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

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

Land Development Department (Land Development Department) - Thailand

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 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

Nee

Comments:

This continuous bench terrace with 3 meters base in slopping highland constructed at Plot 2000 for Chinese tea plantation. Such conservation measure can decrease soil erosion and runoff, and this slopping area can use for agriculture and increase land users products and income.

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Utilization of continuous bench terrace (3 meters based) as sustainable soil and water conservation measure for tea plantation in slopping area of the northern Thailand

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The continuous bench terrace (forward-sloping terrace) as soil and water conservation measure in the high landscape at Angkhang Royal Agricultural Station, Moo 5, Mae Ngon subdistrict, Fang district, Chiang Mai province was constructed in 1999 in the area of former winter fruit plantation plot of the station. Land Development Department had surveyed, designed and constructed the 3 meters wide of continuous bench terrace, which it is suitable for the tea cultivation and total area is approximately 100 rai. The Angkhang Royal Agricultural Station had selected 50 households of Palaung hill tribe who have more ability and aptitude to grow Chinese tea to participate in the Chinese tea development and promotion project in 2000 and named this area as "Plot 2000". The overview of this area is complex mountainous terrain with slope range 16-30 percent, and average attitude is 1,400 meters above sea level. The soil texture is silty loam and very deep (more tan 1.2 meter), almost well drained soil. The soil organic matter is moderate around 1-3 percent. Moreover, the data of Doi Ang Khang Meteorological Station (Station Code 48302) is located at average attitude 1,529 meters above the sea level, and average temperature throughout the year is 22.9 Celsius with the highest temperature is 32.1 Celsius (during May) and the lowest temperature is 3.9 Celsius (during December), and average annual rainfall is 1,925.3 mm, with rain starting from April to October.
In the past, the watershed areas in northern Thailand have been disturbed by natural disasters, climate change, and human threats. The hill tribe people had invaded the forest to grow opium and shifting cultivation continuously. These condition caused the serious problem in soil erosion, runoff with soil surface, lose of topsoil and plant nutrients, decreasing in soil fertility and productivity with the extremely damage to upstream forest ecosystem. Until in the year 1969, Angkhang Royal Agricultural Station was established from the initiative of His Majesty King Rama 9, which aimed to conduct research on the planting of winter economic crops as an example for hill tribe to plant those crops as their career instead of opium cultivation, and also stop cutting and shifting cultivation. Nowadays there are more than 50 species of economic plants in this project and generating more income for land users, more than that this slopping area is the sustainable in land use and land management under organization of the Royal Project Foundation.
The benefits this technology is important in sustainable utilization of land resources in this area, and all land users around the Angkhang Royal Agricultural Station have stable and more income because they can grow Chinese tea and also other winter economic crops on this highland throughout the year. Moreover, this continuous bench terrace is more convenient for land users in fertilizer application, soil improvement, machines operation, tea harvesting and also yield transportation from cultivated plots to local processing factory.
The impact of implementation continuous bench terrace with 3 meters based:
1. The obvious economic and social impacts of land users are the stability of income from the production of Chinese tea, which are produced throughout the year. This conservation is more convenient for land users to implement in their plot and also transport from cultivated plots to local processing factory. The local officers from Angkhang Royal Agricultural Station and others government agencies closely advised and guided breeding, planting, soil management, harvesting and price guarantee.
2. The environmental and ecological impact is to reduce the amount of runoff and soil sediment, increase soil moisture, preserve soil nutrients and fertility, encourage biodiversity in the area of Plot 2000.
3. The society and culture impact is all ethnic groups are given the opportunity to receive the allocation of arable land according to the group of plants that they are comfortable and want to produce. Thus respecting the use of land in zoning as allocated from the station, including right to use water. These caused the strength of community institutions, where they have various crop production groups, organic fertilizer production Group and others. They are all member of the cooperative of the community.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

1999

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The Royal Project implement in the upstream forest area and emphasize to promote and encourage career of hilltribe land users around AngKhang Agricultural Station. Moreover, the continuous bench terrace is introduced in this high slope area to prevent and conserve soil and water resources, reduce soil erosion and runoff.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Comments:

Palaung hill tribe will plant Chinese tea on this area in late rainy season, about August to October because after planting root of tea would grow well in the cool condition and do not face problems like during the rainy season. The trimming will be about 10-12 months before planting. spacing between row is 1.2 meter and between tree is 60 centimeters. There are about 2,200 trees per Rai.

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Comments:

-

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

The land use in this area is Chinese tea in Plot 2000, with 2 species, namely soft stalks and variety no.12, This area is mainly rain fed together with spraying system. And water supply system is in the upper part of the area and distribute to tea plot by PVC pipe and set springier cover over this plot. however, this water system is high cost but it is worthwhile.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• cross-slope measure
• ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

The continuous bench terrace technology is suitable soil and water conservation in slopping area,where is the upper part of watershed in the National Reserved Forest area. This technology need knowledge and expertise in construction of conservation measure with high investment and more maintenance. That means government and private sector should support in construction and land users should maintain of bench terrace and take care in soil fertility.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Soil resources in this area is degraded by deforestation and climate changes, where it is risk in runoff and soil erosion. In this case plant nutrients in soil surface and sediment is removed to the low part, soil fertility is decreased, and ecosystem in upstream forest is degraded.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

Comments:

In 1999, the Angkhang Royal Agricultural Station cooperated with Land Development Department construct the continuous bench terrace and soil improvement in this steep slope area to prevent soil erosion and runoff. Moreover, the Royal Irrigation Department support water supply system and the Provincial Electricity Authority support electricity services.

