1.2 Detalles de contacto de las personas de referencia e instituciones involucradas en la evaluación y la documentación del Enfoque

Nombre del proyecto que facilitó la documentación/ evaluación del Enfoque (si fuera relevante)

Soil protection and rehabilitation for food security (ProSo(i)l)

Nombre de la(s) institución(es) que facilitaron la documentación/ evaluación del Enfoque si fuera relevante)

CIAT International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT International Center for Tropical Agriculture) - Kenia

1.3 Condiciones referidas al uso de datos documentados mediante WOCAT

¿Cuándo se compilaron los datos (en el campo)?

07/02/2023

El compilador y la/s persona(s) de referencia claves aceptan las condiciones acerca del uso de los datos documentados mediante WOCAT :

Sí

1.4 Referencia/s al/los Cuestionario(s) de Tecnologías MST

2.1 Breve descripción del Enfoque

The Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) approach has been adopted under the Integrated Soil Fertility Management Project (ISFM+). It was introduced as a quick-win solution to increase both crop and biomass production through the incremental promotion of varied but complementary technology packages.

2.2 Descripción detallada del Enfoque MST

Descripción detallada del Enfoque MST:

The Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) approach is intended to increase both crop and biomass production through the incremental promotion of varied but complementary technology packages. These include the production and use of organic fertilizers, treatment of soil acidity, and improved retention of crop residue. All help in reducing the depletion (mining) of soil nutrients. One characteristic feature is the engagement of research and development partners at all levels such as in joint problem identification, learning, participatory planning, piloting technology, and exchange visits. The approach involves model farmers and also focuses on farmers with limited means to purchase chemical fertilizers. It enhances the production of organic fertilizers to increase both soil fertility and crop productivity. Furthermore, ISFM enables farmers to generate off-farm and on-farm income through the production and sale of organic fertilizers, vermiworms, and green manure seeds, etc. The partners assist in identifying soil-related issues, as well as enhancing the adoption and institutionalization of the approach. ISFM aims to improve stakeholders' understanding of land degradation issues and the necessity of SLM by creating access to relevant seasonal training, exposure visits, collective learning, and action.
Project focal persons representing partners at different levels and development agents (DAs) are used to facilitate the process and serve as potential links with stakeholders. At the local level, the Farmers Research and Extension Group (FREG) sub-approach supports the implementation of the technologies on an incremental basis (see WOCAT database). Also, the Soil Fertility Improvement Cluster approach (see WOCAT database) assists in scaling out of the ISFM approach by adopting and superimposing technologies such as vermicompost with improved compost production. Farmer ambassadors are identified from the FREG model based on their performance. They assist in mainstreaming and dissemination of the approach and technologies to indirect beneficiaries. The implementation process of the ISFM involves district and kebele selection, identification of watersheds and voluntary farmers, provision of capacity-building training, conducting participatory planning, supplying inputs, and technical support. To realize the aims, the ISFM+ allocates financial support to the partners at different levels via Local Subsidy Contract.
Project staff including federal and regional advisors are involved. They provide training, technical backstopping, reviewing progress, M&E, and feedback services. District focal person closely follows up on the implementation - with the support of DAs in steering farmers' group meetings and collective learning. In addition, DAs assist in piloting on farm short and long-term demonstrations, organizing field days and exchange visits, collecting data, and overseeing activities.
Land users like the technologies introduced and implemented via the ISFM approach. The promotion of collective learning and action leads to increased soil fertility, and improved crop production and smallholders' livelihoods. The creation of new sources of income for land users is among the benefits they appreciate the most. However, farmers are less enthusiastic by the way that group meetings clash with their other activities and this leads to some members dropping out. Also, the cost of technologies promoted by the ISFM such as combined uses of chemical fertilizers, bio-fertilizers (for legumes), organic fertilizers, and quality seeds are envisaged as a possible constraint among others.

2.3 Fotos del Enfoque

2.4 Videos del Enfoque

2.5 País/ región/ lugares donde el Enfoque fue aplicado

2.6 Fechas de inicio y conclusión del Enfoque

2.7 Tipo de Enfoque

• proyecto/ basado en un programa

2.8 Propósitos/ objetivos principales del Enfoque

The main objective of the approach is to promote the integration of technologies, collective learning, and action for treating degraded soil, increasing soil fertility and crop productivity while ensuring sustainable uses of land.

