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Evaluation of climate-smart village roving workshop as a farmer-to-farmer learning platform

Working Paper No. 257 CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) Nguyen Duc Trung Jerome Villanueva Malisa Khounthavong Dyna Eam

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Evaluation of Climate-Smart Village roving workshop as a farmer-to-farmer learning platform

Working Paper No. 257 CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) Nguyen Duc Trung Jerome Villanueva Malisa Khounthavong Dyna Eam

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Correct citation: Trung ND, Villanueva J, Khounthavong M, Eam D. 2019. Evaluation of Climate-Smart Village roving workshop as a farmer-to-farmer learning platform. CCAFS Working Paper No. 257. Wageningen, the Netherlands: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). Available online at: www.ccafs.cgiar.org Titles in this Working Paper series aim to disseminate interim climate change, agriculture and food security research and practices and stimulate feedback from the scientific community. The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) is a strategic partnership of CGIAR and Future Earth, led by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). The Program is carried out with funding by CGIAR Fund Donors, Australia (ACIAR), Ireland (Irish Aid), Netherlands (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade; Switzerland (SDC); Thailand; The UK Government (UK Aid); USA (USAID); The European Union (EU); and with technical support from The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). For more information, please visit https://ccafs.cgiar.org/donors. Contact: CCAFS Program Management Unit, Wageningen University & Research, Lumen building, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands. Email: ccafs@cgiar.org Creative Commons License

This Working Paper is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution – NonCommercial–NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Articles appearing in this publication may be freely quoted and reproduced provided the source is acknowledged. No use of this publication may be made for resale or other commercial purposes. © 2019 CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). CCAFS Working Paper no. 257 Photos: Leocadio Sebastian, Ngo Duc Minh, Duong Minh Tuan, Dyna Eam, Eisen Bernardo, Julien Bourque DISCLAIMER: This Working Paper has been prepared as an output under the CCAFS program and has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions stated herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of CCAFS, donor agencies, or partners. All images remain the sole property of their source and may not be used for any purpose without written permission of the source.

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Abstract

In 2014, the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security in

Southeast Asia (CCAFS SEA) established seven Climate-Smart Villages (CSVs) in the

region. The CSVs are serving as models of climate-resilient communities and field

laboratories of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies and practices. In the following

years, CCAFS SEA and various CGIAR Centers conducted studies and transferred a wide

range of CSA technologies and practices in those villages. Farmer networks could ensure that

these technologies and practices are fully adopted by the farmers. To establish these networks,

capacity building activities such as CSV roving workshops can be organized. These

workshops are held annually in different countries as a capacity building activity not only for

farmers but also for local technical staff. These workshops were proved as effective

communication channels, which directly provide information on CSA technologies and

practices to the farmers; enhance their perception of innovation adaptability; and reduce the

uncertainties about the risks and benefits of adoption. This working paper presents a brief

overview of this learning method, the outputs, and initial outcomes from four roving

workshops organized in Southeast Asia.

Keywords

Climate-smart village, roving workshop, farmer-to-farmer learning

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About the authors

Nguyen Duc Trung is currently working as an Associate Researcher for CCAFS Southeast

Asia Regional Office. Email: n.trung@irri.org

Jerome Villanueva is currently working as a Project Officer for IRRI Laos and is the

coordinator of Pailom CSV in Laos PDR. Email: jerome_villanueva@hotmail.com

Malisa Khounthavong is currently a Research Assistant at IRRI Laos. Email:

malisa.ktv@gmail.com

Dyna Eam is currently working as a Project Officer in WorldFish and is the coordinator of

Rohal Suong CSV in Cambodia. Email: d.eam@cgiar.org

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture

and Food Security in Southeast Asia (CCAFS SEA). The authors would like to send their

sincere thanks to the staff of IIRR, ICRAF Vietnam, CIAT Asia, IRRI Vietnam-CCAFS SEA,

WorldFish Cambodia, IRRI Laos, IWMI Laos, and the organizers of the four roving

workshops in SEA. The authors also express their gratitude to the farmers who participated in

the roving workshops and to the subsequent assessment interviews.

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Table of Contents

Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... 4

Keywords................................................................................................................................... 4

About the authors ...................................................................................................................... 5

Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... 6

Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................... 7

List of Tables ............................................................................................................................. 8

List of Figures ........................................................................................................................... 8

Acronyms .................................................................................................................................. 9

I. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 10

II. Roving Workshop ............................................................................................................... 11

A. Definition .................................................................................................................... 11

B. Objectives ................................................................................................................... 11

C. Pre-Workshop Preparation .......................................................................................... 11

D. Training/Workshop Methodology .............................................................................. 12

E. Stakeholders ................................................................................................................ 14

III. Results ............................................................................................................................... 15

A. Vietnam ....................................................................................................................... 18

B. Cambodia .................................................................................................................... 19

C. Lao PDR ...................................................................................................................... 20

IV. Outcomes ........................................................................................................................... 21

A. Guinayangan ............................................................................................................... 21

B. Ma CSV ...................................................................................................................... 23

C. My Loi CSV ................................................................................................................ 24

D. Rohal Suong CSV ....................................................................................................... 26

II. Annexes............................................................................................................................... 27

Annex 1 ............................................................................................................................ 27

Annex 2: Some photos during the roving workshops ...................................................... 32

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List of Tables

Table 1. 2018 Plan of Rohal Suong CSV ................................................................................ 13

Table 2. List of CSA technologies and practices introduced during the roving workshops.... 17

List of Figures

Figure 1. Agriculture and research institutions that supported the roving workshops ............ 14

Figure 2. International and national organizations that assisted in organizing the roving workshops ................................................................................................................................ 14

Figure 3. School institutions involved in the roving workshops ............................................. 15

Figure 4. The Climate-Smart Villages in Southeast Asia where the roving workshops were organized ................................................................................................................................. 16

Figure 5. Number of participants that participated in the roving workshops .......................... 17

