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)

Soil and water protection (EU-SOWAP)

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

Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven) - Belgium

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

Combination of 'dissemination of the SWC technology 'non-inversion tillage'' and research.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: To demonstrate the feasibility and stimulate the adaption of conservation tillage to the farmers.

Methods: (1) Collection of scientific data on farmer fields (yield and sediment production) and (2)intensive communication and discussion with farmers. Farmers are involved in the early stages of the project: also the local government and SWC specialists are target groups.

Stages of implementation: The project ( & approach) started in 2001. Every year, data is gathered at +- 15 fields of 10 farmers. The majority of the farmers have a positive attitude towards the approach. There is cooperation with other projects and with research institutes in the U.K. and Hungary. (They are working on the same project).

Other important information: Several times a year the information is communicated to other farmers through field visits and media.

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

The Approach focused on SLM only

to overcome the problems listed in QA2.1.3.3 and to demonstrate (see question 2.1.1.2)

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: Insufficient knwoledge on the SWC technology and their impact on ecology and economy.

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	workshops/seminars; The aims and planning of the project were discussed with a small group of farmers.
planning	none	workshops/seminars; idem
implementation	none	responsibility for major steps; Farmers were implementing the new SCW technology with advice from researchers.
monitoring/ evaluation	none	public meetings; Pro's and contra's of the technology is duscussed with farmers.
Research	none	Farmers are informed about the obtained research results.

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 land users, supported by SLM specialists

Explain:

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by mainly by land users supported by SLM specialists

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users

• SWC specialists, planners

Form of training:

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

Subjects covered:

problems of soil erosion - practical issues about new technology.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• no

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

bio-physical aspects were regular monitored through measurements

technical aspects were ad hoc monitored through observations

economic / production aspects were regular monitored through measurements; indicators

no. of land users involved aspects were ad hoc monitored through measurements

There were no changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• economics / marketing
• ecology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

Collection of scientific data on farmer yields (yield and sediment production). This information is afterwards communicated to the farmers.

Research was carried out on-farm

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 (EU-LIFE): 50.0%; other (SYNGENTA): 50.0%

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• none

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

• paid in cash

Comments:

Farmers were asked to split up a field: one part was conventional tilled and on the other part the SWC technology was applied. Farmers were paid for the extra work of splitting a field.

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 compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The combination of scientific research and direct interaction with farmers is a promising strategy to stimulate the adoption of conservation tillage.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

SOWAP - project 2003-2006

Available from where? Costs?

www.sowap.org