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)

Land Development Department LDD (Land Development Department LDD) - Thailand

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

26/09/2018

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

The Thai government promotes planting of Eucalyptus camaldulensis on rice bunds to lower the saline groundwater level and prevent the spread of salt in soils - through cooperation of farmers, land owners, Siam Forestry Co., Ltd., Subdistrict Administration Organization, Land Development Department, and with specialists/ technical advisors.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives through the Land Development Department (LDD) has initiated a project on planting salt-tolerant perennial trees on salt-affected land in the Northeast of Thailand. Thus, this project, which began in 1996 facilitated planting Eucalyptus camaldulensis on rice bunds. The main objective of the approach is to encourage and support the land users to plant Eucalyptus camaldulensis on rice bunds in salt-affected land with shallow saline groundwater. The target of planting is 1,000 rai/yr (1 ha = 6.25 rai).

The activities started with public meetings under the local administration, identifying salt-affected areas by SLM specialists and preparing soil salinity maps; establishing demonstration plots by SLM specialists and farmers, on farmers' land, as learning centers and communicating. The local administration called farmers’ meetings to prepare detailed work plans and discussion of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of planting eucalyptus. The methods used were questionnaires and interviewing the stakeholders for their willingness to take part and cooperate with LDD SLM specialists, researchers, and experts. The LDD has provided funding for land preparation and planting cost while corporates such as Siam Forestry Co., Ltd. purchase eucalyptus poles through a contract. The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives provides loans to land users.

There are three phases: the preparation phase which was seedling preparation, site selection for establishment of a demonstration plot, rice bund preparation, and establishing a demonstration plot of 200 rai at Ban Kham Riang, Muang Pia Sub-district, Banphai District, Khon Kaen Province. The coordination phase included joint meetings between farmers and researchers, joint monitoring, evaluation and follow-up with land users, and site visits to the demonstration plot. Then planting and tree establishment on farmers’ land in the salt-affected area – those farmers who were convinced by the results of the demonstration plots, Those farmers were then supported by the project on Planting Salt-Tolerant Perennial Trees on Saline Soils in the Northeast of Thailand. A market was established for the purchase of logs. There was joint monitoring & evaluation and follow up.

Results from interviews show that land users favor this project and the spread of eucalyptus planting by themselves - due to the perceived decrease in salination as well as higher income from better rice production, plus additional income from selling poles. However, there are some negative effects of fallen eucalyptus leaves (some farmers believe eucalyptus produces organic compounds detrimental to rice yield through “allelopathy”) and there was shading of the rice crop. But in some site visits there were no effects found. Furthermore, the favorable microclimate is cooler, local earth worms which used to be absent now returning, resulting in better soil properties. However, more birds and rats dwelling in this better environment became a disadvantage because they damaged the rice yield. Nevertheless, as there are more advantages than disadvantages, farmers still adopt this technology. It has been found that more than 10,000 rai (1,600 ha) with shallow saline groundwater of the salt-affected land were planted with eucalyptus trees on rice bunds in the low-lying salt-affected discharge area.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.4 Videos 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 main objective of the approach is to reduce salinity by encouraging and supporting land users to plant Eucalyptus camaldulensis, with a planting target of 1,000 rai/year (1 ha = 6.25 rai).

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	interactive	Land users in the project based
planning	passive	Discussion with land users on the work plan before starting the activity.
implementation	interactive	Land users/farmers in the project
monitoring/ evaluation	passive	Land users in the project

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:

SLM specialists locate salt-affected areas where shallow saline groundwater area is found. They then consult with land users to agree with the set technology and the shared benefit between LDD in combating salinity problem as well as their additional income with better soil and favorable microclimate.

Specify on what basis decisions were made:

• evaluation of well-documented SLM knowledge (evidence-based decision-making)

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users

Form of training:

• demonstration areas
• public meetings

Subjects covered:

Reclamation and prevention for salt-affected land with available technology and increased income for farmers.

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:

1. Community soil doctor volunteers from Land Development Department provide knowledge by training farmers in the area.
2. SLM specialists from Land Development Department and specialists of Siam Forestry Co., Ltd. visited and advised farmers in the area.

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:

SLM specialists from Land Development Department collaborated with Siam Forestry Co., Ltd. and community soil doctor volunteers on the soil conditions, the survival rate and follow up the growth of plants in the area.

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

Yes

Comments:

There are various points in this document that are interesting and should be adapted for each area to use for evaluation.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

The Soil Salinity Research Group, LDD, conducted research on saline groundwater flow path along the landscape in Northeast Thailand with Prof.Dr. Adrian Peck from University of Western Australia, supported by Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and another project with Dr. Nico Marcar from Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) on screening for salt-tolerant trees.

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):

Land Development Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC), Thailand

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

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

Yes

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

Assistance in kind, labour cost and seedling supply.

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• labour

• agricultural

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

• voluntary

Comments:

Voluntary labour from land users for planting and maintenance has been calculated as labour cost even though LDD did not pay for the labour.

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?

Yes

If yes, specify:

1. The policy of Siam Forestry Co., Ltd. to expand the planting area as a source of raw materials for industry and the company organizes a market in the area.
2. This technology encourages farmers to easily access their capital sources such as Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, while the LDD will send the work plan and names of participating land users to the bank.

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:

Farmers have a better understanding and positive attitude of planting eucalyptus, since they obtain additional income from selling eucalyptus logs.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Community soil doctor volunteer and community leader are the coordinators in the area.
Farmers access to markets and sources of Eucalyptus seedlings easily.
LDD officers have continually surveyed and followed up in the area.
Distribute seedlings free of charge.
Good marketing for the purchase and sale in the area.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
A supported technique created to develop technology to suit landscape in the Northeast area.
Planting eucalyptus knowledge was provided regularly by the Land Development Department and Siam Forestry Co., Ltd.
Siam Forestry Co., Ltd. develop marketing covering the Northeast region.
A demonstration plot established in the area.

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?
The LDD officers do not visit when the land users need help.	The officers need to contact the land users and give advice more often.
More birds and rats attack rice seeds in the field.	Set up crow scaring; some farmers catch birds and rats to eat.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Farmers planted closer spacing of 1 m, expecting to get more wood product, regardless of the adverse effect on rice.	Clearly illustrate the adverse effect of closer spacing of plants.
Income from logs is considered too low.	Changing crops such as olives, figs, dates, pomegranate, etc.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Land Development Department

Available from where? Costs?

http://www.ldd.go.th/

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Planting Eucalyptus on rice bunds: Better way for the Northeast farmers

URL:

http://www.ldd.go.th/

Title/ description:

Eucalyptus : New opportunity by Siam Forestry

URL:

http://www.scgpackaging.com/others/forestry/eucalyptus/TH