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

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

01/08/2014

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

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Local genetic rice varieties which are better adapted to changing climatic conditions are collected on farms, tested, described, selected or bred into new varieties and again distributed to farmers with the goal to increase their food security

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Farmers in the central Cambodian province of Kampong Chhnang increasingly struggle with changing and unpredictable weather patterns and regular weather extremes. Lately, water supply has fluctuated annually due to alternating drought and flood extremes. Harvest yields from farmers in the region are low, amongst others, due to the use of low-quality seed, which is not adapted to local conditions, and which demands for an increase in the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Acknowledging the fact that with changing climatic conditions, local genetic resources and genetic diversity play a vital role to guarantee food security of smallholder farmers, the Local Agricultural Research and Extension Center – LAREC collects, selects, tests, breeds and disseminates rice varieties, which are better adapted to local conditions. To answer to the climate extremes of drought and flood, LAREC focusses its research on flood tolerant and drought resistant rice varieties.
Over the past years 36 flood tolerant rice varieties have been investigated by LAREC research staff for their floating ability and submergence tolerance. 6 varieties among these are: Pork Kraham, Chung Banla-6, STR010, STR10, STR 011 and Chung Banla-2, have been defined as the most appropriated varieties in term of stem elongation, submergence tolerance and yield. These are multiplied and recommended for farmers in flood prone areas.
Regarding drought tolerance LAREC bred a new variety derived from a cross between Phka Rumduol and IRRI breeding line. This variety is tested in an on farm adaptive trial to see crop performance under farmer practice. The two lines have a short growth duration range from 75 days to 90 days and are non-photo period sensitive. Besides the short growth duration, which makes them appropriate for drought prone areas, the new variety also has a desirable aroma which is important for acceptance and marketing purposes. However, to provide scientific evidence, thorough testing in on-farm trials is needed to see yield performance under farmers’ condition, seed rate application based on cultivation method and fertilizer application.
After the production of basic seed for rice LAREC distributes the seed to contract farmers for multiplication under the supervision of LAREC staff. The multiplied seed is distributed to interested buyers through LAREC and the local farmers' associations.

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

Provide high quality seeds of local varieties which are better adapted to changing climatic conditions to the farmers in the area.

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	passive	LAREC was initiated by SOFDEC, as a consequence of an increasing exposure of farmer's rice yields to weather extremes (drought/flood)
planning	none	Planning of the center by SOFDEC
implementation	passive	LAREC collects seed varieties on farms, tests, selects, breeds and disseminates seed again to farmers. Farmers do the multiplication of seeds and use the adapted varieties for their rice production (own consumption and for the market)
monitoring/ evaluation	none	M+E is conducted by LAREC, SOFDEC and HEKS ((internally) as well as by external evaluators (at the end of each project phase)
Research	passive	Selection of promising varieties is done in consultation with the farmers. Research with the selected crops is done entirely on the LAREC site.

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 selection of the breeding lines is conducted with farmers. Research and testing of the selected varieties is done entirely on the LAREC site, without farmers involvement.
LAREC decides on how and where the adapted varieties were distributed.

Specify on what basis decisions were made:

• research findings
• personal experience and opinions (undocumented)

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users

Form of training:

• courses

Subjects covered:

Contract farmers are trained on seed production and seed storage.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

No

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

Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

Establishment of a local agricultural research center

Specify type of support:

• financial
• capacity building/ training
• equipment

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

Yearly monitoring of number of land users using selected of new varieties. Ad-hoc measurements of yield (carried out by project staff)

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

Yes

Comments:

The documentation of yield and land users involved is used for measuring outputs and outcomes of the project based on the indicators set in proposal. This is also used for routine monitoring by project staff as well as for mid-term and end project-phase evaluations.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

Research to select and improve local rice varieties to be better adapted to changing climatic conditions is the main activity of the approach.

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 10,000-100,000

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

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

No

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• equipment

• construction

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

• voluntary

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

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

No

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

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

• uncertain

If no or uncertain, specify and comment:

If the seeds are not promoted through a project (e.g. by SOFDEC), it is up to the farmers to buy the adapted varieties.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Seeds of high quality are provided by LAREC.
Quality of crops from LAREC-seed is uniform and varieties are demanded on the market, thus contributing to an increasing farmer income.
Increased food-security as adapted seeds also perform in the likelihood of an extreme weather event.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Seeds are collected in the region from the farmers, thus adapted to the local conditions. (They are collected in the research center and in addition the center buys foundation seeds from the Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) in order to scale up).

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?
Farmers are still dependent on getting new seeds of the selected varieties (every 3 years for rice) as seeds get mixed and cross pollination occurs.
Lack of money to store the seeds in a proper way. Lack of material (silica gel, oven).	Find external financing sources. Connect with international seed saving organisations if collection and distribution of local ecotypes gets a higher priority.
Breeding and selection is not happening on-farm, only at the LAREC centre. Land users remain highly dependent on LAREC to provide new seeds every few years.	Implement participatory plant breeding. Train farmers in selection (already happening with mung bean and rice) and breeding.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Paris, T., et al. 2011. Guide to participatory varietal selection for submergence-tolerant rice. IRRI

Available from where? Costs?

www.irri.org

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

The Society for Community Development in Cambodia (SOFDEC) is a Cambodian Non-Governmental Organization, established in 2006 through the localization of HEKS (the Swiss Church Aid) project in Kampong Chhnang province, Cambodia. The vision of SOFDEC is that Cambodian people living in Cambodia live a state of comfort, equality, equity, and have ownership over the sustainable development of their community. The mission of SOFDEC works in partnership with community based organizations and relevant institutions through integrated community development, research, human resource development, enhancement of family economies, in the hopes to uplift the living standards of the people in the target areas. Our goal aims to uplift the living standards of the rural people of Cambodia through the improvement in income generation, sustainable agricultural practices, microfinance, health, human resource development, and sustainable natural resource management.

URL:

www.sofdec.com