The field of one of the community members where the Climate Smart Agriculture was implemented. (Tshering Zangmo)

Climate-Smart Village Approach (Bhutan)

Namshi Thuendrel Gi Yue (གནམ་གཤིས་མཐུན་འབྲེལ་གྱི་གཡུས།)

Description

Climate change has become inevitable, and there is a need to address this impending danger. In the Climate-Smart Village (CSV) approach, land users in Ngaru-Pongtang have implemented several technologies and innovations to address climate change impacts, and the programme has worked with 50 households on a total area of 137 acres (55 ha).

This approach focused on transforming Ngaru-Pontang into a Climate-Smart Village (CSV) with actions that also contribute to mitigating climate change. The programme has worked with 50 households on a total area of 137 acres (55 ha). The approach included a participatory vulnerability assessment, and extensive training and education for the land users. They were equipped with skills, technologies, and innovative practices related to climate-smart agriculture (CSA). Additionally, the approach emphasized collaborative efforts, working closely with community members to foster better engagement and cooperation.

The primary objectives of the approach were to transform Ngaru-Pontang village into a CSV and thus effectively address the challenges posed by climate change. To achieve these goals, the approach employed various methods. It involved meetings with the community members, vulnerability assessment, fostering collaboration between the community, Agriculture Research and Development Centre (ARDC) Wengkhar, and Commercial Agriculture and the Resilient Livelihood Enhancement Programme (CARLEP). The community members received comprehensive training and attended workshops on climate-smart agriculture practices.
The implementation of the approach adopted the following stages:
1. Resource and livelihood analysis carried out through a Participatory Vulnerability Assessment.
2. Based on the findings from the above assessment, a project proposal was submitted to secure funding.
3. Subsequently, discussions were held with the community members, the extension agent, and the local government to ensure collective agreement and support.
4. A detailed plan with a timeline was developed to guide project implementation and monitoring.
5. Training and workshops on CSA practices were conducted by the ARDC and the extension agent, empowering the community members to take charge of project implementation and ensure sustainability.

Key stakeholders involved in the approach included:
1. ARDC Wenkhar, which led the implementation of the project, facilitated the training and workshops, provided technical assistance, and monitored the programme's progress.
2. The Gewog administration and the extension agent played crucial roles by offering support and assistance in implementing climate-smart agriculture practices in the field.
3. The community members actively participated in various program activities, playing a pivotal role in driving the project forward.
4. The Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihood Enhancement Programme (CARLEP) acted as the funding agency.

The key CSA practices implemented through this approach are soil fertility improvement technologies (composting through use of FYM and bio-slurry, vermicomposting; liquid manure, biochar, Bhutan Agri-Microbial Solution (BAMS) and hedgerow plantations), community solar-electric fencing, heat and drought tolerant crops (spring paddy, soybean, avocados, mangoes and pineapples), biogas installations and establishment of weather station.
The implementation of CSA interventions has resulted in a wide range of impacts on livelihoods, income, and enhanced climate resilience. The diversification of crops, electric fencing, and improvement in irrigation have enabled farmers to expand their cultivation area thereby directly enhancing crop production and cash income. Similarly, the integration of improved livestock farming systems along with crops and the installation of biogas plants have reduced impacts on natural resources. Farmers have gained knowledge and exposure to different climate-smart agriculture practices. The only negative impact of the measures has been extra damage to crops by wild animals.

Location

Location: Ngaru-Pongtang village, Thangrong gewog, Mongar Dzongkhag, Bhutan

Geo-reference of selected sites
  • 91.35503, 27.19169

Initiation date: 2016

Year of termination: 2021

Type of Approach
Ngaru-Pongtong community members (Lhap Dorji)
Enumerators and community members in one of the fields were CSA was implemented (Tshering Zangmo)

Approach aims and enabling environment

Main aims / objectives of the approach
The main objective of the approach was to establish Ngaru-Pongtang as a CSV and showcase different CSA practices geared towards combating, mitigating and addressing climate change impacts, which can be replicated to other gewogs and Dzongkhags.
Conditions enabling the implementation of the Technology/ ies applied under the Approach
  • Availability/ access to financial resources and services: Community members were provided with equipment and planting materials through project's support.
  • Institutional setting: Local government and gewog agriculture extension agent were involved during the training, seminars and the implementation of the project activities to ensure ownership and sustainability of the project.
  • Collaboration/ coordination of actors: Stakeholders (ARDC Wengkhar, local government and community members) participated and cooperated together during the entire project period.
  • Knowledge about SLM, access to technical support: ARDC Wengkhar provided regular training and workshops with regard to climate-smart agriculture, good agricultural practices and sustainable land management for the successful implementation of the project.
  • Markets (to purchase inputs, sell products) and prices: ARDC Wengkhar has facilitated agricultural marketing by linking up the community with Bhutan Agro-Industry located at Lingmethang, Mongar.
Conditions hindering the implementation of the Technology/ ies applied under the Approach

