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)

Decision Support for Mainstreaming and Scaling out Sustainable Land Management (GEF-FAO / DS-SLM)

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

Land Development Department (Land Development Department) - Tailandia

1.3 Condiciones referidas al uso de datos documentados mediante WOCAT

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

A “soil doctor” network in Khon Kaen province has transformed saline areas previously dedicated to rice cultivation into sustainable, integrated farming systems.

2.2 Descripción detallada del Enfoque MST

Descripción detallada del Enfoque MST:

Most agricultural areas in Northeast Thailand rely on rainfall, and some face the added challenge of saline soils. Rice is the dominant crop, cultivated primarily under rain-fed conditions. However, climate variability has intensified, leading to changes in rainfall distribution and creating further uncertainty for farmers. Additionally, labour shortages have emerged due to an ageing population and rising labour costs. In response to these challenges, adjusting the agricultural system from monoculture rice cultivation to integrated farming offers a viable alternative for enhancing sustainability. Integrated farming promotes product diversity and food security, helping farmers reduce risks associated with climate variability and market fluctuations.
The Soil Doctor Network, a community-based initiative supported by the Land Development Department, plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable land management. The program trains and empowers local farmers to become volunteer “soil doctors” who serve as local experts and advisors. These soil doctors undergo extensive training in soil management, integrated farming techniques, and sustainable agricultural practices. They assist fellow farmers in improving soil health and adopting more resilient farming methods. Soil doctors are organized into local networks at the village or sub-district level. Experienced soil doctors lead these networks, acting as coordinators to ensure effective communication and collaboration among members. They also liaise with government agencies to secure technical support, financial assistance, and up-to-date information on sustainable farming practices.
A Soil Doctor Network’s impact can be witnessed in Ban Doo Noy, Non Daeng sub-district, Non Sila district, Khon Kaen province. This area, previously dedicated to monoculture rice cultivation conducted once a year, has undergone significant transformation through the adoption of integrated farming. Farmers have leveled fields, widened levees, dug ponds, drilled artesian wells, and diversified their crop production. Today, the farms in Ban Doo Noy feature a variety of crops, including rice, papaya trees, bananas, and grass for livestock grown on the levees, alongside vegetable cultivation. Post-harvest crops such as sunn hemp, sweet corn, sugar cane, and cattle raising have been incorporated, further enhancing productivity and resilience. The integrated farming system has also effectively addressed the issue of saline soils by improving soil structure, preserving moisture, and reducing salinity accumulation. The use of cover crops, crop rotation, and organic matter enrichment has played a crucial role in mitigating soil salinity and preserving the natural ecosystem. These sustainable practices have improved soil fertility and water retention, enabling farmers to maintain long-term agricultural productivity.
Through the sustained efforts of the Soil Doctor Network, local land users in Northeast Thailand are now better equipped to manage their land sustainably. By fostering knowledge-sharing and community-driven initiatives, the network has empowered farmers to reduce their reliance on external support while ensuring long-term productivity and resilience in the face of climate and economic challenges.

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.To establish a network of soil doctors who apply integrated farming techniques for the sustainable use of saline soil areas.
2.To disseminate knowledge on creating food diversity for households located in saline soil regions.
3.To facilitate access to support from both government and private sectors.

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	interactivo	Focusing on creating awareness and building interest among local land users, SLM specialists, together with representatives from the Soil Doctor Network, engage local leaders, farmers, and landowners through meetings, workshops, and demonstrations to introduce the concept of integrated farming and its benefits. They emphasize raising awareness of the benefits of sustainable land management, such as improved soil health and increased productivity. Land users are motivated by the potential for higher yields, cost reduction, and long-term sustainability.
planificación	interactivo	Local land users are actively involved in the development of customized plans tailored to their specific needs and environmental conditions.
implementación	interactivo	The implementation phase involves hands-on application of the planned activities, with local communities taking the lead.
monitoreo y evaluación	interactivo	Local land users are actively involved in the development of customized plans tailored to their specific needs and environmental conditions. Participatory monitoring, data collection, and community feedback are conducted periodically to review progress, share experiences, and discuss challenges. Adjustments and Scaling Up based on the evaluation, necessary adjustments are made to improve practices. Successful methods are scaled up, and new farmers are encouraged to join the network.

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 por especialistas MST en consulta con usuarios de tierras

Explique:

SLM specialists begin by conducting field assessments and consultations with local land users to understand the specific challenges, then identify appropriate technologies, considering factors such as local soil type, climate, land use, and farming practices.

Especifique las bases que sustentaron la toma de decisiones:

• la evaluación de conocimiento MST bien documentado (la toma de decisiones se basa en evidencia)

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.

Individuals of all genders, aged 20 to 60, are trained.

Forma de capacitación:

• de agricultor a agricultor
• áreas de demostración
• reuniones públicas

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

4.3 Fortalecimiento institucional (desarrollo institucional)

¿Se establecieron o fortalecieron instituciones mediante el Enfoque?

• sí, mucho

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

• regional
• nacional

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

Institution roles and responsibilities: 1.Policy Formulation: Develops national policies, guidelines, and standards for sustainable land management.
2.Technical Support: Provides training, tools, and materials to local soil doctors and communities. 3.Capacity Building: Organizes training programs to enhance the skills of local soil doctors. 4.Monitoring and Evaluation: Oversees the implementation of the Soil Doctor Network and ensures that land users follow SLM practices effectively. 5.Research and Innovation: Conducts research on innovative farming technologies and sustainable practices and disseminates findings to local communities.

Especifique el tipo de apoyo:

• construcción de capacidades/ entrenamiento
• equipo

Proporcione detalles adicionales:

The approach fosters collaboration between institutions at different levels—government, local communities, research bodies, and the private sector, to ensure sustainability and scalability. Strengthening these institutions enhances local capacity, promotes shared responsibility, and ensures the continued success of the Soil Doctor Network for Integrated Farming.

4.4 Monitoreo y evaluación

¿El monitoreo y la evaluación forman parte del Enfoque?

Sí

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:

• < 2,000

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

Farmers and landowners spent their own money.

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)?

• sí

Si respondió que sí, describa cómo:

Land users can form local groups or cooperatives to share resources, exchange knowledge, and collectively address challenges. This reduces the need for external intervention by fostering peer-to-peer support. They can use locally available resources such as produce organic fertilizers (e.g., compost, manure) and soil amendments, reducing reliance on external inputs. Using simple soil-testing tools and techniques learned through the network, land users can periodically monitor soil health and adjust practices accordingly.

6.4 Fortalezas/ ventajas del Enfoque

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra
Having an opportunity to see managing the integrated farming area which has been achieved and being able to adjust it in their own areas.
Having points of exchanging learning in the community, being able to access them easily.
Having an opportunity to receive advice and exchange knowledge both from officers and the soil doctor network.
Having an opportunity to receive support from government agencies and local agencies.

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave
Transferring the technology of the soil doctor network about self-reliance, family labor and factors in the farm. This helps reduce production costs.
Prototype soil doctors always provide knowledge data regarding production and give advice regarding suitable practices. This helps bring about security in occupation of the network group using integrated farming technology.

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?
Requiring a period of time for at least 3 years until changes can be seen in areas of saline soil.

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
Agricultural areas are still affected from water qualities for agriculture from artesian wells in terms of receiving brackish water during the dry season.	Some farmers solve the problem by digging a pond in the field to pull water from the artesian well to be stored before using it in the agricultural plot.

7.1 Métodos/ fuentes de información