1.2 Detalhes do contato das pessoas capacitadas e instituições envolvidas na avaliação e documentação da abordagem

Nome da(s) instituição(ões) que facilitou(ram) a documentação/avaliação da Abordagem (se relevante)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

Nome da(s) instituição(ões) que facilitou(ram) a documentação/avaliação da Abordagem (se relevante)

Alliance Bioversity and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (Alliance Bioversity-CIAT) - Quênia

Nome da(s) instituição(ões) que facilitou(ram) a documentação/avaliação da Abordagem (se relevante)

Ecociate Consultants (Ecociate Consultants) - Índia

1.3 Condições em relação ao uso da informação documentada através de WOCAT

Quando os dados foram compilados (no campo)?

22/02/2023

O/a compilador/a e a(s) pessoa(s) capacitada(s) aceitam as condições relativas ao uso de dados documentados através da WOCAT:

Sim

2.1 Descrição curta da abordagem

A systematic approach has been developed under the project for collecting soil samples, conducting the soil test results, issuing soil health cards, building the capacity of farmers to interpret the soil health card and apply the required nutrients to the soil based on the soil test result

2.2 Descrição detalhada da abordagem

Descrição detalhada da abordagem:

Soil testing is a pre-cultivation activity that gives a good idea about soil structure and mineral composition ratios. The essential nutrients required for various crop growths can be estimated during soil testing. The Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) has established a state-of-the-art soil testing laboratory for testing soil samples in India's Mandla District of Madhya Pradesh. The soil test lab was established in 2016 with a capacity to test 1500-2000 soil samples every year. Based on a soil sampling process, it takes around 2 days to generate the soil test results for 20 soil samples. Collected soil samples are tested for 12 parameters. These parameters include Soil Ph, Soil organic carbon (SoC), electrical conductivity (EC), major nutrients like nitrogen(N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), secondary nutrients like sulphur, magnesium, iron, boron, zinc, manganese, and copper. Based on the soil test report, farmers are issued a soil health card with crop-specific recommendations for additional chemical and organic inputs into the soil.

To ensure the accuracy of the sampling process and proper dissemination of generated results among the farmers, FES has developed a very systematic process which consists of:

•the collection of soil samples
•the analysis of collected soil samples in an FES lab
•the issuance of soil health cards
•the interpretation of soil test results
•noticing of test results to farmers
•farmers are able to implement practices, recommended by the test result

The entire process, from soil sampling to dissemination, is briefly mentioned below:

•Developing the grids for a random collection of soil samples: The first step is to develop a geographical grid for collecting random samples based on predefined parameters. In the irrigated areas, samples are drawn in a grid of 2.5 ha, while in rainfed areas, samples are drawn from a grid of 10 ha. While developing the grid, farmers' fields are categorized into the following parameters. Each of the parameters is assigned a specific score, and based on the obtained score, each farmer’s land is given a specific number for easy identification on soil maps. These include the a) type of soil, b) type of field, e.g., upland, medium land, or low land, c) crop cycle (Single crop, multiple crops) d) The slope of the field. This entire exercise is a soil survey exercise used to develop soil maps for each geographical unit village, block, district.
•Collection of soil samples: From each classified grid, soil samples are collected from 5 different locations between the harvest of one crop and the sowing/planting of another crop when fields are vacant. The soil samples are collected at a depth of 5 to 15 cm. All the collected soil samples are mixed repeatedly, and a portion of the collected soil is kept aside each time. The mixing process is followed 5-6 times to ensure collected soil samples represent the entire area. Finally, around 500 gm of soil is packed in plastic polythene based on the above grid parameters.
•Soil sample analysis: Collected soil samples are transported to the centralized soil test lab in Mandla (MP) for testing and analysis. The samples are analyzed by qualified lab personnel. The analysis process for the above mentioned 12 parameters takes around 2 days (considering 8-9 working hours in a day).
•Issuance of soil health card: Based on the results obtained from the analysis, soil health cards are issued to farmers. The soil health card contains the following information in the local language (Hindi) so that farmers understand the test results and their implications:

a.Basic details of the farmer: name, address, soil grid, GPS coordinates, field identification number, etc.
b.Soil test results for above mentioned 12 parameters: results of the soil test in their respective units, standard numbers, grading of the obtained result (acidic/saline for PH., high, medium, low for other parameters)
c.Crop-wise soil correction recommendations for major crops: recommendations for synthetic fertilizers, biofertilizers, and compost
d.Pre-printed information with photos for identification of nutrient deficiency in the crops.

