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Project News

2008-09-26

Farmland Use Plan (Part I)

One of the Project's important activities is making and implementing the "farmland use plan".  If the environment-friendly agroforestry techniques that we are promoting are applied only in a dispersed and isolated manner on the farms the anticipated soil and water conservation effects cannot be achieved.

We begin this activity by making a drawing that shows the current use of the farmland and the characteristics of the terrain.  Photos 1 to 3 are from the Salamanca group farm where they practiced doing a simple land survey with the extension worker.   A metric tape measurer, compass and clinometer (an instrument for measuring slope) are used to measure and record the contour and size of the farm, the slopes, location of any paths, streams, or trees, and the current use of the land (if it has crops, if it's pastureland, forest, or area of the farm structures, etc.).  They also use a portable GPS to establish the coordinates of the farm.  All this data is taken back to the office and integrated into the farm map.

Using this drawing you can plan what conservation techniques and farming techniques will be suitable for each of the plots inside the farm according to the slope and vegetation cover they have. Furthermore, it makes it possible to accurately calculate the surface area of the plots so that reliable estimates can be made of the amount of material, such as seeds, seedlings and fertilizer, which will be needed.  The farm's future plan is made by discussing with the group members how they want to use the land taking into account the following three basic points: (1) Spatial plan (Where to introduce what techniques and crops, and which areas should be reverted to forest.),  (2) Calendar plan (When they will start to work and when they will harvest.), (3) Quantitative plan (How much supplies and labor will be invested, and how many crops will be for consumption and how many for sale.).

As seen in photo 4, we now plan to apply the same idea on members' individual farms as well.  With the collaboration the extension workers and the group members will make a drawing of their own farm and create a farmland use plan.  This is a key activity for us to be able to accomplish a difficult task, together with ANAM our C/P institution,  which is to achieve "rural development" that is compatible with "watershed conservation."

Photo

Photo

(Photo 1: left) The Salamanca group farm. Before beginning the land survey, the whole farm is walked through to make a rough sketch of it. (June 25, 2008)
(Photo 2: right) Members form pairs and practice the use of the 50m metric tape measurer. (June 25, 2008)

Photo

Photo

(Photo 3: left) The clinometer is used to measure the slope and its direction. (June 25, 2008)
(Photo 4: right) The Project's extension worker and a member of the Madroñal group work together to create a drawing of the farm. (July 1, 2008)

(Mr. Taku MORI, Farmland Use Plan / Environmental Education)

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