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Acronyms

AMIA Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture

CCAFS CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security

CCAFS SEA CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security in Southeast Asia

CIAT International Tropical Agriculture Centre

CSA Climate-smart Agriculture

CSA T&P Climate-smart Agriculture Technologies and Practices

CSV Climate-Smart Village

EbA Ecosystem-based Adaptation

ICRAF World Agroforestry Centre

IIRR International Institute of Rural Reconstruction

IRRI International Rice Research Institute

Lao PDR Lao People’s Democratic Republic

MAFF Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Cambodia

MARD Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam

NAFRI Lao National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute

NGO Non-government organization

NOMAFSI Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute

NUI Galway National University of Ireland Galway

PhilRice Philippine Rice Research Institute

VAAS Vietnam Academy of Agriculture Science

VNUA Vietnam National University of Agriculture

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I. Introduction

The Climate-Smart Village (CSV) concept is an research for development (R4D) approach in

agriculture, applying participatory methods to introduce and test technological and

institutional mitigation measures. These measures are tested if they can address the negative

impacts of climate change to agriculture and farmers (Aggarwal et al., 2018). The CSV

approach aims to generate evidences on the successful implementations of different climate-

smart agriculture technologies and practices (CSA T&P) and share valuable lessons with

policy makers, agricultural development practitioners, and investors at all levels (Aggarwal et

al., 2018).

In Southeast Asia, CSV selection started in 2014, while the implementation of corresponding

program activities began in 2015. The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change,

Agriculture, and Food Security in Southeast Asia (CCAFS SEA) targeted small landscapes to

encourage greater participation of local stakeholders and promote community-based activities

(Yen et al., 2016). Together with national agriculture research and extension systems and

other partners, seven CSV sites were established in Cambodia, Laos People’s Democratic

Republic (Lao PDR), Vietnam and the Philippines. Through the CSV approach, CCAFS SEA

aimed to raise the awareness of farming communities on the technological, institutional, and

policy options that climate smart agriculture (CSA) can provide. This can enhance their

climatic resilience, adaptation, agricultural productivity, and income while reducing

environmental foot prints.

CCAFS SEA also intends to enhance climate literacy of farmers through linking existing

government schemes and investments with small financial investment; buy-in of local

community on local adaptation planning; integrating and synergizing investments in

agriculture and rural development; and a good mix of ‘bottom-up’ and ‘top-down’ approach.

The approaches identified to mainstream CSVs are multi-stakeholder participatory and local

adaptation; focus on youth, women and socially disadvantaged groups; and introduction of

innovation systems such as farmer cooperatives and service windows. To boost the capacity

of local communities, farmer leaders, local extension workers, local authorities, and social

scientists working at the CSV sites, CCAFS SEA has been organizing the CSV roving

workshop annually since 2015.

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II. Roving Workshop

A. Definition

Roving workshop is a farmer learning platform where the CSV farmers can learn from experts

or from their peers through an open training workshop integrated with field visit and on-the-

field training. The participants include farmers, community extension workers and technical

staff, community facilitators, local authority officials, and social organizations and

associations.

B. Objectives

The roving workshop aims to build the farmers’ capacity on climate change and CSA and

build a network of farmers across the CSVs in Southeast Asia. Specifically, the roving

workshop was designed to achieve the following:

• Enhanced the understanding of participants on CSA through experiential

learning;

• Enhanced their capacities in facilitating on-the-ground CSA practices;

• Build up the network of farmers for knowledge and experience sharing.

C. Pre-Workshop Preparation

The first roving workshop was organized by the International Institute of Rural

Reconstruction (IIRR) and CCAFS SEA. A series of consultation and discussion transpired

between the IIRR and CCAFS SEA before the course started. Module and session outlines,

handouts, and PowerPoint presentations were prepared ahead and collated in the training kit.

Communication was also present among the invited resource persons and IIRR facilitators

through emails and phone calls. Visits to selected sites prior to the training were conducted by

the team to ensure that what the participants would see would match the desired intent. The

venue, food, and transportation were arranged in the communities and research centres visited

by the institutions responsible for organizing the workshop.

Since the second roving workshop, the participants are gaining knowledge and understanding

about CSA. At the same time, several CSA T&P were already tested in different CSV sites.

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The roving workshops were organized to share the CSA implementation experience of

farmers from different CSVs to their peers. Three representatives were selected from each

CSV to participate in the roving workshop. They included farmer leaders, local extension

workers and authorities, staff of local non-government organizations (NGOs), and members

of farmer groups, including the village heads of all CSVs. To ensure gender equality, female

participants were encouraged to participate in the roving workshop, especially representatives

from women’s groups in the communities.

CSV coordinators selected these participants. They sent letters of invitation to them to

confirm their participation. Before the workshop, the participants from each CSV worked

together with the coordinator to prepare a presentation. The presentation would comprise the

following contents: introduction about the CSV site, CSA piloting and implementation

activities, initial results, challenges and recommendations. The presentations were prepared in

local languages (Vietnamese, Laos, Khmer, and Tagalog) and were translated into English for

uses in the workshop.

D. Training/Workshop Methodology

The first roving workshop organized in the Philippines was conducted with a training format.

The next three roving workshops followed a “sharing and learning” approach. CSV

representatives discussed their presentation—often in PowerPoint format—on behalf of their

communities. Other participants from the same CSV sites would add more information if

applicable when the presentation was finished. After all the presentations, participants would

discuss and share their thoughts on similarities and differences between sites,

recommendations, and experiences to overcome the challenges. The CSV coordinators, CSA

experts, and other resource persons could share with the participants some experiences and

lessons learned as well.

This approach entails structured field visits where participants observed and reflected on CSA

practices on the ground. Site visits were characterized by interactions with community people

and CSA practitioners. Synthesis and reflection sessions were immediately conducted in

every site to immediately process learnings. Because of the language barrier among the

participants, a group of translators was recruited to translate what was shared by the resource

persons to the local languages accordingly.

