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

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1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

27/01/2016

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

Establishing communication between scientists and practitioners to improve sustainable rubber cultivation in Yunnan, China

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: The Sino-German project “SURUMER: Sustainable rubber cultivation in the Mekong Region” is identifying appropriate, stakeholder-validated concepts for sustainable rubber cultivation in Xishuangbanna prefecture, South-west China. In order to at least begin to implement solutions for problems arising from monoculture, project partners from five German and seven Chinese research institutes and practitioner partners are testing a holistic approach. This combines communication activities (bilateral, as well as groups, mainly through workshops) with scientific analysis to enhance interaction and collaborative learning between practitioners and researchers.

Methods: The approach comprises a pragmatic combination of discourse instruments such as direct communication amongst partners, bilingual information material, newsletters, focus groups, and a series of workshops with key stakeholders. One of its main elements is participatory scenario development - including discussions on problem situations, priorities regarding ecosystem services, and trade-offs in different land use strategies.

Stages of implementation: During the first three-year phase of research, ecosystem functions and services were assessed and quantified. This phase of situation analysis had a clear multidisciplinary focus amongst researchers (topics as widely varied as carbon sequestration, pollination, and household economy). The next phase attempted to integrate findings from on-site measurements, household surveys, policy analyses and joint problem solving into identifying new land management options. A modelling approach which uses assessment indicators to define impacts of land management was chosen. The model also identifies trade-offs and synergies in different land management options. During this phase, demonstration trials were established at the plot level. In the last phase, the focus has shifted more and more towards implementation activities, for example policy briefings and training for farmers, village heads and administrative staff. Discussions with key actors amongst the practitioners, who can influence implementation, have started as early as possible. This follows the assumption that the more “realistic” the concepts are, and the better they are communicated to, and discussed with, the stakeholders, the greater the likelihood of implementation.

Role of stakeholders: Apart from the scientists, three key stakeholder groups have been identified, namely rubber farmers (often the village heads), regional decision-makers (prefecture administration and rubber companies), and provincial politicians. The main initiative, as well as the process of moderation, came from the group of scientists. Practitioners participate regularly at workshops and meetings. They express their interests regarding future rubber cultivation, and the information they would like to get from the researchers, and how this should be communicated.

Other important information: Experience shows that communication processes initiated by research play a key role and must be managed carefully. It is clear that significant resources and long-term commitment are needed, and that even “long” research projects of five years are not sufficient to reach full implementation or create impact.

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 mainly on SLM with other activities (Joint situation analysis, land use objectives/scenarios, networking (scientists & practitioners))

The holistic approach towards research-practice-integration combines scientific analyses with a range of activities to enhance interaction and collaborative learning amongst practitioners and researchers. This fosters the development of sustainable land use practices – amongst others the related technology: “Mitigating negative impacts of rubber monocultures by integrating native trees and changed weed management – and policies” (with an emphasis on sustainable rubber cultivation), and a start to implementation of project research results.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: In Xishuangbanna, Southwest China, monocultivation of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) has enhanced farmers’ livelihoods fundamentally - but also caused severe environmental and societal problems. In order to sustain land use, a high standard of interdisciplinary integration as well as transdisciplinary communication and cooperation between researchers, practitioners and policy/administration is required this is to (at least partially) implement solutions to the complex problems related to sustainable land management. The more heterogeneous the actors are, the more challenging is the process of effective communication. However, commonly, neither procedures nor channels are established for such communication.

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	Approach and Technology planned by German and Chinese scientists with local partners: most important the Naban River Watershed National Nature Reserve Bureau. Mainly by informal communication, meetings and planning workshops.
implementation	interactive	German and Chinese researchers cooperated in organizing stakeholder workshops and presenting preliminary research results . Three groups of stakeholders (politicians, regional decision makers, and village heads) were actively involved through interviews, focus groups, etc. Nature reserve administration operates demonstration plots, supervised by German scientists, who are also responsible for performance monitoring.
monitoring/ evaluation	passive	Stakeholders who participated in the dialogue are asked to give feedback and to evaluate the approach. The approach was also evaluated by an external team of experts.
Research	passive	Land users were the main source of information for stakeholder analysis, economic studies, and a study on willingness to accept changes. Results of research were fed back into the approach. For example by presenting the concept and preliminary results of the technique (e.g. integrating native trees) in the framework of stakeholder workshops in which further management options (e.g. reduced use of agro-chemicals) were discussed.

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:

Considering the problems and interests of land users, specialists developed certain technologies. These were discussed and approved by land users.

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by mainly by SLM specialists with consultation of land users. The original idea was developped by the researchers and valuated by local partners. After implementation, feedback from the participants led to an improvement of the approach. For an example, practitioners demanded preliminary results which then was discussed in the frame of the workshops.