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

Baht

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

15448.6

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Survey, select the area and design conservation measure	the first year (1998)
2.	set up contour line for terrace	the first year (1998)
3.	construct bench terrace	before of rainy season 1999
4.	Vetiver grass plantation on the terrace	early of rainy season 1999
5.	Chinese tea plantation	in rainy season, Aug-Oct 2000
6.	Fertilizer application 3 times	Feb, Jun and Oct
7.	Water application	throughout the planting period
8.	Fertilizer application	throughout the planting period
9.	Harvest	harvesting period
10.	Maintenance bench terrace	in dry season, April

Comments:

-

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	site survey 1 day	man	0.5	175.82	87.91
Labour	set up contour line 1 day	man	4.0	175.82	703.28
Labour	vetiver planting (400 slips x 8 rows)	slip	3200.0	1.65	5280.0
Labour	man power (2.4 cu.m./m.)	cu.m.	88.0	100.88	8877.44
Equipment	machine power (2.4 cu.m./m.)	cu.m.
Equipment	pin wood	unit	100.0	5.0	500.0
Plant material	vetiver slip (LDD supported)	None	3200.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					15448.63
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					1.0

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

Land Development Department by Center of land development for Royal Project supported the budget by conduct the bench terrace in this area.

Comments:

-

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	maintain and repair bench terrace	in dry season 3-5 years/time

Comments:

In the case of bench terrace are not so much damaged, and size of rill is around 5-20 cm. wide and not very deep. Most of the land users usually repair that terrace by themselves during the dry season.

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	man power to repair the terrace	man	1.0	500.0	500.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					500.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					0.03

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

All maintenance cost of bench terrace are supported by Center of Land Development for Royal Project, Land Development Department.

Comments:

Center of Land Development for Royal Project, Land Development Department directly cooperated with the Royal Project.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

construction of continuous bench terrace and maintenance cost, which it is all invested by government sector, Land Development Department.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

This technology is used in slope 20-35% , slope complex and slope more than 35%.

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Angkhang Royal Agricultural Station is directly respond covered 16,577 rai, with 5 main villages, namely Ban Nala, Ban Rim, Ban Pang Ma, Ban Khum, and Ban Luang. Total population is 3,929 people. The overall landscape is slope complex in mountain range surrounded by a pan-shaped basin. This agricultural area is promoted the hill tribe community to grow winter crops. The general condition of this area is pine forest and evergreen forest. The attitude is 1,400 meters above the sea level. Most of soil series are Ban Luang Series. Soil loamy soil. Angkhang Series is a soil formed by limestone, rock, shell, shale. The overall soil condition is good structure, but almost highland with high slope and acidic condition (pH 4.5-6.0).

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

Nee

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Nee

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

In the past, there was no soil and water conservation measure, where soil erosion and severe runoff is occurred when it has heavy rain, especially during the rainy season. Soil surface was transported to the lower part, where organic matter and plant nutrients lost from this area and small rill and deep groove is formed in the upper part. Moreover such soil sediment in runoff accumulated in the channel and natural reservoir.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

In Plot 2000 can observe several insects in both of predators and parasitic insects such as dragonflies, beetles, turtles, striped mungs, ants, also earthworm and others.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

All land users and their family members worked in their land such as tea leaves harvest, weed control, fertilizer application, tea planting, trimming and others, which they would not prefer to hire workers.

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Specify:

-

Comments:

All land users in this area would not right in land ownership but they have right to use these land for agricultural purposes. And Angkhang Royal Agricultural Station separated and allocated these land for selected land users and also land zoning for fruit trees, Vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants and others.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

Comments:

They have cooperative activity to support investment and production costs such as fertilizers, bio-pesticides, pesticides and others.

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

almost land users have been continuously advised in tea plantation and organic farming by local officers of the Station.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

-

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	very well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
landslide	well

Comments:

-

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

Comments:

Land users no need to pay any expenses. So the construction of bench terrace as 3 m. basement is set up by the Royal Project for Land Development Center.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 11-50%

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

In Plot 2000 , They have 39 members who cultivated tea and medicinal plants in this bench terrace.

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

Comments:

This bench terrace need more investment and management, and need more incentives.

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Nee

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The continuous bench terrace is high effective measure to slow down runoff, reduce sediment and soil erosion.
This system would reduce amount of fertilizer application, which organic matter and plant nutrients still stay in the slopping area.
All land users can produce more agricultural products and more income.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The continuous bench terrace is high effective measure to slow down runoff, reduce sediment and soil erosion.
This bench terrace increase amount of storage water into soil, and also increase soil moisture content. And the excess of rain would gradually control and drain to water way.
This technology would reduce amount of fertilizer application due to prevent of plant nutrients lost from this area.
All land users can improve their life status in increasing agricultural products and income.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
The continuous bench terrace is very high cost	Government and local officers support this activities.
This system need expert in design and implement.	Local government officers (LDD) support and service this activities.
The structure of bench terrace is damaged.	Local government officers (LDD) support and service this activities.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The continuous bench terrace is very high cost and need machine to construct is terrace.	Government and local officers support this activities.
This system need expert in design and implement.	Local government officers (LDD) support and service this activities.
The structure of bench terrace is damaged by heavy rain, runoff and other events.	Local government officers (LDD) support and service this activities.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

-

Available from where? Costs?

-

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Continuous bench terrace for soil and water conservation in watershed area (at slope 35-60%)

URL:

http://www.dnp.go.th/watershed/ส่วนอำนวยการ/จัดทำระบบอนุรักษ์ดินและน้ำ โครงการทำขั้นบันไดดิน.pdf

7.4 General comments

-