Action for Social Advancement (ASA) Evaluation of Sloping Agricultural Land Technology pilot project

January 2007 Prepared by: Janet C. Geddes, Consultant Mumbai

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Executive Summary This report summarises the results of a rapid evaluation of Action for Social Advancement’s (ASA) two-year project to experiment with the Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) technique within Jhabua district, Madhya Pradesh. The SALT technique was developed in the Philippines in the 1970s, as a method of improving the quality of sloping land and improving agricultural productivity through controlling soil erosion and restoring soil fertility by way of low-cost, low-input activities suitable for developing country contexts. ASA received funding from the Canadian High Commission, New Delhi to undertake a project from January 2004 – December 2006, to trial SALT and assess its appropriateness within the context of Jhabua. During the project, a total of 32 SALT plots were established and a series of training, exposure and dissemination activities (including the development of a SALT how-to-do manual in Hindi) were completed. Overall, the results of ASA’s SALT experiment have been mixed, with the current condition of the majority plots being less than healthy. Without additional effort from staff and farmers alike, it is not uncertain whether they will sustain. Whilst farmers can understand and voice the benefits of SALT, most are unwilling to trial it – for a number of reasons – on their prime agricultural land. As a result, most of the SALT plots exist on wasteland, formerly used for grazing purposes. However a lack of management of grazing (together with a lack of sufficient watering in some plots) has resulted in the current poor condition of the plots. Many of the hedgerow plants have been kicked over or grazed, and a number of the horticultural species (Amla, Drumstick) have been grazed, resulting in death. Whilst the applicability of SALT within the context of Jhabua is clear and potential for replication exists, if at a very slow rate, a number of immediate actions are required by ASA for this to happen. ASA must decide how it will promote SALT within the project area, ie. whether it will be promoted as a technique to use on wasteland or on cultivated land or both. If the latter, then a solid strategy needs to be developed to overcome farmers’ scepticism with regards to how it would fit in with their existing agricultural practices (eg. use of bullocks) and to allay other fears regarding land confiscation. This should be done through continuous dialogue and a handful of well-managed demonstration plots on cultivated land, as “seeing is believing” has a huge impact in this context. Given that SALT only provides real benefits in the medium-longer term, convincing farmers to stick with the technology will be the biggest challenge. The demonstration plots, which should be selected from the existing SALT plots, must be run under research-like conditions with close supervision from staff. They must be properly fenced off to prohibit grazing and given sufficient economic and time inputs - irrigation and maintenance – to ensure their survival and success. This way it is hoped that farmers will be able to witness, without taking too much risk, how SALT can work with their existing agricultural practices.

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Contents Page Page

No. Section 1:

Introduction 1.1 Terms of Reference 1.2 Quick background to SALT 1.3 This Evaluation 1.4 Evaluation methodology followed 1.5 Structure of Report

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Section 2: Status of SALT project 2.1 Methodology followed by ASA 2.2 Activities completed 2.3 Brief observations on these Activities

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Section 3: Impact of SALT project 3.1 Overall comment on condition of SALT plots 3.2 Controlling soil erosion and restoring soil structure and

fertility 3.3 Increasing agricultural productivity 3.4 Increase in income and economic feasibility 3.5 Appropriateness within ASA’s area in Jhabua 3.6 Workability in a relatively short time 3.7 Potential for farmer-to-farmer replicability

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Section 4: Recommendations and Conclusion 4.1 Strategy for promotion of SALT required 4.2 “Research” demonstration plots required 4.3 Appoint dedicated field staff member 4.4 Protection from grazing animals required 4.5 Explore potential for Jatropha plantation upscaling 4.6 Revisit design of plots

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Annex A Photographs 19

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1. Introduction 1.1 Terms of Reference 1. Action for Social Advancement (ASA), an NGO working on rural livelihood enhancement in

Madhya Pradesh, received funding from the Canadian High Commission, New Delhi for a small two-year project to experiment with the Sloping Agricultural Land Technology technique (SALT) in 6 villages in Ranapur block, Jhabua district (January 2005 to December 2006). The project was undertaken in ASA’s “second generation” villages, where the NGO has made good progress in watershed development over a number of years.