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After the indoor training or sharing session and the field visits, the workshop ends with a

plenary sharing and participatory planning exercise. In this session, the CSV teams, guided by

CSV coordinators and CSA experts, brainstorm and develop the CSA implementation plan for

their respective village. The questions used for this exercise were as follows:

i) What did you learn in this workshop? ii) What do you want to pilot/implement in your village? iii) Which resource do you need (finance, human, technical)? iv) Who are the partners for the CSA piloting/implementation?

The participants from each CSV eventually came up with their respective plans. Table 1

shows the plans for Rohal Suong CSV in Battambang Province, Cambodia after the roving

workshop in 2017:

Table 1. 2018 Plan of Rohal Suong CSV

What Where Who When How Supported by Whom Scale out the CAR 15 rice variety

Rohal Suong CSV and adjacent villages (Duong Mear & Sdey village)

• 20 hhs in Rohal Suong

• 5 hhs in Duong Mear

• 3 hhs in Sdey

Apr – Aug 2018

Demonstration farms in all villages

• CCAFS/CSV team (Cambodia)

• Farmers leaders • Village leaders

Expand the agroforestry activities

• Rohal Suong CSV

• Duong Mear village

• Sdey village

• At least 2 more hhs in Rohal Suong

• 5 hhs in Duong Mear

• 2 hhs in Sdey

2017-2018

Provide awareness and training on “advantage of agroforestry and plating techniques” to interesting farmers in all villages

• CCAFS/CSV team (Cambodia)

• Provincial department of Agriculture

• Department of Agricultural Extension

• Farmers and village leaders

Continue piloting the Ecological Engineering

• Rohal Suong CSV

• 5 hhs in Rohal Suong

2017-2018

Demonstration farms & control farms

• CCAFS/CSV team (Cambodia)

• Provincial department of Agriculture

• Department of Agricultural Extension

• Farmers and village leaders

Plant clinics • Rohal Suong CSV

• Duong Mear village

• Sdey village

• Farmers in three villages

2017-2018

Expand the plant clinics in other villages. It will be led by plant advisors and assistants

• CABI, • WorldFish • Provincial department

of Agriculture • AS

Improved community fish refuge pond and connectivity

• Rohal Suong CSV

Rohal Suong villagers

2017-2018

Implementation the action plan including installations of water gate and fence surround pond

• WorldFish • Committees of CFR • School association

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E. Stakeholders

During the four roving workshops organized in the Philippines,

Vietnam, Cambodia, and Lao PDR, CCAFS SEA received

administrative and technical support from different national

agriculture ministries and research institutions from those countries.

They include the Philippine Department of Agriculture; the

Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice); Ministry of

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Cambodia (MAFF); Ministry

of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR; Lao National Agriculture

and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI); Ministry of Agriculture

and Rural Development of Vietnam; Vietnam Academy of Agriculture Science (VAAS); and

the Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (NOMAFSI). The

national partners supported the roving workshops in selecting the suitable sites for field visits,

assigning resource persons to share the state-of-the-art CSA and other agriculture

technologies and practices to the participants.

Aside from the national government agencies, various international and national NGOs are

supporting CCAFS in sharing valuable experiences and organizing the roving workshop.

They include the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International and Cuso International.

The local NGO, Aphivat Strey, in Cambodia assisted in planning and guiding the field visits

in Battambang Province during the third roving workshop. Meanwhile, Care International

supported a group of farmers from its project site to join the 4th roving workshop in Lao PDR

together with the participants from the CSVs.

The roving workshops also involved different universities, colleges and vocational schools in

the visiting countries. The Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA), Battambang

Figure 1. Agriculture and research institutions that supported the roving workshops

Figure 2. International and national organizations that assisted in organizing the roving workshops

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Universtiy, and Savannakhet University tapped their students as translators and volunteers.

Meanwhile, Don Bosco Vocational School in Cambodia hosted the third roving workshop as

one of the sites for the field visits.

After the roving workshops, those stakeholders continued their activities at the CSVs.

Research institutes such as NAFRI, PhilRice, and NOMAFSI are conducting different studies

with the CSV farmers, which include the integrated crop management on rice done by

NOMAFSI in Ma CSV. The NGOs such as Cuso International and Aphivat Strey continue to

implement and replicate the different CSA technologies and practices to the villages and

neighbouring communities. The universities such as VNUA started to send its graduating

students, including master’s students and doctoral fellows, to the CSV sites in Vietnam for

conducting researches.

III. Results

The first roving workshop was held in the municipality of Guinayangan, Quezon Province,

Philippines in 2015. This roving workshop was organized as a training course, which

provided ground-breaking knowledge on CSA T&P to the farmers from all CSVs. Through

the first workshop, CCAFS social science experts, local extension workers, and village

leaders were capacitated on participatory methods and approaches to ensure the participation

of community members, especially women and other disadvantaged groups, in CCAFS

activities. After the first workshop, many CSA T&P were introduced and tested by the

farmers at their own villages.

In 2016, 28 farmers, nine of which were women, participated in the second roving workshop

organized in Vietnam. The participants came to Ma CSV in Yen Bai Province and My Loi

Figure 3. Academic institutions involved in the roving workshops

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CSV in Ha Tinh Province to visit successful CSA T&P models. The models included

vermiculture, slopping cultivation, living bed for poultry and livestock, and garden

improvement. They also shared experiences and learned new agriculture practices from one

another.

The third roving workshop was held the following year in Cambodia and was participated by

34 farmers and local agriculture officials in six CSVs. After the plenary discussion, the

participants took a trip to Rohal Soung CSV in Battambang Province. Many interesting sites

and models were visited, including a community fish refuge, a sustainable rice production

cooperative, and a safe vegetable garden with organic pesticide, among others.

The latest roving workshop was held in 2018 in Laos PDR. After these events, the roving

workshop was assessed as a reliable farmer-to-farmer learning approach, with the CSVs being

recognized as productive learning sites for farmers in Southeast Asia.

