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)

Strengthening national-level institutional and professional capacities of country Parties towards enhanced UNCCD monitoring and reporting – GEF 7 EA Umbrella II (GEF 7 UNCCD Enabling Activities_Umbrella II)

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

National Soil Services Center, Department of Agric (National Soil Services Center, Department of Agric) - Bhutan

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 technology is practiced for decades without any problems regarding land degradation. While leaf litter collection can have positive effects when managed sustainably, there are also potential negative impacts associated with excessive or improper leaf litter collection

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Leaf litter collection is the practice of collecting leaf litter from a designated forest area called sokshing and using it as bedding material for cattle. It then forms a constituent of farmyard manure which is applied to farmland.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Leaf litter collection, is the practice of collecting leaf litter from a designated forest area called sokshing and using it as bedding material for cattle. It then forms a constituent of farmyard manure which is applied to farmland. The term 'sokshing' comes from 'sok' meaning leaf litter and 'shing' meaning tree. The tradition of harvesting leaf litter from a designated forest area for agricultural use has been in practice for decades in the life of Bhutanese farmer (Chettri et al., 2012). According to BHUCAT, 2012, the use of sokshing is a widely used traditional farming practice in Bhutan with dominance in temperate regions but spreading into more humid subtropical areas. Leaf litter from the forests is used for the purpose of livestock bedding and then farmyard manure (FYM) production. Leaf litter as animal bedding is kept for a few months to almost a year. In Bhutanese society leaf litter is an important component of agriculture because of its contribution to manure production with most communities having designated specific forest management units for its production and collection for individuals or for communities. Sokshing is an important and highly relevant system and it continues to be important for villagers, even in the face of changing livelihood and institutional orientations. The government recognises sokshing and its institutions as a relevant mechanism for community forest management (Dorji et al., 2003).
Leaf litter, predominantly gathered during the winter when the leaves have fallen, is collected from the forest floor by cleaning the entire understorey. It is carried to the farm and stored before being used as bedding material for cattle, providing comfort and insulation from cold. It is then mixed with cattle manure to form farmyard manure (FYM), (BHUCAT, 2012). FYM and mineral fertilizers are the two main sources of plant nutrients in Bhutan. Farmers not only depend on forests for leaf litter but also for livestock feed and construction materials (Gautam, 2009). FYM is a mixture of animal dung, crop residues, and other organic materials and plays a vital role in enhancing soil fertility and improving crop productivity. Its application to agricultural fields provides numerous benefits. Recent research by Gupta et al. (2022) demonstrated the positive impact of FYM on soil health and crop yields. The study found that FYM application significantly increased soil organic carbon content, which is essential for soil structure, water holding capacity, and nutrient retention. Furthermore, FYM enhanced the availability of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, promoting optimal plant growth and development. Additionally, FYM improved soil microbial activity, leading to enhanced nutrient cycling and improved nutrient uptake by plants.
Leaf litter collection plays a role in ecosystem health and functioning. The accumulation of fallen leaves on the forest floor contributes to nutrient cycling, soil health, and moisture retention. Despite its benefits, the sokshing process exposes the forest's soil to erosion because all the leaves, debris, and undergrowth are removed. Nutrient mining occurs over time as a result of the annual removal of leaf litter, and many sokshing forests exhibit stunted growth and other signs of forest degradation. However, on balance, when used in conjunction with dairy production, sokshing offers a low-cost, readily available supply of bedding and then organic fertilizer, although it is labour-intensive.
In some situations, there may be specific benefits in removing the litter. A recent study by Jiang et al. (2021) emphasized the importance of leaf litter collection for mitigating the negative impacts of invasive species. The research found that invasive plants can alter the decomposition rates of leaf litter, disrupting nutrient cycling and leading to changes in soil properties. By collecting leaf litter, especially in areas where invasive species are prevalent, we can minimize their detrimental effects and help preserve the ecological balance.

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

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Traditional farming practices in Bhutan

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• create beneficial economic impact
• create beneficial social impact

• Bedding materials for cattle

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

Comments:

Owner grows all the cereal crops (Locally known as 'Dru na gu'). The farm is the focus for the FYM application so that is described here.

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:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agroforestry

Comments:

Owner grows all the cereal crops (Locally known as 'Dru na gu'). The farm is the focus for the FYM application so that is described here.

3.4 Water supply

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

Irrigation is relied upon for crops like chili and cole crops when rainfed conditions are insufficient.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• natural and semi-natural forest management
• integrated crop-livestock management
• integrated soil fertility management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

They are collecting leaf litter from forest

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

that farmland is protected against degradation because FYM application however, Forest land are left barren after collecting the residues exposing the area to natural calamities such as erosion, destroying natural habitats of microorganisms.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• not applicable

Comments:

While this technology may not directly address land degradation, it involves utilizing forest residues to produce farmyard manure (FYM) for crop cultivation, leading to improved fertility of the cultivated land. however there are also potential negative impacts associated with excessive or improper leaf litter collection to the forest area.