2. Developed in the 1970s in the Philippines, SALT is known for improving the quality of

sloping land and ultimately its agricultural productivity, through controlling soil erosion, recovering soil fertility and altering agricultural practices. The project’s objective was therefore to introduce and validate the effectiveness of SALT as an appropriate technology for the sloping agricultural land prevalent in Jhabua. It was also hoped that the experiment would spark off replication amongst NGOs and Government institutions within the district and areas of similar agro-climatic conditions.

3. ASA requested this Consultant to undertake a rapid evaluation of the SALT project, to

determine the extent to which it has been able to deliver its objectives (particularly to convert sloping unproductive land into productive land), and to make recommendations on the scope for further expansion of SALT in the area.

1.2 Quick background to SALT 4. Sloping Agricultural Land Technology is based on the premise that using tree legumes to

improve the fertility and stability of agricultural soils on sloping land, is a simple low-cost and culturally appropriate method of upland farming, readily applicable in developing country contexts.

5. SALT is a form of alley or contour farming, where field and perennial crops are grown in

bands 4-6 metres apart, between rows of leguminous trees and shrubs, that are typically fast-growing, fast-coppicing and high-biomass. The latter are thickly planted in double rows along the slope’s contours, forming hedgerows that bind soil and check soil erosion. The hedgerows are periodically cut back, the cuttings being placed in the alleys to serve as a green manure for the crops. A cyclical cropping pattern can then be employed to provide the farmer with a number of harvests throughout the year (depending on soil moisture and irrigation supply).

6. The technology was developed in southern Philippines at the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life

Centre, and was picked up by ASA during an exposure visit to Udaipur in Rajasthan, where another NGO was successfully demonstrating SALT in similar agro-ecological conditions to ASA’s working area in Jhabua.

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1.3 This Evaluation 7. Given the short project duration and the length it takes for NRM interventions to come to

fruition, this evaluation limits itself to providing an indication of the project’s effectiveness in:

• Controlling soil erosion • Restoring soil structure and fertility • Increasing agricultural productivity • Promoting sustainable increase in income and economic feasibility.

8. It does however make conclusions on:

• Its appropriateness within ASA’s area in Jhabua (including its cultural acceptability) • Its workability in a relatively short time • Its potential for farmer-to-farmer replicability.

1.4 Evaluation methodology followed 9. The methodology used to evaluate the project comprised of a 2-day field visit to 5 of the

villages where ASA has worked with participating farmers to develop a number of trial SALT plots; discussions with Mr Y.K. Dwivedi, in-charge of the SALT project at ASA HQ level, and field staff based at Ranapur; review of documentation including progress reports; and internet research to get a thorough understanding of the SALT methodology. The field visits to villages included visual observation of SALT plots and discussions with farmers participating in the SALT trials.

1.5 Structure of Report 10. This report summarises the conclusions of the rapid evaluation, and is divided into the

following sections:

Section 2: Status of SALT project Section 3: Impact of SALT project Section 4: Recommendations and Conclusion.

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2. Status of SALT project 2.1 Methodology followed by ASA 11. It is understood that the following methodology was used to develop the SALT plots: Table 1: Methodology followed Major Activities Sub Activity Comments Selection of villages Villages chosen because of their

suitability for SALT not only in terms of topography but also willingness & interest of local community shown during discussions.

Selection of beneficiaries Farmer’s meeting in all programme villages.

Suitable land (Sloping land), willingness, interest of the farmer were the major criteria considered during the selection.

Selection of field plots Joint visit and finalisation of plots. Training & Capacity Building programmes (Technical and Motivational)

• Exposure visit to ARLDF, Raipada Orissa and RBKS Jhalod for ASA Programme Anchor.

• On-farm and Off-farm training to farmers and field staff on technical aspects of the programme.

There have to date been no exposure visits for farmers to SALT plots outside the project area.

Site Preparation • Demarcation of contour lines • Pit digging • Construction of Hedgerows • Gully plugging • Loose stone filter wall

Whereas the SALT technique promotes the construction of double rows of hedgerows, ASA has followed a principle of constructing only a single row hedgerow.

Cultivation of Alternate Strips

Plantation of Hedgerows/Strips

Grass propagation in alley • Arrangement of grass seed • Sowing of grass seed • Maintenance of grown vegetation

This was promoted due to the immediate needs of fodder, the fact that many of the existing plots were previously used for grazing purposes and from a soil and moisture conservation point of view, giving the marginality of conditions.