Figure 4. The Climate-Smart Villages in Southeast Asia where the roving workshops were organized

There were 135 participants already joined the four roving workshops organized in South East

Asia, including CCAFS staff, CGIAR staff, NGOs staff, national researchers, and 83 farmers

from the four CSV sites. There are number of CSA technologies and practices shared and

introduced during the roving workshops. The table below shows presents some technologies

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and practices which received high interest from the farmers and other participants and

practical piloting or implementation in the CSVs.

Figure 5. Number of participants that participated in the roving workshops

Table 2. List of CSA technologies and practices introduced during the roving workshops

No. CSA entry Name of CSA T&P Visited or

learned in

Applied in

CSVs

1

Soil

Sloppy land cultivation (tea,

forestry nursery garden)

Philippines

2 Intercropping of legume for

nitrogen fixation

Philippines Ma, My Loi,

Rohal Suong

3

Crop

Climate stress tolerant rice

varieties selection

Philippines,

Vietnam

All CSVs

4 Integrated garden system Philippines Ma, My Loi

5 Food crop varieties selection Philippines

6 Greenhouse for vegetable Philippines,

Laos PDR

Ekxang

7 Organic fertilizer for

vegetable

Philippines,

Cambodia, Laos

PDR

All CSVs

8 System of Rice

Intensification

Philippines

9 Rice straw management Philippines Tra Hat, Rohal

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Suong, Pailom

10 Ecological Engineering Cambodia Rohal Suong,

Tra Hat

11 Water Alternate Wetting and

Drying

Philippines

12 Pond System for Water

Impounding

Philippines

13 Community Water Storage Cambodia Rohal Suong

and

neighbouring

villages

14 Livestock Improvement of goat raising Ekxang, Ma

15 Cut and carry system Vietnam Ma

16 Living bed for cattle and

poultry

Philippines Ma, My Loi

17 Vermin-composting Vietnam Ma, My Loi,

Tra Hat

18 Diversification of Livestock All CSVs

19 Forestry and

agroforestry

Intercropping perennial

trees and annual crops

Philippines,

Vietnam,

Cambodia

Ma, My Loi,

Rohal Suong

20 Green pole for pepper Vietnam My Loi

21 Fisheries Rice-fish farming system Cambodia Rohal Suong

22 Community fish refuge Cambodia Rohal Suong

23 Energy Improved cooking stove Vietnam Ma, Tra Hat

A. Vietnam

After the four roving workshops, the farmers from the three CSVs in Vietnam gained various

technologies and practices on CSA and sustainable rural lifestyle. A wide range of CSA T&P

are being applied in Ma, My Loi, and Tra Hat CSVs, including integrated school garden,

vermin-culture, improved shelter for goat raising, cut-and-carry system, agroforestry, living

bed for livestock and poultry, and stress tolerance varieties among others. The roving

workshop is assessed by local authorities and by the participants as an opportunity for farmers

to learn about CSA.

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“The workshop was successful in introducing new techniques to the farmers and local officials like me. It created a chance for us to learn and share ideas and experiences on CSA. The field trip to the different projects and communities was so interesting because we had a chance to see a lot of new and good practices in agriculture production.” Mr. Pham Van Lam, Vice Chairman of Chau Thoi Commune People Committee, where Tra Hat CSV is located.

Aside from learning about CSA T&P, the Vietnamese participants narrated that they also

shared their experience in agriculture production with their visitors and even learned from

them. This kind of learning platform helped to reduce the uncertainty of farmers in terms of

decision making on CSA adoption.

Through their discussions with their fellow farmers, they could now evaluate the suitability,

effectiveness, costs, and benefits of the practice they planned to adopt in their home village.

“It is better than watching on television only or attending the extension training. During the roving workshop, we saw many models and we discussed with the farmers involved in that model to understand more. If we didn’t understand, we could ask the experts from research institutions to explain for us. They also guided us whether the CSA practice that we are interested in is applicable and suitable in our home village. Farmers from my village learnt a lot from the workshops.” Mr. Nguyen Van Tam, Head of Ma CSV.

B. Cambodia

According to the farmers and agriculture officers in Cambodia, the roving workshop is a

novel platform facilitating a farmer-to-farmer learning process. They added that they learned

more about social engagements and CSA T&P through the workshop. Moreover, they learned

the differences and similarities of agricultural technologies and practices across the region.

Those T&Ps included water-smart management, climate stress-tolerant rice varieties,

integrated garden system, husbandry, tree nursing, and safe and greenhouse vegetable crop

productions.

Some practices were applied in Rohal Suong, including ecological engineering, chicken

raising, safe vegetable crop productions, rice straw management, and use of climate stress-

tolerant rice varieties. For instance, Ms. Saveth, a famer and commune extension worker,

applied safe vegetable crops and ecological engineering on her farm, while Mr. Khun has

applied the climate stress tolerant rice varieties and chicken raising.

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“I have applied safe vegetable crops and I have made the natural pesticides and fertilizers based on what I learned from roving workshops. I know the chemical and pesticides effect badly to health. Smart pest management provides very good benefits both health and incomes”. Ms. My Saveth, Rohal Suong farmer.

In Rohal Suong CSV, the third roving workshop fostered interactions among the CSV

farmers, CSA practitioners, workshop participants, representative of the provincial

Department of Agriculture, commune and district authorities, school teachers, students,

university teacher and students, and other farmers from adjacent villages. The roving

workshop and CSA dissemination activities were organized by the Cambodia CSV team.

Several farmers, therefore, were motivated to apply the CSA practices in Rohal Suong and

neighbouring villages. For example, at least 30 farmer households applied the ecological

engineering approach on their own farms in 2018. This was an improvement compared to

2017, when only 3 households piloted the approach.

The results of CSA practices were well recognized by community leaders and commune and

district authorities. They always encourage other farmers in other villages to learn the CSA

technologies and practices from Rohal Suong CSV. Moreover, they aim to integrate the CSA

action plans of communities into the commune development plans.

