‘Role of Local Soil Knowledge in Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation. Case Study: Buffer Zones of Bach Ma National Park, Central Vietnam

Abstract

<p>In several countries, including Vietnam, the mountainous or protected areas are undergoing rapid change due to the overuse of natural forest products and soil resources. Bach Ma National Park (BMNP) is ranked as one of the highest biodiversity conservation priority areas in Vietnam, but it faces many threats to its biodiversity conservation because of the extensive or illegal expansion of agricultural lands and the over-exploitation of natural forest products by local communities. In order to support farmers living in these regions to achieve sustainable agriculture and natural resource conservation, previous services or schemes (e.g. agricultural extension, community-based forest management) relied on building collaborative relationships with local people; however, little progress has been made in engaging with farmers’ local soil knowledge (LSK). A number of studies has indicated that LSK has been broadly recognised for its importance and contribution to the sustainability of soil management in farming practices. It has also been reported that the exclusion of local knowledge from land evaluation systems often results in the failure of scientific interventions to improve land use, especially in rural or remote areas. Therefore, this study aims to examine and understand farmers’ LSK and its use in their choices of land use and soil management practices or decisions, and to identify the potential for LSK use in sustainable farming practices and forest conservation.</p> <p>Firstly, this study reviewed the advances that have occurred in LSK research and international projects in the last 15 years. It also examined if the trends observed in review journal articles before 2003 have been successfully resolved or whether new issues have emerged, and identified the current research gaps. This review showed that LSK research continues to be geographically focused on developing countries but often in collaboration with researchers from developed countries. It confirmed the importance of visible and topsoil characteristics identified by farmers; however, the examination of subsurface soil properties has garnered less research. Documenting LSK requires support by pluralistic scientific assessment and greater incorporation of social science methodologies. The review also raised the importance of incorporating LSK and involving other stakeholders (e.g. scientists and policymakers) when designing national programs to conserve soils. The final issue of the review suggested that greater consideration of cultural and political aspects is required to sustain and develop LSK This study used a mixed-method quantitative and qualitative approach that was applied with a farmer-first research philosophy. Data were gathered from 146 farmers by a household survey conducted in two communes, each dominated by a major ethnic group (Katu and Kinh) living in the buffer zones of the BMNP, Central Vietnam. From the household survey results, 24 farmers with reasonable or comprehensive LSK were selected for key informant interviews to explore the methods they use for soil assessment. Visual Soil Assessment (VSA) was then conducted independently by farmers and scientists in a field chosen by the farmers, and the perceptions of quality compared. Based on the early findings from the interviews and VSA, two workshops were organised in each commune to examine the opportunities for exchanging LSK and relevant issues between experienced and less experienced farmers and scientists.</p> <p>Secondly, the study provides insights into farmers’ LSK and their agricultural production, soil conservation practices, and reliance on natural forests (BMNP). The household survey results indicated that 70% of farmers have reasonable LSK, and farmers with comprehensive LSK are more familiar with their soils and the relationships between essential soil properties that reflect soil problems. Most farmers used soil colour to allocate crop types because of its association with soil fertility or plant yields. Erosion was identified as a major production constraint, yet less than a fifth of farmers have soil erosion control measures in place. However, the low-cost technique (e.g. growing native plant cover) suggested by a few farmers was seen as an important use of LSK to address soil loss. The Katu have a greater potential to secure LSK as the next generation are continuing to farm, while the Kinh’s LSK is threatened by a lack of engagement in farming from the younger generation. Consequently, this study highlighted that in order to improve the relevance and adoption of practices for soil conservation, it is important that in the early stages of designing and conducting research, farmers’ LSK should be investigated through forums and workshops so that any practices developed align with the local people’s understanding and practice.</p> <p>Thirdly, the study also sought to examine if key informant interviews, VSA and workshops could be used as suitable strategies to explore, communicate and preserve LSK with the farmers in the two communes. No significant difference was found between farmers’ and scientists’ VSA scores, highlighting that farmers could carry out VSA equally as well as trained soil scientists. The result also indicates that although farmers’ pre-assessment of their soil quality is harsher compared to their VSA, the use of both LSK and scientific soil knowledge (VSA) enables farmers to confirm their LSK. Soil colour and soil erosion were common soil characteristics mentioned by farmers and affect the final VSA score. Using farmers’ soil quality indicators (e.g. native plants, stones) could improve VSA application and preserve existing farmers’ LSK. The farmers’ participation in interviews, VSA and workshops reaffirmed the farmers’ confidence in their LSK and their interaction with local research and provided guidance on the impact of their soil management on soil improvement and conservation.</p> <p>Overall, this study provides potential synergies between agriculture, forest and soil research, especially LSK. It highly recommends that LSK should be involved in future scientific soil assessments like VSA, workshops to exchange soil knowledge and policymaking processes at the national level. Nevertheless, these strategies should take into account local variation in context and specific challenges faced by ethnic groups. Finally, the study suggests potential application of LSK for soil monitoring or soil conservation and a proposed mechanism for the integration of local and scientific soil knowledge to improve sustainable agriculture and soiluse management through a multi-level soil governance system for Vietnam.</p>