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Report: 2nd Round Training of FFLG Facilitators on Improve

Organic Farming System Methods and Techniques

RDTC, Zhemgang October 28 to November 1, 2018

Implemented and Coordinated by: Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN)

Technical Backstopping by: Organic Denmark (OD)

Funded by: Civil Society in Development (CISU)

Trainer: Jesper Saxgren, Organic Denmark

Asst. Trainers: Tsheten Dorji & Dhendup Wangchuk, RSPN

Reported by: Tsheten Dorji

Dy. Chief Project Officer, CSLD, PDD, RSPN

November 2018

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Background

The Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) with technical support from the Organic

Denmark currently implement a project, “Empower small scale Bhutanese farmers to increased

food security and sustainability livelihood through agro-ecological farming and food system

development” in Chhukha and Zhemgang Dzongkhag. The project is support by CISU based

in Denmark. The project phase is from January 2018 till June 2019. As a part of project

activity, RSPN in collaboration with the Organic Denmark trained farmers from Bayel-

Kunzang under Chhukha Dzongkhag and farmers from Buli, Tali, Kikhar, Dakpay and Berti

under Zhemgang Dzonggkhag for 5 days in Rural Development Training Centre (RDTC) based

in Zhemgang starting from October 28 till November 1, 2018. The training was attended by 12

participants (Farmers Family Learning Group Facilitators (FFLG)).

Objectives

The training was mainly to introduce farmers with the principles of organic farming, organic

soil fertility management, farm-scaping/landscape reading and role of FFLG facilitators in the

project. The main objective of the 2nd round of the training was to enhance organic farming

system methods and techniques of the FFLG facilitators.

The Role of FFLG Facilitators

The concept of FFLG is an extension approach, whereby farmers, with the help of a facilitator,

work together to develop their farms, improve livelihoods and food security in their families;

develop and learn together and build social capital in their local communities. Each FFLG will

be supported by a Facilitators, who facilitate the group on making plans for development. The

FFLG emphasize on learning by doing – exchange of knowledge. The FFLG include all

members’ farms and every farm is a learning site. The facilitators will guide each host farmer

in planning of the day’s program. All members in the FFLG will have equal chances of being

host farmer during the rotational visit. During the visit, the members will gather on a host

farmer’s farm and host farmer will take members around his/her farm sharing the experiences

and challenges. During the visit, the facilitator will take minutes for every meeting and will

advice what to be done further.

The primary responsibilities of the facilitators are as follows:

• Guides members through a

learning process – without

dominating;

• Helps members to learn from

each other;

• Helps the group to identify their

problems – mainly by asking

questions;

• Must try to solve disagreements;

• Helps to build confidence

among farmers;

• Must create a good atmosphere

of equal-ness;

• Must be aware of the group

dynamics;

• Help to find solutions; and

• Must be able to find new

information on request. Figure 1: FFLG Facilitators

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Training The five days training course is divided into two sections. Section one focused on theoretical

training, which covered the presentation and experience sharing from the 1st-round training by

FFLG Facilitators, recap of organic farming practices, importance of soil fertility management,

pest and crop management, preparation of different type of bio-pesticides and liquid manures.

Section two focused on practical training in a identified field, whereby all the FFLG

Facilitators were practically taught on how to construct Swales as part of water management,

bio-pesticides and liquid manures by locally available plants which are non-eatable by animals

as part of pest control and soil fertility management. The materials required such as cow dung,

cow urine, garlic, green leaves were collected by the trainees and stocked at the identified site.

The training was designed to enhance the technical skill of the FFLG Facilitators.

Section I: Theoretical Training

The theoretical training was conducted on the first three days. The theoretical training

components are as follows:

Presentation of FFLG groups by Facilitators and learnings from 1st-round Training

The five days training started with the welcome of the FFLG Facilitators by Project Officers

and OD Expert. Followed by, the FFLG Facilitators presented about their village map showing

the main features: location of fields, crops, water sources, wetland, forest and potential areas

for development. In the afternoon, FFLG Facilitators presented the key learnings from the 1st-

round training and implementation of the activities on following components:

- What has worked? What has not?