C. Lao PDR

The 4th roving workshop hosted by IRRI Laos with the field trip in Vientiane and

Savannakhet provinces had the most number of participants (66 participants, including 33

farmers). This increase is due to the interest of Care International in Lao PDR and led to the

participation of about 10 farmers from Care project sites in Phongsaly province.

According to the feedbacks of Lao farmers, the roving workshops have brought new

knowledge and introduced with them many new agriculture practices and technologies that

can help them to cope with the climate change situation in their home villages. While some

practices are not applicable due to the differences in climatic and geographic condition, some

CSA practices are highly appreciated by Lao farmers and were piloted in Lao CSVs after the

roving workshops. The farmers can evaluate the suitability of the CSA practices by

comparing their livelihood assets with those owned by the farmers in the pilot model.

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“The reasons why I applied those techniques because they are suitable for my land, relatively easy to apply and I’m sure that I can do it effectively. Even If I have limited labour, small land and limited input, I am able to improve my household’s livelihood”. Mrs. Thavone, Ekxang village farmer.

The farmers also evaluated the roving workshop as a good communication channel, which

helped them to receive the information on CSA technologies and practices suitable with their

needs, their capacity and farming condition. The roving workshop provided a 2-way

communication channel in which the farmers obtain the information and knowledge they need

while at the same time they can also give feedbacks to the CSA adopters and experts to

discuss the practices.

“The information from the Roving Workshop is better than mass media and extension service information. Farmers can learn new techniques the CSV sites and exchange the knowledge and techniques with other farmers in the sites. What I received from Roving Workshops affects to my decision to adopt the new technology into my agriculture land. And for me, I like learning by doing from the real situation like roving workshop or other exchange visit, training which I have opportunities to participate”. Mrs. John, farmer from Ekxang CSV.

IV. Outcomes

After hosting the roving workshops, the CSVs, especially Guinayangan, Ma, My Loi, and

Rohal Suong CSVs, turned into more productive learning sites for farmers on CSA in

Southeast Asia.

A. Guinayangan

Guinayangan is a 3rd class municipality in Quezon Province composed of 54 barangays—the

equivalent of communes—with a total area of 22,800 hectares. It hosted the first CSV roving

workshop in Southeast Asia where the farmers from Ma, My Loi, Tra Hat, Ekxang, Pailom,

and Rohal Soung CSVs learned the first lessons of CSA T&P. After the roving workshop,

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more visitors from research institutes in charge of other CSVs, such as the International

Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) came

back to Guinayangan for further learning and sharing experiences.

At the national level, Guinayangan is recognized as a learning site that influenced the

implementation of the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) program.

In September 2017, a training course was developed to build the capacity of 17 regional teams

of the Department of Agriculture to develop local CSVs, which would be called AMIA

Villages. Applying the same approach from CCAFS, Guinayangan also hosted the first AMIA

village roving workshop in the Philippines in October 2017. Currently, 17 AMIA villages

were established based on different typologies of climate-change risks, agro-ecologies, and

crop/livestock/fish production systems1,2.

In 2016, the international course on Engaging Communities for Climate Change Actions for

Food and Livelihood Security was organized and participated by 23 learners from different

development organizations in Nigeria, Singapore, Indonesia, Turkey and the Philippines.

Participating organizations included FADAMA, Shontoug Foundation, Inc., ChildFund

Philippines, Ha Uman Association Inc., Reina Federation of Parents Association, CHILD

Inc., Mercy Relief, and Shafak Organization. During this training, participants applied

participatory tools for climate risk and vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning then

developed an action plan to apply key learnings from the course in their work context.

Not only is Guinayangan a hot spot for practitioners to learn about CSA, it is also a learning

site for university students. Many students from local (e.g. University of the Philippines,

Southern Luzon State University, and Cavite State University) and foreign universities (e.g.

Loma Linda University, Virginia University, Salford University) visit the site regularly.

Coming from various disciplines such as nutrition, public health, agriculture, livestock, and

extension, the students agreed that Guinayangan provides a hands-on experience of working

with local farmers on the field.

1 http://www.wheninmanila.com/delivering-local-level-resilience-through-adaptation-and-mitigation-in-agri-fisheries-a-roving-workshop/ 2 https://climatesmartvillagess.wordpress.com/2017/11/04/delivering-local-resilience-through-adaptation-and-mitigation-in-agri-fisheries-a-roving-workshop-for-amia-regional-focal-persons-lgu-partners/

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B. Ma CSV

Ma CSV, located in Vinh Kien Commune, Yen Binh District, Yen Bai Province, seats in a

mountainous area in northern Vietnam. The CSV is managed by CIAT, together with

different national research institutes such as the NOMAFSI and the Institute of Policy and

Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development. Since the roving workshop held in Vietnam

in 2016, there had been many visits conducted to the village by various institutions.

In Vietnam, Ma CSV is also a well-known learning site for international and national

researchers, extension workers, local authorities, and farmers. Located in the uplands, it is

considered as a good model for other mountainous areas to follow. Domestically, in February

2017, a group of three researchers and three farmers from Ma CSV delivered a training on a

number of CSA T&P in the three communes of Cao Bang Province, a mountainous province

of 300km northeast of Ma CSV. In July 2017, a group of 26 farmers and representatives from

local authorities, farmer union, and other social organizations in Cao Bang Province visited

Ma CSV to learn about climate-smart farming and validate knowledge they had learned from

the previous training. The farmers were impressed by the CSA T&P in Ma CSV, including

biological bedding, vermiculture, cut and carry systems, and integrated home gardens.

Afterwards, in October 2017, a training was organized for the Yen Bai Provincial Extension

System participated by 32 trainees, specifically extension leaders and extension officers from

seven districts and towns. Aside from the CSA training and field visit in Ma CSV, the

extension officials also brainstormed and identified strategies on how to scale out CSA widely

in the province. Ms. Do Thi Van, Vice Director of Yen Bai Extension Center, emphasized

that Ma CSV can be used as a learning site for other extension training regarding CSA.

