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)

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

Land Development Department (Land Development Department) - Thailand

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

2013

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

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

An outreach programme aims to educate farmers about the benefits of ploughing rice stubble into the soil and incorporating green manure crops such as sunn hemp - as well as other sustainable practices. Groups of farmers are formed, and they are assisted by various organisations including the Land Development Department and volunteer "soil doctors".

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

An outreach programme aims to educate farmers about the benefits of ploughing rice stubble into the soil, while incorporating green manure crops such as sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea). It also provides demonstrations on proper and effective SLM techniques that enable farmers to apply this knowledge to improve their own lands. Farmers can generate greater and more sustainable income while reducing production costs. Agricultural staff of the Nakhon Ratchasima Land Development Station coordinate with local government agencies to organize activities and lead campaigns: they also help in planning and group formation. One particular group of 50 farmers is part of a project to encourage the use of organic substances instead of chemicals. A nine-member committee coordinates and drives its activities.
The purpose of group establishment is to exchange knowledge, create networks and develop clusters of active participant farmers to trade experience with SLM in relation to rice growing– including the cultivation of green manures and sunn hemp.
Agricultural academics and officers of the Land Development Department give training, as well as continuous advice, knowledge and support in managing areas with saline soils. The Rice Department provides salt tolerant varieties of rice. Government agencies provide some funding for the approach. They help preparing the learning process for coaching farmers in methods of natural agriculture. Study tours are also organised. Furthermore, a group of volunteer “soil doctors” with knowledge and expertise in the area lend their assistance and collaboration (note that the organisation and activities of soil doctors in Thailand has already been described in WOCAT’s global database). In addition, monitoring is carried out jointly between farmers and officers of Land Development Department.
Between 2010-2011, Land Development Department officials promoted farmers to plant Sunn hemp to plow and cover the soil and create seedbeds to collect seeds for use in the next season, which reduces production costs and increases organic matter in the soil.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.4 Videos 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

• project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

1. To build knowledge and understanding, and to provide farmers with access to soil, water and plant management technology to sustainably utilize saline soil areas.
2. To transfer knowledge regarding green manure plants (sunn hemp)-based saline soil management.

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	Government agencies, group members transfer knowledge and take a study tour in order to implement learning and experiences in their own areas
planning	interactive	Agricultural academics and officers of Nakhon Ratchasima Land Development Station participate in planning to establish the group of using organic substances to replace agricultural chemicals.
implementation	interactive	The member group determines group rules and regulations together.
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	Monitor and check together with Farmers and officers of Land Development Department

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

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

Specify on what basis decisions were made:

• evaluation of well-documented SLM knowledge (evidence-based decision-making)

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users
• field staff/ advisers

• Volunteer Soil Doctors

If relevant, specify gender, age, status, ethnicity, etc.

These knowledge sharing events and trainings are gender balanced.

Form of training:

• on-the-job
• farmer-to-farmer
• demonstration areas

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields
• at permanent centres

Describe/ comments:

Consulting services: Land users access consulting services provided by volunteer soil doctors stationed at Non Thai district and the government agency "Nakhon Ratchasima Land Development Station".

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
• regional
• national

Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

- Non Thai Agricultural Marketing Organization, Nakhon Ratchasima province gives help and support in terms of meeting venues, facilitating collaboration
- Nakhon Ratchasima Land Development Station organizes training and supports factors of production, increases knowledge and regulations of establishing the group.

Specify type of support:

• capacity building/ training

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

No

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

The research monitors and evaluates soil management for rice cultivation in saline soil areas by supporting the assessment of soil fertility and salinity values in order to plan sustainable saline soil management in response to current and future climate change. It is carried out by Miss Wannaporn Phonsang (Land Development Department) and other agriculturalists and field data collectors.

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• < 2,000

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

Land Developmet Department

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

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

Yes

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

Green manure seed varieties and the establishment of green manure seed banks.Land development department provides green manure whereas seed banks provides seeds for land users

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• labour

• agricultural

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

• rewarded with other material support

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?

Yes

If yes, specify:

Farmers who adopt the technology of using green manure crops will be selected to participate in the project with the Department of Land Development and will receive support for agricultural production factors as well as green manure crop seeds.

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

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
1. Land users monitor climatic changes in predicting disasters to occur. This is used as data for planning cultivation. As a result, there will be no damage during yield harvesting.
2. Regarding knowledge in managing soil, water and plants for utilization in areas with saline soil, previously, rice farming could be conducted only and there was lack of knowledge of correct and suitable saline soil amendment until currently, costs of production can be reduced.
3. The fact that the wisdom obtained from learning and practices has been applied together with academic principles to restore areas with saline soil which are limitations and obstacles during the past ten years have been eliminated makes farmers utilize areas with saline soil sustainably.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Farmers have knowledge and understanding. And accept the technology of saline soil improvement with green manure before planting.

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?
Before implementing the technology of planting sunn hemp as a green manure plant, the cultivation area is outside the irrigation zone. This has an effect on biomass of the sunn hemp
The farmers who join the group are ready to learn and observe the surrounding environment, including keeping up with climatic changes all the time. At certain time, there is shortage of labor. There are problems of expensive oil	establishing the group is the guideline to solve the mentioned problem.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Climate fluctuations It doesn't rain according to season. Resulting in flooding, drought, which affects the use of green manure biomass

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Final report : Improving information and developing a repository of sustainable soil management practices in Asia

URL:

https://e-library.ldd.go.th/library/Ebook/bib10906.pdf

Title/ description:

Workshop Report: Outstanding soil doctors and technology for land management Thailand 4.0

URL:

https://cesra.ldd.go.th/App_Storage/publications/files/1031_1.pdf