•Dissemination of soil health card to farmers: To ensure that farmers understand the results and implement the practices at their field, local community resource persons reach out to every farmer to make them understand the soil test results and closely monitor their farmers’ practices across the crop stages. Farmers are also encouraged to maintain farm diaries for their practices. They are also trained in the preparation of various bio-inputs and compost for application in their field.

2.3 Fotos da abordagem

2.5 País/região/locais onde a abordagem foi aplicada

2.6 Datas de início e término da abordagem

2.7 Tipo de abordagem

• Baseado em projeto/programa

2.8 Principais metas/objetivos da abordagem

1. Ensure judicious usage of fertilizers and micronutrients based on the requirement of the soil
2. Ensure quality soil testing and dissemination of results
3. Build farmers' capacity for interpretation of soil health cards
4. Develop soil maps based on the in-house results from the soil test lab

2.9 Condição que propiciam ou inibem a implementação de tecnologia/tecnologias aplicada(s) segundo a abordagem

3.1 Partes interessadas envolvidas na abordagem e seus papéis

3.2 Envolvimento do usuários de terra/comunidades locais nas diferentes fases da abordagem

	Envolvimento do usuários de terra/comunidades locais	Especifique quem estava envolvido e descreva as atividades
Iniciação/motivação	Passivo	The FES led the initiation of discussions with its donor organizations. Discussions with communities to understand the challenges and opportunities.
Planejamento	Participativo	Local community institutions played a significant role in the entire process of planning and execution
Implementação	Participativo	Farmers and community-based institutions were actively involved in implementing multiple activities under the project, such as collecting soil samples, supplying them to the soil test labs, and Implementing the recommended practices.
Monitoramento/avaliação	Participativo	Community-based institutions played an important role in monitoring individual farmers for implementing the recommendations provided to farmers. They also monitored the results regarding crop progress, crop productivity, and improvement in soil health status.

3.4 Decisão sobre a seleção de tecnologia/tecnologias de GST

Especifique quem decidiu sobre a seleção de tecnologia/tecnologias a serem implementadas:

• todos os atores relevantes, como parte de uma abordagem participativa

Explique:

All actors, including the farmers, CBO, NGO, and soil scientists, mutually discussed and decided on the implementation of technology as all stakeholders were equally crucial for the effective and result-oriented implementation of the technology.

Especifique em que base foram tomadas as decisões:

• Avaliação de conhecimento bem documentado de GST (tomada de decisão baseada em evidências)
• Resultados de pesquisa

4.1 Reforço das capacidades/ formação

Foi oferecida formação aos usuários da terra/outras partes interessadas?

Sim

Especifique quem foi capacitado:

• Usuários de terra
• Equipe de campo/consultores

Caso seja relevante, especifique gênero, idade, status, etnia, etc.

Both male and female farmers in all age groups were trained under the project. The majority of the farmers were from tribal communities.

Tipo de formação:

• Agricultor para agricultor
• Áreas de demonstração
• Reuniões públicas

Assuntos abordados:

1. Importance of soil testing for the judicious use of fertilizers
2. Methods for soil sample collection
3. Interpretation of soil health card
4. Dissemination of soil test results and ways and means for implementing the recommended practices following organic and non-organic implementation practices

4.2 Serviço de consultoria

Os usuários de terra têm acesso a um serviço de consultoria?

Sim

Especifique se foi oferecido serviço de consultoria:

• nas áreas dos usuários da terra

Descreva/comentários:

FES has a team of community-based resource persons from the local community and villages to provide advisory services to farmers

4.3 Fortalecimento da instituição (desenvolvimento organizacional)

As instituições foram fortalecidas ou estabelecidas através da abordagem?

• Sim, significativamente

Especifique a que nível (níveis) as instituições foram fortalecidas ou estabelecidas:

• Local

Descreva instituição, papéis e responsabilidades, membros, etc.

