This proposed research seeks to contribute to an on-going research project that is being implemented by the International Water Management Institute among smallholder farmers in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. This research is funded by the Purdue University Center for Global Food Security for Southeast Asia. The study will be supervised by IWMI and approval has being granted from the Clark University Office of Sponsored Research and Programs. The study was approved by IRB at Clark University. This study seeks to also fulfill the academic requirement for the Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy at CU and could be used amongst others for a doctoral dissertation.

1. “Enhancing Soil Nutrient and Water Conservation through Sustainable Farming Techniques:”
A Field Research Component of the IWMI’s Project on Sustainable Groundwater Irrigation in the
Greater Mekong Sub-region of Lao PDR
Jenkins Macedo
MS., Environmental Science & Policy (2014), MA., IDSC 2012
Timothy Downs, D. Env. (Research Advisor)
Marianne Sarkis, Ph.D
Paul Pavelic, Ph.D. (Principle Researcher - Hydrogeology)
C.T. Hoanh, Ph.D. (Principle Researcher – Water Resources Management)
April 1, 2013

2. ABSTRACTª
Water scarcity for agricultural production during the hot dry season in the Greater
Mekong Sub-region (GMS) in Lao PDR continues to be a major challenge among
smallholder farmers who rely on farming for their livelihoods. Building on an on-
going research project by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in
addressing the resilience and productivity of sustainable groundwater irrigation, the
overarching objective of this proposed project is to contribute to the water scarcity
needs of smallholder farmers through the use of regenerative, evidence-based
farming techniques to enhance soil nutrient and water conservation. Soil nutrient and
water conservation practices such as composting, green manure application,
mulching, top dressing, bulky organic matter development and leaf mold formation
will be applied through on-farm demonstrations using the experimental study design.
The experiments will be conducted at two trial plots in the Vientiane Plains in Laos
with 20 smallholder farmers.
ªWorking abstract

3. “Enhancing the Resilience and Productivity of Rainfed Dominated Systems
in Lao PDR through Sustainable Groundwater Use.”
How does my research fit into this project?

4. STUDENTS’ RESEARCH PROSPECT WITH IWMI’s OVER ALL PROJECT
Potential student projects
“Potential student projects would be focused on the research theme: Positioning
groundwater use in farmers’ overall strategies within the context of agricultural/
rural development.”
Some specific postgraduate student projects that could emerge from this project
include:
 Participatory rural appraisal for classification of farming systems and
household typology.
 In-depth case study analysis on households’ (farming) strategies.
 The role of focus group discussion in (agricultural) extension.
 The link between farmers’ farming strategies with their access to
water.**
** How my proposed study fits in IWMI’s overall project?

5. SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT OF THE STUDY
 Water scarcity for agricultural productivity.
 Seasonal variation in annual rainfall (drought, flooding, etc.)
 Rainfed dominated agriculture
 Untapped groundwater resource that could solve the water scarcity needs
 Sustainable groundwater irrigation as a promising alternative
 Resource conserving farming practices to minimize groundwater usability

8. THE WATER CYCLE
Source: USGS 2010

9. Source: IGRAC, 2007

12. Source: Vietnam National Mekong Committee 2009

13. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
The aim of the project is to enhance soil water status and nutrient availability through
sustainable resource conserving practices such as composting, mulching, green
manures, bulky organic materials and leaf mold application.

14. High GWP
WATERSHED:
rainfall, evapotranspiration
demand, groundwater
levels, recharge rates,
groundwater quality,
groundwater use
FARM:
water use & timing,
other farm inputs,
crop yields,
crop prices,
farm gate incomes
Source: IWMI Project, 2012
Schematic showing the activities that will take place at the farm and
watershed scales

15. STUDY AREAAND CHARACTERISTICS
No Name of village Household Population(person)
1 Ekxang 192 941
2 Phonthan 183 965
3 Hongluang 85 484
4 Nabon 122 666
5 Nongkhone 183 1,095
Total 765 4,151
Source: IWMI Project, 2012
Map of the focal watershed indicating the location of B.
Ekxang situated in the downstream area is given below.
The nearest pumping stations and formal, surface water irrigated
area near the focal watershed

17. METHODOLOGY
Population
 20 farmers
 Targeted Sampling through IWMI’s networks
Plots
 2 plots (control & Treatment)
 Plot criteria
Randomized Soil Samples
 Total of 62 soil samples
 20 samples x 3 interventions (pre-planting,
planting & post-planting soil sampling plus 2
core soil samples will be analyzed).
Variables
Potassium, Chloride, Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Iron, Sulfur,
Sodium, Chloride, Soil pH, Texture, Water Holding Capacity,
Soil Moisture Content, exchangeable cations, and temperature
building on standard procedures.

