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

Nome do projeto que facilitou a documentação/avaliação da Abordagem (se relevante)

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

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

Land Development Department (Land Development Department) - Tailândia

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

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

2.2 Descrição detalhada da abordagem

Descrição detalhada da abordagem:

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 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.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 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	Participativo	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.
Planejamento	Participativo	Local land users are actively involved in the development of customized plans tailored to their specific needs and environmental conditions.
Implementação	Participativo	The implementation phase involves hands-on application of the planned activities, with local communities taking the lead.
Monitoramento/avaliação	Participativo	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 Fluxograma (se disponível)

3.4 Decisão sobre a seleção de tecnologia/tecnologias de GST

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

• Principalmente especialistas em GST, após consulta com usuários da terra

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 em que base foram tomadas as decisões:

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

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.

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

Tipo de formação:

• Agricultor para agricultor
• Áreas de demonstração
• Reuniões públicas

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
• Em centros permanentes

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:

• Regional
• Nacional

Descreva instituição, papéis e responsabilidades, membros, 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 o tipo de apoio:

• Reforço das capacidades/ formação
• Equipamento

Dê mais detalhes:

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 Monitoramento e avaliação

Monitoramento e avaliação são partes da abordagem?

Sim

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

Não

4.5 Pesquisa

A pesquisa foi parte da abordagem?

Não

5.1 Orçamento anual para o componente de GST da abordagem

Caso o orçamento exato seja desconhecido, indique a faixa:

• < 2.000

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

Farmers and landowners spent their own money.

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)

• Nenhum

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:

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 Pontos fortes/vantagens da abordagem

Pontos fortes/vantagens/oportunidades na visão do usuário da terra
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.

Pontos fortes/vantagens/oportunidades na visão do/a compilador/a ou de outra pessoa capacitada
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 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?
Requiring a period of time for at least 3 years until changes can be seen in areas of saline soil.

Pontos fracos/vantagens/riscos na visão do/a compilador/a ou de outra pessoa capacitada	Como eles podem ser superados?
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/fontes de informação