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 unit

other/ national currency (specify):

Ngultrum

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

82.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Site selection	Winter
2.	Collection of cosnstruction materials	Before on set of rain
3.	hiring of labors	Before the cultivation
4.	Construction of the cow shed	winter
5.	collection of leaf litters from the forest	winter
6.	Stocking and use of leaf litter as bedding materials in the cow shed	winter
7.	Let the leaf litter decompose for a month or more	anytime
8.	Application of FYM during the field preparation	Before the cultivation of crops

Comments:

Establishment is done based at his own convenience and he has to bear all the establishment cost

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		person days	15.0	800.0	12000.0	100.0
Equipment	Spade	no.	6.0			100.0
Equipment	crowbar	no.	3.0			100.0
Equipment	pickaxe	no.	2.0			100.0
Equipment	sickle	no.	3.0			100.0
Equipment	wire	metre	50.0			100.0
Equipment	knife	no.	3.0			100.0
Equipment	Power chain	no.	1.0			98.0
Construction material	nail	kg	1.0	500.0	500.0	100.0
Construction material	Timber	nos.	150.0	350.0	52500.0	100.0
Construction material	CGI sheet	nos.	20.0	780.0	15600.0	100.0
Other	Working Lunch and Refreshment	person day	15.0	410.0	6150.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					86750.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					1057.93

Comments:

All the cost for construction including labor charge and food are all covered by the owner

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Timber/wood change after damage caused by rain and heat
2.	CGI sheet replacement
3.	Leaf litter collection
4.	FYM production

Comments:

Repairment and repayment of construction materials are done when ever there is damage caused.

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		person	10.0	800.0	8000.0	100.0
Equipment	spade	nos	5.0			100.0
Equipment	crowbar	nos	3.0			100.0
Equipment	pickaxe	nos	2.0			100.0
Equipment	sickle	nos	3.0			100.0
Equipment	wire	metre	20.0			100.0
Equipment	knife	nos	3.0			100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Urea	packets	2.0	1300.0	2600.0	100.0
Construction material	Nail	kg	0.5	250.0	125.0	100.0
Construction material	Timber change	nos.	30.0	150.0	4500.0	100.0
Construction material	CGI sheet change	nos.	8.0	780.0	6240.0	100.0
Other	Working lunch and Refreshment	Per Person	10.0	410.0	4100.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					25565.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					311.77

Comments:

Maintenance cost are all borne by the owner

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

There are no additional off-farm income-generating activities besides vegetable production, which has an impact on the overall costs.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitude:
slope angles: 3%

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil Type: Sandy clay loam
MC (%): 6.84
OM (%): 7.98
OC (%): 4.64
pH (H20): 5.98
EC (µs/cm): 250.20
N (%):0.23
P (ppm):0.33
K (mg/100ml):140.07

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

The region comprises a mixture of forest, shrub-land, wetlands, alpine habitats, agricultural land, and areas around human habitation

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Owner is a native of Lingmukha

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

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

• Family

• Family

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

Water User Group and bylaws

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

Comments:

Many of the household are average earned farmers so they are accessible to good infrastructure facilities.

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Soil

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

Soil fertility and crop production improvement after technology.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

Disturbance to microorganisms and soil vegetation of forest. There may be downstream siltation if too much forest is denuded.

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	not well
annual rainfall		decrease	not known

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	moderately

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• > 50%

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

29 households

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

• 91-100%

Comments:

They have been using this technology for more than 5 decades without receiving materials, incentives and payments

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
Soil fertility improvement
Improved crop production.
Minimise the cost for buying chemical fertilizers.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Enhance soil structure
Sustainable nutrient recycling
Cost effective option or low cost technology

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?
Habitat alteration	Reforestation and one alternative can be use of kitchen waste
Labor intensive	Labor exchange and power tillers for transportation

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Depletion of forest recourses	Strong policy on leaf litter collection

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

NSSC Bhutan catalogue of soil and water conservation approaches and technologies, 2012

Available from where? Costs?

Website

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Traditional practice of leaf litter harvesting and utilization by farmers in west-central Bhutan: Paving the way for sustainable management

URL:

https://ag2.kku.ac.th/kaj/PDF.cfm?filename=07-Rekha.pdf&id=825&keeptrack=8

7.4 General comments

This technology doesn't fit easily into the form because it has three components (litter collection/ FYM production from bedding/ application to the field