Participation and roles of stakeholders involved

Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles
What stakeholders / implementing bodies were involved in the Approach? Specify stakeholders Describe roles of stakeholders
local land users/ local communities Ngaru-Pongtang community As a beneficiary, participated actively in the planning and implementation of the project activities, ensuring the project was successful and beneficial to them.
researchers ARDC Wenkhar Led the implementation of the project; facilitated the training and the workshops; provided technical assistance to the program; and monitored the progress of the program.
local government Gewog administration and gewog agriculture office They provided administrative support and collaborated with other stakeholders in successful designing and implementation of the project activities.
international organization International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) IFAD provided financial assistance through its Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihood Enhancement Programme (CARLEP)
Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach
none
passive
external support
interactive
self-mobilization
initiation/ motivation
The local community members were informed verbally and through community meeting about the project.
planning
ARDC Wengkhar, Thangrong gewog administration, gewog agriculture extension agent and the community members came together and discussed the way forward for the project.
implementation
Community members were provided with training and workshops on climate-smart agriculture and related agricultural skills. After the training and demonstrations, land users were divided into groups and made to apply these skills in their field.
monitoring/ evaluation
Monitoring is being sporadically conducted by ARDC Wengkhar and the gewog agriculture extension agent, but it is left to the land users to monitor their own fields.
Flow chart

The flowchart was created based on the information provided by the community members

Author: Ongpo Lepcha
Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology

Decisions were taken by

  • land users alone (self-initiative)
  • mainly land users, supported by SLM specialists
  • all relevant actors, as part of a participatory approach
  • mainly SLM specialists, following consultation with land users
  • SLM specialists alone
  • politicians/ leaders

Decisions were made based on

  • evaluation of well-documented SLM knowledge (evidence-based decision-making)
  • research findings
  • personal experience and opinions (undocumented)
  • Consultation with the community members

Technical support, capacity building, and knowledge management

The following activities or services have been part of the approach
Capacity building/ training
Training was provided to the following stakeholders
  • land users
  • field staff/ advisers
Form of training
  • on-the-job
  • farmer-to-farmer
  • demonstration areas
  • public meetings
  • courses
Subjects covered

The topics covered included climate-smart agriculture, sustainable land management, and good agricultural practices.

Advisory service
Advisory service was provided
  • on land users' fields
  • at permanent centres
ARDC Wengkhar and the agricultural extension agent provided all the technical advice and assistance required by the community members.
Institution strengthening
Institutions have been strengthened / established
  • no
  • yes, a little
  • yes, moderately
  • yes, greatly
at the following level
  • local
  • regional
  • national
Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.
The local government was involved in the project from start till end, which enhanced their understanding and capacity to initiate and replicate similar projects in other villages.
Type of support
  • financial
  • capacity building/ training
  • equipment
  • Technical assistance
Further details
Local government officials were engaged in the capacity building programs implemented for the community and also provided technical assistance as and when required.
Monitoring and evaluation
ARDC Wenkhar and the agriculture extension agent sporadically conducted monitoring and evaluation. However, the local land users are given the full responsibility to monitor their own fields and seek assistance when required.
Research
Research treated the following topics
  • sociology
  • economics / marketing
  • ecology
  • technology
  • Vulnerability Assessment

ARDC Wengkhar conducted a resource and livelihoods analysis through vulnerability assessment before designing and implementng the project in the community.