Fencing of Plots, with bio fencing like Jatropha

• Arrangement of planting materials • Planting • Maintenance

ASA took the initiative to use Jatropha as a fencing material, given its suitability to the area and since selling the Jatropha seeds would give farmers another source of income.

Nursery raising and purchase of Nitrogen fixing plants, forestry and fodder plants and horticultural plants

• Selection of species like Subabool, Gliricidia, Amla, Guava etc

• Selection of nursery raising farmer • Arrangement of see and others

2 farmers supplied subabool and bamboo and eucalyptus for the plots, by developing 3 nurseries.

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Awareness Campaign • On-farm visits/discussions • Exposure visits • Workshop

Vegetable Propagation Distribution of vegetable seed mini-kits This was not a successful activity due to lack of poor rainfall and lack of irrigation facilities.

Incorporation of other new and low-cost agricultural technology

Seed priming/liquid manure tank/others

Vegetative fencing, gap filling and basins around plants

This is for better moisture retention as well as acting as a grazing barrier.

2.2 Activities completed 12. As Table 2 below shows, 32 SALT plots were constructed in 6 villages, namely Lambella,

Kalapan, Buddhashala, Dotad, Nad and Gawsar. (The Consultant did not visit Gawsar, since field staff advised there was very little to see apart from contour trenches, and it would not be a productive use of time.)

13. However, it is not clear how many of the 32 plots are surviving. For example during the

field visit to Lambella, we discovered that two farmers have removed the contours on their SALT plots and have been cultivating them. A visible check of all the SALT plots was not undertaken, but is advised to assess the health of each.

Table 2: Number of SALT plots Sr. No Village No. of plots

visited by Consultant

No. of SALT plots developed

Contour line prepared

(In metres) 1 Lambella 3 6 1050 2 Kalapan 2 5 5200 3 Buddhashala 1 6 7200 4 Dotad 2 8 4600 5 Nad 2 3 870 6 Gawsar Not visited 4 950 Total 10 32 19,870 metres

Source: Figures supplied by YK. 14. As an incentivisation activity:

• improved varieties of maize, rice and wheat under participatory varietal selection. • mini-kits of seasonal vegetables (sponge gourd, bottle gourd, gwar, bitter gourd and

coriander), and • niger seeds, were given to a total of 86 farmers.

15. Table 3 below details the number of trainings, exposure visits, discussions and meetings

that have been held to date under the SALT project.

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Table 3: Numbers of trainings, exposure visits, discussions, trials on SALT

No. No. of

participants 1. Total number of farmers participating by having SALT plot 32 3. No. of trainings conducted* (see below for topics) 8 120 5. No. of inter-village exposure visits to SALT plots (between villages) 8 80 6. No. of intra-village exposure visits to SALT plots (within villages) 12 72 7. No. of group discussions on SALT 6 60 8. No. of on-farm walks and discussions on SALT 12 50 9. No. of farmer meetings on SALT 6 70

* SALT introduction training, nursery raising and management training, transplantation training, crop management training. The same farmers will have received multiple trainings hence the high number of participants.

16. ASA has also prepared an illustrated SALT Operational Manual in Hindi as a training

document and a guideline to farmers and field staff on implementation of SALT. 17. In terms of promoting the technique more widely, ASA has held discussions with a number

of Jhabua-based NGOs, plus the previous Collector of Jhabua and Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture. The previous Collector was convinced about SALT and agreed to implement it in all Gokul Gram villages (villages adopted by the government for development as model villages). However the Collector was then transferred and as far as ASA know, SALT has to date been adopted in a small handful of Gokul Gram villages. A copy of the SALT manual was given and a one-day informal training provided to the Jhabua District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) officials.

2.3 Brief Observations on these Activities 18. Some observations regarding the activities completed are made below, and are explored

further in the following Sections. 19. In the majority of cases, the SALT plots exist on sloping “wastelands” typically used for

grazing purposes (due to their marginality of productivity), and only a handful of plots have been established on a farmer’s regular agricultural land.

