.

Discussion is too weak and very old papers were cited. I suggest to enrich the discussion with more updated literature. 

Thank you for your comment in improving this paper.

The author looked for recent publications. However, some publications are not related to the paper. 

Comment/Suggestions

Authors responses

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Conclusion of the study should be reformed (Line no. 25-26).

Introduction:

Provide Citation ………However, it appears that only since recently have these indigenous communities been given serious attention because of their existing indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSPs) and existing resources in their area. (Line no. 32-34).

The authors appreciate your input. Since we are unable to cite the highlighted context, the authors have provided further article that is relevant to the highlighted content.

Recently, the established Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) highlights the respect and recognition for the indigenous and local ecological knowledge and its contribution to the sustainable use of biodiversity, ecosystems and conservation as part of its principles (Tengö, et al., 2014).

Line 66 to 69

Reform the paragraph in order to make it more informative……….The IKSPs are beneficial to enhance our knowledge in terms of food security and crop management techniques as well as conservation practices for our upland environment (Line no. 50-51).

Thank you for your correction to this manuscript. The paragraph was reformed in line 82 to 87

The indigenous knowledge system and practices play a crucial role in enhancing our knowledge in various aspects, particularly in terms of food security, crop management techniques, and conservation practices for our upland environment. Indigenous communities have developed a deep understanding of their local ecosystems over generations, which has led to the accumulation of valuable knowledge that can be harnessed for the benefit of society as a whole (Manik et al., 2019).

Line 82 to 87

Reform the para………The aim of this study was to document the indigenous knowledge systems and practices of the Matigsalog and Ata tribes in Davao City, particularly their special and unique agricultural techniques, rituals and practices regarding conservation, selection, and food utilization in the Davao region. Our second goal was to assess also their existing livelihood 82 options and how the government can further benefit them. (Line no 79-82)

This was modified in line 113 to 119

The objective of this study was to meticulously record the indigenous knowledge systems and practices of the Matigsalog and Ata tribes on Davao City. Specifically, we aimed to document their distinctive agricultural techniques, rituals, and practices pertaining to conservation, selection, and food utilization within the Davao region. Additionally, we sought to evaluate their current livelihood options and explore ways in which the government can provide further support and assistance to enhance their well-being.

Line 113 to 119

Materials and Methods:

Reframe the paragraph……It also hosts manufacturing companies such as producers of food and beverages, textiles, and electronics and has a thriving services sector, with a growing number of businesses in (Line no. 96-98).

Thank you for your correction, we appreciate it very much! It was reframe in line 129 to 132

It is also home to a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing enterprises specializing in food and beverages, textiles, and electronics. Moreover, there is a flourishing services sector, with a rising count of establishments catering to tourism, education, healthcare, and information technology.

line 129 to 132

Reframe the paragraph……which is a collective term used to refer to the indigenous peoples of the Philippines. They also have their own set of cultural beliefs, governance, and language with distinct cultural and (Line no. 118-119).

Your effort in making time correcting this paper is much appreciated. This was reframe in line 149 to 152

Similar to the Matigsalog tribe, they belong to the indigenous cultural communities (ICCs), encompassing the diverse indigenous peoples of the Philippines. Within these communities, they uphold unique cultural beliefs, governance systems, and language, preserving their rich distinct traditions.

line 149 to 152

Results

Amend the statement …….They have planted rice with different varieties, but continue to plant native ones including denorado, pilit and azucena; while for corn, they planted a variety named sige sige, a loose term for hybrid corn but planted year after year like open-pollinated varieties (Line no. 192-193).

The authors modified the context in line 225 to 229

They cultivate a range of rice varieties, including both traditional native types like denorado, pilit, and azucena, as well as different varieties. In addition, they consistently grow a specific corn variety called sige-sige, which is considered a hybrid corn. It is cultivated annually, close to open-pollinated varieties,

Line 225 to 229

Amend the statement …….In addition, the farmers also plant cassava (Manihot esculenta), where it can be used as food for snacks to make a cassava cake (suman), cassava sweets, or cassava flour, while the leaves of the plant can be used as food for horses; the leaves can be used for hot steam inhalation (tuob/suob). (Line no. 231-233).

The authors have provided the citation for this context.

Furthermore, the farmers engage in the cultivation of cassava (Manihot esculenta). This crop serves various purposes, including being a snack such as cassava cake (suman), cassava-based sweets, and cassava flour. Additionally, the leaves of the cassava plant find utility as a feed for horses, while they can also be utilized for hot steam inhalation (toub/suob).

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Discussion

Provide the appropriate citation: They may cultivate cash crops such as coffee, cacao, and bananas, which have market value. On the other hand, they may participate in local markets and engage in value-added activities such as processing and selling traditional food products or handicrafts made from agricultural materials. In most 431 parts of their ecosystems in the past, as local farmers in their communities, they have been in perfect harmony with nature and have substantially contributed to conserving the richness of their agrobiodiversity.. (Line no. 428 -433).

The authors have provided the citation for this context.

They may cultivate cash crops such as coffee, cacao, and bananas, which have market value. On the other hand, they may participate in local markets and engage in value-added activities such as processing and selling traditional food products or handicrafts made from agricultural materials. They primarily engage in cultivating small plots of land or working as laborers in farming or other low-paying ocupations, earning minimal wages (Barau et al., 2019)..  In most parts of their ecosystems in the past, as local farmers in their communities, they have been in perfect harmony with nature and have substantially contributed to conserving the richness of their agrobiodiversity

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Provide Citation….In order to pass this skillset through generations, they also need additional training on tailoring techniques and patternmaking to enhance their competency and train young women in the tribe to develop their sewing artistry. For bead making, they also want supplies of input materials to produce various accessories and quality beadwork and to start with their cottage industry in the area. (Line no. 443-447).

References

Listed references may be cross checked in all along the manuscript and in the “Reference Section” as well.

The authors have provided the citation for this context.

In order to pass this skillset through generations, they need to have a process of environmental interaction and its continuity highly depends on its transmission and the ability of the young generation to acquire and practice it (Akullo et al., 2007). Furthermore, additional training such as on tailoring techniques and patternmaking is essential to enhance their competency and train young women in the tribe to develop their sewing artistry. Moreover, in establishing their cottage industry in  their community and to create a variety of accessories and high quality beadwork, they also require steady supply of input materials for bead making.  

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