18. INSTRUCTMENTS AND DATAANALYSES
1. Macronutrient, Micronutrient, and pH (5010-01)
2. Hanna Soil Temperature & Conductivity Meter
3. Soil Moisture Content Tester
Soil Sample Process
Soil will be sampled at
range from 0- to 0.15-m
and at 0.15- to 0.3-m
depths at 10 randomized
sampling points in each
plot during the three
phases of crop production
cycle.

19. Factors Ideal Condition Brief Technical Relevance
Regulations
Regulations that encourage smallholder farmers
to produce agricultural goods, while enhancing
and conserving local resources. The Mekong
River Commission (MRC) could be of assistance
in protecting the water systems.
The success of any project relies on adherence to existing local and
national regulatory frameworks in protecting local resources
including the use of land, water, forest and the air. This project will
be altering the existing structure of the land and will adhere to any
existing regulation.
Water Availability
Access the existing groundwater irrigation
system of the IWMI and partner agencies will be
an asset.
Effective crop production requires regular access to available and
reliable water sources to enhance agricultural production. The site
should be located near available water source.
Soil Suitability &
Climate
This project will be implemented during the dry
season in Loa PDR. Sandy or clay soil types will
be preferable, but not required.
Most crops prefer a well-drained loam or clay–loam soil with a pH
of about 6.0 to 6.5. A thorough mapping of soils on the site should
be done in order to determine if soil nutrition or the soil structure
needs attention.
Crop Variety
Local crop varieties that are resilient to the hot
dry season will be prioritized, but not required.
The soil selected should support the kind of crops that will be
cultivated.
Topography
The site should have mild slope to minimize
erosion and agricultural runoffs.
Raised beds will be established against the direction of the slope to
reduce erosion.
Proximity
Site that is closer to communities in which
smallholder farmers live will enhance monitoring
and security.
The proximity of the site to residential areas and other projects is
essential to avoid potential contamination. Site proximity will also
enhance the ecological values of existing systems.
Labor
Twenty smallholder farmers that are currently
working with IWMI and partner agencies will be
recruited for on-farm demonstrations.
Farming usually requires intensive-labor. In the case of this project,
I will avoid the use of chemical fertilizers basing the experimental
trials on sustainable soil nutrient and water remediation practices.
Transportation &
Market
The site should be accessible to transportation
and local market systems.
Access to reliable transportation systems is essential for transporting
farm equipment and materials and also fresh agricultural produce to
the market.
Materials &
equipment
This project will rely on handheld farm tools and
soil nutrient and water testing equipment.
The site will be slightly tilled using handheld tools and raised beds
will be established to cultivate crops.
PLOT SELECTION CRITERIA

20. TREATMENT STRATEGY
TREATMENT NUMBER STANDARD PRACTICE ADMENTMENT 1ᵇ ALTERNATIVEᵈ
1 Controlᵃ
2
Control 30 Kg/20 cm
depth/raised bed
3 Control
6 ft²/ for 1ʺ layer
of Compost (Clay
Soil)
8 ft²/ for 1ʺ layer
of Compost
(Sandy Soil)
4
Control Mulch plant at 1ʺ
thick with organic
materials
ªFarming as usual; ᵇ30kg/20 cm depth/raised bed of green manure application.

21. PLOTS SCHEMATIC AND REPLICATIONS
Technical Note: There will be 2 plots (control & Treatment). RB = Raised bed

22. Es = Edge spacing, Rs = Row spacing, Ps = Plant spacing, RB = Raised Bed (I, II, III, IV)
SCHEMATIC OF PLANTING DISTANCE AND REPLICATIONS

23. THANKS!!
ANY QUESTION, COMMENT OR RECOMMENDATION
WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
THIS IS A WORK IN
PROGRESS!