“Enhancing Soil Nutrient and Water Conservation through Sustainable Farming Techniques:” A Field Research Component of the IWMI’s Project on Sustainable Groundwater Irrigation in the

Greater Mekong Sub-region of Lao PDR

Jenkins Macedo

MS., Environmental Science & Policy (2014), MA., IDSC 2012

Timothy Downs, D. Env. (Research Advisor)

Marianne Sarkis, Ph.D

Paul Pavelic, Ph.D. (Principle Researcher - Hydrogeology)

C.T. Hoanh, Ph.D. (Principle Researcher – Water Resources Management)

April 1, 2013

ABSTRACTª

Water scarcity for agricultural production during the hot dry season in the Greater

Mekong Sub-region (GMS) in Lao PDR continues to be a major challenge among

smallholder farmers who rely on farming for their livelihoods. Building on an on-

going research project by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in

addressing the resilience and productivity of sustainable groundwater irrigation, the

overarching objective of this proposed project is to contribute to the water scarcity

needs of smallholder farmers through the use of regenerative, evidence-based

farming techniques to enhance soil nutrient and water conservation. Soil nutrient and

water conservation practices such as composting, green manure application,

mulching, top dressing, bulky organic matter development and leaf mold formation

will be applied through on-farm demonstrations using the experimental study design.

The experiments will be conducted at two trial plots in the Vientiane Plains in Laos

with 20 smallholder farmers.

ªWorking abstract

“Enhancing the Resilience and Productivity of Rainfed Dominated Systems

in Lao PDR through Sustainable Groundwater Use.”

How does my research fit into this project?

STUDENTS’ RESEARCH PROSPECT WITH IWMI’s OVER ALL PROJECT

Potential student projects

“Potential student projects would be focused on the research theme: Positioning

groundwater use in farmers’ overall strategies within the context of agricultural/

rural development.”

Some specific postgraduate student projects that could emerge from this project

include:

Participatory rural appraisal for classification of farming systems and

household typology.

In-depth case study analysis on households’ (farming) strategies.

The role of focus group discussion in (agricultural) extension.

The link between farmers’ farming strategies with their access to

water.**

** How my proposed study fits in IWMI’s overall project?

SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT OF THE STUDY

Water scarcity for agricultural productivity.

Seasonal variation in annual rainfall (drought, flooding, etc.)

Rainfed dominated agriculture

Untapped groundwater resource that could solve the water scarcity needs

Sustainable groundwater irrigation as a promising alternative

Resource conserving farming practices to minimize groundwater usability

THE WATER CYCLE

Source: USGS 2010

Source: IGRAC, 2007

Source: Vietnam National Mekong Committee 2009

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

The aim of the project is to enhance soil water status and nutrient availability through

sustainable resource conserving practices such as composting, mulching, green

manures, bulky organic materials and leaf mold application.

High GWP

WATERSHED:rainfall, evapotranspiration

demand, groundwater levels, recharge rates,groundwater quality,

groundwater use

FARM:water use & timing,other farm inputs,

crop yields,crop prices,

farm gate incomes

Source: IWMI Project, 2012

Schematic showing the activities that will take place at the farm and

watershed scales

STUDY AREA AND CHARACTERISTICS

No Name of village Household Population(person)

1 Ekxang 192 941

2 Phonthan 183 965

3 Hongluang 85 484

4 Nabon 122 666

5 Nongkhone 183 1,095

Total 765 4,151

Source: IWMI Project, 2012

Map of the focal watershed indicating the location of B.

Ekxang situated in the downstream area is given below.

The nearest pumping stations and formal, surface water irrigated

area near the focal watershed

http://thesoutheastasiaweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mekong-river-map-320x.jpg

METHODOLOGY

Population

20 farmers

Targeted Sampling through IWMI’s networks

Plots 2 plots (control & Treatment)

Plot criteria

Randomized Soil Samples

Total of 62 soil samples

20 samples x 3 interventions (pre-planting,

planting & post-planting soil sampling plus 2

core soil samples will be analyzed).