2.9 Condiciones que facilitan o impiden la implementación de la/s Tecnología/s aplicadas bajo el Enfoque

3.1 Partes interesadas involucradas en el Enfoque y sus roles

3.2 Involucramiento de los usuarios locales de tierras/ comunidades locales en las distintas fases del Enfoque

	Involucramiento de los usuarios locales de tierras/ comunidades locales	Especifique quién se involucró y describa las actividades
iniciación/ motivación	apoyo externo	District focal person and development agents. Facilitate the implementation right from awareness raising, farmers' group formation, training, supply inputs, and technically support the implementation.
planificación	interactivo	Regional advisor, focal persons, and the farmers. Each engaged in a participatory planning exercise.
implementación	interactivo	Farmers, focal persons, and development agents. Farmers implement the technologies being guided by the approach. Whereas, the focal person and development agents oversee and provide technical support.
monitoreo y evaluación	interactivo	Focal person, development agents, and land users. They conduct participatory M&E to ensure collective learning.

3.3 Flujograma (si estuviera disponible)

3.4 La toma de decisiones en la selección de Tecnología(s) MST

Especifique quién decidió la selección de las Tecnología/ Tecnologías a implementarse:

• principalmente usuarios de tierras con el apoyo de especialistas MST

Especifique las bases que sustentaron la toma de decisiones:

• la evaluación de conocimiento MST bien documentado (la toma de decisiones se basa en evidencia)
• hallazgos de investigaciones
• la experiencia personal y opiniones (no documentadas)

4.1 Construcción de capacidades / capacitación

¿Se proporcionó la capacitación a usuarios de tierras/ otras partes interesadas?

Sí

Especifique quién fue capacitado:

• usuarios de tierras
• personal de campo/ consejeros

Si fuese relevante, también especifique género, edad, estatus, etnicidad, etc.

One-third of the land users represented by female farmers.

Forma de capacitación:

• en el contexto de trabajo
• de agricultor a agricultor
• áreas de demostración
• reuniones públicas

Temas avanzados:

Soil degradation, rehabilitation of the degraded soil using different technologies and agronomic practices notably lime, organic fertilizers, bio fertilizer, crop residue management, mixed cropping, green manuring, application of minimum tillage practices, etc.

4.2 Servicio de asesoría

¿Los usuarios de tierras tienen acceso a un servicio de asesoría?

Sí

Especifique si servicio proporcionado se realizó:

• en los campos de los usuarios de tierras
• en centros permanentes

Describa/ comentarios:

Advisory services are provided by the focal person and development agents at Farmers Training Center and on the farmers' field.

4.3 Fortalecimiento institucional (desarrollo institucional)

¿Se establecieron o fortalecieron instituciones mediante el Enfoque?

• sí, moderadamente

Especifique el nivel o los niveles en los que se fortalecieron o establecieron las instituciones:

• local

Describa la institución, roles y responsabilidades, miembros, etc.

Farmers Research and Extension Group (FREG) has been established at the local level and has been serving as an approach at the local level. It has been serving as a local platform that brings members of the farmers' group together in participatory planning and joint learning of the technologies piloted on the farmer's field and short and long-term demonstrations.

Especifique el tipo de apoyo:

• financiero
• construcción de capacidades/ entrenamiento
• equipo

Proporcione detalles adicionales:

The project provides financial support through the Local Subsidy Contract. Capacity building is central to the implementation of the project. Farm tools as an incentive for the best-performing farmers and on-field soil testing equipment are provided to support the partner organizations scaling out the implementation of ISFM.

4.4 Monitoreo y evaluación

¿El monitoreo y la evaluación forman parte del Enfoque?

Sí

Comentarios:

Monitoring and evaluation is the pillar of the project activities and the adopted approach. The project along with implementing partners pilot short-term and long-term demonstrations, monitor the progress, and evaluate the achievements. Therefore, M&E is a regular activity in which the federal and regional project advisors rely on to generate feedbacks to amend or improve the implementation of the project activities.

Si respondió que sí, ¿la documentación se utilizará para monitoreo y evaluación?

Sí

Comentarios:

This document can simultaneously be used for documenting the approach and monitoring and evaluation.

4.5 Investigación

¿La investigación formó parte del Enfoque?

Sí

Especifique los temas:

• tecnología

Proporcione detalles adicionales e indique quién hizo la investigación:

The research targets the feasibility of the technologies introduced via the ISFM approach and the project itself. The role of integrating different technology packages in improving soil fertility and crop productivity is also among the focuses of the research.

5.1 Presupuesto anual para el componente MST del Enfoque

Si no se conoce el presupuesto anual preciso, indique el rango:

• 2,000-10,000

Comentarios (ej. fuentes principales de financiamiento/ donantes principales):

ISFM+ is the source of the budget. A local Subsidy Contract (LSC) has been provided to partner organizations to effectively implement and follow up the activities with an additional allocation of finance for inputs and services.

