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)?

17/05/2017

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:

Bong tree (Persea kurzii) plantation in slope area to increase forest canopy and to utilize the plantation areas for animal grazing such as cows and poultry.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Bong tree (Persea kurzii), is a native tree species found in different regions in Lao PDR. In the past, farmers collected Bong barks from natural forest, as it contains gum and aromatic oils for the internationally very requested production of joss sticks. But the availability of wild Bong trees has been declining significantly. In order to keep this important source of income for farmers, Bong tree cultivation can be seen as valuable alternative to maintain the local livelihood whilst ensuring the preservation of the natural forests. The idea of commercial Bong tree plantation came from a Vietnamese trader (in 2000) who introduced Bong tree through a trial plantation. In 2006 land users who were experienced in the highly costly and labor-intensive coffee and pepper cultivation shifted to Bong tree cultivation. And in 2010, land users who gained lessons on seedling production and Bong tree cultivation from Vietnam established first trial cultivations on their farms. Later an IFAD Project in collaboration with the Samouey District Agriculture and Forestry Office promoted Bong tree plantation by providing organic fertilizer and advisory support to model households of the Samouey District .
Due to the easy handling and the potential benefits a number of farmers have been interested to participate. Bong trees are perennial and fast growing plants (first harvest of bark or log 6-7 years after planting) preferring humid climate and can be easily planted also on sloping terrain. Currently, Bong tree covers approximately 38 ha of land with an average increase of 1-2 ha/year. This land belongs to Mr. Sailava at Samoey district. The detailed method of Bong tree plantation is following:

1)Land preparation: first, it requires land clearance by removing weeds and bushes, along with hole digging in advance of rainy season (July to September);
2)Spacing: the appropriate spacing between the tree plants should measure about 2.5 x 2.5 meters. Staking is required throughout the plantation area before the holes can be dug. The planting holes are 25 cm x 25cm. The excavated topsoil should be stockpiled around the holes for refilling them later;
3)Planting and applying fertilizers: Bong seedlings need organic fertilizer (0.5kg/tree) that is mixed with soil and then filled in the holes. Finally the seedlings are gently placed in the holes by filling up with further topsoil. If the seedlings are tall, staking is required.
4)Maintenance: 2-3 months after planting ‒ only in case it is needed ‒ additional fertilizer will be added and/or weeding is carried out. The plant residues from weeding are used to cover the ground around the seedlings to keep soil moisture, and once decomposed, to provide natural organic matters to the soil. In conditions of dry climate and hard soil, watering is required to prevent soil cracking which is a cause of breaking tree’s roots and subsequently trees will die.

The advantages of planting Bong trees include direct income generation for households as well as increased forest canopy. It minimize the carbon emissions of slash-and-burn land use. The falling Bong tree leaves provide organic matters to soils, help retaining soil moisture and subsequently increase soil fertility. Under-story vegetation includes lianas and grasses that provide fodder for livestock. Three years after plantation, the land users can utilize the area for animal grazing such as cows and poultry. In fact, poultry can find earthworms around Bong trees which provide rich nutrition for animals. However, some disadvantages of planting Bong trees have to be mentioned as well: Some plantations may become shrubs where weeding is not conducted regularly. Poor maintenance provokes invasion of snakes, bees, and mosquitos.

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:

2010

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 projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

IFAD project in collaboration with Samouy District of Agriculture and Forestry Office

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• 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

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Livestock density (if relevant):

15 cows

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• agroforestry
• pastoralism and grazing land management
• integrated soil fertility management

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:

• 0.1-1 km2

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 holes for Bong tree seedlings are 20 cm in depth, 25 cm in width and 25 cm in length
The spaceace between plants is 2.5 x 2.5 m
Slope angle in that area is between 16 - 30 %
Density of plants is about 1600 plants/ha

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):

kip

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

8000.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Bong tree nursery	Agronomic	November-Febuary
2.	Land preparation	Agronomic	January-February
3.	Dig the hole	Agronomic	July-August
4.	Use bio fertilizer	Agronomic	August-September
5.	Planting	Agronomic	August-September
6.	Weeding in first 3 years	Management	August-September and January-February
7.	Weeding after year 4-6	Management	August-September

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	labor for hole digging	hole	1600.0	500.0	800000.0	100.0
Labour	labor for planting	hole	1600.0	1000.0	1600000.0	100.0
Labour	labor for cleaning	person-day	60.0	30000.0	1800000.0	100.0
Equipment	knife	piece	20.0	20000.0	400000.0	100.0
Equipment	hoe	piece	20.0	35000.0	700000.0	100.0
Equipment	shovel	piece	20.0	35000.0	700000.0	100.0
Plant material	Bong tree seedlings	tree	1600.0	1000.0	1600000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					7600000.0

Comments:

The quantity of hole digging, planting and seedlings mention above is for 1 ha.
That mean in 38 ha the farmer will have 1600 hole x 38 ha = 60,800 holes, plantings and seedlings
So labor for hole digging cost in 38 ha is 500 x 60,800= 30,400,000 kip
Labor for planting cost in 38 ha is 1000 x 60,800= 60,800,000 kip
and Bong tree seedlings cost in 38 ha is 1000 x 60,800= 60,800,000 kip

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	maintenance (weeding)	Management	January and August each year
2.	timber harvesting	Agronomic
3.	bark collection	Vegetative

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	labor for weeding	person	60.0	30000.0	1800000.0	100.0
Labour	labor for timber harvesting	person				100.0
Labour	labor for bark collection	person				100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Bio fertilizers	bag	1000.0	15000.0	15000000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					16800000.0

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

The Bio Fertilizer has been provided by the project.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour is an important factor especially for larger plantation areas that require more labour for maintenance

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, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

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

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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 rainfall		increase	moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
landslide	moderately

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

• 10-50%

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

• 10-50%

Comments:

IFAD Project in collaboration with the Samouey District Agriculture and Forestry Office promoted Bong tree plantation by providing organic fertilizer and advisory support to model households of the Samouey District .

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
Acts as a counterbalance to slash and burn agriculture
Once the trees have been planted it facilitates the raising of livestock such as cattle and poultry and therefore reduces the workload involved in such farming activities
The plantation of bong trees further diversifies the sources of household income.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The Bong tree has an expansive root system that is effective in binding the soil on slopes, and this reduces and prevents soil erosion.
It reduces the loss of top soil during prolonged precipitation.

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?
Due to the large area that is under the cultivation of Bong trees it makes it difficult to control and maintain the plantation.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information