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)?

04/07/2017

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:

In mountain regions of Laos Banana cultivated with intercrops during the first year of plantation led to mutually better plant growth by higher availability of soil nutrients and subsequently produces better yield. It also prevents soil erosion, air pollution (reduction of slash and burn cultivation) and it mitigates climate related drought.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The banana provides significant benefits for the households in the uplands of Lao PDR. It serves for own consumption and for selling to generate regular household income. Its leaves are wanted on the market as well and can therefore generate good income too. Besides its low maintenance cost and easy to grow, banana can retain soil moisture and complement with ecology and biodiversity, on condition that its cultivation sustainable. Currently, the banana consumption in the region is increasing and results in banana expansion in the upland areas of Lao PDR. By tradition during the first year of banana plantation the local land users of Samouy district, Saravan province, Lao PDR cultivated banana intercropped with other upland crops (potentially with upland rice and maize) . However, the farmers implemented this cultivation technique without exact planning, measurement, in unorganized rows, or inadequate size of the hole. Also the poor maintenance after planting led to low banana productivity. In 2010, a Project supported by IFAD encouraged local people to grow banana with provision of technical advice through training and implementation. Banana plantation method recommended by the Project is following:1. Site selection: the land area with slope between 10-20 percent and rich loamy soils.2. Spacing and digging of holes: farmers arrange banana plants in lines and rows with spacing of 3m x 3m. 3. Dimension of hole: 25cm x 25cm with a depth of 30cm.3.Soil amendments: If the fertility of soil is low, manure (3 – 5kg/hole) has to be added on the bottom of the holes.4. Intercrops during first year of planation: Between the banana’s rows upland crops can be seeded in regular rows. This helps to prevent soil erosion during the first year.5. Maintenance: Regular thinning and cutting of the banana branches are required after planting to get good yield. Thinning may also involve removal of excess banana suckers if there are more than 3-4 shoots per hole.6. Farmers are required to maintain banana plantation areas including regular weeding as well as soil amendment (animal manure) to promote successful banana production. Covering the soil constantly with banana leaves is one of the most important activities to maintain the soil’s fertility (prevent soil leaching), structure and moisture, to improve the soil life, to lessen the burden of weeding and to prevent soil erosion. Chemical pesticides and fungicides are not foreseen to be used in this practice.7. After harvest of the intercrops: After the first year, when the maize or upland rice has been harvested, banana suckers will be planted in the rows on the remaining space between the one year old banana trees.In summary, this method of banana planting in sloping areas is simple and with average of 3-4 million Kip per household per year it generates good and regular income for the households. Banana provides fruits all year round that can be sold throughout the year whilst demand is also increasing. Currently, the average of the banana plantation area is approximately 10 ha per household. In addition, banana is tolerant to drought. Banana leaves spread over the soil (mulching) keep the soil moist provide best nutrients for soil organisms. And supplement amendment in form of animal manure improves the nutrient recharge. The soil cover improved to some extent from the beginning by the improved intercrop method according to the criteria learned by the project. However, the workload increased due to improved maintenance of banana

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:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)
• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

ໂຄງການ ແຜນງານ ຄາໍ້ປະກັນ ສະບຽງອາຫານ ແລະ ໂພສະນາການ (IFAD)

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• 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

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
• improved ground/ vegetation cover

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

1. Site selection: land area with slope range between 10-20 percent and rich loamy soils; 2. Spacing and digging of holes: farmers arrange planting in lines and rows with spacing of 3m x 3m.; dimension of hole: 25cm x 25cm with a depth of 30cm. 3. Soil fertility: If the fertility of soil is low, manure (3 – 5kg/hole) has to be added on the bottom of the hole.4. Intercrops during first year of plantation: Between the banana rows upland intercrops can be seeded. This helps also to prevent soil erosion in the first year.5. Maintenance: Regular thinning and cutting of banana branches are required after planting to get good yield. Thinning may also involve removal of excess banana suckers, if there are more than 3-4 shoots per hole. The
young banana suckers that are removed can be planted in new areas.6. Farmers are required to maintain banana plantation areas including regular manual weeding as well as soil amendment (cow manure) to promote successful banana production. Covering the soil constantly with banana leaves is one of the most important activities to maintain the soil’s fertility (prevent soil leaching), structure and moisture, to improve the soil life, to lessen the burden of weeding and to prevent soil erosion. Chemical pesticides and fungicides are not foreseen to be used in this practice.7. Year after intercropping: After harvest of the crops such as maize or upland rice, banana sucker will be planted in rows on the remaining space between the 1 year old banana trees.

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.	Slash and clearance vegetations	Management	January to Febuary
2.	Burning for land preparation	Management	March
3.	Digging the holes for the seedlings and planting	Vegetative	April (before rain)
4.	Collecting the banana suckers from forest	Management	May

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 for land preparation	person day	70.0	30000.0	2100000.0	100.0
Labour	Labour for planting	person day	10.0	30000.0	300000.0	100.0
Labour	Labour for collecting banana suckers	person day	10.0	30000.0	300000.0	100.0
Equipment	Knief	piece	4.0	30000.0	120000.0	100.0
Equipment	Shovel	piece	4.0	20000.0	80000.0	100.0
Plant material	Banana sucker	sucker	60.0	5000.0	300000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Manure	kg	240.0	1000.0	240000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					3440000.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Weeding	Management	2 times after planting
2.	Cutting of banana "branches"	Management	At different times when necessary
3.	Banana harvest	Management	After one year of planting

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 for weeding	person day	20.0	30000.0	600000.0	100.0
Labour	Labour for cutting of banana "branches"	person day	12.0	30000.0	360000.0	100.0
Labour	Labour for harvest	person day	15.0	30000.0	450000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					1410000.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The most important factors affecting the costs is labour for establishment and 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

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

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 temperature		increase	moderately
annual rainfall		increase	moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	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)?

Comments:

ສຳລັບ ການບຳລຸງຮັກສາ ມີພຽງແຕ່ ເສຍຫຍ້າ ຊື່ງບໍ່ໄດ້ສີ້ນເປືອງຫຼາຍ ເພາະໃຊ້ພຽງແຕ່ ແຮງງານພາຍໃນຄອບຄົວ

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• more than 50%

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

80 households out of 110 holds within the village hold such kind of banana plantations.

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

• 50-90%

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
The planting technique promoted by the project was not complicated to be implemented.
Banana plantation became the main source of household income.
Stabilized slash and burn shifting cultivation.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The land users can harvest bananas during the whole year, that ensure regular income.
The low investment costs for banana plantations.
The banana plantation can contribute to the climate change resilience and to reduce CO2 emission.

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?
Weeding is a problem as it is labour intensive activity and family labour force is limited.	The land users have to pay more attention on weeding on time by hiring more labour for weeding activity.
Lack of experience and knowledge for which part of banana trees is the best to cut the banana branches to get the banana productive.	The land users require more specific training and field visiting to exchange with other land users who are experienced in good practices.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The land users have not enough experience by which means they can design the rows and lines exactly with regard to the sloping area before planting.	The land users can use plastic rope to measure the length from one hole to another hole.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information