Approaches

Collection, selection, breeding and dissemination of locally adapted rice varieties at the Local Agricultural Research and Extension Centre LAREC. [Cambodia]

approaches_1880 - Cambodia

Completeness: 94%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:

Khun Lean Hak

kleanghak@yahoo.com / sofdec@camintel.com

SOFDEC/LAREC

www.sofdec.com

Cambodia

SLM specialist:

Pith Khonhel

012 585892

khonhel@gmail.com

LAREC Local Agricultural Research and Extension Centre

www.sofdec.org

Cambodia

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

01/08/2014

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

2. Description of the SLM Approach

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Local genetic rice varieties which are better adapted to changing climatic conditions are collected on farms, tested, described, selected or bred into new varieties and again distributed to farmers with the goal to increase their food security

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Farmers in the central Cambodian province of Kampong Chhnang increasingly struggle with changing and unpredictable weather patterns and regular weather extremes. Lately, water supply has fluctuated annually due to alternating drought and flood extremes. Harvest yields from farmers in the region are low, amongst others, due to the use of low-quality seed, which is not adapted to local conditions, and which demands for an increase in the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Acknowledging the fact that with changing climatic conditions, local genetic resources and genetic diversity play a vital role to guarantee food security of smallholder farmers, the Local Agricultural Research and Extension Center – LAREC collects, selects, tests, breeds and disseminates rice varieties, which are better adapted to local conditions. To answer to the climate extremes of drought and flood, LAREC focusses its research on flood tolerant and drought resistant rice varieties.
Over the past years 36 flood tolerant rice varieties have been investigated by LAREC research staff for their floating ability and submergence tolerance. 6 varieties among these are: Pork Kraham, Chung Banla-6, STR010, STR10, STR 011 and Chung Banla-2, have been defined as the most appropriated varieties in term of stem elongation, submergence tolerance and yield. These are multiplied and recommended for farmers in flood prone areas.
Regarding drought tolerance LAREC bred a new variety derived from a cross between Phka Rumduol and IRRI breeding line. This variety is tested in an on farm adaptive trial to see crop performance under farmer practice. The two lines have a short growth duration range from 75 days to 90 days and are non-photo period sensitive. Besides the short growth duration, which makes them appropriate for drought prone areas, the new variety also has a desirable aroma which is important for acceptance and marketing purposes. However, to provide scientific evidence, thorough testing in on-farm trials is needed to see yield performance under farmers’ condition, seed rate application based on cultivation method and fertilizer application.
After the production of basic seed for rice LAREC distributes the seed to contract farmers for multiplication under the supervision of LAREC staff. The multiplied seed is distributed to interested buyers through LAREC and the local farmers' associations.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

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

Country:

Cambodia

Region/ State/ Province:

Kampong Chhnang

Further specification of location:

Rolea Pha-ear

Comments:

Area where the seeds are used is 10-100 km2

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

Indicate year of initiation:

2010

2.7 Type of Approach

  • project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

Provide high quality seeds of local varieties which are better adapted to changing climatic conditions to the farmers in the area.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

social/ cultural/ religious norms and values
  • enabling

The founding of LAREC as a local research station was needs-based, as a consequence of increasing exposure of farmer's rice yields to extreme weather events (drought and flood)

  • hindering

Farmers are consulted in the selection of seed varieties, but not engaged in the research process.
There is a certain degree of aversion towards local varieties by the farmers, due to lower yields.

availability/ access to financial resources and services
  • enabling

The building up of LAREC (warehouse, office building, greenhouse, drying site, trial field) was rendered possible due to funding by SOFDEC/HEKS

knowledge about SLM, access to technical support
  • enabling

Highly specialized research personnel working with local varieties adapted to local conditions

  • hindering

Only limited knowledge transfer to farmers, as research is conducted in the center, not through a participatory breeding approach

markets (to purchase inputs, sell products) and prices
  • hindering

LAREC struggels to become self-sustained by selling the seeds on the local market.

3. Participation and roles of stakeholders involved

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

  • local land users/ local communities

Farmers

Farmers are involved in the selection of seeds and some contracted farmers act as seed multipliers for LAREC

  • community-based organizations

Community committees

They play a role to facilitate and promote the seed produced by LAREC. They also support the selection of seeds and follow up on the contracting farmers

  • researchers

LAREC reserach personnel

Selection, testing, breeding of adapted varieties

  • NGO

SOFDEC
HEKS (Swiss Church Aid)

SOFDEC provided 100% of the funding. SOFDEC staff links LAREC to the farmers and support the collection, dissemination promotion of the seeds and are also collecting feedback from farmers for discussion with LAREC team to find the solution.
HEKS (Swiss Church Aid) is the main backdonor of SOFDEC and hence of LAREC.