- How has the group responded?

- What problems they faced as a facilitator?

- Where do they need help/support?

- What will the main challenges for their group in the near future?

In continuation, possible solutions and potential areas for development was discussed amongst

the FFLG Facilitators, trainer and Project Officers. The Project Officers who are External

Facilitators will provided the technical backstopping to the Internal Facilitators while

implementing any activities under this project.

Organic Farming Systems and role of FFLG Facilitators

The farmers were presented with the

concept of organic farming systems,

its methods and benefits. The trainer

presented that the organic

agriculture follows the principles

and logic of a living organism, in

which all elements: soil, plant, farm

animals, insects, the farmer and

local conditions are closely linked

to each other. This is accomplished

by using, where possible,

agronomic, biological and

mechanical methods, following the

principles of these interactions,

using natural ecosystem as a model. Figure 2: The comparative flow of conventional and organic farming

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In addition, the trainer also briefed the roles of the FFLG Facilitators to promote organic

farming amongst their FFLG groups in order to achieve the Royal Government’s vision of

going 100% organic. It was also further discussed on what gaps need to be filled? and In what

areas do the FFLGs need support?

Integrated Farming and Water Management

The trainer presented on

importance of integrated

counter farming systems and

its advantages. The trainer

shared with the FFLG

Facilitators that integrated

counter farming will: improve

irrigation systems and

conserve water; keeps topsoil

in place on sloping lands

(preventing erosion); slows

down water to settle into the

soil; prevents the formation of

riffs and gullies; and improve

the appearance of farm land.

In addition, the trainer also presented on storing of rainwater run-off in the landscape through

construction of Swales on a sloppy land as part of water management. The FFLG Facilitators

were provided the theory on construction of A-Frame with bamboo/wood pieces, an instrument

for marking the counter lines. Construction of Swales on a sloppy land will reduce the speed

of the run-off water and will prevent from top soil erosion, and the collected run-off water in a

pond at the end of the Swales can be use during dry seasons.

Figure 3: Counter farming on slope land

Figure 4: Description to construct A-Frame Figure 5: Description of construction of Swales

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The trainer presented on plantation of “Perennial Vegetables and Fruits” along the counter

lines of the Swales since the crops is easier to grow, tend to be more nutritious, more

ecologically beneficial, and less dependent on water and other inputs. Growing of Perennial

Vegetables and Fruits has the following advantages:

• Perennial Vegetables and Fruits are Low

Maintenance: They thrive and produce

abundant and nutritious crops throughout the

season. Once established in the proper site and

climate, perennial vegetables and crops are so

good at taking care of themselves that they

require frequent harvesting to prevent them

from becoming weeds themselves.

• Perennial Vegetables and Fruits Extend the

Harvest: Perennial vegetables and fruits often

have different seasons of availability from

annuals, which provides more food throughout

the year. While you are transplanting tiny

annual seedlings into your vegetable

garden/orchard or waiting out the mid-summer

heat, many perennials are already growing

strong or ready to harvest.

Pest and Soil Fertility Management

The two Project Officers (External Facilitators) presented the farmers on the pest management

and techniques using bio-pesticides. Among several pest control measures, the farmers were

taught on preparing bio-pesticides from Garlic (Allium sativum), Artemisia (Asteraceae

family), Green Chilli (Habanero) and Marigold Flower (Tagetes patula) mixed with cow urine,

which are readily available in their locality. This solutions can be extracted after one week of

fermentation and can be sprayed in the field at a ratio of 1:10 (1 unit of solution mixed with 10

units of water). In addition, the farmers were presented on preparation of Liquid manure from

Eupatorium species mixed with cow urine and cow dung. The liquid manure can enhance the

soil fertility management. The farmers were also presented on preparation of Hip Composting

and Vermin Composting as part of soil fertility management.

