Technologies

Combined cut-and-carry and fruit-production system with terraces [Tajikistan]

Зина бох (tajik for terrace garden)

technologies_1406 - Tajikistan

Completeness: 71%

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)
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

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. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

A combination of fruit- and nut-trees together with seminatural trees and shrubs on one side with grass-communities on the other side provide for a diversified production system.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Fruit- and nut-trees give the production system the characteristics of an orchard, whereas sour cherry trees rather provide for a jungle atmosphere. They spread very quickly once they are planted. Hayproduction substitutes other uses of the lowest vegetation layer, since grazing is forbidden. The whole territory is concipied as a research station.

Purpose of the Technology: In general trees act against erosion: By their stabilising function they prevent soil from being washed out. Especially nut-trees with their 20 to 25 m long roots preserve soil moisture and by that consolidate soil structure. Terraces contribute to this moisture-preserving and production-enhancing function. They are very important in order to make rather steep land exploitable by reducing slope. Haymaking does not damage soils, but is only allowed after the end of June so that grasses can reproduce before.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Both the establishment of terraces and the planting of trees on such a big surface are costly in terms of labour and money. Maintenance means taking care of trees, taking measures against diseases and conserving soil fertility. Fertilisers are very costly and therefore dung has been substituting them in the last years.

Natural / human environment: From the two research stations of the orchard institute - one in the upper hill-zone and one close to the village Karsang - only the second one is assessed. This area is surrounded by two rivers in the West and in the East, with its main exposition to the South. It is in direct competition for irrigation water, especially needed for the trees, with the village. The orchard is situated on a ridge that is in the haymaking area, but is accessible for animals from the village.

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:

Region of Republican Subordination

Further specification of location:

Faizabad

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 0.1-1 km2
Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.7 km2.

Of the 70 hectares nearly half of the surface can be considered as unproductive with protective functions against erosion (many sour cherry trees planted).

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
  • through projects/ external interventions
Comments (type of project, etc.):

1961 the national orchard institute began with developing a research area in Karsang, which should be further enlarged from 1975 onward.

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Tree and shrub cropping
Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:
  • fruits, other
  • stone fruits (peach, apricot, cherry, plum, etc)
  • tree nuts (brazil nuts, pistachio, walnuts, almonds, etc.)
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 270 Longest growing period from month to month: Oct - Jul

Grazing land

Grazing land

Intensive grazing/ fodder production:
  • Cut-and-carry/ zero grazing
  • Access for livestock forbidden.
Comments:

Livestock density (if relevant):

< 1 LU/km2

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): The main problems are arid conditions and the loss of fertility, mainly by processes of water erosion.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Gully erosion by water and wind erosion together with droughts are the main problems. Gullly erosion may also be caused by

Cut-and-carry/ zero grazing: Access for livestock forbidden.

Grazingland comments: People have goats, sheep and cows and 1-2 donkeys, if they can afford.

Type of grazing system comments: People have goats, sheep and cows and 1-2 donkeys, if they can afford.

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed
Comments:

Water supply: post-flooding

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • improved ground/ vegetation cover
  • improved plant varieties/ animal breeds

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V1: Tree and shrub cover
structural measures

structural measures

  • S1: Terraces
management measures

management measures

  • M2: Change of management/ intensity level
Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures, management measures

Secondary measures: structural measures

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
  • Wg: gully erosion/ gullying
soil erosion by wind

soil erosion by wind

  • Et: loss of topsoil
chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
physical soil deterioration

physical soil deterioration

  • Pc: compaction
  • Pk: slaking and crusting
  • Pi: soil sealing
biological degradation

biological degradation

  • Bc: reduction of vegetation cover
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Et: loss of topsoil

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wg: gully erosion / gullying, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Pc: compaction, Pk: sealing and crusting, Bc: reduction of vegetation cover

Main causes of degradation: change of seasonal rainfall (According to agronomist and elderly persons steady decrease of rainfall Causing aridification..), droughts (No considerable precipitation for one and a half years. Causing compaction, crusting and aridification.), inputs and infrastructure: (roads, markets, distribution of water points, other, …) (The lack of fertilisers and other inputs is a consequence of the breakdown of URSS.)

Secondary causes of degradation: floods (Causing gully erosion and loss of topsoil by water.), war and conflicts (Many trees were chopped illegally during war to have energy (charcoal mines were occupied by armed men)), Unsuitable soils especially in the upper part (loe (Causing compaction, crusting and loss of topsoil by wind.), Steep topography with high sun inclination angle (Causing compaction.)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation
  • reduce land degradation
Comments:

Main goals: prevention of land degradation

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Terraces with fruit trees.

Location: Karsang. Faizabad / Tajikistan

Date: 25.08.09

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate (Cutting trees and maintaining tree nurseries)

Technical knowledge required for land users: low (Fieldwork such as haymaking)

Technical knowledge required for Research coordinator: high (Carrying out of workshops)

Main technical functions: stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides), improvement of water quality, buffering / filtering water, reduction in wind speed, promotion of vegetation species and varieties (quality, eg palatable fodder)

Secondary technical functions: reduction of slope angle, improvement of surface structure (crusting, sealing), improvement of topsoil structure (compaction), improvement of subsoil structure (hardpan), increase in organic matter, increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…), increase of infiltration, water harvesting / increase water supply, water spreading, sediment retention / trapping, sediment harvesting, increase of biomass (quantity), control of fires, trees protect from snow

Aligned: -linear
Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 120
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 2.5
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 9

Trees/ shrubs species: Apple, apricot, almond, walnut, quince, pear, peach trees

Fruit trees / shrubs species: Sour cherries, mostly through vegetative growth

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 45.00%

Gradient along the rows / strips: 0.00%

Terrace: bench level (earth)
Vertical interval between structures (m): 2.5
Spacing between structures (m): 11

Construction material (earth): endogenous material used

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 33-45%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is: 0%

Lateral gradient along the structure: 0%

Vegetation is used for stabilisation of structures.

