Training Report for FFLG Facilitators in RDTC, Zhemgang

May 28 to June 2, 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 & Dhendup Wangchuk Project Officers, CSLD, PDD, RSPN

Background The Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) with technical support form 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. The training was attended by 13 participants (Farmers Family Learning Group Facilitators (FFLG)). 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. Objective The main objective of this training was to impart the FFLG facilitators with the knowledge of organic agriculture which is one of the sustainable agricultural practices as it takes care of bio-diversity, avoids environmental contamination, a holistic farming approach, stress on on-farm production of farm inputs thereby, has a good scope to reduce the cost of production, higher profit margins due to premium prices and is a climate smart agriculture.

The Role of Facilitators The presenter taught that basically 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 FACILITATOR, 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. he 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 takes 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. Basically the facilitators have following responsibilities: • 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 • Help to find solutions • Helps to build confidence among farmers

• Must create a good atmosphere of equal-ness • Must be aware of the group dynamics • Must try to solve disagreements • Must be able to find new information on request

Figure 1: FFLG Facilitators

Organic Farming The farmers were presented with the concept of organic agriculture. The presenter presented that the oorganic 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. The farmers were also taught in the difference of conventional method of farming and organic farming. They were stressed on the harmful impacts, disadvantage, advantages of both organic and conventional method of farming. For organic farming, farmers were never to leave the soil naked, increase soil organic matter by composting, use of animal manure, cover crop, nitrogen fixing crops. They are taught to follow the techniques of companion planting, polycultures, crop rotation and to to reduce the use of off-farm external and non-renewable inputs.

Figure 2: The comparative flow of conventional and organic farming. The farmers were taught the technique of fruit tree guild which basically is to under-plant a central element, such as a fruit or nut tree, with plants that are highly useful, multifunctional, and that might naturally be found growing together. Under plantings in a guild might include plants that fertilize, repel pests, attract beneficial insects, create mulch, and suppress grass.

Figure 3: Diagram showing the technique of fruit tree guild.

The presenter also taught the farmers on the pest management and certain techniques to overcome the pest using bio-pesticides. Use of neem plant was one technique for the bio-pesticides. There are certain techniques such as the simultaneously raising of ducklings, fish, rice and Azolla. In this technique, the ducklings provide integrated pest management, replacing pesticides and herbicides by naturally controlling predaceous pest populations and digging up or eating competing weeds. The loach and duck waste, combined with the nitrate fixing properties of Azolla, is supposed to increase the soil nutrition and maintain productivity levels that are comparable to conventional farming operations without the need f Azolla is known as the ‘mosquito fern’ due to its ability to reduce mosquito breeding populations by more than 95%. or costly synthetic fertilizers. Another technique was the concept of forest garden. The farming method should be done in such as way that it resembles the forest. There are certain layers in the forest garden which the farmers will have to plant accordingly.

Figure 4: Diagram of forest garden Action Planning Participants were taught on how to make an action plan among the FFLG. During the planning they were asked to consider the following questions. • Where are you now?

- what problems/challenges do you face? • Where do you want to go and why?

- discovery of opportunities

• Your vision of the future • What obstacles and challenges might get in your way? • What do you need to do to get, where you want to go? • What principles or values will guide your work?

Keeping note of all the above points, participants were made to make an action plan each in a group.

Figure 5: A group member presenting the action plan to the participants. Participatory Mapping The participants were taught on Participatory mapping. Participatory mapping is defined by the content of the maps which depicts local knowledge and information. The maps contain a community’s place names, symbols, scales and priority features and represent local knowledge systems. The participatory maps provide a valuable visual representation of what a community perceives as its place and the significant features within it. These include depictions of natural physical features and resources and socio-cultural features known by the community. The participatory maps are not confined to simply presenting geographic feature information; they can also illustrate important social, cultural and historical knowledge including, for example, information related to land-use occupancy, mythology and demography.

Figure 6: A participants presenting the landscape map prepared by a group.

Networking among FFLG Facilitators On the final day, the farmers were taught on networking among the FFLG. A group on social app called WECHAT administered Dhendup Wangchuk, Project Officer of Zhemgang is created to keep all the facilitators in loop and to discuss the issues among themselves. 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 organic 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. The FFLG Facilitators/participants are grateful to RSPN and Organic Denmark for providing such training, and they are hopeful that this Project will immensely benefit them and their FFLG household members in their respective villages.