  • national government (planners, decision-makers)

Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI)

CARDI plays an advisory role and also supports the promotion of LAREC.
LAREC is linked to CARDI to exchange on seed multiplication

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 LAREC was initiated by SOFDEC, as a consequence of an increasing exposure of farmer's rice yields to weather extremes (drought/flood)
planning none Planning of the center by SOFDEC
implementation passive LAREC collects seed varieties on farms, tests, selects, breeds and disseminates seed again to farmers. Farmers do the multiplication of seeds and use the adapted varieties for their rice production (own consumption and for the market)
monitoring/ evaluation none M+E is conducted by LAREC, SOFDEC and HEKS ((internally) as well as by external evaluators (at the end of each project phase)
Research passive Selection of promising varieties is done in consultation with the farmers. Research with the selected crops is done entirely on the LAREC site.

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

Description:

Organizational chart of LAREC seed multiplication

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:

The selection of the breeding lines is conducted with farmers. Research and testing of the selected varieties is done entirely on the LAREC site, without farmers involvement.
LAREC decides on how and where the adapted varieties were distributed.

Specify on what basis decisions were made:
  • research findings
  • personal experience and opinions (undocumented)

4. Technical support, capacity building, and knowledge management

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:
  • land users
Form of training:
  • courses
Subjects covered:

Contract farmers are trained on seed production and seed storage.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

No

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?
  • yes, greatly
Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:
  • local
Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

Establishment of a local agricultural research center

Specify type of support:
  • financial
  • capacity building/ training
  • equipment

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

Yearly monitoring of number of land users using selected of new varieties. Ad-hoc measurements of yield (carried out by project staff)

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

Yes

Comments:

The documentation of yield and land users involved is used for measuring outputs and outcomes of the project based on the indicators set in proposal. This is also used for routine monitoring by project staff as well as for mid-term and end project-phase evaluations.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:
  • technology
Give further details and indicate who did the research:

Research to select and improve local rice varieties to be better adapted to changing climatic conditions is the main activity of the approach.

5. Financing and external material support

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:
  • 10,000-100,000

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
Specify which inputs were subsidised To which extent Specify subsidies
machinery fully financed
tools fully financed
  • construction
Specify which inputs were subsidised To which extent Specify subsidies
stone fully financed
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. Impact analysis and concluding statements

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

Did the Approach help land users to implement and maintain SLM Technologies?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Farmers have access to seed varieties which are adapted to local conditions (e.g. drought and flood resistance), ensuring that yields are also generated in case of an extreme weather event.

Did the Approach lead to improved food security/ improved nutrition?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Through the use of seed varieties which are adapted to local conditions, (e.g. drought and flood resistance) farmers increase their food security by ensuring that yields are also generated in case of an extreme weather event. Farmers are more resilient against extreme weather events.

Did the Approach improve the capacity of the land users to adapt to climate changes/ extremes and mitigate climate related disasters?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Through the use of seed varieties which are adapted to local conditions, (e.g. drought and flood resistance) farmers increase their food security by ensuring that yields are also generated in case of an extreme weather event. Farmers are more resilient against extreme weather events.

Did the Approach lead to employment, income opportunities?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Additional income for contract farmers through seed multiplication

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

  • reduced risk of disasters

Adapted varieties also perform in the case of an extreme weather event (drought/flood)

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:

If the seeds are not promoted through a project (e.g. by SOFDEC), it is up to the farmers to buy the adapted varieties.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Seeds of high quality are provided by LAREC.
Quality of crops from LAREC-seed is uniform and varieties are demanded on the market, thus contributing to an increasing farmer income.
Increased food-security as adapted seeds also perform in the likelihood of an extreme weather event.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Seeds are collected in the region from the farmers, thus adapted to the local conditions. (They are collected in the research center and in addition the center buys foundation seeds from the Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) in order to scale up).

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Farmers are still dependent on getting new seeds of the selected varieties (every 3 years for rice) as seeds get mixed and cross pollination occurs.
Lack of money to store the seeds in a proper way. Lack of material (silica gel, oven). Find external financing sources. Connect with international seed saving organisations if collection and distribution of local ecotypes gets a higher priority.
Breeding and selection is not happening on-farm, only at the LAREC centre. Land users remain highly dependent on LAREC to provide new seeds every few years. Implement participatory plant breeding. Train farmers in selection (already happening with mung bean and rice) and breeding.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys
  • interviews with land users
  • compilation from reports and other existing documentation

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Paris, T., et al. 2011. Guide to participatory varietal selection for submergence-tolerant rice. IRRI

Available from where? Costs?

www.irri.org

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

The Society for Community Development in Cambodia (SOFDEC) is a Cambodian Non-Governmental Organization, established in 2006 through the localization of HEKS (the Swiss Church Aid) project in Kampong Chhnang province, Cambodia. The vision of SOFDEC is that Cambodian people living in Cambodia live a state of comfort, equality, equity, and have ownership over the sustainable development of their community. The mission of SOFDEC works in partnership with community based organizations and relevant institutions through integrated community development, research, human resource development, enhancement of family economies, in the hopes to uplift the living standards of the people in the target areas. Our goal aims to uplift the living standards of the rural people of Cambodia through the improvement in income generation, sustainable agricultural practices, microfinance, health, human resource development, and sustainable natural resource management.

URL:

www.sofdec.com

Links and modules

Expand all Collapse all

Modules