Variables Potassium, Chloride, Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Iron, Sulfur,

Sodium, Chloride, Soil pH, Texture, Water Holding Capacity,

Soil Moisture Content, exchangeable cations, and temperature

building on standard procedures.

INSTRUCTMENTS AND DATA ANALYSES

1. Macronutrient, Micronutrient, and pH (5010-01)

2. Hanna Soil Temperature & Conductivity Meter

3. Soil Moisture Content Tester

Soil Sample Process

Soil will be sampled at

range from 0- to 0.15-m

and at 0.15- to 0.3-m

depths at 10 randomized

sampling points in each

plot during the three

phases of crop production

cycle.

Factors Ideal Condition Brief Technical Relevance

Regulations

Regulations that encourage smallholder farmers

to produce agricultural goods, while enhancing

and conserving local resources. The Mekong

River Commission (MRC) could be of assistance

in protecting the water systems.

The success of any project relies on adherence to existing local and

national regulatory frameworks in protecting local resources

including the use of land, water, forest and the air. This project will

be altering the existing structure of the land and will adhere to any

existing regulation.

Water Availability Access the existing groundwater irrigation

system of the IWMI and partner agencies will be

an asset.

Effective crop production requires regular access to available and

reliable water sources to enhance agricultural production. The site

should be located near available water source.

Soil Suitability &

Climate

This project will be implemented during the dry

season in Loa PDR. Sandy or clay soil types will

be preferable, but not required.

Most crops prefer a well-drained loam or clay–loam soil with a pH

of about 6.0 to 6.5. A thorough mapping of soils on the site should

be done in order to determine if soil nutrition or the soil structure

needs attention.

Crop Variety Local crop varieties that are resilient to the hot

dry season will be prioritized, but not required. The soil selected should support the kind of crops that will be

cultivated.

Topography The site should have mild slope to minimize

erosion and agricultural runoffs. Raised beds will be established against the direction of the slope to

reduce erosion.

Proximity

Site that is closer to communities in which

smallholder farmers live will enhance monitoring

and security.

The proximity of the site to residential areas and other projects is

essential to avoid potential contamination. Site proximity will also

enhance the ecological values of existing systems.

Labor

Twenty smallholder farmers that are currently

working with IWMI and partner agencies will be

recruited for on-farm demonstrations.

Farming usually requires intensive-labor. In the case of this project,

I will avoid the use of chemical fertilizers basing the experimental

trials on sustainable soil nutrient and water remediation practices.

Transportation &

Market The site should be accessible to transportation

and local market systems. Access to reliable transportation systems is essential for transporting

farm equipment and materials and also fresh agricultural produce to

the market.

Materials &

equipment

This project will rely on handheld farm tools and

soil nutrient and water testing equipment. The site will be slightly tilled using handheld tools and raised beds

will be established to cultivate crops.

PLOT SELECTION CRITERIA

TREATMENT STRATEGY

TREATMENT NUMBER STANDARD PRACTICE ADMENTMENT 1ᵇ ALTERNATIVEᵈ

1 Controlᵃ

2 Control 30 Kg/20 cm

depth/raised bed

3

Control 6 ft²/ for 1ʺ layer

of Compost (Clay

Soil)

8 ft²/ for 1ʺ layer

of Compost

(Sandy Soil)

4 Control Mulch plant at 1ʺ

thick with organic

materials

ªFarming as usual; ᵇ30kg/20 cm depth/raised bed of green manure application.

PLOTS SCHEMATIC AND REPLICATIONS

Technical Note: There will be 2 plots (control & Treatment). RB = Raised bed

Es = Edge spacing, Rs = Row spacing, Ps = Plant spacing, RB = Raised Bed (I, II, III, IV)

SCHEMATIC OF PLANTING DISTANCE AND REPLICATIONS

THANKS!!

ANY QUESTION, COMMENT OR RECOMMENDATION

WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

THIS IS A WORK IN

PROGRESS!