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)

Decision Support for Mainstreaming and Scaling out Sustainable Land Management (GEF-FAO / DS-SLM)

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

Department of Agriculture-Region VIII (DA-8) - Philippines

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

29/06/2016

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

Soil Conservation Guided Farming System (SCGFS) is a land use management approach that integrates technologies: terracing, agro-pastoral technology, multi-storey cropping, and contouring within the socio-economic and bio-physical limitations of upland areas for optimum development of soil and water resource in a sustainable manner.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Generally, SCGFS aims to promote sustainable land use management that provides agricultural livelihood while protecting and maintaining environmental sustainability in the upland areas of the country. Its specific objectives: (1) Establish community-based and farmer-managed techno demo farms cum learning centers on soil and water conservation in marginal uplands and watersheds of Small Scale Irrigation Projects (SSIPs); (2) Promote and disseminate effective soil and water conservation approaches and technologies for broader adoption; and (3) Develop a strong linkage and partnership among local stakeholders and cooperators to protect our upland resources and watersheds.

Participatory Approach amongst stakeholders as spearheaded by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) through the Soil Conservation and Management Division (SCMD)

Stages of implementation: (1) Coordination with the Local Government Units (LGU) and consultation with farmers; (2) Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) preparation; (3) Reconnaissance survey (a. Site selection/ identification b. Dialogue with farmer cooperators); (4) Field Survey/Ground Truthing (Topographic survey, Land Resources survey); (5) Maps Preparation( Topographic Map, Soil Map, Land Use Map, Slope Map and Erosion Map); (6) Preparation of preliminary Farm Development Plan; (7) Presentation of Farm Development Plan to the LGUs and Farmer Cooperators (Discussion, Revision/modification); (8). Preparation of Project Study Report (Final Farm Development Plan); (9) Institutional Development/ Capacity Building; (10) Implementation Stage / Farm Development; (11)Conduct of season long farmer field school; and (12) Monitoring and Evaluation including Operation and Maintenance.

Role of stakeholders: A. Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM):
1. Provide the over-all direction in the preparation of plans and programs for the implementation of soil and water conservation through the SCGFS;
2. Provide technical support and assistance in the promotion and implementation of soil and water conservation and in the conduct of capacity building activities (i.e. in terms of training modules and resource persons);

B. Partner agencies/institutions (e.g. LGUs and other concerned agencies):
1. Prepare and endorse request to the BSWM for the establishment of SCGFS as demo farm of soil and water conservation technologies;
2. Provide technical support and assistance to the co-operators in the conduct of field survey and investigation, preparation of soil conservation farm plan, establishment of the SCGFS, and undertaking the necessary training activities;
3. In coordination with BSWM, assist the co-operators in availing necessary farm inputs and facilities for the establishment of the SCGFS; and
4. Undertake monitoring and assessment of operation and maintenance of established SCGFS to immediately address on-farm problems.

C. The Farmer Cooperators (i.e. interest groups/individuals):
1. Signify their interest to establish soil and water conservation demo farm through formal request to the BSWM;
2. Be willing to provide their own resources in the establishment of the demo farm;
3. Provide support and assistance to BSWM in the conduct of field survey and investigation;
4. Act as extension agents in the local community to disseminate soil and water conservation technologies with the demo farm as the community learning center.

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

SCGFS aims to promote sustainable land use management that provides agricultural livelihood while protecting and maintaining environmental sustainability in the upland areas of the country. Its specific objectives: (1) Establish community-based and farmer - managed techno demo farms cum learning centers on soil and water conservation in marginal uplands and watersheds of SSIPs; (2) Promote and disseminate effective soil and water conservation approaches and technologies for broader adoption; and (3) Develop a strong linkage and partnership among local stakeholders and cooperators to protect our upland resources and watersheds.

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	BSWM initiates the establishment of the project. Field surveys i.e site validation, topographic surveys etc. are conducted by BSWM technical staffs.
planning	interactive	Planning involves both BSWM and LGUs, technology/ies to be established is/are dependent on the biophysical limitation of the area and the needs of farmer cooperators.
implementation	interactive	Implementation of the project requires participatory involvement amongst stakeholders.
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	BSWM, LGUs and farmer cooperators are responsible in the monitoring and evaluation of the established technologies, these will ensure continued adaptation of the technology.

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

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users
• field staff/ advisers

Form of training:

• farmer-to-farmer
• demonstration areas

Form of training:

• organization, capacity building

Subjects covered:

Soil and Water Conservation Measures, Land Degradation, Soil Erosion Issues.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Describe/ comments:

BSWM is the implementing agency. Advises are coming from the experts/ specialists of BSWM.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, a little

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

• local

Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

Needy family heads

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

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

No

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

No

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 2,000-10,000

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

Government (technical assistance i.e field surveys, provision of planting materials) 20%, local government (technical assistance, planting materials) 60%, local land users (labor, care and maintenance) 20%

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

• agricultural

• infrastructure

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)?

• yes

If yes, describe how:

Technologies are already established and proven to be socially acceptable and economically viable. Farmer cooperators are equipped with technical knowledge they obtained from seminars and training provided by the approach. With these, it ensures sustainability of the project with farmer's own initiative.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
New opportunities for other projects from government
Learning center for other barangays
Organization of farmers into cooperatives/associations

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Participatory/Interactive method
Serves as a learning center for other barangay or farmers
Easy to adapt
Multi-sectoral involvement
Transfer of technologies to farmer beneficiaries

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?
No major concern in the weaknesses / disadvantages of the approach.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Low budget for the establishment of techno-demo	Establish linkages with Local and International funding institutions; development of research proposals for possible funding.
Lack of research component particularly in economic and ecological analysis/assessment	Conduct on-site research studies; engage State/Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in research activity.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

San Jose del Monte Soil Conservation Guided Farm Project: A success Story, Madrid Agribusiness Digest, 2012,pp 36

Available from where? Costs?

1.28 USD