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Technologies
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Terracing on the hill slope areas [Tajikistan]

Planting of fruit trees on terraced slope in rain fed areas with a perimeter fence

technologies_1033 - Tajikistan

Completeness: 80%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development Tajikistan (ACTED Tajikistan) - Tajikistan

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

03/05/2011

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Planting of trees and bushes in the rain fed slope areas by using mulching, rain water harvesting and organic fertilizers

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

6 vulnerable households are selected to carry out this pilot activity. They maintain terraced plots of 0.01 ha (10m x 10m) each. Households fence the entire area to protect it against animals. The plots are constructed on the slope of a hill by digging terraces/steps with intervals of 1m. 10 fruit seedlings are planted along one row and 10 rows are planted in total. In some areas where there is a probem with watering of new seedlings simple basin covered with plastic sheet could be installed in order to harvest rain water for the purpose of irrigation of seedling in ht summer periods or when there is a lack of water

Purpose of the Technology: The terracing will help to mitigate wind erosion by preventing top soil losses. The terraces will also provide protection against water erosion by catching water and improving natural infiltration of water. The terraced plot also provides an economic benefit to land users by functioning as an orchard.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The criteria for the establishment of the plots are the local conditions: this takes into account the sensitivity of the land to erosion, that the land is rainfed, and the vulnerability of households in or near the potential target areas/slopes. If the criteria are met, households then establish a fenced area of 0.01 ha in the target slope/area. They receive the task of planting and maintaining the orchard plots by watering (if necessary), pruning, mulching, and using organic fertilizers.

Natural / human environment: The issue with the target area/slopes is that they suffer from water or wind erosion. Therefore, they require terraced plots to mitigate the effects of erosion. In terms of human influence, the lands have either been overgrazed and were unproductive for vulnerable households in the area.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Tajikistan

Region/ State/ Province:

Khatlon province

Further specification of location:

Farkhor district

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
  • more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through projects/ external interventions
Comments (type of project, etc.):

This technology has been in use since the 1940ies / 50ies. It is mainly used by the local population in rural areas.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Grazing land

Grazing land

Mixed (crops/ grazing/ trees), incl. agroforestry

Mixed (crops/ grazing/ trees), incl. agroforestry

  • Agroforestry
Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): water insufficiency for irrigation purposes
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): water insufficiency, especially in summer period
Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Mixed: Mf: Agroforestry

If land use has changed due to the implementation of the Technology, indicate land use before implementation of the Technology:

Grazing land: Ge: Extensive grazing land

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120; Longest growing period from month to month: February-May

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • cross-slope measure
  • water harvesting

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.0006 km2.
6 demoplots established in 6 different jamoats of Farkhor district, each demonstration plot area is 0.01 ha.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V1: Tree and shrub cover
structural measures

structural measures

  • S1: Terraces
Comments:

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -linear

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
biological degradation

biological degradation

  • Bc: reduction of vegetation cover
Comments:

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (Cutting of trees by people), other human induced causes (specify) (Cutting of forests for wood), change of seasonal rainfall (Insufficient rainfalls), population pressure (overgrazing of animals on the same area)
Secondary causes of degradation: overgrazing

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The plots are constructed on the slope of a hill by digging terraces/steps with intervals of 1m. 10 fruit seedlings are planted along one row and 10 rows are planted in total. In some areas where there is a probem with watering of new seedlings simple basin covered with plastic sheet could be installed in order to harvest rain water for the purpose of irrigation of seedling in ht summer periods or when there is a lack of water. Beside this all plots are surrounded with metalic fence in order to avoid animals from damaging the new palnted seedlings

Farkhor district
Date: 20.12.2011

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate
Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate
Main technical functions: increase / maintain water stored in soil
Secondary technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: drain / divert, reduction of slope angle, improvement of ground cover, improvement of water quality, buffering / filtering water, reduction in wind speed

Aligned: -along boundary
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs

Aligned: -linear
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 7500
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 2
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 1
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1

Trees/ shrubs species: acacia, shrubs
Fruit trees / shrubs species: apple, almond trees, apricot trees, cherry trees, quince trees
Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 45%
If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is (see figure below): 45%
Gradient along the rows / strips: 40%

