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

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

CDE Centre for Development and Environment (CDE Centre for Development and Environment) - Switzerland

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

NCCR North-South (NCCR North-South) - Kyrgyzstan

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

CARITAS (Switzerland) - Switzerland

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

09/08/2012

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

Ja

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Conversion of wheat monocropping into an Alfalfa plot with the aim to establish an orchard

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

In 2009 the farmer changed his wheat plot into an Alfalfa plot where he also planted fruit tree seedlings in between to establish an orchard. One hectare is used for the perennial cropping of Alfalfa. Alfalfa cropping supplements beneficial soil functions which are crucial for the establishment of an orchard. The plot lies on a narrow plateau next to other wheat crops. The plot is mainly bordered by fruit and nut orchards on a gentle slope, and by a steep slope of the riverbed. A solid fence prevents boars from entering the area through the nut orchard. The plot is not accessible by the steep slope. Two fences are built from the side of the neighboring wheat plots. One fence works like an entrance gate to all the plots on that plateau. A second fence indicates the boundaries between the farmers' Alfalfa crop and the wheat plots belonging to other farmers. The whole family is working on the farm land, consisting of several plots which are distributed over the valley. The children are mainly guarding the cropland.

Purpose of the Technology: In order to establish an orchard, first the farmer planted Alfalfa, which maintains more moisture in the soil and hence creates favorable conditions for tree growth. The wheat cropping was drying out the soil. Therefore during heavy rainfall events water infiltration was limited, and the strong runoff washed away the wheat crop. It was the farmer’s initiative to change the crop management, but Caritas Switzerland supported him with a financial grant. Alfalfa can be harvested several times a year, which he can use as fodder for the livestock or as cash crop.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The first year after the crop rotation there was no benefit, as the Alfalfa did not give any harvest yet. According to the farmer, Alfalfa seeds were relatively cheap (15 TJS per kg) and result in a good harvest. Currently he is harvesting Alfalfa three times a year, wheat could only be harvested once a year. The whole family was involved in the establishment of the alfalfa crop and tree planting, by ploughing, sawing Alfalfa, planting the seedlings and constructing the fence. Despite the fence, the crop is often guarded by the farmer or his children because boars enter his property. After the first year some seedlings dried out which he had to replace. Presently, little maintenance is required, only guarding and cutting Alfalfa.

Natural / human environment: The farmer’s plot is situated on a plateau on the other side of the riverbed, from where the village of Momandion is located. It takes some 15 minutes to get from their house to the plot. One of his neighbors adopted the technology of sowing Alfalfa and planting fruit tree seedlings.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Farmers idea, one third was payed by himself, the rest was supported by Caritas

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Soil erosion, poor nutrient and moisture availability in the soil, high runoff

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Soil erosion, poor soil moisture availability, high runoff, declining yields

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Mixed: Mf: Agroforestry

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: Fruits of growing orchard will be food and probably cash crop in future

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

Cropland: Ca: Annual cropping

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: 180Longest growing period from month to month: April-Sept/Oct

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, indicate approximate area covered:

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.01 m2.

Total crop size is around 1.5 ha, lucerne crop is around 1 ha. The remaining area is a small wheat plot and meadow with some sparse walnut trees. A fruit and nut tree orchard is above the fenced crop.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: management measures

Secondary measures: agronomic measures

Type of agronomic measures: cover cropping

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -contour

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wo: offsite degradation effects, Bc: reduction of vegetation cover

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Pk: sealing and crusting

Main causes of degradation: crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub), poverty / wealth (Fear of food insecurity pushed farmer to plant wheat, year by year)

Secondary causes of degradation: education, access to knowledge and support services (No knowledge about alternative and beneficial land management)

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

Comments:

Main goals: rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The farmer’s property is located on a plateau, surrounded by an upper orchard on a slope (in the top right corner on the figure) and delimited by a steep embankment (on the left on the figure). The Lucerne plot is protected by a fence and the embankment to hinder intrusions of boars. There is a well locked entrance to get to the crop. A second fence protects the adjacent wheat crops and the Lucerne plot. Around 600 fruit trees are planted in the crop leaving a buffer strip of Lucerne.

