Rehabilitation of Fallow Land Through Agroforestry
Type: Technologies
Creation: 2023-07-10 10:49 Updated: 2024-05-30 15:23
Compilers: Nima Dolma Tamang
Reviewers: William Critchley, Rima Mekdaschi Studer, Joana Eichenberger
Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment
- Country: Bhutan
- Region/ State/ Province: Zhemgang Dzongkhag
- Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: Rebati Chiwog under Ngangla Gewog, Brumbi and Jiwongolia Chiwog under Trong Gewog
- Map: View Map
Description of the SLM Technology
Short description of the Technology
Fallow is arable land deliberately set aside due to challenges faced in cultivation. The rehabilitation of lands left fallow for decades through the adoption of agroforestry has been one success story of the Khengrig Namsum Cooperative in the central region of Bhutan. The integration of perennial trees (fruit and high-value trees) and seasonal crops creates environmental, economic, and social benefits.
Detailed description of the Technology
Fallow land is the term for arable fields either partially or completely left unused and unproductive, owing to reasons such as labour shortages, lack of irrigation, human-wildlife conflict and/or the plots being far away from the settlements. Land rehabilitation is a promising approach towards mitigating the fallow land issue. Thus, the Khengrig Namsum Cooperative (KNC), a registered firm under the Department of Agriculture Marketing and Cooperatives, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL), Bhutan has ventured into rehabilitating 235 acres (94 ha) of fallow lands since 2016, through the adoption of agroforestry. The KNC was founded by Mr. Thinley Wangdi (the current chairman), with the motive of improving the livelihoods of the people of Zhemgang Dzongkhag through locally grown farm produce.
The KNC with funds from the Global Environment Facility - Small Grant Program (GEF–SGP) through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Bhutan, revived the fallow through agroforestry (intercropping of banana and bamboo plants). The KNC intervened in three strategic locations, benefitting 36 households. This particular agroforestry approach was not only aimed towards enhancing livelihoods but also to diversify production: through banana chips production and bamboo product development.
Upon securing the funds, implementation started with the procurement of planting and fencing materials, hands-on training, and then planting and fencing activities. Installation of electric fencing was done to reduce human-wildlife conflict. There was specific training on product development. Moreover, the KNC was able to link up with nearby schools for the school feeding programme, to supply fruits and vegetables. The cooperative demonstrates skills in processing its own products and enabling better access to renewable natural resources in the locality. On the contrary, not having proper cold storage facilities has negative impacts on processing units and has resulted in unreliable market coupling.