20. Whilst the SALT technique promotes a combination of perennial and seasonal crops

(typically perennial tree crops each third alley, with cereals and other crops in the other alleys), ASA has chosen to promote grafts of horticultural trees of Amla (Imblica officinalis), Hybrid Drumstick (Moringa oleifera) (a variety that fruits throughout the year), as well as Mahua and Guava in some places. These species are best suited to the harsh climatic conditions of low rainfall and hot summers and should cause little problem of shading, if other crops were to be inter-cropped. These have been planted in alternate strips with grass propagation occurring in the other alleys. The grass propagation was to meet the pressing need of farmers for animal fodder, and to assist soil and moisture conservation given the extreme marginality of soil conditions.

21. In some cases, eg. Dotad village, the SALT plot consists of hedgerows grown with Jatropha

(Jatropha curcas) and/or Subabool (Leucaena leucocephala), Gliricidia (Gliricidia maculata),

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Acacia (Prosopis juliflora), Bamboo, with Hemata grass (Stylosanthes hemata) being grown in the alleys. In Lambella village, one farmer is now growing a crop of sun hemp on a SALT plot, where before he was growing maize. Therefore what appears to be the pattern is:

• SALT on former wasteland (frequent) = hedgerows plus grass and/or horticultural tree

crops. • SALT on agricultural land (less common) = hedgerows plus no tree crops and in a few

places, a crop change.

22. The majority, if not all of the improved seed given as a PVS activity was not planted within the SALT plots, but rather on the farmer’s other (agricultural) land. The vegetable mini-kits and Niger seed (which is a hardy oilseed and also a soil enhancer) were sown on the ridges and the bottom of the contour lines respectively. However due to lack of rainfall, both vegetables and Niger seed have failed.

23. Jatropha has been promoted by ASA for use as the main hedgerow crop, given that there is

both a local market in Jhabua for buying/selling Jatropha seeds and the current drive within India to promote Jatropha as an alternative fuel. Jatropha is now quite commonly used as a live fence, and makes an excellent hedgerow and barrier from soil erosion. However since there is no pruning back of Jatropha, it does mean that the basic SALT activity of applying the hedgerows cuttings to the alleys as a green manure will not be followed.

24. ASA has made a couple of major alterations from the original SALT design to adapt it to suit

local conditions: In most cases, trenches have been dug along the contour strips where the hedgerows

are grown. There is no mention of trenches in the original design. Since soil depth is very poor in the area, ASA believed that digging trenches would help in soil collection and ultimately moisture retention. Crops can then be grown on the downside of the trench with a better chance of survival.

In most cases, ASA has advocated the planting of a single hedgerow with stone support

on the downward side of the trench, whereas the original design clearly stipulates a double row along the contour. They believe that this serves the same purpose and is more culturally acceptable. The marginality of land holding means that farmers are likely to have found a double hedgerow unfeasible. Also because the slope in many cases is less severe and the contour trench is in place, the need for a double row is also reduced.

25. A workshop to promote the SALT technique (as well as other agricultural innovations) was

held in Bhopal at the end of January 2007. Participants from government and non-governmental organisations attended, with the intention being to disseminate knowledge about the technique(s) and the lessons learned from the ASA SALT experiment.

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3. Impact of SALT project 3.1 Overall comment on condition of the SALT plots 26. The evaluation found that the majority of existing plots will require a good deal of attention

by staff and farmers alike, to enable the SALT experiment to be successful (and sustainable). In many cases, indiscriminate grazing of animals has resulted in significant damage to the plantations of Amla and Drumstick. This is despite the fact that there is fencing around each plant in most plots, but is typically because villagers have been practising open grazing on these sites for a number of years. The Jatropha hedgerows have also been severely damaged in places by trampling. The photos in Annex A highlight the condition of a number of plots. As mentioned before, it is not totally clear how many of the 32 plots are surviving, and a visible check of all the SALT plots is advised.

27. Regeneration of the Jatropha is likely to occur in many of the cases, since its roots are well

established. However gaps in the hedgerows will need to be filled in given their importance in the successful functioning of the SALT technique. This, together with the loss of horticultural species from grazing, represents an (unforeseen) economic cost to the project.

28. In the village of Lambella, it was noted that at least two SALT plots have been ploughed up

for agricultural use (ie. contours removed). Interestingly these plots were previously wasteland used for grazing. However after the SALT intervention and the establishment of horticultural and forestry species, farmers realised the plots could be used for productive purposes and have started to cultivate maize during the Monsoon season.