Terrace: backward sloping
Vertical interval between structures (m): 2
Spacing between structures (m): 1
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.4
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.4
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 10

Construction material (other): metal lath and pipes for the poles (stand)
Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 45%
If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is: 45%
Lateral gradient along the structure: 45%
For water harvesting: the ratio between the area where the harvested water is applied and the total area from which water is collected is: 1:0,06
Vegetation is used for stabilisation of structures.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
  • per Technology unit
Specify unit:

Garden

Specify volume, length, etc. (if relevant):

500 trees

other/ national currency (specify):

somoni

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

2.46

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

25

4.4 Establishment activities

Activity Type of measure Timing
1. digging of the holes Vegetative in the early spring
2. planting of trees Vegetative in the early spring
3. Terracing of slope areas Structural in the early spring
4. Fencing of the area Structural during planting of the trees
5. Digging of water harvesting basin Structural while esteblishing of terraces

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Digging of the holes persons/day/unit 1.0 25.0 25.0
Labour Planting of trees persons/day/unit 5.0 25.0 125.0 73.0
Labour Terracing of slope areas persons/day 2.0 25.0 50.0 100.0
Labour Digging of water harvesting basin person/basin 1.0 30.0 30.0 100.0
Construction material Fencing of area unit 1.0 600.0 600.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 830.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Type of measure Timing/ frequency
1. watering the plants Vegetative 2 times per week
2. Mulching the new plants Vegetative when it is necessary
3. using of organic fertilizers for trees Vegetative During the planting and after couple of months
4. rain water harvesting near the kitchen gardens for watering of new trees Vegetative when available
5. Supervision and observing Structural on constant base

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Watering the plants persons/day 1.0 20.0 20.0 100.0
Labour Mulching the new plants persons/day 1.0 20.0 20.0 100.0
Labour Using of organic fertilizers for trees persons/day 1.0 20.0 20.0 100.0
Labour Rain water harvesting near the kitchen gardens for watering of new trees persons/day 1.0 25.0 25.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides Fertilizer kg/unit 1000.0 1.0 1000.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 1085.0
Comments:

Machinery/ tools: spade, pail, chopper

area used for the technology: fenced plot of 0.01 ha

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Soil structure, slope

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

Mostly in winter and spring period. Dry periods starts from the end of spring till September, October

Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid
  • semi-arid

Thermal climate class: temperate

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Soil fertility is low
Soil drainage / infiltration is poor and one of the main reasons of gully forming
Soil water storage capacity is low during dry seasonal periods

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Availability of surface water:

medium

Water quality (untreated):

poor drinking water (treatment required)

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Water quality (untreated): Mostly hand water pumps

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Off-farm income:
  • 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users
Annual population growth: 2% - 3%

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • small-scale

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • communal/ village
Land use rights:
  • leased

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

fodder production

decreased
increased

fodder quality

decreased
increased

wood production

decreased
increased
Water availability and quality

demand for irrigation water

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

cultural opportunities

reduced
improved

livelihood and human well-being

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Behavioral change, people got information on the advantages of applying organic fertilizers and water harvesting to develop their plots on rainfed lands

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

surface runoff

increased
decreased

evaporation

increased
decreased
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil cover

reduced
improved

salinity

increased
decreased
Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

plant diversity

decreased
increased
Climate and disaster risk reduction

wind velocity

increased
decreased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

damage on neighbours' fields

increased
reduced

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change
Season Type of climatic change/ extreme How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature increase not well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm not well
local windstorm well
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought not well
Hydrological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences
How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period well
Comments:

main damage may be caused by droughts, thus plants will feel water insufficiency

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

Comments:

Establishment of plots with terracing on slope areas does not demand lots of funding and planting of fruit trees will become a source of alternative income in the near future

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • single cases/ experimental
Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 0-10%
Comments:

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The technology is user-friendly and does not require complicated tools or agro-inputs. Land users can replicate this technology with minimal cost.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
It does rely on climactic conditions. If there is an extended period of dry weather this can have a detrimental effect on the tree seedlings. By ensuring that land users maintain these plots by regularly watering them and using mulching.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys
  • interviews with land users

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