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

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Scaling-up SLM practices by smallholder farmers (IFAD)

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

National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) - Lao People's Democratic Republic

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

05/04/2017

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

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The Technique of using decomposed rice straw in household gardening is an effective soil improvement practice carried out by the local people. The decomposed rice straw helps to improve soil moisture, provides organic matters to the soil, which a cost- effective soil amendment practice, and results finally in increased crop yields.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Rice straw mulching was initiated locally in Daktaock-noi village, Dakchueng district in 2014 as a technique to improve the soil quality in household gardens. Previously the farmers used to apply animal manure (cow and buffalo excrement) to improve the soil fertility in the village’s vegetable gardens. However as a result many of them experienced an outbreak of pests such as root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii) who damage the plant’s root, and aphids which also destroyed the vegetables plant’s leaves. This led to low productivity and an inferior quality of vegetables that could not be sold. The farmers therefore explored and experimented with new methods once they had made observations of the effect of leaving rice straw on the rice paddies or surrounding areas for a period of four to five months after the rice has been harvested in October. They noted that the soil in these areas became more fertile as the emerging new rice sprouts were healthy due to rice straw decay existing in the field. It illustrated that when a layer of rice straw is left on the surface of the field that this has a positive effect on the soil. For instance it enhances the soil’s moisture and there is an increase in organic matter resulting from the decomposed rice straw which improves the soil’s fertility.
The land users therefore started to store the rice straw in specific locations after the rice had been harvested. They stockpiled the rice straw in parts of the rice field that were water logged or more humid. This way the rice straw could absorb water and then be collected at a later stage. If the rice straw is not stored, it will dry out and be dispersed naturally by the wind.
Typically, there are two times in the year that the farmers become active in the production of compost from the rice straw. The first time is in October after the rice has been harvested when there is not a lot of rain. The second occasion takes place from January to February, which allows a period of 4-5 months for the rice straw to decay after it has been collected. The only raw materials that are needed for the production of rice straw compost are the actual decomposed rice straw and soil. The only essential equipment consists of a blade for the cutting of the rice straw, and then bags for the collection, as well as a hoe for the preparation of the plot to grow vegetables.
The rice straw compost production process begins with the collection of two bags (20 kg) of decomposed rice straw from the rice field, which should then be well mixed with one bag (10kg) of soil. This mixture should be applied directly onto the vegetable plots before sowing the seeds. After the application of the rice straw compost it was noted that the vegetables grow successfully without being disturbed by pests or insects. The soil gradually became darker which is an indicator of good soil fertility. Thereafter vegetable production increased and the farmers were also able to grow a greater variety of vegetables including scallion and coriander, which had previously not been possible. Currently, the local people are able to cultivate three crops per year which generates an additional source of income for the households.
Additionally the application of rice straw compost can help farmers adapt to climate change, particularly in periods of heavy rainfall. This is because areas where the soil’s surface has been covered with rice straw mulching are protected from surface run-off during heavy rain. Once the rice straw has been distributed over the vegetable patches it was noted that the root-knot nematode had decreased in numbers when they were found in the soil.
In general, the local people are satisfied with this technique as it only requires the input of labour in order to gather the rice straw, which farmers can do on their own rice fields with no additional costs involved.
The rice straw compost production process: Firstly collect the rice straw from the field after the rice has been harvested. The rice straw should be stockpiled in particular locations around the rice field where the floor is wet or more humid for a period of 4-5 months to let them gradually decompose.
These patches should be hoed to approximately a depth of 15 cm, then decomposed rice straw should be mixed with topsoil from the prepared vegetable patches for 10 cm thick and the patches have width of 1 m , length of 3 m. There should be a distance of 15 cm in each direction between the vegetable seedlings. Once the patches are covered with an approximately 5 cm layer of decomposed rice straw. The space between each of the vegetable patches should be approximately 20 cm, and the total area of the home garden is 25 m2.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2014

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

3.3 Further information about land use

other (e.g. post-flooding):

• Spring water

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

ໍ້

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• integrated pest and disease management (incl. organic agriculture)
• home gardens

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, indicate approximate area covered:

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The vegetable patches should be prepared in the garden. Each patch needs to be 3 meters in length and 1 meter in width. A hoe should be used to excavate each patch to a depth of 15 cm. The rice straw should be collected from the rice fields and mixed with the soil that has been dug out of the patches at a ratio of 2 bags of rice straw to 1 bag of soil.
This mixture should then be distributed over the patches, with each patch being filled to a depth of 10 cm. Afterwards a further 5 cm layer of decomposed straw should be added on top of the mixture of soil and rice straw. The home garden vegetable patches were established in flat area that is located next to a recently constructed road where there is only a slope angle of 1 to 2%. The plants in each patch should have an equidistance of 15 cm between each one. There should be a distance of 20 cm between each patch. The total land area containing the patches amounts to 25 m2. Cabbage and coriander are the two plant species being grown. There is a density of about 145 plants per patch.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

LAK

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

8000.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Plot preparation	Structural	After rice harvested (August)
2.	Rice straw collecting	Management	October
3.	Mix soil with decayed rice straw	Management	January to February

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Labour to collect the rice straw	labour day	4.0	50000.0	200000.0	100.0
Equipment	Hoe	piece	1.0	50000.0	50000.0	100.0
Equipment	Bag	bag	30.0	2000.0	60000.0	100.0
Equipment	Blade	piece	1.0	35000.0	35000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					345000.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Plot preparation	Structural	After rice harvest (August)
2.	Rice straw collecting	Management	October
3.	Mix soil with decayed rice straw	Management	January to February

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Labour to collect the rice straw	labour day	2.0	50000.0	100000.0	100.0
Equipment	Hoe	piece	1.0	50000.0	50000.0	100.0
Equipment	Bag	bag	30.0	2000.0	60000.0	100.0
Equipment	Blade	piece	1.0	35000.0	35000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					245000.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labourers are needed to collect the straw from the paddy fields because at this time most of the family members capable of working are retained for the cultivation of rice before the rainy season.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Soil

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	Type of climatic change/ extreme	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	moderately
seasonal temperature	dry season	decrease	well
annual rainfall		increase	moderately
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	increase	moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local hailstorm	moderately

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
extreme winter conditions	not well

Biological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
insect/ worm infestation	very well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	very well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 90-100%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Improved soil texture and an increase in levels of organic matter
An increase in crop yields
An increase in beneficial microorganisms and earth worms

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Rice straw renders the soil more porous so that the plants’ roots can more easily penetrate into the soil.
Good water infiltration and soil moisture

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Rice straw is only available after the rice has been harvested.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information