SLM Focal Village
Type: Approaches
Creation: 2014-07-04 00:00 Updated: 2017-08-03 09:34
Compilers: Karma Dorji
Reviewers: Fabian Ottiger
Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied
- Country: Bhutan
- Region/ State/ Province: Chhukha Dzongkhag
- Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: Phuntsholing geog, Serina chiog
- Map: View Map
Description of the SLM Approach
Short description of the Approach
Focused support to a single village community to promote the widespread integrated implementation of SLM interventions.
Detailed description of the Approach
Aims / objectives: A SLM Focal Village is an approach to focus support to a particular village where a whole range of integrated SLM interventions is showcased in order to create visual impact and to serve as a demonstration site. The concept of a SLM Focal Village was developed in order to tackle the concern of dilution of impact caused by inclusion of all the villages and the households that are geographically very scattered and dispersed. Focal villages are selected at geog (block) level based on their accessibility, visibility for visitors and passers-by, severity of land degradation issues and interest shown by the village community.
Methods: Participatory SLM Action Planning is used to identify land-based problems, their causes and to discuss, select and prioritize specific targeted SLM interventions into a chiog (village) SLM action plan. Additional support is given to the village community to convert larger complexes of clustered land to more sustainable use with locally suited SLM practices. Popular interventions are stone bunding, grass hedgerows, bench terracing, bamboo and tree plantation and fodder development. The for-mation of labour-sharing groups is promoted in the SLM Focal Villages to ease high labour requirement for some SLM activities.
Stages of implementation: Where possible, integrated approaches are adopted, linking increasing vegetative cover of degraded or vulnerable areas with fodder development in marginal slope segments. FYM shed construction is combined with breed improvement and transition to stall feeding, providing manure for cropland. The SLM Focal Villages are used as demonstration sites and interested farmer groups on study tours and other visitors can get a quick impression of a variety of SLM activities showcased in a limited geographical area.
Role of stakeholders: The SLM Focal Villages are used as demonstration sites and interested farmer groups on study tours and other visitors can get a quick impression of a variety of SLM activities showcased in a limited geographical area.
Other important information: SLM Focal Villages require more guidance and monitoring by local extension staff and relatively higher budgets as the areas of land converted to SLM practices are often larger and thus related expenses for seeds, seedlings and other incentives like tools. In some focal villages additional labour-saving machinery is supplied, for example maize flour mill, oil expeller, rice huller, cornflake machine, etc. as an incentive to the community for taking up SLM interventions on comparatively larger scale..
Photos of the Approach
- 📍 Samchoeling, Gosging geog, Zhemgang Dzongkhag, Zhemgang
- 📷 Hans van Noord (Schoutenkamp 43 Heteren The Netherlands)
- 📍 Pakshikha chiog, Bongo geog, Chhukha
- 🗓 2009-03-10
- 📷 Hans van Noord (Schoutenkamp 43 Heteren The Netherlands)