Financing and external material support

Annual budget in USD for the SLM component
  • < 2,000
  • 2,000-10,000
  • 10,000-100,000
  • 100,000-1,000,000
  • > 1,000,000
Precise annual budget: 55920.82
The funding was through Commercial Agriculture and Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme (CARLEP) funded by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The following services or incentives have been provided to land users
  • Financial/ material support provided to land users
  • Subsidies for specific inputs
  • Credit
  • Other incentives or instruments
Financial/ material support provided to land users
Material inputs such as seeds and seedlings, organic fertilizers, sprinkler pipes, and green shade net were provided through the project.
partly financed
fully financed
equipment: machinery

Sprinkler pipes and green shade nets

agricultural: seeds

Seeds and saplings

agricultural: seeds: fertilizers

Organic fertilizers

Labour by land users was

Impact analysis and concluding statements

Impacts of the Approach
No
Yes, little
Yes, moderately
Yes, greatly
Did the Approach empower local land users, improve stakeholder participation?

The project built capacity of the land users and are able to implement and monitor project activities in their own fields.

Did the Approach help land users to implement and maintain SLM Technologies?

Conducting training and workshops were part of the approach and therefore this made implementing and maintaining the sustainability of the project possible.

Did the Approach improve knowledge and capacities of land users to implement SLM?

The training and workshop helped provide knowledge and skills regarding sustainable land management and climate smart agriculture practices.

Did the Approach improve knowledge and capacities of other stakeholders?

The project enabled local government to enhance their knowledge and capacity through direct engagement in the training program and in the implementation of the project activities in the field.

Did the Approach empower socially and economically disadvantaged groups?

The project benefited all the community members equally disregarding of their background.

Did the Approach lead to improved food security/ improved nutrition?

The climate-smart agriculture practices have improved the agricultural production through crop diversification, electric fencing and irrigation water improvement.

Did the Approach improve access to markets?

ARDC Wengkhar and the local government have facilitated the market by linking the community with Bhutan Agro-industry for processing.

Did the Approach improve the capacity of the land users to adapt to climate changes/ extremes and mitigate climate related disasters?

Land users were trained on climate-smart agriculture and most importantly the land users have implemented climate smart agriculture practices in their fields which will definitely help build their capacity to adapt to the climate change.

Main motivation of land users to implement SLM
  • increased production
  • increased profit(ability), improved cost-benefit-ratio
  • reduced land degradation
  • reduced risk of disasters
  • reduced workload
  • payments/ subsidies
  • rules and regulations (fines)/ enforcement
  • prestige, social pressure/ social cohesion
  • affiliation to movement/ project/ group/ networks
  • environmental consciousness
  • customs and beliefs, morals
  • enhanced SLM knowledge and skills
  • aesthetic improvement
  • conflict mitigation
  • Adapt and mitigate climate change
Sustainability of Approach activities
Can the land users sustain what hat been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?
  • no
  • yes
  • uncertain

The land users have built their capacity, improved their production and cash income which should enable them to sustain the project activities.

Conclusions and lessons learnt

Strengths: land user's view
  • Capacity building and technical assistance on CSA and SLM were provided.
  • Gained knowledge and skills on CSA practices
  • Were able to increase crop production through CSA interventions
  • Were provided with an assured market for their produce
Strengths: compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
  • Built human and natural capital through capacity building and implementation of CSA practices.
  • Enhanced community resilience to climate change impacts
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks: land user's viewhow to overcome
  • The approach didn't address the pest problem, specifically the vertebrate pest adequately. Explore additional funding to support electric fencing and if possible chain link fencing.
  • Farmers' hesitance to adopt technology. Create adequate awareness prior to actual design an implementation of the project.
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks: compiler’s or other key resource person’s viewhow to overcome

References

Compiler
  • ONGPO LEPCHA
Editors
Reviewer
  • William Critchley
  • Rima Mekdaschi Studer
  • Joana Eichenberger
Date of documentation: July 13, 2023
Last update: May 30, 2024
Resource persons
Full description in the WOCAT database
Linked SLM data
Documentation was faciliated by
Institution Project
Key references
  • Saanogo, D, Sail, M., & Camara, B. A.. (2020). The climate-smart village approach: putting communities at the heart of restoration. Tropenbos International, Wageningen.: https://www.tropenbos.org/file.php/2385/etfrn-news-60-sanogo-the-climate-smart-village-approach.pdf
  • Aggarwal, P. K., Jarvis, A., Campbell, B. M., & Zougmore, R. (2018). The climate-smart village approach: Framework of an integrative strategy for scaling up adaptation options in agriculture. Ecology and Society, 23(1).: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322765373_The_climate-smart_village_approach_Framework_of_an_integrative_strategy_for_scaling_up_adaptation_options_in_agriculture
Links to relevant information which is available online
This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareaAlike 4.0 International