Objectives

• To develop test plots on individual farms and in FFS situations in collaboration with farmers for testing new adaptation options that have been previously identified as potentially suitable and adoptable by farmers.
• To hold trial experiments with and without adaptation options (on controlled plots and test plots).

Expected outputs

• A number of sites (farms) available to study adaptation options with participation of farmers.
• Farmer households trained on new adaption options.
• Agreement by farmers or farmer groups (FFS) to try out possible adaptation options on plots.
• Written and executed work plans for test plots.
• Evaluation and systematization of results (quantitative and qualitative).

Tips

• Validation of new adaptation options on a local context must be a collaborative effort. Working directly with farmers to test tools is the quickest way to identify if there are suitable adaptation practices for local conditions, as well as to reveal problems (e.g. tools could be costly, cumbersome, time-consuming or simply ineffective).
• Advantages of farm trials: You can quickly get feedback from farmers about the trials, their acceptability and usefulness. You can test tools over a much wider range of conditions than with only one or two field stations.
• Disadvantages: You have less control over what happens, as farmers might give up too soon, or not conduct the trial in the way that was agreed upon.
• If facilities are available, properly controlled farm trials are also important, especially for testing new ideas or variants of tools that might be expensive or too risky to try directly with farmers.

Procedure

• Identify field sites. Wherever possible, select zones that cover a range of altitudes, slope orientations and soil types, especially in areas where problems have already been identified through the triangulation methodology (Step 2).
• Characterize each site according to a range of criteria. See specimen table below and add or adapt as required.
• Form a field team of technicians and/or extensionists and train them in participatory field techniques.
• Seek collaboration by contacting farmers and farmer organizations in your area.
• Deliver initial awareness-raising sessions with farmer households who have agreed to take part (e.g. sensitization workshops or a Climate Witness Workshop).
• Where resources and time permit, consider giving a broader range of training that would build adaptive capacity.

Objectives

• To develop the design of the test plot that is agreed upon by farmers and technicians for the testing of a possible adaptation option.
• To clearly define activities, when they will take place and who will be responsible for each task.
• Ensure that the time and venue allow women to participate in the activities.

Procedure

• Hold an initial meeting with farmers to define objectives, select possible tools, select field sites, assign responsibilities and draw up a calendar of activities.
• Visit field sites to make final selections. Ensure that the determined work and selected sites are representative of problems affecting many farmers.
• Elaborate the design and write a work plan for the test plot (Table 32 and 33).
• Define clear outputs – what is expected from the adaptation option (e.g. better yields, improved drought resistance, effective pest management)?

Before starting field trials, check if the selected tools are in accordance with the needs of farmers established in Step 2.

Ensure that there are equal opportunities for women and men to engage in project activities,

Objective

To establish a test plot and carry out the tasks elaborated in the work plan of the test plot.

Materials needed

• Measuring equipment as required by tool selected, e.g. thermometer, soil moisture meter or rain gauge.
• Field sites with frequent access.

Required time

A few months to several years – depending on the type of adaptation option.

Tips

• The agreed schedule of activities should be adhered to as closely as possible. However, if things are not going as planned, it may be necessary to rethink the schedule. Ask yourself why you are delayed and if there are some issues you did not think of during planning sessions.
• Continual dialogue and analysis of cost benefits with farmers is vital.
• The start of activities is a very important moment and technicians should always show up at agreed times.
• A brief report of each visit is important. Be sure to note down any unexpected events (see Table 34).
• Technicians should be encouraged to take frequent photographs to visually record progress.
• It is helpful to start a list of issues to record any problems, ideas or unusual events for subsequent review.
• Frequently compare progress to your workplan and note any reasons for failures or delays.
• Keep the gender aspect in mind. For example, in Table 35, the column for farmers’ comments would have separate points recorded for men an woman.
• Where possible, field measurements and results should be tabulated and graphed at regular intervals to check if work is going to plan. Figures should be reviewed to see if they are within expected ranges (see table 35).
• Discuss results regularly with farmers.
• Finally, elaborate a case study of the trial (see Section 2, Step 5 “Using your findings - Make recommendations for future plans”).

Guiding questions for validating a specific adaptation option:

• Is there sufficient evidence from the trials to be able to recommend larger-scale activities (i.e. to scale up)?
• Are there new ideas resulting from the trials that could be developed into new trials?
• Are there results from tool evaluations that provide convincing evidence that a particular tool will not work (e.g. too costly or ineffective) or cause conflict in farmer households?
• Were the indicators for evaluating adaptation options useful? Do they measure results for both men and women?
• Were the initial objectives and criteria useful and valid? If not, what could replace them?
• Could you identify the main risks associated with implementing each option (e.g. too costly or time-consuming)?
• Is there any risk that the tool could make things worse (e.g. mulch is a fire risk in a long dry season)?
• How will you come to a fully-fledged adaptation
  strategy?
• How can you combine tools to make the system
  more resilient?