No-dig/No-till Organic Gardening/Farming

The trainer presented on “No-dig/No-till

Organic Gardening/Farming” to the farmers,

which is a new concept in Bhutan. The trainer

presented with following examples: “A

plough is never used in the forest, but the soil

is always soft and fertile. In fact, the more you

plough, the more ploughing is needed, as weed

seeds are brought to the surface and

germinate. Digging and ploughing leaves the

earth naked, exposing it to the ultraviolet rays

of the sun, which sterilizes the soil – killing the

soil organisms. The soil is dried out and loses

a lot of its nutrients, such as carbon and

nitrogen. The topsoil can be washed away by

the rain, and blown away by the wind”.

Figure 6: Perennial Vegetables

Figure 7: Comparison of No Till and Till

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In addition, the trainer also presented to the farmers, on the preparation and the advantages of

“No-dig/No-till Organic Gardening/Farming” as follows:

• Moisture is also better retained due to the mulching, and the organic matter in the soil works

like a sponge to better retain the moisture in the soil.

• The mulching also prevents soil erosion, stops runoff of rainwater across the surface, and

assists the rainwater to percolate into the

soil.

• The earthworms will create channels in

the soil, which will help both water and

air to penetrate into the soil.

• Most of the mulching is done after

harvesting plants in Summer, Autumn

and before Winter or when the previous

mulch starts to disappear.

• Soil degrades heavily in Winter if it’s

bare and left unprotected from the

natural elements. We need to protect the

soil over Winter.

Baseline Study Report Presentation

As part of interaction and information sharing session, the two Project Officers presented the

Baseline Study Report, which was conducted in the month of April 2018. The report is in final

stage, and is presented to share the collected information with FFLG Facilitators and Mr. Jesper

to authenticate the accuracy of the

information, and to seek their views and

comments for finalization. The FFLG

Facilitators were surprised to know few

of the realities about their villages whom

they are not aware; however, the FFLG

Facilitators shared that the information

collected are accurate and will be helpful

for planning of any activities in future.

Mr. Jesper also mentioned that the report

looks good and can be finalize after

presenting to RSPN Project team.

Strategic Action Planning

Participants were taught on how to make an action plan among the FFLGs. During the planning,

they were asked to consider and incorporate the following components:

• Vision – Mission – Values – Strategic Planning

• Goal setting and action planning for the FFLGs

• Future program and networking

This is activity was initiated at the end of the

training program and each FFLG Groups were

asked to prepared their own action planning for the

coming year 2019 and let them to present for

comments and finalization. This action planning

will serve as guideline while implementing the

planned activities by each FFLGs.

Figure 8: No Dig/No Till Farming/Gardening Cycle

Figure 9: Front page of Baseline Study Report

Figure 10: Strategic Action Planning for 2019

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Section II: Practical Training

The Practical training was conducted on the last two days. The practical training components

are as follows:

Construction of A-Frame

The FFLG Facilitators were provided hands-on-

training on construction of A-Frame, an

instrument for marking the counter lines along

the slope land. The FFLG Facilitators were

divided in three groups and were asked to

construct a A-Frame to be used while

constructing Swales. A-Frame was constructed

using green bamboo pieces, nail, nylon string

(thread) and round stone. The FFLG Facilitators

were also demonstrated on using A-Frame while

marking the counter lines along the slope land.

Construction of Swales

The trainer demonstrated the FFLG Facilitators on construction of Swales in a identified

farmland belong to RDTC. The FFLG Facilitators marked the counter lines using A-Frame and

constructed three Swales each measuring

2 meters in length with a distance of 4

meters between each Swales and depth of

around 50 centimetres. In addition, the

trainer also demonstrated on controlling

run-off water on a sloppy land, prevent

top soil erosion, and the collected run-off

water in a pond at the end of the Swales,

which can be use during dry seasons.

Therefore, the FFLG facilitators found

that construction of Swales is a cost

efficient, simple techniques and is not

labour intensive, and it is applicable and

effective technique for water management

in their communities.