5.2 Apoyo financiero/material proporcionado a los usuarios de tierras

¿Los usuarios de tierras recibieron financiamiento/ apoyo material para implementar la Tecnología/ Tecnologías? :

Sí

Si respondió sí, especifique el tipo o los tipos de apoyo, condiciones y proveedor(es) :

The project introduces technologies, provides inputs (improved seeds, chemical fertilizers, lime), and seldom supplies farm tools for a few well-performing models as an incentive.

5.3 Subsidios para insumos específicos (incluyendo mano de obra)

• ninguno

• agrícola

5.4 Crédito

¿Se proporcionó crédito bajo el Enfoque para actividades MST?

No

5.5 Otros incentivos o instrumentos

¿Se usaron otros incentivos o instrumentos para promover la implementación de Tecnologías MST?

Sí

Si fuera el caso, especifique :

Farm tools for outstanding farmers as well as a solar panel for residents in a rural setting as an incentive for well-performing in adopting the approach and proper implementation of the project.

6.1 Impactos del Enfoque

6.2 Motivación principal del usuario de la tierra para implementar MST

6.3 Sostenibilidad de las actividades del Enfoque

¿Pueden los usuarios de tierras sostener lo que se implementó mediante el Enfoque (sin apoyo externo)?

• sí

Si respondió que sí, describa cómo:

As the production of organic fertilizers adopted on an individual basis and tangible benefit acquired from the implementation of the integrated approach introduced via the approach as well as the increasingly growing supply of lime for acid soil amendments similar to other chemical fertilizers, the likelihood of sustaining the approach for implementing integrated technologies is inevitable. Besides, the public organizations for instance bureaus of Agriculture and line offices such as in west Oromia of Jimma and Buno-Bedele zones institutionalized the production and uses of organic fertilizers via huge investments in establishing vermiculture centers to reach out to the large majority of smallholders subjected to soil degradation issues.

6.4 Fortalezas/ ventajas del Enfoque

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra
It promotes collective learning and action among smallholders living in a homogenous landscape facing similar land/soil degradation issues.
It enhances soil fertility and soil health by introducing integrated technologies and creating evidence-based learning.
Gain widespread publicity that allows the public and land users to build trust in the approach and component technologies that positively impact the livelihood of smallholders and the land in general.

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave
The approach has been adopted and institutionalized within the government's mainstream rural development and agricultural extension.
The project and the implementation approach are in line with the government's short and long-term plan to ensure the food and nutrition security of the nations while conserving natural resource basis.
Integration is basic to address the nexus of issues that combine knowledge and skills development, the introduction of important agricultural inputs, technologies, or practices, all in one.

6.5 Debilidades/ desventajas del Enfoque y formas de sobreponerse a ellos

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
Integrating technologies/practices and inputs via the approach has cost implications.	Promote the land user's awareness of the cost-benefit of adopting the approach and introduction of subsidy to some inputs such as agriculture lime for acid soil amendments.
The approach drives labor-demanding technologies and practices.	Promote collective action through adopting labor share arrangements as well as efficiently use family labor for follow-up of the production of organic fertilizers by task sharing.
The high investment cost for some technologies is promoted by the approach.	Enable land users to make the right choices of diverse technologies catered through the project and the adopted approach.
Delay in supply of agricultural inputs such as agricultural lime	Encourage private sectors involvement or the agro dealers in the supply of the agricultural inputs.

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
The limited scope of the project implementation sites.	To try to reach out to similar landscapes with similar land degradation issues including the marginal regions. Or else, institutionalize the approach at the national level so that the public sector takes up and popularizes it in areas with similar problems.
The collaboration and collective action at local levels through the existing platform is staggered by new arrivals and other local administrative chores.	Local government actors and partners need to be well aware and give due emphasis beyond considering the intervention implemented through ISFM as merely project activities that usually come and go.

7.1 Métodos/ fuentes de información

7.2 Referencias a publicaciones disponibles

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

Leta, G., Schulz, S., Alemu, G. 2020. Agricultural extension approach: evidence from an Integrated Soil Fertility Management project in Ethiopia. Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering, 7(4): 1-13. DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2020331

¿Dónde se halla disponible? ¿Costo?

Free online

7.3 Vínculos a la información relevante disponible en línea

Título/ descripción:

Integrated Soil Fertility Management

URL:

https://ifdc.org/integrated-soil-fertility-management-isfm/