1.2 Coordonnées des personnes-ressources et des institutions impliquées dans l'évaluation et la documentation de l'Approche

Nom du projet qui a facilité la documentation/ l'évaluation de l'Approche (si pertinent)

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)

Nom du ou des institutions qui ont facilité la documentation/ l'évaluation de l'Approche (si pertinent)

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

1.3 Conditions relatives à l'utilisation par WOCAT des données documentées

Quand les données ont-elles été compilées (sur le terrain)?

19/07/2023

Le compilateur et la(les) personne(s) ressource(s) acceptent les conditions relatives à l'utilisation par WOCAT des données documentées:

Oui

2.1 Courte description de l'Approche

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 Description détaillée de l'Approche

Description détaillée de l'Approche:

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 Photos de l'approche

2.5 Pays/ région/ lieux où l'Approche a été appliquée

2.6 Dates de début et de fin de l'Approche

2.7 Type d'Approche

• fondé sur un projet/ programme

2.8 Principaux objectifs de l'Approche

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 Conditions favorisant ou entravant la mise en œuvre de la(des) Technologie(s) appliquée(s) sous l'Approche

3.1 Parties prenantes impliquées dans l'Approche et rôles

3.2 Participation des exploitants locaux des terres/ communautés locales aux différentes phases de l'Approche

	Participation des exploitants locaux des terres/ communautés locales	Spécifiez qui était impliqué et décrivez les activités
initiation/ motivation	passive	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.
planification	interactive	The livestock extension agent and the community members decided on how to establish and implement the project.
mise en œuvre	auto-mobilisation	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.
suivi/ évaluation	auto-mobilisation	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 Diagramme/ organigramme (si disponible)

3.4 Prises de décision pour la sélection de la Technologie/ des Technologies

Les décisions concernant la sélection de la(des) Technologie(s) ont elles été prises:

• Livestock extension agent

Expliquez:

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 Renforcement des capacités/ formation

Une formation a-t-elle été dispensée aux exploitants des terres/ autres parties prenantes?

Non

4.2 Service de conseils

Les exploitants des terres ont-ils accès à un service de conseils?

Oui

Spécifiez si le service de conseils est fourni:

• dans les champs des exploitants?

Décrivez/ commentez:

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 Renforcement des institutions (développement organisationnel)

Des institutions ont elles été mises en place ou renforcées par le biais de l'Approche?

• oui, un peu

Spécifiez à quel(s) niveau(x), ces institutions ont été renforcées ou mises en place:

• local

Décrivez l'institution, ses rôles et responsabilités, ses membres, etc.

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

• Planting materials

Donnez plus de détails:

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

4.4 Suivi et évaluation

Le suivi et l'évaluation font ils partie de l'Approche? :

Oui

Commentaires:

Monitoring is mostly done by the community members.

Si oui, ce document est-il destiné à être utilisé pour le suivi et l'évaluation?

Non

4.5 Recherche

La recherche a-t-elle fait partie intégrante de l’Approche?

Non

5.1 Budget annuel de la composante GDT de l'Approche

Si le budget annuel précis n'est pas connu, indiquez une fourchette:

• 10 000-100 000

Commentez (par ex. principales sources de financement/ principaux bailleurs de fonds):

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

5.2 Soutiens financiers/ matériels fournis aux exploitants des terres

Les exploitants des terres ont-ils reçu un soutien financier/ matériel pour la mise en œuvre de la Technologie/ des Technologies?

Non

5.3 Subventions pour des intrants spécifiques (incluant la main d'œuvre)

• aucun

5.4 Crédits

Des crédits ont-ils été alloués à travers l'Approche pour les activités de GDT?

Non

5.5 Autres incitations ou instruments

D'autres incitations ou instruments ont-ils été utilisés pour promouvoir la mise en œuvre des Technologies de GDT?

Non

6.1 Impacts de l'Approche

6.2 Principale motivation des exploitants des terres pour mettre en œuvre la GDT

6.3 Durabilité des activités de l'Approche

Les exploitants des terres peuvent-ils poursuivre ce qui a été mis en œuvre par le biais de l'Approche (sans soutien extérieur)?

• incertain

Si non ou incertain, spécifiez et commentez:

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

6.4 Points forts/ avantages de l'Approche

Points forts/ avantages/ possibilités du point de vue de l'exploitant des terres
Reduced workload
Fodder available in large amount
Higher milk production

Points forts/ avantages/ possibilités du point de vue du compilateur ou d'une autre personne ressource clé
Reduction of surface runoff
Increase fertility of the soil

6.5 Faiblesses/ inconvénients de l'Approche et moyens de les surmonter

Faiblesses/ inconvénients/ risques du point de vue de l’exploitant des terres	Comment peuvent-ils être surmontés?
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 Méthodes/ sources d'information

7.2 Références des publications disponibles

Titre, auteur, année, ISBN:

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

Disponible à partir d'où? Coût?

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

7.3 Liens vers les informations pertinentes disponibles en ligne

Titre/ description:

Improving the quality of pastures

URL:

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

Titre/ description:

Pasture Development on Small Farms

URL:

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

Titre/ description:

Strategies for improving run down pastures

URL:

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

Titre/ description:

Pasture Management: Effective Planning & Implementation

URL:

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