Preparation of Bio-pesticides and liquid manures

As part of the pest control and soil

fertility management, the two Project

Officers demonstrated on preparation

of bio-pesticides using Garlic (Allium

sativum), Artemisia (Asteraceae

family), Green Chilli (Habanero) and

Marigold Flower (Tagetes patula)

mixed with cow urine, which are

readily available in their locality.

Garlic Solution: prepared mixing 100

grams crushed garlic with 10 litres cow

urine in a 10 litres plastic bucket.

Figure 11: Constructed A-Frame ready for use

Figure 12: Construction of Swales

Figure 13: Materials require for bio-pesticides & liquid manure

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Chilly Solution: prepared mixing 100 grams green chilli with 10 litres cow urine in a 10 litres

plastic bucket. The prepared solutions in a bucket needs to be covered with gunny sack and

must keep for one week for fermentation. The FFLG Facilitators were demonstrated on

spraying the solutions in field at a ratio of 1:10 (1 unit of solution mixed with 10 units of water)

as a pest control measure.

The FFLG Facilitators

were demonstrated on

preparing bio-pesticides

using Artemisia and

Marigold Flower. The

solutions were prepared

mixing 1 kilogram

crushed Artemisia and

Marigold Flower with 10

litres water in a 10 litres

plastic bucket. This

solution can be used

instantly in the field.

In addition, the farmers were demonstrated on preparation of Liquid Manure from

Eupatorium species mixed with cow urine and cow dung. The solution was prepare mixing 5

kilograms crushed Eupatorium, 5 litres of

cow urine and 5 kilograms of cow dung

in a 20 litres plastic bucket. The prepared

solutions in a bucket needs to be covered

with gunny sack and must keep for one

month for fermentation. The FFLG

Facilitators were demonstrated on

spraying the solutions in field at a ratio of

1:10 (1 unit of solution mixed with 10

units of water) as both pest control and

soil fertility management. The FFLG

Facilitators were also demonstrated on

spraying of solutions in the evening after

sunset for its effectiveness as the pest

usually attacks the crops at night.

Way Forward

As a way forward for successful implementation of the project activities, following were

decided:

• The FFLG Facilitators will conduct a meeting with their own groups and will disseminate

the learnings from the training in Zhemgang;

• The two Project Officers (External Facilitators) will meet with the FFLG members and

provide presentation using LCD Projectors as part of knowledge and information sharing

of FFLG approaches at earliest;

• The two External Facilitators will visit the field and provide backstopping whenever

require; and

• The two External Facilitators will provide follow up trainings to FFLG members in

collaboration with the concerned FFLG Facilitators at earliest.

Figure 14: Preparation of Garlic Solution

Figure 15: Preparation of Liquid Manure

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Conclusion

The training was successful and the FFLG Facilitators shared that they could understand the ill

effects of using chemical fertilizers to both soil and human health, concept of organic

agriculture, agro-ecological farming, soil fertility management and pest control measure using

bio-pesticides and liquid manure. They also shared that they could understand the concept of

FFLG and their roles; and they are confident enough to coordinate and disseminate the concept

to their respective FFLG household members and promote organic farming to achieve vision

of going 100% organic in Bhutan. The FFLG Facilitators/participants are grateful to RSPN and

Organic Denmark for providing the trainings, and they are hopeful that this Project will

immensely benefit them and their FFLG household members in their respective villages.

Training Evaluation

The evaluation of the training was organized with 13 FFLG Facilitators at the end of the

training period with objectives to oversee the expected impacts and benefits, and requirement

of improvement in future. The evaluation was rated based on 11 Key-Indicators against the 5

likert-Scale (refer the graph below).

