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)

NCCR North-South (NCCR North-South) - Kyrgyzstan

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

Voluntary labour assistance for labour intensive activities whereby community members help each other in contributing labour on the basis of mutual understanding.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: Members of the labour exchange group (often relatives and neighbours) can ask for assistance when labour intensive farm activities need to be performed. A farmer asks fellow land users individually for support. The request is made one or two weeks beforehand, informing individual farmers about the programme. During these informal land user exchanges, farmers share experiences and technical know-how on soil-and water conservation technologies and discuss details of the planned work. On the specified date, participants equip themselves with all necessary farm implements required for the activity. The farmer who seeks assistance should host the participants and prepare food and drinks. The objective of the approach is to alleviate labour shortages and to strengthen the relationship between community members.

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

2.7 Type of Approach

• traditional/ indigenous

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The Approach focused mainly on SLM with other activities (approach is used for all labour intensive activities, such as construction work, establishment of SWC technologies, harvesting etc.)

To overcome labour constraints.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: shortage of work force, since most farmers send their sons (or go themselves) to Russia to earn money.

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	self-mobilization
planning	self-mobilization	work is planned with advice of friends and elderly members
implementation	self-mobilization
monitoring/ evaluation	none
Research	none

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• land users alone (self-initiative)

Explain:

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by by land users* alone (self-initiative / bottom-up)

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

No

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: Informal land user extensions

Advisory service is quite adequate to ensure the continuation of land conservation activities

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:

Economic / production aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through measurements; indicators: None

Area treated aspects were ad hoc monitored by 0 through observations; indicators: None

There were no changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: None

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

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

Approach costs were met by the following donors: other (land user requesting for assistance): 100.0%

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

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

• voluntary

Comments:

The provision of food for voluntary assistance workers should be seen more as a part of traditional hospitality, rather than a food for work payment.

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

6.3 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
Eases the labour problem with very little costs.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Experiences and knowledge are shared.
Stronger social relationships among community members.
SWC technologies can be implemented more easily
Eases labour shortages. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: The approach is sustainable in itself, as long as the approach is based on a mutual understanding.)
Farming activities can be carried out according to their seasonal calendar.

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?
When assisting others, sometimes their own work cannot be carried out on time.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
If no means are available to host participants, farmers cannot request assistance.
Only those farmers who have sufficient means to support other can participate in the approach.