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)

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 Technology (if relevant)

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

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

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

Comments:

This is the main technology supporting organic farming which is the process accepted by the whole world because it concerns the food stability and security.

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The organic farming was initiated by a group of Yasothon farmers since 1989 to produce organic rice and vegetables. The organic fertilizers used are the compost made from farm products and animal dungs, bio-fermented liquid from kitchen wastes and crotalaria as green manure.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Organic farming has become a national agenda with cross collaboration among government organizations concerned, local community administration, private sectors and farmers. This technology has scaled up to 253 farmers on 6,000 rai (6.25 rai = 1 ha) at Ban Sokkompoon, Naso Sub-district, Kutchum District, Yasothon Province. The information has been received from Mr. Man Samsee, chief of the community and a farmer himself. The organic fertilizers used in the farmers’ fields are the compost from farm products and animal dungs, bio-fermented liquid from kitchen wastes, fermented liquid from neem (Azadirachta indica) for pest control, and green manure from Crotalaria juncia. The crops grown have been rice and vegetables, medicinal herbs and sesame, which are certified as organic products; they command higher prices (more than 20%). Compost is the main organic fertilizer compared to others.
The objectives of organic farming are to produce organic crops, improve soil fertility, reduce wastes for friendly environment, get higher income and enhance good health for both producers and consumers. The procedure of making compost: The materials used for making compost are 1,000 kg of burnt rice husk, 3,000 kg of cattle manure/poultry manure, 3,000 kg of farm residues, 1,000 kg of coarse bran, 500 kg of fine bran, 1,000 kg of rice husk and 500 liters of organic-fermented liquid, all being thoroughly mixed by using a tractor. The allocation of compost: an amount of 300 kg of compost (20 bags) is given to each member to ferment at the farm by turning the bags occasionally before applying to a 3-rai land. There are several government organizations and private sectors that support this community of farmers, and a learning center was thus established. Up to now, the Land Development Department has been providing the knowledge of making compost and bio-fertilizer liquid; It also has been distributing green mature seeds and activators of bacteria and fungi. The Department of Agricultural Extension provided funding to establish the learning and training center and to produce materials used for training together with private sectors under CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). The Cooperative Promotion Department supported by keeping household accounts. The local community administration set up several market places and promoted the products to be purchased by hospitals and restaurants. The organic crop products have been certified by OACT (Organic Agriculture Certification of Thailand) and IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements). The Department of Groundwater provided groundwater by drilling holes at 30-40 m deep. The Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency provided solar cells as the source of energy. The noticeable benefit of organic farming is that farmers have better health, the soil has become more fertile and the expenditure decreased. The farmers have been satisfied of their own lifestyle and did not migrate to the city. They have been committed to developing their land by using organic fertilizers continuously. The average income has increased from 7,500 THB/rai to 12,000 THB/rai. The main problem has been the transportation of the organic fertilizers which are bulky, but it can be overcome by producing them on site where needed.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos 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:

1989

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

• The land user got knowledge from training abroad.

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

3.4 Water supply

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

• rainfed

Comments:

The rainfall in this area was 1,562 mm/yr in 30-year period (1981-2010).

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• integrated crop-livestock management
• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• integrated soil fertility management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

The land degradation has been caused by man, e.g. deforestation, the overuse of agricultural chemical substances.

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

Comments:

The organic fertilizer/ compost could improve soil structure, reduce bulk density, increase soil aeration, easy to plough, decrease the hard pan and spread out the plant roots. Consequently, plant roots could absorb more nutrients.

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

THB

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

32.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Gathering the materials	December-April
2.	Making compost	December-April
3.	Applying to paddy field	May-June

Comments:

The kinds of materials may differ according to the amount of residues at that time.

4.4 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 making compost	Man-day	8.0	300.0	2400.0
Equipment	Tractor	hour	2.5	1250.0	3125.0
Equipment	Transportation cost	hour	1.5	350.0	525.0
Plant material	Animal manures, burned rice husk, bran	kg	10000.0	0.655	6550.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					12600.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					393.75

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

Naso Rice Farmer Group

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Turn the compost bags during fermentation process.	Every week until 75 days

4.6 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	Turn the compost bags during fermentation process	Day	1.0	300.0	300.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					300.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					9.38

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

Land Development Department

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Most of the costs depend on raw material price and wages cost (both labour and equipment)

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 used by land users applying the Technology

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

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Water use rights:

• individual

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Comments:

The land owners have full right in their land, so they are able to manage and develop their land.

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

Water cycle/ runoff

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	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	moderately
seasonal temperature	summer	increase	moderately
seasonal temperature	wet/ rainy season	increase	moderately
annual rainfall		increase	moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	moderately
local thunderstorm	moderately
local hailstorm	moderately

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	moderately

Biological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
epidemic diseases	moderately
insect/ worm infestation	moderately

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
extended growing period	moderately
reduced growing period	moderately

Comments:

The changes of environment have rather low effects to organic fertilizer production technology.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

Comments:

There are no maintenance expenses on this technology because it is consumable.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

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

• 51-90%

6.6 Adaptation

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

Yes

other (specify):

changing upon materials in the local area

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

The materials for making compost might be changed; for example, filter cake might be changed to water hyacinth or other aqua weeds.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The organic fertilizers are suitable for soil improvement, thus increasing soil fertility.
The use of organic fertilizers can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers.
It is a wise alternative to use agricultural residues to obtain more benefits.
Develop bargaining power to sell the products.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The farmers have high leadership and high self-reliance.
The farmers have multi-knowledge which can be adapted to the farm activities.
The organic fertilizer is the key factor for organic farming.
The organic fertilizer can promote the utilization of local residues sustainably.

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?
The organic fertilizer transportation is a hard work.	The organic fertilizer can be produced in paddy fields.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Some farmers do not have the confidence in using organic fertilizer.	Responsible persons are urged to do more in the matter of technology transfer to effectively increase the understanding of farmers.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Organic fertilizer, production, using, and quality. Department of Agriculture. 2005. ISBN 974-436-479-3

Available from where? Costs?

http://aglib.doa.go.th/lib/images/Downloads/2549/EB00280.pdf

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Organic fertilizer, production, using, and quality. Department of Agriculture. 2005. ISBN 974-436-479-3

URL:

http://aglib.doa.go.th/lib/images/Downloads/2549/EB00280.pdf

7.4 General comments

where the land is greener : WOCAT