Location: Momandion, Obishur watershed. Muminabad, Kathlon, Tajikistan

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: improvement of ground cover, increase in organic matter, increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…), increase / maintain water stored in soil, spatial arrangement and diversification of land use

Secondary technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, improvement of surface structure (crusting, sealing), improvement of topsoil structure (compaction), increase of infiltration

Cover cropping
Material/ species: Alfalfa to recover soil for orchard

Aligned: -contour
Number of plants per (ha): 400
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 3
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 2

Change of land use type: Conversion from wheat to fenced Alfalfa crop and orchard
Alfalfa crop has a twofold function, as a crop which is harvested several times a year and as cover crop to reestablish soil properties

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• US Dollars

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Buying and planting 600 trees: 10 Min/ tree for digging	Vegetative	once
2.	After first year: 100 trees dried out	Vegetative	once
3.	Fencing 400 m, by 6-7 pers, 10-11 days (8 h a day)	Management	once (spring)

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	Planting trees	Persons/day	12.5	12.4	155.0	37.0
Labour	Planting trees for replacment	Persons/day	2.1	12.4	26.04	100.0
Labour	Plowing labour	Persons/day	1.0	12.4	12.4
Labour	Sowing	Persons/day	0.27	12.4	3.35
Equipment	Plowing machine	days	1.0	103.5	103.5	37.0
Equipment	Petrol	litres	120.0	1.1383333	136.6	37.0
Plant material	Buying trees	trees	600.0	0.62116666	372.7	37.0
Plant material	Buying tree replacments	trees	100.0	1.035	103.5	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	kg	20.0	3.1	62.0	37.0
Construction material	Fence	area	1.0	1490.7	1490.7	37.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					2465.79

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

Caritas

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 1 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Harvesting/Cutting Alfalfa 3 times and seeds 1 time, 8 Pers one week (first cut)	Agronomic	4 times a year
2.	Soil loosening around 600 trees	Vegetative	spring/ once
3.	Looking after the orchard, 2 or 5 hours per day	Vegetative	every day
4.	Pruning after 5 years (in future), one month	Vegetative	spring/ once every five years

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	Soil loosening	Persons/day	9.375	12.4	116.25	100.0
Labour	Looking after orchard	days	365.0			100.0
Labour	Pruning after 5 years	Persons/day	25.0	12.4	310.0	100.0
Labour	Harvesting/Cutting Alfalfa	Persons/day	192.0	12.4	2380.8	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					2807.05

Comments:

2.5.4.2 Harvesting and cutting labour input is estimated proportinally to the expected yield. The first cut has a max. yield, the second yield amounts up to 70%, the third some 50% of the initial yield. Labour input for harvest might be to high as it was not indicated by hours, but by days. The farmer paid only a part of the initial costs, which amount some 37% of the total costs.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Fencing is very expensive due to high material costs. It is a very laborious and time consuming work.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Landforms hill slopes: Nut and fruit orchard right above the crop

Landforms foot slopes: Plateau

Slopes on average: 12-16%

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility: High

Soil drainage / infiltration: Medium

Soil water storage capacity: High

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Availability of surface water medium: Winter and spring season with frequent rainfalls (700mm)

Availability of surface water poor/none: no rainfall from July to August

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users

Population density: 100-200 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 1% - 2%

Level of mechanization manual labour: Everything except plowing

Level of mechanization mechanised: Plowing

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

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

Land ownership:

• state

Land use rights:

• leased

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Comments:

Land ownership is based on the land user certificate conferred by the government.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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 known

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	well
local windstorm	not known

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	not well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	not well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

Comments:

Alfalfa seeds are more expensive than other seeds (e.g. wheat) and in the first year just one cut can be done. In the second year already several cuts are possible and assure a high yield. It is expensive to establish an orchard and in the first 5 years there is no harvest.

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:

1 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

1 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: Neighboring farmer adopted Technology on one of his plots (even though less technical), other is interested.

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
After one time sowing, several cuts are possible from the second year on. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Spread the experience of the farmer.
Perennial crops are beneficial to soil and increases the income of the farmer. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Spread technology through demonstrations, work shops etc.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Alfalfa gives good yield and is a good conservation measure for soil and water. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Workshops or institutional incentives for farmers to promote perennial crops.

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?
First year might result in more input than output because just one cut is possible and an orchard must grow at least 5 years to give fruits.	Raise awareness about long-term benefits or give incentives in the establishment phase.