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

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

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

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

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 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

• project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

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 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	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.
planning	interactive	Local land users are actively involved in the development of customized plans tailored to their specific needs and environmental conditions.
implementation	interactive	The implementation phase involves hands-on application of the planned activities, with local communities taking the lead.
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	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 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 SLM specialists, following consultation with land users

Explain:

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.

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

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

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

Form of training:

• farmer-to-farmer
• demonstration areas
• public meetings

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

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, greatly

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

• regional
• national

Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, 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.

Specify type of support:

• capacity building/ training
• equipment

Give further details:

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 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?

No

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):

Farmers and landowners spent their own money.

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

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

No

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• none

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

6.2 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

If yes, describe how:

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 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
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.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
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 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Requiring a period of time for at least 3 years until changes can be seen in areas of saline soil.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
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 Methods/ sources of information