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

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

World Association of Soil and Water Conservation (WASWC) - China

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

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:

Yes

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

2.1 Short description of the Approach

This approach is 'the way' or 'how' the 'vegetative erosion control and conservation cropping system' has been implemented in the Upper North region of Thailand.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: The purpose of this approach is to have sloping land used in a sustainable way, by planting hedgerows along the contour line, allowing enough space for growing cash- and other crops. In the process, government officers will work with sloping land farmers, promoting them to do the system by giving assistance in the form of necessary farm inputs and wage for doing the work. The work starts with site selection, land preparation, alignment of contour lines, establishing hedgerows, growing crops -- cash crops and tree crops, etc. At the same time extension workers will provide farmers with training in various aspects of SWC, and visits to demonstration fields and farms.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

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

2.7 Type of Approach

• project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The Approach focused mainly on SLM with other activities (Cropping system that will enable farmers to earn reasonable income for their living.)

1. To reduce soil erosion. 2. To improve soil fertility. 3. To increase crop yied and income.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: Accelerated soil erosion and land degradation, low soil productivity, poor water conservation, low income, damaged environment.

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	none
planning	passive	public meetings
implementation	passive	responsibility for minor steps
monitoring/ evaluation	passive	public meetings;
Research	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:

consultative.

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by mainly by SLM specialists with consultation of land users. consultative. With financial assistance provided

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users

• extensionists/trainers, school children/students,

Form of training:

• on-the-job
• farmer-to-farmer
• demonstration areas
• public meetings
• courses

Subjects covered:

Short training (1-2 days) in cropping system and land use management at a nearby locality where technicians explain how the approach is useful for farmers and how to do.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields

Describe/ comments:

Name of method used for advisory service: TAF; Key elements: Training, Action, Follow-up.; 1) Advisory service was carried out through: Government's existing extension system. Extension staff: Mainly government employees 3) Target groups for extension: land users; Activities: To know how to cope with soil degradation problem

Advisory service is inadequate to ensure the continuation of land conservation activities; There are too few SWC extensionists to work with farmers efficiently, making the activity not so well handled and maintained.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, moderately

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

• local

Specify type of support:

• capacity building/ training

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

technical aspects were ad hoc monitored through observations; indicators

There were few changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: 1. Change in cropping system to fit the farmers' need and market. 2. Some farmers have expanded more area for SWC approach.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• sociology
• economics / marketing
• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

Research mainly concerns technology development and efficiency in decelerating soil ersoion and improving soil fertility.

Research was carried out both on station and on-farm

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 100,000-1,000,000

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

Approach costs were met by the following donors: government (national - Dept. of Land Development.): 100.0%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

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

Yes

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• agricultural

• infrastructure

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

• rewarded with other material support

Comments:

Planting materials, training, advise

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

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

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
1. Improve soil fertility and productivity
2. Increase income
3. Attain sustainable land use.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
1. The approach can reduce soil loss/runoff (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Try to integrate annual cash crops and fruit trees)
2. Improve soil fertility
3. Conserve soil moisture
4. Increase yield/income
5. Preserve the environment
6. Easily implemented by farmers
7. It requires low cost.

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
1. Require more labour to create and maintain	1. Grow fast-growing tree specie,
2. Certain part of the land cannot be used to grow crops.	2. Hire more labourers from the increased income.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
1. More labour intensive than normal farming practice	Good labour management

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Sajjapongse, A.., C.Anecksamphant and S. Boonchee. 2000. ASIALAND Management of Sloping Land Network. Special Lecture, LDD Technical Meeting, February 15-18, 2000, Chjiang Mai, ThailandOther documents of IBSRAM

Available from where? Costs?

Department of Land Development, Bangkok 10900, ThailandIBSRAM. P.O. Box 9-109, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Other documents of IBSRAM

Available from where? Costs?

IBSRAM. P.O. Box 9-109, Bangkok 10900, Thailand