In November 2015, a delegation of over 20 members from the Philippines led by the

Department of Agriculture visited the village to learn about the CSV concept and applied it on

the AMIA program. This multi-million-dollar program focusing on climate-resilient

agriculture was eventually implemented in 2016 and 2017 in the Philippines. On 9 April

2018, Ma CSV was visited by Dr. Humberto Ríos Labrada from the International Center for

Development Oriented Research in Agriculture, a Spanish NGO, to share knowledge and

cooperation opportunities for project out-scaling. The village was also visited by a CIAT team

in mid-May 2018 to learn from the villagers and share their lessons in a CSA activity in

Pakistan.

24

Like Guinayangan, Ma CSV is a learning site for students from different universities. For

instance, since March 2016, one group of master’s and doctoral students from South Dakota

University and three delegations of undergraduate students from various American

universities organized by the World Learning Organization are visiting the Ma CSV. The

students came for an orientation on CSA T&P, CSV approach, and for a visit on the field

models. About 20-30 students from the United States are coming to the village.

C. My Loi CSV

My Loi CSV is in Ky Son Commune, Ky Anh District, Ha Tinh Province, Viet Nam. It is an

eight-hour bus ride from Hanoi and a three-hour journey from the nearest international

airport. Despite the distance from the main transportation hubs, My Loi CSV had welcomed

and hosted many visitors and learners from other provinces and countries.

The second roving workshop was organized in May 2016, and included a field visit to My Loi

CSV. Nineteen participants from the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia and other CSVs in Vietnam

learned about vermiculture, rice straw management, biological bedding, straw cooking stove,

and other CSA T&P.

In December 2016, IIRR organized a trip to My Loi CSV to share experiences on how to

implement and scale out CSA T&P. The trip was under the project, “Evidence for scaling out

climate-smart agriculture in Southeast Asia”. Five representatives from the municipality of

Guinayangan, CSV and researchers from IIRR discussed different climate change issues with

ICRAF researchers and local authorities. The issues discussed included impacts of climate

change and extreme weather events, as well as effectiveness of and barriers on implementing

CSA T&P.

In July 2017, a CSA event in My Loi CSV was organized by ICRAF. Joining the event were

13 provincial authorities, representatives from the International Fund for Agricultural

Development, Ha Tinh Provincial Farmer Union, as well as farmers from Yen Bai Province

and 20 farmers from other neighbouring villages. In this event, 3D-models developed by the

farmers, photovoice posters, and drawings of children were exhibited. The 3D-models showed

the typical topographical design of a CSA system where different CSA T&P are being

25

adopted (e.g., drip irrigation, slopping cultivation, and waste compost, among others). The

photovoice posters showcased the farmers’ documentation of the impacts of climate change

on agriculture in the area and provided a platform to share their own adaptation efforts. All

the participants were impressed with the event and said that they learned a lot from the

farmers.

In October 2017, 21 participants from GIZ, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,

Institute of Strategy and Policy for Natural Resource and Environment, Hanoi National

University, Ha Tinh Department of Natural Resource and Environment, Ha Tinh Department

of Agriculture and Rural Development, Eco-Community Development Center, Ha Tinh

University, Ha Tinh Extension Center, Ha Tinh Farmer Union, Center of Technology for

Climate Change Adaptation shared their experience in implementing Ecosystem-based

Adaptation (EbA) and CSA, as well as opportunities to cooperate and scale out EbA and CSA

practices in Ha Tinh. My Loi also planned to host a mission comprise of 35 participants

including the farmers, extension workers, and staff of the Sustainable Rural Development

Project in Quang Binh Province in the last week of April 2018.

As a learning site for students, My Loi CSV might not compete with Guinayangan and Ma

CSVs in terms of quantity of student, but the quality of the student practicum in the village

was an outstanding case. There were two doctoral fellows from the University of the

Philippines Los Baños and Can Tho University, and two master’s students from Leeds

University and National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway who conducted their field study

in My Loi CSV to fullfill their dissertation. John Cleary, the master’s student from NUI

Galway, presents an example of the quality of academic research in My Loi CSV. His topic

for his master’s dissertation is “An Assessment of Photovoice as a Participatory Action

Research Methodology for Scaling Climate-Smart Agriculture in Vietnam”.

During the field works from May to July 2017, John worked with about 30 farmers to tell

their stories about CSA through the photos they had taken by themselves. After completing

his works in Vietnam, John came back to NUI Galway and finished his dissertation. His work

was ranked one of the best theses in his class. John wrote in his thesis: “In My Loi, I would

like to thank all the participating farmers for their good-humoured and insightful

participation and for the significant time they gave to the project”.

26

D. Rohal Suong CSV

Rohal Suong village is in Prek Norin Commune, Eak Phnom District of Battambang

Province, Cambodia. The village is classified as a land-based village situated along Sangke

River and about 15 kilometers away from Battamabang town. The total land size is 291

hectares comprised mainly of paddy field, crop plantation field, and residential areas. In

general, the agricultural land is flooded during the rainy season that starts in September and

ends in November or December. Residential areas and roads are also flooded during the

heavy flooding years.

In Rohal Suong CSV, the third roving workshop encouraged interactions among the 70

participants, which included the farmers, climate-smart agriculture practitioners, workshop

participants, representative of the provincial Department of Agriculture, commune and district

authorities, school teachers, students, university teacher and students and other farmers from

nearby villages. On the farm visits, they learned detailed techniques and approaches on

several climate-smart practices such as climate stress tolerant rice varieties, agroforestry,

water harvesting, community-based rice field fishery and ecological engineering. This event

was not only an exchange of lessons and experiences of CSA practices, but also an out-

scaling mechanism since we are engaging local leaders, technical department of agriculture,

commune and district authorities who have influenced to local planning and governance.

