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

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

Book project: where the land is greener - Case Studies and Analysis of Soil and Water Conservation Initiatives Worldwide (where the land is greener)

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)

Soil Science Institute (Soil Science Institute) - Tajikistan

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

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

Ja

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

An agroforestry system where legumes and cereals are planted in fruit orchards, giving simultaneous production and conservation benefits.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

In the Faizabad region, Tajikistan, an area which is characterised by hilly topography, and deep but highly erodible loess soils, farmers traditionally cultivate beans and wheat in combination with fruit trees. This was a rather unsystematic agroforestry system, and during Soviet times (in the 1980s) fruit production was intensified. Pure-stand orchards were established: the land was levelled and on slopes exceeding 20%, terraces were constructed mechanically. The density of trees was increased, and the little space remaining between was used for hay production. Annual cropping was stopped.

Purpose of the Technology: After the Soviet era, farmers reduced the number of trees, allowing room for inter-cropping. They also established new orchards according to this same pattern. Those who farm rented land merely inter crop wheat, whereas the few farmers who own their land, rotate crops with two years of wheat, followed by one of legumes (beans or lucern). Crops are grown both for home consumption and sale.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The density of apples was reduced by expanding the spacing from approx 5 m to 10 m between rows, and from 2 m to 4 m within rows. Along each row of trees a 2-3 m strip of grass was left to grow. The layout of fruit trees in lines is a compromise between being along the contour, and against the prevailing wind. After harvesting of the fruit, between August and October, farmers sow their annual crops.

Natural / human environment: This agroforestry system provides protection against strong winds, heavy rains and flooding. Soil erosion (by water) has been reduced due to improved soil cover by the inter cropping, and through leaf litter, which is left to decompose on the ground. Furthermore, after harvesting, about three quarters of the crop residues are left on the field as mulch. The remainder is used as fodder. Soil organic matter within the current agroforestry system is considerably higher than in the surrounding grazing areas. Soil fertility has improved also: beans can fix 60-80 kg/ha/year of nitrogen. Compared with other crops, wheat provides the best erosion protection. Since the lateral rooting system of the apple trees reaches only 1-1.5 m from the trunk, competition for nutrients is not a major problem. Neither is there a problem with shade, since during the crop establishment period the trees have lose their leaves. In order to increase production, farmers plan to apply supplementary irrigation where possible.

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:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Ja

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agroforestry

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Most of the rains fall in late autumn and early spring, and the rains coincide with very strong winds. The topsoil is therefore exposed to erosion during this period if left uncovered, and without a windbreak. A particular problem during the soviet period was that the intensive orchard system meant annual food crops were left out of the production system: soil cover was reduced and there was less food.

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: two years of wheat followed by one of legumes (beans or lucerne)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• agroforestry
• windbreak/ shelterbelt
• improved ground/ vegetation cover

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures, vegetative measures, structural measures

Type of agronomic measures: mulching, rotations / fallows

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -against wind

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Wg: gully erosion / gullying, Et: loss of topsoil, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content

Main causes of degradation: other human induced causes (specify) (The suplementary irrigation system could not be maintained after state farms stopped recieving government support. Thus, it became more interesting to increase crop production through intercropping.)

Secondary causes of degradation: governance / institutional (With the transformation of the planned economy to a market economy, for the state farm areas new forms of management had to be found.)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation

Comments:

Main goals: prevention of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Planting of fruit orchard
2.	Thinning: doubling the spacing between trees (by farmers, after Soviet period)
3.	Hand planting of fruit tree seedlings
4.	planting fruit trees
5.	1. Levelling of steep land into terraces with graders
6.	Planting of fruit orchards

