1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

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

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

16/01/2009

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Using vegetative approach to stabilize sand dune areas along the coast.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

The approach uses forest species like Casuarina equisetifolia and lately Acacia auricoliformis to stabilize the sand dunes which is constantly being eroded by wind and water. Grasses are also allowed to be stabilized by fencing. Fruit trees are becoming more important component of the approach. Mango and cashew can be raised successfully by employing special soil treatment and provision of adequate water supply during the long dry season which lasts for about seven (7) months. The approach is implemented by various sectors. Afforestation is taken care by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Local Government Unit (LGU). The establishment of fruit tree plantation was pioneered by the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU). The university established Techno-Demo Farms using mango and cashew as test crops. These species are well adopted to dry condition. Cashew is well known to strive under conditions of severe water stress and low nutrient supply. The establishment of orchard was successful using a technique called 'resoiling'. A hole of about 1 x 1 x 1 meter is dug in the sand and natural soil and organic fertilizer is put into it. This will provide better anchorage for the crop and will also supply the needed nutrients and moisture during the early stage. Because the demonstration trial was a success, farmers in the locality adopted the approach. It is capital intensive, however, which is a limitation for farmers short of financial resources. Gliricidia planting is also an important conmponent. It thrives well in droughty and fertile-poor soil. Gliricidia is used as fuelwood.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• traditional/ indigenous

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

1) Stabilizatin of highly erodible sand dunes. 2) Make the sand dune areas productive for forest and various fruit tree species.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	interactive	Mainly: Personal Contact; partly: public meetings; For commercial tree crop production; initiation is more on a personal contact with individual farmers
planning	interactive	Mainly: personal contact; partly: public meetings; Private land-users made land use plans through personal contact with technologists.
implementation	interactive	Casual labor was employed during planting
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	Mainly: measurements/observations; partly: reporting; Periodic observation was done regarding plant/crop performance
research	interactive	Demonstration trials were established on-farm

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• mainly land users, supported by SLM specialists

Explain:

Extension. University staff campaigned for the approach

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users

• school children/students, extensionists/trainers

Form of training:

• personal communication

Comments:

Mainly in the form of personal communication with specialist

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Describe/ comments:

Farming System Approach: Management/improvement of sand dune area and Adaptability testing.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, moderately

Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:

• local

Specify type of support:

• capacity building/ training

• technology generation

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

No

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

Research on the productivity improvement of sand dunes was focused on crop adaptability, nutrition and water management.

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 2,000-10,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

national government 50% and local community 50%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• agricultural

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• voluntary

Comments:

Voluntariliy for private farms; paid in cash for afforestation activities.

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

No

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
It makes idle land productive

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
It stabilizes unstable areas like sand dunes
It makes highly constrained area productive
It encourages resourcefulness
It encourages further research

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Laborious	Sourcing of fill materials nearby to lessen hauling cost
Long gestation period for the crops	Good cultural management (fertilization, irrigation)
Lack of capital

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
High plant mortality due to moisture stress	Improved water harvesting technique; putting up of irrigation system (e.g. drip irrigation)
Laborious especially during the 'resoiling' stage	Composting on-site. Look for source if 'fill materials' near the site.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

2000 Annual Report

Available from where? Costs?

Mariano Marcos State University