Showcasing their CSA T&Ps to the participants brought pride and inspiration to the members

of Rohal Soung CSV. “This workshop was very useful for the farmers because it allowed

them to share their own knowledge and experiences related to agriculture techniques. We

were so motivated to continue the CSV work here since many participants from many

countries came to visit our village. We hope this event will continue in the future,” said Mr.

Cheuk Sao, a commune councillor in Rohal Suong.

27

Annexes

Annex 1

List of participants in the 4 roving workshops from 2015 to 2018

No Name Gender Institution Nationalities Year

1 Soeung Bora m Aphivat Strey Organization Cambodia 2015

2 Kheun Khon m Committee of Water User

Group and Leader of Community Fisheries

Cambodia 2015

3 Keophoxay Anousith m

IWMI Regional Office for Southeast Asia - Vientiane

Office Laos 2015

4 Chonekham Chanthasen m Savannakhet PAFO Laos 2015

5 Sysavanh Vorlasan m Savannakhet PAFO Laos 2015

6 Aeouthai Xayasack m Pailom village (Champhone

district, Savannakhet province)

Laos 2015

7 Do Trong Hieu m Northern Mountainous

Agriculture and Forestry Institute (NOMAFSI)

Vietnam 2015

8 Nguyen Van Tam m Ma village (Yen Bai province) Vietnam 2015

9 Duong Van Tham m My Loi village (Ha Tinh province) Vietnam 2015

10 Le Dinh Hoa m Farmers Union of Ha Tinh province Vietnam 2015

11 Le Minh Duong m

Dept of Agriculture and Rural

Development, Bac Lieu Province

Vietnam 2015

12 Le Van Tu m Tra Hat village (Bac Lieu province) Vietnam 2015

13 Ngo Duc Minh m IRRI Vietnam-CCAFS SEA Vietnam 2015 14 DinhThi Kim Dung f IRRI Vietnam-CCAFS SEA Vietnam 2015

15 Ryan Angelo Celis m ICRAF Philippine Philippines 2015

16 Joshua Paul Romero m International Institute of

Rural Reconstruction (IIRR)

Philippines 2015

17 Jun Servano m International Institute of

Rural Reconstruction (IIRR)

Philippines 2015

18 William Lopez m Guinayangan Philippines 2015

28

No Name Gender Institution Nationalities Year

19 Kheun Khon m Committee of Water User

Group & Community Fishery in RS village

Cambodia 2016

20 My Saveth, f Rohal Suong Community Fisher Cambodia 2016

21 Mone Sengthavong m Ekxang village (Phonhong District, Vientiane Province) Laos 2016

22 Chonekham Chanthasen f Ekxang village (Phonhong

District, Vientiane Province) Laos 2016

23 Jon f Ekxang village (Phonhong District, Vientiane Province) Laos 2016

24 Aeouthai Xayasack m Pailom village (Champhone

district, Savannakhet province)

Laos 2016

25 Phay Lampai f Women's Union of Pailom

village (Champhone district, Savannakhet province)

Laos 2016

26 Nguyen Van Tam m Ma village (Vinh Kien commune, Yen Binh

district, Yen Bai province) Vietnam 2016

27 Nguyen Thi Thu f Ma village (Vinh Kien commune, Yen Binh

district, Yen Bai province) Vietnam 2016

28 Ha Van Duc m Ma village (Vinh Kien commune, Yen Binh

district, Yen Bai province) Vietnam 2016

29 Tran Thi Lanh f Ma village (Vinh Kien commune, Yen Binh

district, Yen Bai province) Vietnam 2016

30 Tran Van Thuan m Ma village (Vinh Kien commune, Yen Binh

district, Yen Bai province) Vietnam 2016

31 Pham Xuan Bay m My Loi village, Ky Anh district, Ha Tinh Vietnam 2016

32 Duong Duc Thai CSA group of forestry Vietnam 2016

33 Le Thi Lien f My Loi village, Ky Anh district, Ha Tinh Vietnam 2016

34 Nguyen Thi Cuong f My Loi village, Ky Anh district, Ha Tinh Vietnam 2016

35 Phan Thanh Thai m My Loi village, Ky Anh district, Ha Tinh Vietnam 2016

36 Phung Van Viet m Tra Hat viilage, Chau Thoi

commune, Vinh Loi district, Bac Lieu province

Vietnam 2016

37 Duong Van Nhon m Tra Hat viilage, Chau Thoi

commune, Vinh Loi district, Bac Lieu province

Vietnam 2016

29

No Name Gender Institution Nationalities Year

38 Le Thi Kim Thuy f Tra Hat viilage, Chau Thoi

commune, Vinh Loi district, Bac Lieu province

Vietnam 2016

39 Ngo Duc Minh m IRRI Vietnam-CCAFS SEA Vietnam 2016 40 Bui Tan Yen m IRRI Vietnam-CCAFS SEA Vietnam 2016 41 DinhThi Kim Dung f IRRI Vietnam-CCAFS SEA Vietnam 2016

42 Nguyen Huy Toan m Vinh Kien CPC Vietnam 2017

43 Hoang Thi Yen f Vinh Kien CPC Vietnam 2017

44 Nguyen Van Tam. m Ma village Vietnam 2017

45 Nguyen Xuan Thanh m Ky Anh district Farmer Union Vietnam 2017

46 Van Thi Lai f Ky Son Women Union Vietnam 2017

47 Duong Van Tham m My Loi village Vietnam 2017 48 Pham Van Lam m Châu Thới CPC Vietnam 2017

49 Phung Quoc Ky m Châu Thới CPC Vietnam 2017

50 Nguyen Van Tai m Tra Hat village Vietnam 2017

51 Ketsana Chanthakoummane f

Agriculture Land Management &

Development section (ALMDs-PAFO)