3.2 Controlling soil erosion and restoring soil structure and fertility 29. Given that NRM interventions only bear fruit in the medium to long term, it is too early to

draw concrete conclusions on impact in terms of controlling soil erosion and restoring soil structure and fertility. However, discussions with farmers do suggest that they are witnessing some positive indications already, noted as follows:

Buddhashala: one farmer remarked that soil moisture and water retention capabilities

have increased on SALT plot and grass has grown very well on the plot compared to that on surrounding slopes.

Nad: one farmer remarked that they can see the effects of SALT in terms of water coming under the contours, checking runoff and soil erosion, and increasing moisture retention.

Kalapan: one farmer remarked that it is resulting in better percolation and moisture retention and he thinks it will lead to recharge of the well at the foot of his plot.

3.3 Increasing agricultural productivity 30. The potential of the SALT technique to increase the productivity of the plots is significant,

given that many are formerly barren slopes used for grazing purposes. However, to date no crop has been harvested from the SALT plots, although fodder grass has been collected. The impact on productivity will become apparent:

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• once farmers have been able to collect a harvest from the planted Amla, Drumstick and Jatropha (and in some cases Guava).

• once new crops have been planted after more soil deposition happens.

31. As noted above, no pruning of hedgerows has happened or is likely to happen (as most are

Jatropha), and therefore little addition of nitrogen, phosphorous and other positive affects coming from mulching.

3.4 Increase in income and economic feasibility 32. Some projections/estimations can be made about the potential increase in income and

economic feasibility of the SALT plots. The cost of establishment of a 1 acre SALT plot, following ASA’s methodology (and minus the staffing cost) comes to Rs. 9,300. The estimated annual income from Drumstick and Amla sale comes to around Rs. 13,000, but does not factor in maintenance (continued watering etc) and transportation charges. Drumstick and Amla should start fruiting after 3-4 years and will give for several years.

Table 4: Cost of establishment of an existing ASA 1 acre SALT plot

Rs. Notes Cost of establishing 1 acre SALT plot 4000 Contour making, pit digging Cost of plantation and watering 4000 Cost of Pest Control 500 Cost of Fencing 800 TOTAL COST 9,300** * Figures supplied by Y.K. Dwivedi. ** Does not factor in maintenance, in terms of ongoing irrigation etc.

Table 5: Potential annual income per 1 acre SALT plot (conservative) from Drumstick and Amla

Price of fruit No. per tree No of trees per plot (surviving)

Total annual income (Rs.)

Notes

Drumstick* Rs. 2 per stick 150 sticks per tree 15 4500 Amla* Rs. 8 per kg 70 kg per tree 15 8400 12,900 * Fruit yield should increase with maturity of the trees. 33. In addition, farmers will hopefully be also harvest the Jatropha seeds and should get around

Rs.7/kg in local markets. 3.5 Appropriateness within ASA’s area in Jhabua (including its cultural acceptability) 34. Both participating and non-participating farmers do appreciate the benefits of the SALT

technique in terms of checking soil erosion, increasing soil moisture retention and recharging underground water and wells. However there is a reluctance to experiment with SALT on “prime” agricultural land, and hence why SALT plots are typically found on sloping wastelands typically used for grazing purposes.

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35. Discussions with ASA staff do suggest that sufficient time was given at the start to verbally introducing farmers to the SALT technology, so that their hesitancy is not down to lack of information or understanding. However, it is noted that no exposure visits for farmers themselves to see SALT in practice in other areas have been undertaken. The following issues for this reluctance were identified in the field:

• Due to very marginal land holding size (typically 0.5-1 acres), most farmers are not

prepared to experiment with SALT on their cultivated land, without having witnessed the benefits themselves elsewhere. They see it as “giving up” part of their cultivable land to tree crops and therefore as a waste of productive land.

• Farmers are scared of potential loss of yield from possible shading caused by planting trees and tall shrubs on their agricultural land.

• Farmers are accustomed to using bullocks for cultivation and believe that bullock use is not possible within a SALT plot. They are therefore unable or unwilling to deal with the higher labour cost involved.

• Due to the continuing hand-to-mouth nature of existence in the project area, many are not prepared to try SALT on agricultural land due to slower rates of return than their established cropping patterns.

• In Nad village, when farmers were asked why they were not keen to try it on their agricultural land, they expressed the fear that if they did, the “sanskar” would then come and confiscate their land. This itself comes from their perception that SALT is encouraging cultivation of forest species on agricultural land, and their fear that the Forest Department will somehow have some rights over these.

