009/06 VIE Final Report 2009 Attachment 2 1 009/06 VIE: Improving capability of provincial extensionists for assessing soil constraints to sustainable production through the use of the SCAMP decision support system. SCAMP Training Course Tay Ninh February , 2009 Pre- and post- training survey The 27 participants at the training course were given a pre- and post-course questionnaire. The pre- course questionnaire was designed to determine what the participants considered were the major soil constraints to productivity in their villages. The post-course questionnaire was designed to measure any changed perceptions of major soil constraints and to determine what follow-up actions the participants planned to take when they returned from the course. Pre-course survey Sandy soil is one of the major cropping soil groups of Tay Ninh province. The structure of soil is weak and loose. This results in low water holding capacity and poor soil fertility. As a consequence, productive capacity can be seriously constrained. Questions Participants (%) 1. What are the main crops grown in your location? Fruit Peanut Maize Vegetable Sugar Rubber Cashew Flower Cassava Tobacco Pepper Coffee Grass 44 44 41 41 33 30 26 26 26 15 11 9 7 2. What are the soil groups? Participants (%) Fluvisols Gleysols Acrisols Ferralsols Clay loam Loam Clays 96 77 44 19 26 22 11 009/06 VIE Final Report 2009 Attachment 2 2 Sandy soils 4 3. What are the constraints to productive agricultural systems? Participants (%) Weak soil structure and erosion Shallow topsoil No organic amendments are applied Cultivation system is unsuitable Using inorganic fertilizer for several years leads to soil degradation There is a large area of low fertility Acrisols Cropping system is unsuitable Irrigation system is unsuitable Unplanned and inappropriate land use Unsustainable management practices No soil maps of quality assessment Local policy Urbanization leads to decrease in cultivated area Gley soil is difficult for cropping 26 26 26 26 22 22 15 11 11 11 11 7 4 4 According to the pre-course survey, many participants believe that the soils are infertile and this is a major reason for the application of inorganic fertilizer. Weak soil structure is identified as a cause of susceptibility to erosion. There is no widespread use of organic materials. 4. What are the soil characteristics that impact on soil fertility and productivity that need to be improved? Participants (%) Physical and chemical characteristics pH Soil structure Organic matter in soil Soil permeability and drainage Erosion hazard Irrigation water quality Buffer capacity of soil Slope Hard-setting soil surface Gley characteristics 48 41 26 22 15 11 11 11 7 7 4 Over 40% of participants suggested that it is necessary to improve soil pH and soil physical and chemical characteristics to improve productivity. From 22-26% of participants said that soil structure and soil organic matter should be improved. 009/06 VIE Final Report 2009 Attachment 2 3 5. What are some methods for improving soil productivity? Participants (%) Apply cow dung, organic amendments Use bio-fertilizer Retain crop residues Control erosion Reduce inputs of N-P-K fertilisers Crop rotation Suitable soil preparation Make a cropping map Use sparingly soluble fertilisers and apply sub-surface Fertilizer application after harvesting 33 22 19 15 15 11 11 7 7 7 Many participants recognised the importance of applying organic amendments and retaining crop residues as a means of improving productivity. Post-course survey According to the post-course survey, the awareness of the participants had changed significantly compared with the pre-course survey. Most participants have increased awareness about the role of texture, structure, permeability, dispersion, erosion and hard-setting characteristics in determining productive capacity. 1. Which soil properties are important to productivity and need to be appropriately managed? Participants (%) Porosity and permeability Erosion Soil texture Nutrient holding capacity (CEC) Hard-setting Structure and consistence pH Clay dispersion Infiltration rate Physical and chemical characteristics of soil Soil surface cover and structural improvement Clay minerals Plant rotation Soil colour 79 66 62 45 38 34 31 31 31 24 21 14 7 7 009/06 VIE Final Report 2009 Attachment 2 4 2. After the training course, what are your suggestions to improve soil fertility at your location ? Participants (%) Application of organic matter, green manure, cow dung Lime application Clay application to improve nutrient fixation capacity Soil conservation practices Suitable pH adjustment Improvement of soil surface Erosion prevention Planting green manure crops Suitable fertilizer application No-till farming system on wet soil 93 55 52 34 21 21 21 17 10 7 In order to improve soil fertility and crop yields, over 90% of participants suggested applying organic matter such as green manures and/or cow dung to the soil. Lime and clay application was also suggested by a lot of participants (> 50%). 3. Do you intend to transfer your knowledge on SCAMP to your colleagues and farmers after taking SCAMP training course? Identify requirements to support training. Participants (%) Transfer SCAMP to local farmers Organize training courses for farmers Need soil analysis to determine soil fertility Need to identify suitable technology for effective use on local soils Require assistance from Institute and Universities 90 86 10 7 7 According to the third question of the post-course survey, most participants want to transfer awareness and training in SCAMP to their local farmers (90%). 4. How can farmers be encouraged to evaluate soil constraints and determine suitable methods to improve soil quality? Participants (%) Training courses Introduce successful decision support tools Introduce SCAMP's usefulness as a decision support tool Analysis of local soil constraints to interest farmers Combination of training courses Transfer new technologies to farmers step by step Develop a training course program 41 31 24 17 14 10 10 Training courses for farmers were identified as the major method for improving soil management. 009/06 VIE Final Report 2009 Attachment 2 5 5. Is it a necessary to have a mobile laboratory which can be moved from village to village to analyse and develop effective management solutions for farmers? Participants (%) A mobile laboratory is a necessity Mobile lab is not a necessity 93 7 The vast majority of participants considered that a mobile lab capable of carrying out on-the-spot analyses for the key soil characteristics of pH, EC, extractable P and K and organic carbon would be very useful. 6. Student’s suggestion after training course Participants (%) Tutor worked hard Well organised Training course is very useful for extensionists and farmers Should have more training courses Improved knowledge of sustainable soil management Extend the length of the training course Training course has an important position in identifying and managing soil constraints Should have more material for farmers 55 34 24 17 17 14 3 3 3 The course was assessed as being very useful, relevant and of the right duration. Conclusion The pre- and post-course questionnaires identified some major changes in the perceptions of extensionists as a result of the course. In particular, a better understanding of the effects of specific soil properties on constraints resulted in more specific suggestions for sustainable management practices and the recognition that application of fertilisers was not the answer to all soil productivity problems. There was an increased awareness of the necessity for soil-specific management based on the inherent constraints identified for the soil. It was clearly the desire of the extensionists to pass on their knowledge to farmers through training courses. The role of a mobile lab to improve the identification of soil fertility constraints was seen as a necessity. . 20 09 Attachment 2 1 009/06 VIE: Improving capability of provincial extensionists for assessing soil constraints to sustainable production through the use of the SCAMP decision support system. . on the inherent constraints identified for the soil. It was clearly the desire of the extensionists to pass on their knowledge to farmers through training courses. The role of a mobile lab to. methods to improve soil quality? Participants (% ) Training courses Introduce successful decision support tools Introduce SCAMP& apos;s usefulness as a decision support tool Analysis of local soil