Laos 2017

52 Siriphone Chanthala f IRRI Laos Laos 2017 53 Thongseng Aiyasack m Phailom village Laos 2017

54 Chantha Souvannasayavong f Phonehong District,

Vientiane Province. Laos 2017

55 Mone Sengthavong m Head of Ekxang village Laos 2017

56 Chonekham Chanthasen f

Ekxang Village of the Lao people's Revolutionary

Party. Laos 2017

57 Leo Sebastian m CCAFS SEA Vietnam 2017 58 Nguyen Duc Trung m CCAFS SEA Vietnam 2017 59 Bui Tan Yen m CCAFS SEA Vietnam 2017

60 Russell C. Narte m Local Government of Guinayangan, Quezon Philippines 2017

61 William Lopez m Municipal Agriculture Office, Guinayangan,

Quezon Philippines 2017

62 Aida P. Luistro f Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural Research Philippines 2017

63 Chap Sothea m District Office of Agriculture Cambodia 2017

64 Cheuk Sao m Prek Norin Commune Cambodia 2017 65 Me Saveth f Rohal Suong Cambodia 2017

30

No Name Gender Institution Nationalities Year 66 Check Siet f Rohal Suong Cambodia 2017 67 Eam Dyna m WorldFish Cambodia Cambodia 2017 68 Kim Miratori m WorldFish Cambodia Cambodia 2017

69 Khean Sovannara m Department of Agricultural Extension, MAFF Cambodia 2017

70 Sie Kimnay f Provincial Department of Agriculture, Fishery and

Forestry Cambodia 2017

71 Soeung Bora m Aphivat Strey (AS) Cambodia 2017 72 Sithonn m Aphivat Strey (AS) Cambodia 2017 73 Ken Chenda m Aphivat Strey (AS) Cambodia 2017

74 Dr. Mak Soeun m General Directorate of Agriculture, MAFF Cambodia 2017

75 Yumiko Kura f WorldFish Cambodia 2017

76 Nguyen Van Tai m Tra Hat village Vietnam 2018 77 Le Thi Kim Thi f Tra Hat village Vietnam 2018 78 Nguyen Thi My Nuong f Tra Hat village Vietnam 2018 79 Bui Quang Trung m My Loi village Vietnam 2018 80 Ho Sy Ouy f My Loi village Vietnam 2018 81 Nguyen Thi Anh m My Loi village Vietnam 2018 82 Nguyen Van Tam m Ma village Vietnam 2018 83 Tran Quoc Doan m Ma village Vietnam 2018 84 Au Hong Nhat f Ma village Vietnam 2018 85 Ruel Jordan m Guinayangan Philippines 2018 86 Noel Sario m Guinayangan Philippines 2018 87 Gloria Macaraig f Guinayangan Philippines 2018 88 My Savet f Rohal Suong Cambodia 2018 89 Eam Dyna m WorldFish Cambodia Cambodia 2018 90 Chhoeurk Sao m Rohal Suong Cambodia 2018 91 Phaivanh Bounleng f Ekxang village Laos 2018 92 Mon Sengthavong m Ekxang village Laos 2018 93 Somphan Sonphor m Ekxang village Laos 2018 94 Vannoxay Inthasan m Ekxang village Laos 2018

95 Pamy Chomthongpadith f Ekxang village Laos 2018

96 Soukan m Ekxang village Laos 2018 97 Thavone f Pailom village Laos 2018 98 Outhai Xayasack m Pailom village Laos 2018 99 Tur Phongsyphachanh m Pailom village Laos 2018 100 Jumaly Chanthalin f Pailom village Laos 2018

101 Dr. Chay Bounphanouxay f NAFRI Laos 2018

102 Dr. Phetmanyseng Xangxayasane m NAFRI Laos 2018

103 Dr. Thavone Inthavong m NAFRI Laos 2018 104 Khamla f NAFRI Laos 2018 105 Khamphamy Kottyotha f NAFRI Laos 2018

31

No Name Gender Institution Nationalities Year 106 Dalyvanh f NAFRI Laos 2018 107 Khamphanh Xayalath f NAFRI Laos 2018 108 Vitou Ouk m University of Laos Cambodia 2018 109 Ouee Kittikhoun m CUSO International Laos Laos 2018 110 Beely Xaiyangpayavaly m CUSO International Laos Laos 2018 111 Juilen Bourque m CUSO International Laos Canada 2018 112 Benard Okumu m CUSO International Laos Kenya 2018 113 Falida Inthijak f CUSO International Laos Laos 2018 114 Malisa Khounthavong f IRRI Laos Laos 2018 115 Dinh Kim Dung f IRRI Vietnam Vietnam 2018 116 Nguyen Duc Trung m CCAFS - SEA Vietnam 2018 117 Eisen Bernardo m CCAFS - SEA Philippines 2018 118 Siriphone Chanthala f IRRI Laos Laos 2018 119 Khamsouk Mosky f IRRI Laos Laos 2018 120 Jerome Villanueva m IRRI Laos Philippines 2018 121 Kennakone m Care International Laos Laos 2018 122 Somphet Soutsada m Nakang village Laos 2018 123 Tom f Kuklok village Laos 2018

124 Daohuang Fungvilaysack m Houalod village Laos 2018

125 Khamphone m Kenteke village Laos 2018 126 Siengonsy m Konhkoum village Laos 2018 127 Thongloun m Numtung village Laos 2018 128 Jane f Numlour village Laos 2018 129 Atr Sypasurth m Samphanh village Laos 2018

130 Arnaud Costa m CABI Southeast and East Asia Laos 2018

131 Phinkham Vongphachane f NAFRI Laos 2018

132 Ketsana Chanthakoumane f

NAFRI Laos 2018

133 Phetsamone Thoummavong m

NAFRI Laos 2018

134 Souliphon Phimmachack m NAFRI Laos 2018

135 Souksavanh Sengdaheuanghoung m NAFRI Laos 2018

32

Annex 2

Some photos during the roving workshops

1st roving workshop in the Philippines

33

2nd roving workshop in Vietnam

34

3rd roving workshop in Cambodia

35

4th roving workshop in Lao PDR

36