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)

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)

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

National Soil Services Centre, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock (NSSC) - Bután

1.3 Condiciones referidas al uso de datos documentados mediante WOCAT

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

19/07/2023

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

Sí

2.1 Breve descripción del Enfoque

The improved pasture development approach focuses on enhancing pasture productivity, which is managed sustainably for grazing. Livestock productivity depends greatly on improved pastures. It is very important to manage pastures to support the livelihoods of rural communities in Bhutan.

2.2 Descripción detallada del Enfoque MST

Descripción detallada del Enfoque MST:

The improved pasture development approach in Bhutan started at the beginning of the 5th Five Year Plan (1982-1987). Thangbi village, Bumthang, focuses on enhancing pastureland productivity and sustainability through the cultivation of improved varieties of grasses provided by the project. This initiative not only prevents land degradation and erosion but also enhances fertility by introducing leguminous species like clover. In temperate areas, improved pasture consists of a mixture of white clover, tall fescue, cocksfoot, and Italian ryegrass while in the subtropical areas, green leaf desmodium, molasses grass (Melinis sp.), ruzi grass (Brachiaria sp.), and stylo are grown.
Given the significant role livestock plays in the livelihood of Bhutanese communities, where productivity is strongly influenced by seasonal variations in fodder availability, improved pasture development addresses crucial objectives. These are: 1) Enhancing the resilience of pasture ecosystems to ensure continuous, high-quality fodder production; 2) Increasing forage availability and quality by promoting the cultivation of improved fodder species; and 3) Improving livestock productivity, directly impacting income generation through increased yields of animal products - especially of milk, cheese, and butter.
Implementation involves four stages: 1) Initial assessments of pasture conditions and land suitability, conducted by livestock extension officials; 2) Planning sessions involving officials from the Department of Livestock and land users; 3) Establishment of the identified areas for growing improved fodder species; and 4) Management of improved pasture plots by land users, accompanied by regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure effectiveness.
Key stakeholders in this approach include livestock extension agents and community members. Livestock extension agents act as a liaison between the community and the government. They also procure and distribute fodder grass seeds. Community members establish pastures in their farms, taking on responsibilities such as monitoring the water supply and caring for the grasses throughout their growing seasons.
Land users appreciate the approach because it ensures abundant fodder availability year-round, improving milk production through the cultivation of superior grass species, and reducing the workload associated with foraging in forests or tending grazing cows. However, concerns raised by land users include a reduction in cultivable land due to fodder grass cultivation and a lack of training regarding fodder management for those involved in the approach.

2.3 Fotos 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

1) Enhance the resilience of pasture ecosystems: For countries like Bhutan, fodder production is largely affected by season and during off season, the productivity goes down drastically, leaving many land users in distress. Therefore, improved pasture development enables land users to continuously harvest quality fodder for their cows.
2) Increase forage availability and quality: The improved pasture development approach not only focuses on the production of fodder in quantity but also the quality by encouraging land users to grow improved varieties of fodder species.
3) Improve livestock productivity: Improving productivity is the primary objective as it directly connects to the quantity of animal produce like milk, cheese, butter, etc., that affects the income generated.

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	pasivo	Livestock extension agent upon consultation with research centers will carry out initial assessments of pasture conditions (which species of pasture grass species to be grown) and land suitability study.
planificación	interactivo	The livestock extension agent and the community members decided on how to establish and implement the project.
implementación	auto-movilización	In the initiation phase grass species are already identified and once planning is done. Land users will be provided seeds and they have to establish the pasture on their own.
monitoreo y evaluación	auto-movilización	Monitoring of pasture field is normally done by the community members, and ocasionally it is monitored by the extension for scheduled reporting purpose.

3.3 Flujograma (si estuviera disponible)

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

Las decisiones para la selección de la/s Tecnología(s) fueron tomadas:

• Livestock extension agent

Explique:

The livestock extension agent in consultation with relevant agencies procure and supply pasture grass seeds to interested farmers for pasture development.

• Consultation with research centers

4.1 Construcción de capacidades / capacitación

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

No

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

Describa/ comentarios:

Whenever community members require any sort of technical assistance or advisory services, Livestock Extension agent at their capacity provides the support. however, if higher intervention is required EA solicit supports from the dzongkhag, Central programs and the department of livestockand accordingly provide assistance.

4.3 Fortalecimiento institucional (desarrollo institucional)

¿Se establecieron o fortalecieron instituciones mediante el Enfoque?

• sí, un poco

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

• local

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

The livelihood of the community has been relatively better with the improved pasture development.

• Planting materials

Proporcione detalles adicionales:

The extension agent would provide improved pasture grass seeds based on the availability of budget for seeds procurement.

4.4 Monitoreo y evaluación

¿El monitoreo y la evaluación forman parte del Enfoque?

Sí

Comentarios:

Monitoring is mostly done by the community members.

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

No

4.5 Investigación

¿La investigación formó parte del Enfoque?

No

5.1 Presupuesto anual para el componente MST del Enfoque

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

• 10,000-100,000

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

The funding is mostly in terms of cost of the improved pasture grass varieties.

5.2 Apoyo financiero/material proporcionado a los usuarios de tierras

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

No

5.3 Subsidios para insumos específicos (incluyendo mano de obra)

• ninguno

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?

No

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)?

• incierto

Si respondió no o incierto, especifique y comente:

The community member were unsure about its sustainability due to several factors such as rural urban migration and so on.

6.4 Fortalezas/ ventajas del Enfoque

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra
Reduced workload
Fodder available in large amount
Higher milk production

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave
Reduction of surface runoff
Increase fertility of the soil

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?
Reduction in cultivated land
Land users have to depend on livestock officers for seeds	Training on seed production can be given to enhance their skills

7.1 Métodos/ fuentes de información

7.2 Referencias a publicaciones disponibles

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

Marzban, S. & Valizadeh, N. (2020). Pasture Development: Fundamentals and Managerial Perspectives.

¿Dónde se halla disponible? ¿Costo?

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339074876_Pasture_Development_Fundamentals_and_Managerial_Perspectives

7.3 Vínculos a la información relevante disponible en línea

Título/ descripción:

Improving the quality of pastures

URL:

https://business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/sustainable/graze/pasture/improve

Título/ descripción:

Pasture Development on Small Farms

URL:

https://farmstyle.com.au/news/pasture-development-small-farms

Título/ descripción:

Strategies for improving run down pastures

URL:

https://www.incitecpivotfertilisers.com.au/news-and-insights/agronomic-insights/pasture/strategies-for-improving-run-down-pastures

Título/ descripción:

Pasture Management: Effective Planning & Implementation

URL:

https://eos.com/blog/pasture-management/