36. To summarise, most farmers are not sufficiently convinced that the benefits of SALT

outweigh what they perceive to be its drawbacks. They do not have the positive mindset to see how it will work with their existing agricultural practices. Hence why they are reluctant to experiment with it on their main cultivated land. Experimentation of any new technologies in such a marginal farming area is always difficult and ASA has already recognised and tried to deal with some of the issues mentioned above, through ongoing dialogue with and training of farmers.

3.6 Workability in a relatively short time 37. There are certain local issues (environmental and human) that SALT needs deal with to

ensure its workability in Jhabua. These include environmental conditions (harsh summers, unreliable monsoons, drought proneness, frequent pest attacks) and human conditions (marginality of farming, need for grazing fodder, firewood collection, need to see results quickly). Without adequately dealing with these, it is unlikely that the technique will

Case study of farmer in Buddhashala – How farmers are thinking Farmer Hatu has established SALT on a large plot of former grazing land. The plot which has Jatropha hedges with plantations of Amla and Drumstick has been damaged by indiscriminate grazing and also requires watering. Extra fencing is needed around each plant in the form of Ber tree branches or similar. When asked why he has not put the extra fencing, Hatu expressed his uncertainty of being able to pay the labourers and doesn’t want them coming to him demanding payment. When we asked why he was not practicising SALT on his other agricultural land, he said that he already has a good grass crop growing with 2-3 inches of soil. He mentioned that if he undertook SALT he would lose the grass yield in the first year.

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become popular. The following comments are made regarding some of these issues. As is so often the case with NRM interventions, one of the biggest issues is the continued grazing of animals on SALT plots, that threatens their existence.

Grazing animals and firewood collectors 38. Destruction of both the alley and hedgerow tree crops by grazing animals is a serious

problem affecting the trial plots. On many of the plots, the Jatropha has been trodden up resulting in part destruction in places. In some of the plots, the lack of fencing around the Amla and Drumstick plantations had resulted in them being heavily grazed and in some places, they have died. Even where there is individual fencing around each plant, as in the case of Buddhashala plot (see above), animals have still been able to graze and cause destruction.

39. The fact that many of the plots exist on former grazing land must be a factor in the

continued grazing. The need to have consensus within the whole village on the benefits of these trials (and participation in controlling grazing animals) is required.

40. The need for a guard was also mentioned – as local people were also clearing the plots of

materials that can be used as fuelwood. Irrigation of plantations 41. Although ASA sensibly took the decision to introduce SALT into villages where their

watershed development work has progressed and thus where water supply should be more readily available, the field visits highlighted that there are still instances where the plots require watering. Even Amla and Drumstick grafts require some watering during the dry seasons, to ensure their growth and maturity. Yet, as the case study of the farmer in Buddhashala showed, for various reasons, this is not always happening. Insufficient irrigation also decreases the survival rate of plantations and increases the economic cost to the project (in terms of replacement).

Pest attack 42. High pest infestation, particularly of the Bihar Hairy Caterpillar, was a problem faced during

the plantation of the seedlings/grafts (particularly the forest species). This was overcome with the use of chemical and biological pest control measures. Also the horticultural species that ASA has chosen to promote are more hardy and should require less pest control than other species.

Labour requirement 43. Although it was not explored fully by the Consultant, the fact that SALT is known to require

a higher labour effort than traditional farming systems may be another factor affecting its workability.

Visible impact 44. To encourage such marginal farmers to adopt the SALT technology, one needs to be able to

show visible benefits or provide incentives within a fairly short timeframe. ASA has done

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this through the provision of improved seeds (as part of a PVS process, even though these have not been planted on the SALT plot itself), vegetable min-kits (which unfortunately failed) and through grass plantations.

3.7 Potential for farmer-to-farmer replicability (with the use of local resources and preferably without making loans) 45. The potential for farmer-to-farmer replication is definitely there. However the rate of

replication is likely to remain (very) slow unless and until the existing plots and farmers can convince other farmers to overcome their scepticism. Although ASA has undertaken 20 exposure visits for 152 farmers, no cases of farmers replicating it without ASA involvement were witnessed, although 1 farmer made reference to 1 case of replication in Kalapan.