Change of land use practices / intensity level: Strictly regulated haymaking, only after the end of June.

Author:

Christian Wirz, Switzerland

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
  • per Technology area
Specify currency used for cost calculations:
  • USD
Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

0.70

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Planting of trees with provenance from Russia and Ukraine Tree plants
2. Tree-planting, grafting, giving dung 20 persons for 3 years
3. Terrace establishment 2 tractor drivers for 1 year

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 Tree planting ha 1.0 714.0 714.0
Plant material seedlings ha 1.0 100.0 100.0
Other Terrace establishment ha 1.0 614.0 614.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 1428.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 1428.0
If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

research stations of the orchard institute

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 36 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Yearly replacement of fruit-trees (10-15% per year) 10 persons plus brigadier, always employed
2. Aerating soils around trees, each spring 10 workers, fix employment
3. Applying animal dung and / or fertilisers 10 workers, fix employment
4. Seasonal workers for harvesting 10 workers, additionally
5. Planning of activities 1 director
6. Haymaking 1 month

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 Maintenance ha 1.0 93.0 93.0
Fertilizers and biocides Fertilizer ha 1.0 28.0 28.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 121.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 121.0
Comments:

The data on the establishment of the orchard are an estimation of the director. The recurrent costs are based on the director's and other person's declarations and are rather a rough estimation than a precise list of the costs.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The costs today are strongly determinated by labour input, whereas during establishment and till the end of USSR costs for pesticides, fertilisers, new trees and equipment were very high.

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:

In the long-term average, 600-650 l, but in the years 2007 / 2008 only 200 l, since no rains in autumn.

Agro-climatic zone
  • semi-arid

Thermal climate class: subtropics

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:

Altitudinal zonation: The orchard is located between 1300-1500 m.

Landforms ridges: A part of the area surrounds a ridge

Landforms hill slopes: Generally slopes are of moderate steepness.

Slopes on average gentle: The terraces themselves are quite flat.

Slopes on average hilly: A great share of the area are slopes, either natural ones or from terraces.

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%)
  • low (<1%)
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 depth on average shallow: In the higher part stony soils prevail.

Soil fertility low: When gypsum and loess soils.

Soil fertility medium: In the lower part soils with little humus.

Soil drainage / infiltration good: 3-4 m infiltration capacity.

Soil water storage capacity medium: Thanks to trees not low.

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

poor/ none

Water quality (untreated):

good drinking water

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Availability of surface water: Insufficient: only permitting to irrigate 5 ha of totally 30 ha classified as "irrigated cropland"

Water quality (untreated): According to expert, water contains iodine, but is otherwise "light" and clean, without calcium carbonate

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • high
Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Typical plants of the foothills can be found in the area.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Off-farm income:
  • > 50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • employee (company, government)
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

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

Population density: 50-100 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 1% - 2%

100% of the land users are average wealthy and own 100% of the land (all smallholders owning additional income by the work for the institute).

Off-farm income specification: Nearly all people have family members (mostly sons) in Russia, who send remittances.

5.7 Average area of land used 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
Comments:

The employees produce hay on maximally 7 ha.

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

Land ownership:
  • state
Land use rights:
  • communal (organized)
Water use rights:
  • communal (organized)
Comments:

Whereas land use rights are restricted to those employed by the research institute, water use is negotiated between the research institute and the village authorities.

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
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
Comments/ specify:

The reason is the decision not to plant wheat anymore, partly because of droughts and partly because of the trees having reached a critical height (shadow).

fodder production

decreased
increased

fodder quality

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Animals eating this fodder give more milk.

wood production

decreased
increased
Water availability and quality

irrigation water availability

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

On the neighbour-ridge no irrigation water.

demand for irrigation water

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Trees require more water than simple pastures, especially in the establishment period.

Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Especially fruit production is important, to make jams, dried fruits etc. for winter.

health situation

worsened
improved
Comments/ specify:

The milk is of better quality and leads to less sicknesses

conflict mitigation

worsened
improved
Comments/ specify:

The institue is in conflict with the village for irrigation water.

Open-access pasture-area

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

No strong effect, because it is a research territory.

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

surface runoff

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Is especially a function of cover and infiltration capacity

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Plants are greener and less dusty thanks to moisture

soil cover

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Plants are taller, wider and denser.

soil loss

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Thanks to strongly reduced erosion, organic matter is conserved

soil crusting/ sealing

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

Less crusting than without technology, but more than without droughts.

salinity

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Due to lacking drainage system

soil organic matter/ below ground C

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

More nutrients given, for example by the trees' leaves.

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

plant diversity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

More than 50 pasture species

Climate and disaster risk reduction

fire risk

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Forest administration considers the proportion of trees to be one of the decisive factors of fire-risk.

wind velocity

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

High proportion of trees leads to longer snow cover and thus soil protection in spring

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

wind transported sediments

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 increase or decrease How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature increase well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm well
local windstorm not well
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought 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 not well
Comments:

No damages by heavy rainfall in the orchard, whereas next to it there is damage. Especially winds cause damages by covering vegetation with dust and impeding them from making fotothynthesis. Plants can die therefore.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • single cases/ experimental
Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many 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

Comments on adoption trend: The government wants more people to adopt the technology and their has effectively been an increase of such initiatives over the last years.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

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