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
• public meetings
• courses

Subjects covered:

Training focused (a) on agro-chemicals: problems, awareness, treatment; (b) on water protection: awareness, treatment; (c) on intercropping: demonstration

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:

the nature reserve administration organized the training and operates the demonstration field.

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:

no. of land users involved aspects were regular monitored by project staff through observations; indicators: None

management of Approach aspects were regular monitored by project staff through observations; indicators: None

There were few changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: Regional stakeholder workshops were planned twice per year. However, through the stakeholder evaluation process it was learned that once a year would be better. So the approach was adjusted. There was also a shift from open discussion towards a more structured format of result presentation and discussion of management options.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• sociology
• economics / marketing

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

1. Research on transdiciplinary communication and stakeholder participation.
2. Research on rubber value chain and alternatives


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:

• 10,000-100,000

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

Approach costs were met by the following donors: international (concept and implementation, facilitation; etc (Federal Ministry of Education and Research, BMBF) ): 90.0%; local government (district, county, municipality, village etc) ( prefecture): 10.0%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

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

No

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

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:

In the SURUMER project, the stakeholder dialogue is designed and facilitated by project staff. Although our local partner and local stakeholders give very positive feedback regarding this process, it is hard to say that they will continue such an approach without external support.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Through wide participation, it is more likely that decisions are fair. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Take all possible stakeholders into consideration; attention needs to be paid to those groups with power, and those without.)
Various participation methods together enrich the information and provide the possibility of cross-checking. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Documentation of how the methods have been applied under which situation, for further application.)
Social learning with changing attitudes and behaviour towards participation in the long term. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Continued communication and exchange.)

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Stakeholders are widely targeted from the decision makers to the end users e.g. farmers. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Transfer the network from the project to the stakeholders themselves, build interlinks among stakeholders.)
Efficient communication via various channels, which together produce holistic and valuable knowledge about problems and possible solutions. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Choose suitable communication channels according to the specific situation and stakeholder group.)
A workshop series is a suitable structure for in-depth discussion with key regional decision-makers on focus topics. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: The local partner is interested in the way that such participation processes take place, and has expressed willingness to transfer such an approach into collaboration with other partners.)

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?
Because of social hierarchy, and the top-down decision-making system, participation is not a well-established concept, and local people are hesitant to take part in it.	Information flow increased from researchers to stakeholders, understanding and trust built through showing research results with the issues they are most concerned with, such as water quality and quantity, soil degradation, value chains and market studies. They are interested in the topic and gradually began to actively participate.
It is not possible to discuss the scientific scenarios with local stakeholders due to the insurmountable gulf between modellers’ academic jargon and everyday language.	Adjustment of scenario discussion, discuss further expectations with stakeholders instead, which could be translated into trade-offs and integrated into modelling.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Cost in terms of various resources: labour, time, money.	Choose the most suitable way of participation based on efficiency.
Process is slower than expected.	Clear consensus has to be reached beforehand.
Scientists’ interests are much more in research than in interactive activities.	Internal discussion is needed, it deepens understanding about the whole project.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Aenis, Thomas and Wang Jue (2016): From information giving to mutual scenario definition: Stakeholder participation towards Sustainable Rubber Cultivation in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China.

Available from where? Costs?

Aenis, Thomas, Andrea Knierim, Maja-Catrin Riecher, Rebecka Ridder, Heike Schobert, Holger Fischer (eds.) (2016a): Farming Systems Facing Global Challenges: Capacities and Strategies. Volume 1 – Proceeding. Online: urn:nbn:de:kobv:11-100236919

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Wang Jue, Thomas Aenis and Susanne Hofmann-Souki (2016): Triangulation in participation: Approaches for science-practice interaction in land-use decision making in rural China

Available from where? Costs?

Submitted to Land Use Policy

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Aenis, Thomas, Susanne Hofmann-Souki, Uwe Jens Nagel, Tang Lixia & Wang Jue (Eds.) with contributions by Sandra I. Cruz Moreno, Joseph Cutler, Mark Larson, Georg Liebig, James Longanecker, Cornelia Kinkel, Laura Kübke, Friederike Martin, Kirstin Ohlendorf, Rebecka Ridder, Karina Rodriguez Jardines, and Sim Lay Mei (2014): Rubber cultivation and livelihood - a stakeholder analysis in Xishuangbanna

Available from where? Costs?

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Online: urn:nbn:de:kobv:11-100216241

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Hofmann-Souki, Susanne, Napoleón Molina, Wolfgang Bokelmann and Robert Cárcamo Mallen (2016): Participatory assessment of value chains for diversifying small-scale farms – developing a tool for practitioner-led analysis and innovation

URL:

http://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/events/ifsa-conference/papers/5/5.5%20Hoffman.pdf