4.4 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 of fruit orchard	ha	1.0	60.0	60.0	100.0
Labour	Thinning and hand lanting	ha	2.0	10.0	20.0	100.0
Equipment	machine use	ha	1.0	120.0	120.0	100.0
Equipment	tools		1.0	10.0	10.0	100.0
Plant material	seedlings	ha	1.0	250.0	250.0
Fertilizers and biocides	fertilizer	ha	1.0	50.0	50.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	biocides	ha	1.0	30.0	30.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	pesticides	ha	1.0	30.0	30.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					570.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					570.0

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Applying organic manure for crops and trees	(November to March)
2.	Ploughing to depth of 25–30 cm for annual crops	(November to March)
3.	Disc ploughing and harrowing .	(March)
4.	Chemical fertiliser application to crops	(once during season).
5.	Pest management with chemicals	(two-three times where possible/affordable)
6.	harvesting: wheat is the only crop, which can be harverted if tractor and petrol is available
7.	mulching trees (humus cover)
8.	cutting trees

4.6 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	applying organic manure for crops and trees	ha	1.0	45.0	45.0	100.0
Labour	ploughing	ha	2.0	10.0	20.0	100.0
Equipment	labour animal traction	ha	1.0	10.0	10.0	100.0
Equipment	labour harvesting	ha	1.0			100.0
Equipment	labour mulching and cutting	ha	1.0	50.0	50.0	100.0
Plant material	seeds	ha	1.0	30.0	30.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	fertilizer	ha	1.0	50.0	50.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	biocides	ha	1.0	5.0	5.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	compost manure	ha	1.0	10.0	10.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					220.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					220.0

Comments:

Cost calculation refers to farmers who established new agroforestry plots (without receiving any incentives). These are farmers who have rented land from state farms. However, conversion of Soviet orchards is more common than the establishment of new agroforestry plots (information on costs not available).

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Landforms also mountain slopes.

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: low

Soil drainage / infiltration: good

Soil water storage capacity: medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Off-farm income specification: trade and business; young men often migrate to Russia (seasonally or for several years) to search for jobs

Level of mechanization manual work: pruning of trees, harvesting, applying herbizids

Level of mechanization animal traction: ploughing if no fuel for tractors is available

Level of mechanization mechanized/motorized: Disc ploughing and harrowing, if petrol is available

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

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

Land ownership:

• state

Land use rights:

• leased

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Other socio-economic impacts

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Other ecological impacts

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 11-50%

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

3500 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support in an area of 45 km^2

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 91-100%

Comments:

3500 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Adoption rate is high: 3,500 households in the region, who rented the orchards, have converted them themselvs without any incentives.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Easy to convert orchards How can they be sustained / enhanced? Land reform from state to private ownership would assist the process and strengthen farmers' associations.
Helps provide employment (mainly self- employment, partial employment of additional labourers) and increased self-sufficiency. With the cultivation of wheat, some farmers can solve their food problems and do not need an off-farm income.
Improvement of soil fertility and soil organic matter content How can they be sustained / enhanced? Use all the crop residue and leaves of trees as cover (mulch).
Considerable reduction of soil erosion How can they be sustained / enhanced? Adopt cover crop and rotate with other legumes and minimum tillage system.
Wider spacing between the rows of trees (to 10 m) is best for the agroforestry How can they be sustained / enhanced? Remaining orchards with the original Soviet spacing of 5m between the rows should be thinned.

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?
The irrigation system established during Soviet times required high maintenance inputs due to siltation of the canals. During the period of the civil war systems ceased to function, the canals filled up with sediments and finally overflowed during rain storms causing gully formation	Control of water flow within the orchard using cutoff drains and drainage ditches.
Lines of trees which are planted up and down the slope to provide wind.	Compromise in layout design (see description).
Orchards managed by state farms are often not well looked after.	Leasing of land and awarding landholder certificates leads to improved orchard management.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Loes Masselink. 2012. Monitoring SLM Practices in Tajikistan. BSc thesis, Land Degradation and Development Group, International Land and Water Management at Wageningen University. The Netherlands.

URL:

https://www.wocat.net/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/Theses/Masselink2012.pdf