46. Discussions with several farmers highlighted what appears to be a popular view on SALT

within the villages - that it is a suitable technology for wasteland/grazing land but not appropriate for agricultural land.

47. Economically, whilst the majority of establishment work can be done by the farmer himself

(contour ploughing, plantation), the cost of plantation material – horticultural and forestry species – and pest control which is around Rs. 4,500 total, is likely to be a little prohibitive without financial support. Whether farmers then replicate the contour trenching and hedging (without any plantations in the alleys) remains to be seen, since it may be difficult for them to appreciate the long term benefits of doing so without short term gains.

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4. Recommendations and Conclusion Recommendations 48. To help ensure the sustainability of existing SALT plots and give scope for further

expansion, the following recommendations are made if ASA is to continue with SALT:

• Undertake a survey of health of existing SALT plots • Design strategy for promotion of SALT • Establish a handful of demonstration plots • Appoint dedicated field staff member • Ensure protection from grazing for all plots

4.1 Strategy for promotion of SALT required 49. ASA needs to take a decision on how they are going to promote SALT to farmers within the

project area. For example, if the organisation is keen to promote it on private cultivated land, where it has currently had minimal impact, then a solid strategy needs to be developed to overcome farmers’ scepticism with regards to how it would fit in with their existing agricultural practices (eg. use of bullocks) and to allay other fears regarding land confiscation. This should be done through continuous dialogue and a handful of well-managed demonstration plots on cultivated land, as “seeing is believing” has a huge impact in this context. Given that SALT only provides real benefits in the medium-longer term, convincing farmers to stick with the technology will be the biggest challenge.

50. If the organisation is to promote it on revenue common land or wasteland, then it must also

ensure that there is sufficient buy-in from all the villagers as well as the WDC, to ensure that grazing does not jeopardise the health and sustainability of the plots and that proper maintenance of the plot is carried out.

51. In both cases, the situation with regards to water for the plots needs to be worked out

clearly beforehand. For example, in the case of the aforementioned plot in Buddhashala village the farmer had been unable or unwilling to water the Amla and Drumstick plantations due to the plot’s distance from the existing water supply.

4.2 “Research” demonstration plots to encourage farmers are required 52. It is strongly recommended that ASA’s work on SALT continues through the development of

a handful of demonstration plots that are run under research-like conditions by ASA, with dedicated a field staff member closely supervising their progress. These plots will require adequate investment to ensure their upkeep and maintenance, particularly in terms of fencing and watering.

53. The key differences from the existing methodology will be a) their management by ASA and

b) total fencing around the plots, to prevent the indiscriminate grazing practices that have happened. This will also require negotiation with the farmer and other villagers, to avoid conflict due to the plots’ existence.

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54. The best out of the existing plots should be chosen for demonstration. However the remaining plots which are surviving, must also be protected as far as possible against indiscriminate grazing (see below) and should be supplied with sufficient water to ensure the plant’s survival.

55. Demonstration plots should enable farmers to witness the demonstrable benefits. As is the

case with many NRM activities, “seeing is believing” is the critical strategy that can make all the difference. As ASA itself notes in a progress report “experimentation in poor and rural areas cannot be practiced in large scale primarily but it can be increased gradually”.

4.3 Appoint dedicated field staff member 56. ASA’s SALT activities would greatly benefit by having one dedicated field staff member. This

person should fully understand the technique, how to implement it and its benefits, and be able to overcome the concerns and misconceptions of beneficiaries and other farmers. This person should be able to manage the demonstration plots mentioned above and most importantly, be able to show progress against a clearly defined set of indicators.

4.4 Protection from grazing animals required 57. For the remaining plots (not demonstration), the following recommendations are made:

Protection of individual grafts: ASA should ensure that sufficient funds are available to undertake the fencing around individual grafts, as is the case in Buddhashala village, see the photo below. However, this kind of cactus fencing will need to be supplemented by smaller thorny fencing (eg. from the Ber tree), which should totally prevent goats from reaching the graft and leaves inside.

SALT plot - Buddhashala village

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Ongoing dialogue with the community: since the SALT plot is commonly an “individual” farmer activity, it may be that the community as a whole does not understand or feel that there is any benefit to them. They may instead feel they have lost a grazing spot for their animals. Ongoing dialogue with the whole community is required and may help. Even thinking about some sort of benefit sharing from the harvest (according to the amount of labour provided to maintain the plot) may be an idea.

