1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Book project: where the land is greener - Case Studies and Analysis of Soil and Water Conservation Initiatives Worldwide (where the land is greener)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (DEZA / COSUDE / DDC / SDC) - Switzerland

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Centro de Estudios y Promoción del Desarrollo (DESCO) - Peru

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Promoting the rehabilitation of ancient terrace systems based on a systematic watershed management approach.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: The Center for Studies and Promotion of Development - DESCO, a Peruvian NGO, started the Terrace Rehabilitation Project in 1993 to re-establish ancient terracing and irrigation practices that had largely been lost. The project is part of a general integrated development programme. Its overall purpose is to restore the productive capacity of terraced cropland, and to generate better living standards in the Colca valley. The project has the following specific objectives: (1) to increase the productive infrastructure through soil conservation and better use and management of existing water resources; (2) to increase levels of production; (3) to stimulate people in soil conservation and land management; and (4) to encourage/promote relevant local institutions. For implementation, a systematic watershed management approach was introduced. The catchment was considered the basic unit for development planning. Physical and socio-economic baseline studies were carried out. A strong community-based organisation, the catchment committee, was then founded. This consisted of representatives of major local grassroots organisations (irrigation committee, farmers' community, mothers' club etc). Responsibilities, commitments and rules were defined. Committee meetings and land user assemblies were the entities for planning, organisation and execution of project activities. DESCO initiated a process of 'concerted planning' in collaboration with other private and public institutions in Caylloma province.

Methods: In summary the project stages comprised: (1) project planning; (2) baseline studies; (3) catchment management plan; (4) constitution of the executive committee; (5) concerted planning of district development; and (6) organisation, execution, technical assistance and follow-up activities. Land users were required to participate in training courses and in fieldwork, to provide local materials and their own tools, and to fulfil duties within the organisations. Leaders and directors of grassroots organisations were responsible for planning and organisation of activities - implementation, training and follow-up - and for control and administration of project materials and inputs. The directors were also elected as representatives in the District Development Councils to participate in the evaluation and monitoring activities of the project.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

- to achieve higher levels of agricultural production and productivity through integrated development/management of soil and water resources. - to build capacity for planning, organisation and implementation of development activities

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: - lack of employment opportunities/depopulation of rural areas. - lack of planning and action in 'concerted development' - little value associated with terrace rehabilitation. - low and unequal participation of women in field work. - general impoverishment of land users

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	interactive	interviews/questionnaires, workshops/seminars, public meetings
planning	self-mobilization	workshops/seminars; assemblies for decision making, workshops for local concerted planning
implementation	interactive	casual labour, responsibility for minor steps; casual labour, responsibility for minor steps (land users in general); responsibility for major steps (leaders)
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	workshop/seminars, reporting, measurements/observations, interviews/questionnaires, public meetings; workshops, measurements/observations (directors of baseline organisations/leaders), reports (directors), interviews (directors/teachers), public meetings (land users)
Research	none	none

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• mainly SLM specialists, following consultation with land users

Explain:

the terraces were in an advanced stage of collapse and the local population did not have the means to reverse the process due to lack of economic resources.

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by mainly by land users supported by SLM specialists. the technology is indigenous and adapted to the area. Evaluation workshops of, and activities permitting discussions on, the technology were carried out.

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Ja

Form of training:

• public meetings

Form of training:

• exchange of experiences

Subjects covered:

A training plan at three levels was drawn up, addressing the following target groups and topics: (1) Selected land users, leaders, supervisors: in-depth training on the interrelations between water, soil and plants; terrace and canal construction; institution/enterprise management; natural resource management, conservation practices, and crop production. (2) Directors of grassroots organisations

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Ja

Describe/ comments:

Key elements: technical assistance and sustained follow-up, supervision by specialised engineers, evaluation (reflection) and systematisation of gained know-how and developed practices with different stakeholders, function; testing of rehabilitated structures; Capacity for extension continuation has been built up within the catchment committee. However PRONAMACHS, a governmental SWC programme, is limited

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, greatly

Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:

• local

Specify type of support:

• financial
• capacity building/ training

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Ja

Comments:

technical aspects were regular monitored by 0 through measurements; indicators: improved structures, results of technology tests

socio-cultural aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through observations; indicators: land users changing attitudes of SWC

economic / production aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through measurements; indicators: crop production increase

area treated aspects were regular monitored by 0 through measurements; indicators: rehabilitated area

no. of land users involved aspects were regular monitored by 0 through measurements; indicators: number of households that benefited directly

management of Approach aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through observations; indicators: number of catchments rehabilitated with terraces and agroforestry

There were several changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: There were various changes/readjustments of the approach: eg the concerted planning through the Local Development Councils was incorporated 5 years after the initiation of the project.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Ja

Specify topics:

• economics / marketing
• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

Technology: research has been ongoing regarding functioning of the terrace and irrigation systems. Economy/commercialisation: research regarding agronomic production, catchment appraisals and market studies have been carried out for the main products of the area.

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Approach costs were met by the following donors: international non-government (International NGO): 60.0%; government (national): 20.0%; local community / land user(s) (-): 20.0%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Ja

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• equipment

• agricultural

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• paid in cash

Comments:

60% of the labour costs were met by the project.

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

Ja

Specify conditions (interest rate, payback, etc.):

repayment conditions: Credit was provided by FONDESURCO to land users who participated in the rehabilitation project (for seed supply) with a lower interest rate than on the market. FONDESURCO is an NGO (of which DESCO is a member) specialised in microfinances in the rural sector..

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

Ja

If yes, specify:

Support was provided to existing institutions (in the form of training, organisation and financial inputs). But with the formation of a catchment committee, an important grassroots organisation was built up.

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

If yes, describe how:

Land users can continue the activities without external support, using traditional systems of mutual help and new forms of local organisation (catchment committee). With increased income through integration of cash crops the maintenance of the structures can be sustained.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Complementary conservation practices have been integrated into the terraces system: agroforestry, improved fallow, etc (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Training of land users in the advantages and disadvantages of these practices.)
nstitutional capacity building: strengthening of organisations; increased participation (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Continue the training of leaders.)
SWC training and extension activities. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Create spaces and mechanisms for daily practice of important cultural rituals/customs.)
80% of land users have changed attitudes towards SWC, and are convinced of the benefits of terrace rehabilitation (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: SWC training and extension activities.)
Human capacity building: 60 specialists trained in rehabilitation technology (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Create opportunities to ensure continuation of their work.)
An effective systematic watershed management approach applied at catchment level (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Other projects/institutions should apply this approach.)
Soil conservation activities integrated in the plans of 'concerted development' (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Strengthening of the Local Development Councils (CODDIS).)

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Labour overload in the family	Better planning of work at the household level.
The approach requires the participation of all social and political stakeholders - which is practically impossible	Strengthen the Local Development Councils (CODDIS).
The generation of income encourages the purchase of industrialised products	More training regarding consumption of local products.
The economic incentives provided by the project affected the existing reciprocal relationships (eg labour exchange)	Cash for work incentives are sometimes useful to overcome labour constraints due to depopulation.
Small holdings and land fragmentation are constraints for cost-effective agriculture	Accelerate the process of land consolidation and entitlement.
Changes in leadership interrupt planned processes (of activities)	Permanent training to encourage leadership qualities.
Lack of a crop and irrigation plan for better water management	Elaboration and application of a plan.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information