Village-level environment committees were formed to discuss the issues related to environmental concerns, livelihoods, and other social problems at the village level. These committees consist of male and female members representing the entire village.

Especifique o tipo de apoio:

• Financeiro
• Reforço das capacidades/ formação

Dê mais detalhes:

These committees were provided financial support to implement the identified activities based on the provision under the project and proposals submitted by the local committees. FES regularly provides training and handholding support to these committees.

4.4 Monitoramento e avaliação

Monitoramento e avaliação são partes da abordagem?

Sim

Comentários:

The soil health report card is very useful in monitoring of the status of soil health and measuring the impact of various practices and intervention

Caso afirmativo, esta documentação é destinada a ser utilizada para monitoramento e avaliação?

Não

4.5 Pesquisa

A pesquisa foi parte da abordagem?

Sim

Especifique os tópicos:

• Ecologia
• Tecnologia

5.1 Orçamento anual para o componente de GST da abordagem

Caso o orçamento exato seja desconhecido, indique a faixa:

• 2.000-10.000

Comentários (p. ex. principais fontes de recursos/principais doadores):

Externally funded projects (GIZ)

5.2 Apoio financeiro/material concedido aos usuários da terra

Os usuários da terra receberam apoio financeiro/material para a implementação de tecnologia/tecnologias?

Não

5.3 Subsídios para entradas específicas (incluindo mão-de-obra)

• Equipamento

Se a mão-de-obra pelos usuários da terra foi uma entrada substancial, isso foi:

• Voluntário

5.4 Crédito

Foi concedido crédito segundo a abordagem para atividades de GST?

Não

5.5 Outros incentivos ou instrumentos

Foram utilizados outros incentivos ou instrumentos para promover a implementação das tecnologias de GST?

Não

6.1 Impactos da abordagem

6.2 Principal motivação dos usuários da terra para implementar a GST

6.3 Atividades de sustentabilidade de abordagem

Os usuários da terra podem manter o que foi implementado através da abordagem (sem apoio externo)?

• Sim

Caso afirmativo, descreva como:

Yes. The benefit in both reduced cost and improved soil health are the triggers to sustaining the practices. Also, the involvement of local community institutions will also ensure the sustainability of interventions.

6.4 Pontos fortes/vantagens da abordagem

Pontos fortes/vantagens/oportunidades na visão do usuário da terra
Judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides based on the nutrient requirement of soil, as mentioned under the soil health report
Separate recommendations for both chemical and organic (bio-inputs) are a good way for land users to make informed decisions
Tracing the improvement in soil health status based on the land users' agricultural practices

Pontos fortes/vantagens/oportunidades na visão do/a compilador/a ou de outra pessoa capacitada
Developing the soil maps for the entire area to design appropriate interventions for the project
Instead of general recommendations for input application, the soil health card helped develop farmer/village-centric extension services for the farmers
Understand the impact of various interventions through periodic soil testing to document what has worked and what has not. Even this evidence can be used to monitor the soil organic carbon content for designing carbon-based projects and/or to access national or international carbon reduction credits.

6.5 Pontos fracos, desvantagens da tecnologia e formas de superá-los

Pontos fracos/desvantagens/riscos na visão do usuário da terra	Como eles podem ser superados?
Farmers are still unaware of the soil test facility and its benefits	Regular awareness programs along with a demonstration of soil sample collection

Pontos fracos/vantagens/riscos na visão do/a compilador/a ou de outra pessoa capacitada	Como eles podem ser superados?
Farmers' strong belief in the application of a certain quantity of fertilizers to ensure better production	This requires specific behavior change campaigns through local demonstration and documentation
Government authorities also conduct the soil test and issue the soil health card. However the farmers' experience with such system has not been outstanding.	Put efforts into conveying the difference between both approaches by promptly issuing the soil health card
The soil test lab is in the District capital, so farmers in far-away areas may face difficulties in accessing the facility	Explore the option of establishing soil test labs near farmers' locations

7.1 Métodos/fontes de informação

7.3 Links para informação relevante que está disponível online

Título/ descrição:

Operational Guidelines for implementation of CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEME SOIL HEALTH CARD

URL:

https://agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/files/GSHC3.pdf