8

13

5

2

10 10

7

9

8

9

13

5

0

8

11

3 3

6

4 4 4

00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1

0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

The objective

of the training

were clearly

defined

Participation

and interaction

were

encouraged

The topics

covered were

relevant to me

The content

was organized

and easy to

follow

The materials

distributed

were helpful

This training

experience will

be useful in my

works

The trainer was

knowledgeable

about the

training

The trainer was

well prepared

The training

objectives were

met

The time

allocation for

the training was

sufficient

The training

room and

facilities were

adequate and

comfortable

Graph: Satisfaction level of FFLG Facilitators

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

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Schedule: Program for FFLG training in Zhemgang October 28 to November 1, 2018

Day-I: Sunday, October 28, 2018

Morning: 09 am – 01pm

• Welcome! Introduction to training program

• Presentation of FFLG groups and your village/community including village maps showing the main features in the

village: location of fields, crops, water source, wetland, forest, potential areas for development etc.

Lunch: 01pm – 02pm

Afternoon: 02pm – 05pm

• Presentation of the main challenges for your FFLG group to support your community in order to grow organic, to improve

livelihoods, to obtain food security and food sovereignty.

• What have you tried to implement of the learnings from the last training course?

- What has worked? What has not?

- How has your group responded?

- What problems have you faced as a facilitator?

- Where do you need help/support?

- What will the main challenges be for your group in the near future?

• Discussion of possible solutions and potential areas for development

Day-II: Monday, October 29, 2018

Morning: 09 am – 01pm

• Recap of main learnings from last training course - What is a FFLG and how does it work?

- The role of the facilitator

• Recap of main organic farming principles

Lunch: 01pm – 02pm

Afternoon: 02pm – 05pm

• What gaps need to be filled?

• In what areas do you need support?

Day-III: Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Morning: 09 am – 01pm

• Integrated contour farming and water management

• Storing of rainwater run-off in the landscape

• Contour farming, swale construction

• A-frame construction

Lunch: 01pm – 02pm

Afternoon: 02pm – 05pm

• Marking of contour lines

• Construction of swales, exercise

Day-IV: Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Morning: 09 am – 01pm

• The use of different bio-pesticides

• The use of liquid manure

Lunch: 01pm – 02pm

Afternoon: 02pm – 05pm

• Production of different bio-pesticides

• Production of liquid manure

Day-V: Thursday, November 1, 2018

Morning: 09 am – 01pm

• No-dig/No-till organic gardening/farming

• Presentation of baseline study

Lunch: 01pm – 02pm

Afternoon: 02pm – 05pm

• Vision – Mission – Values – Strategic Planning

• Goal setting and action planning for the FFLGs

• Presentation of FFLG action plans

• Advocacy

• Future program and networking

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List of FFLG Facilitators and Trainers

Sl # Name Village & Gewog Responsibility

1 Mr. Jesper Saxgren Organic Denmark Trainer

2 Mr. Tsheten Dorji RSPN Astt. Trainer

3 Mr. Dhendup Wangchuk RSPN Astt. Trainer

4 Mr. Tshering Dhendup RSPN Logistic

5 Mr. Nyaran Ghalley RSPN Project Officer

6 Mr. Rinchen Gyeltshen Bayul-kuenzang, Bongo FFLG Facilitator

7 Mr. Pema Thinley Gedaphu, Bongo FFLG Facilitator

8 Ms. Yeshi Bida Bayul-kuenzang, Bongo FFLG Facilitator

9 Mr. Dawa Tshering Bayul-kuenzang, Bongo FFLG Facilitator

10 Mr. Leki Dorji KNC/Goling, Nangkor FFLG Facilitator

11 Ms. Ugyen Dema Berti, Trong FFLG Facilitator

12 Ms. Tashi Yangzom Buli, Nangkor FFLG Facilitator

13 Ms. Rinchen Wangmo Kikhar, Nangkor FFLG Facilitator

14 Ms. Pema Lhamo Dakpey, Nangkor FFLG Facilitator

15 Mr. Wangyel Tali, Nangkor FFLG Facilitator

16 Mr. Tashi Tobgay Buli, Nangkor FFLG Facilitator

17 Ms. Kezang Dema Kikhar, Nangkor FFLG Facilitator

18 Mr. Keshab Khandal RDTC Forestry Officer