Results:
The project primarily focussed on implementing sustainable land management techniques to address land degradation in Digela chiwog IN bardo Gewog, Zhemgang. Among many land management tools, the current project has prioritized two important techniques. This includes stone bunding and hedgerow plantation. The project covered 40 acres of farmland managed through stone bunding program and 13 acres of land through hedgerow plantation. Additionally, land management tools and cash incentives were also supported by project as per the Agriculture Land Development Guideline, 2017.

Through the project, electric fencing for 66 acres of land has been completed in four different locations under Digela chiwog, supported 5 greenhouse for five farmers group. And trainings on vegetable farming and agro-ecological farming were also organized.

Training under sustainable land management program

? Trained 55 farmers on basic land management techniques.
? Stone bunds built for 40 acres of farmland.
? Hedgerow plantation done in 13 acres of farmland?
? Cash incentive of Nu 5,000.00 (Five thousand) only was supported to 40HH of Degela chiwog for up scaling stone bunding program. This was as per the Agriculture Land Development Guideline (2017), of Ministry of Agriculture and Forest (MoAF).
? The cash incentive was supported to make payments for labour by each household.
? RSPN and Gewog Administration monitored the task and made the payments.

Solar Electric Fencing Program

? Total perimeter covered: 5 km
? Area under electric fencing: 66 acres
? Supported in 4 different location of the village in consultation with villagers and Gewog administration.
? 45 HH benefited through electric fencing program
? Prepared bylaws and handed over to farmers group for sustainable management.

Greenhouse program and horticulture

? Five sets of green house was supported to five women?s group. Each group has a lead coordinator and keep updates about the progress.
? Trained 50 farmers on vegetable farming, nursery raising in greenhouse and maintenance
? Vegetables and nursery are grown and raised in greenhouse today.
? 15 each avocado sapling supported for 53 households
? Bylaws on green house management prepared and handed over to womens group for sustainable management.

Agro-ecological farming

? Trained 55 farmers on basics of agro-ecological farming
? Introduced 4 vermicomposting and 3 vermi-wash prototype
? Trained farmers on cardamom and ginger farming

Number of trainings and workshop:
? Training/hand on training on land management was provided to farmer?s as well as students.
? The techniques to handle A-frame, hedges plantation and stone bunding were some of the techniques taught to beneficiary. (30 M, 26 F, 33 Students)
? Winter vegetable farming training was jointly conducted by RSPN with RDTC. (22 M, 29 F, 10 Students)
? The farmers were also trained on agro-ecological farming. (17 M, 38 F)

In most of the training program there was almost or equal representation of male and female participants. However, for trainings especially on farming, the number of female participants were more compared to male. Project also engaged students especially on activities coinciding the school holidays. Not many students are seen coming to village as many opt to stay with relatives in places like Thimphu during holidays. Nonetheless project could include those who were in villages.

Long Term benefit:
The project while delivering all its activities highly emphasized the long term benefits to the farmers. Particularly, the land management program was found to have long term benefit to the farmers and importantly one of the sustainable means to mitigate land degradation.
The avocado plantation by farmers was also found to have long term benefit given its high income generation once the fruiting begins. In general, the holistic approach of the project focusing on land management, agro-ecological farming and capacity development is expected to deliver long term benefits in terms of climate resilience and capacity to sustain the benefits from the project.

A terminal evaluation was also conducted for the project evaluating the project as "Satisfactory" with key findings/recommendations as:
1, It is recommended that the project should organize a Sustainability Workshop inviting all
known stakeholders and others who may have an interest in the project?s products, services and
other benefits. At the Workshop, the project will outline the gains made by the project and
seek an expression of interest from specific stakeholders for taking over and sustaining each
gain.
2. The balance fund may be used to draft bylaws for both solar electric fencing, and the green
houses, which ultimately will guide the project in handing over of the facilities to the
communities. (Note: Grantee now requested to use for COVID-19 response/recovery activity; decision pending).
3. It is recommended that GEF/SGP proceed with its plans to carry out a follow-up intervention.
Such an intervention should first create a bridge between this project and the next in the form
of a sustainability plan.

Co-financing in the project (partners, contributions in in-kind contribution / in cash):
The Rural Development Training Center (RDTC, Zhemgang) supported co-financing worth USD 2141.00 (BTN Nu. 150,000.00 (One Hundred Fifty thousand only) during the project. It was supported in the form of farmer?s DSA and lunch expenses on vegetable production training, jointly organized by RSPN and RDTC.
The project beneficiaries also contributed in kind support such as labour contribution during land management and solar electric fencing program. In monetary value, amount is worth USD 7875 ( BTN Nu. 551,250.00 (Five hundred fifty one thousand two hundred fifty only)) in kind contribution from beneficiaries.