Hemata grass cultivation: If ASA is to continue promoting the cultivation of Hemata grass for fodder on SALT plots, it needs to ensure that it is harvested rather than being treated as a standing fodder crop. Otherwise this is in fact undermining the sustainability of the whole activity.

4.5 Explore potential for Jatropha plantation upscaling 58. On slopes where it is still unfeasible to consider plantations of Amla and Drumstick, or which

are still required for grazing, ASA could think about upscaling Jatropha plantations. Given its virtues and growing commercial value, Jatropha cultivation could be a good way of maximising productivity of very poor slopes in the short to medium term, and providing longer term benefits of raising the slope’s agricultural productivity through thicker soils and better soil moisture retention. The slopes can then also be used for cultivation of more productive varieties of food crops, once the issue of grazing has been settled.

59. Any upscaling should be based on thorough market research and profitability/risk

calculations. ASA has mentioned that it intends to start a Jatropha production farmer’s group/society, which should also help producers market their produce and receive fair prices.

4.6 Revisit design of plots 60. Revisiting the original design of SALT may help further refine ASA’s adaptation of it. For

example:

The original design doesn’t mention the need to dig trenches or bunds along the contours but only the need only to prepare a one-metre strip along the contour for planting of a double hedgerow. Given the extra (labour) cost involved in making the trenches and bunds, ASA could trial a couple of plots following the original design – including the preparation of a metre-wide strips – to see what difference there is compared with the design that they are promoting.

The original design also stipulates a double hedgerow of nitrogen-fixing crops. However ASA SALT plots have only a single row of hedge. Given how integral the double row is to the original SALT design, this could also be tried on larger plots (of wasteland) to see the difference and potential for cultural acceptability.

Finally, the design stipulates a band or section of forest on the brow/top of the slope that acts as a further binding agent for the soil. This was not seen in practice and again can be tried to see what further value it adds to the plots.

61. Since much of the land in the project area is full of stones, these can be collected and

placed on the downward side of the contour trench, to help check soil erosion further – as was recommended by ASA.

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Conclusion 62. The potential for SALT to be an appropriate technology within Jhabua district for improving

quality of sloping land and ultimately its agricultural productivity is clear. Its benefits, in terms of checking soil erosion and increasing soil moisture retention, were clearly articulated by farmers themselves. However there needs to be an re-think by ASA on the methodology used to implement SALT, in order to ensure the success and sustainability of the existing SALT plots, before any expansion or replication happens. The recommendations mentioned above will hopefully help toward this.

63. There is a danger that if the existing plots continue with little change in the management

practices (particularly on grazing and watering) and without more encouragement of farmers, then the benefits of the SALT technique will become negligible and/or that the farmer’s will to continue with the trials will be lost.

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Annex A Buddhashala Village

These photos highlight the method of contour trench and single hedgerow that ASA has followed. The gaps within the Jatropha hedgerow can be clearly seen.

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Dotad Village

The Jatropha hedge on this plot has not taken very successfully, with only a few stalks visible. Perhaps due to lack of water, or being kicked over by animals. No plantation has been made on the plot – field staff saying as it is required for grazing, only the contour trenches and Jatropha hedging can been done.

Another plot on the opposite hill. This does not appear to be a healthy plot with little sign of life. However the contour trenches alone should start the process of reducing soil erosion and increasing soil moisture retention.

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Lambella Village

This SALT plot is being used to grow sun hemp, where previously maize was grown on private cultivated land (not grazing land). Bunds have been developed in place of contour trenches, and Prosopis has been planted on top of the bunds. There are no Amla or Drumstick trees planted on this plot. When asked why not, the field staff replied due to the fear of shading reducing the crop yield.

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This is another plot in Lambella village, again on private cultivated land. The farmer has only added bunds along some of the contours in the field, and has not undertaken any hedging along them. According to ASA staff, there are two SALT plots in the village which the farmers have since ploughed up for cultivation (removing the contours and hedging), even though they were only being used for grazing land prior to SALT.

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Nad Village

In Nad, this farmer has been cultivating a SALT plot as the foot of a gentle slope next to a pond. He is growing a combination of Amla, Guava and some vegetables. The plot has good fencing (most of the way round it) from cactus.