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)

Establishing National Land Use and Land Degradation Profile toward Mainstreaming SLM Practices in Sector Policies (ENALULDEP/SLM)

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

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

Nee

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Choi Jhal (Piper chaba), locally called morich lota is a creeping vine that is grown in homesteads of saline areas. It is adapted to soil salinity, grows under shade and is a very high value crop. It remains green throughout the year, reducing evapotranspiration from the soil and hence reduces capillary rise of salinity from shallow ground water.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Choi Jhal (Piper chaba), locally called morich lota is a creeping vine that is grown in homesteads of saline areas. It is adapted to soil salinity, grows under shade and is a very high value crop. It remains green throughout the year, reducing evapotranspiration from the soil and hence reduces capillary rise of salinity from shallow ground water. Choi Jhal locally called morich lota, is one of the most popular and unique spices in the south-western region of Bangladesh. It is a flowering vine grown in southern-western districts like Khulna and Satkhira. There are two types of choi found in these areas. One is a narrow vine (20 - 25 mm diameter) and the other is about 2. 5 - 5 cm in diameter. It creeps up to 8-10 meters when allowed to extend on ground. On the other hand it also climb up large trees like Mango (Mangifera indica), Jam (Syzygium cumini), Betel nut (Areca catechu), Coconut (Cocos nucifera) and Kafula (Lannea coromandelica), etc. Leaves and stems of the choi vine look like betel leafs (local name Paan; scientific name: Piper betle). Betel and choi are two species of the same family, Piperaceae. The leaves of choi are oval-shaped and about 5-6 cm long. The flowers are monoecious and blossom during the monsoon. The fruit looks similar to other varieties of long pepper, with an elongated shape that can grow up to 6 cm inches long. The fruit is red when ripe, and turns dark brown or black when dry. Chopped parts of the plant are cooked them with meat and fish, especially with mutton. The spicy pungent flavor of Choi Jhal is a year-round additive spice. In Thailand, P. chaba is known commonly as "Dee Plee”.
This technology was documented as one of the best practices that supports improved livelihoods of farmers who have no, or very little, cultivable land except their home yards. It is adapted to seasonal salinity in the dry season and waterlogging in monsoon. Pankhali is a village of Dacop Upazalia, Khulna where most of farmer practiced choi cultivation as their main income source. It is easy to propagate with cuttings of vines ideally of 50-75 cm with at least 4-5 nodes. Generally no chemical fertilizer is used for its cultivation, rather domestic waste or compost is used in ‘pits’ at the time of planting vine cuttings. The cuttings of vines are planted in April-May or November-December in relatively higher areas of the home gardens, with loamy soils. Choi is shade-loving. Approximately 2-2.5 ton/ha could be harvested after 5-6 years. It could be harvested after one year, but ideally it is better to harvest after 5 years. Farmers earn 1,000-1,500 BDT (US$1= 84 BDT) per kg from 5-year old choi. The mature roots are more valuable than the green vine. These days this product is marketed by many departmental stores of the city.
This expensive spice has great medicinal value, and tastes like pepper. It has been used to treat different kinds of diseases and it has a number of herbal uses, specially the antimicrobial and antioxidant active ingredients, Choi has 7% aromatic oil, 5% alkoloid and pepertin and in roots 13-15% peperin. The people of the area believe that it helps to remedy various diseases. One inch of choi can be used as medication for coughs. Its price depends on its thickness, and different thicknesses of Piper chaba taste different. Thicker ones are popular for its flesh and thinner ones for their spicy heat.
Commonly the twigs, stems or roots both fresh and dried forms are used in this area as a spice. Sometimes it is ground and used as an ingredient in a variety of sauces and pastes. It is a relatively expensive spice and the roots are usually more expensive than the stems because of their stronger aroma. It is mainly used as a taste enhancer. It makes the food spicier. It is also used in Jhalmori, Pickles, Halim and for making tasty soups.

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
• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• create beneficial economic impact

• cover crop when allowed to creep on ground

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Nee

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

It may require occasional irrigation at the initial stage

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• home gardens

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• not applicable

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

BDT

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

84.95

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Bed or PIT preparation	April-May, Nov-Dec
2.	Planting	April-May, Nov-Dec

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	Labour	1	4.0	500.0	2000.0	100.0
Plant material	Cuttings/ vine of Choi (Own produce)	1	20.0	10.0	200.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Compost (Own)	LS	1.0	50.0	50.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					2250.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					26.49

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of establishing the Technology:

2250.0

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

100%

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Watch and ward	as necessary

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

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of maintaining the Technology:

500.0

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

100%

Comments:

It is very easy to maintain. Only to look after the crop while creeping.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

not applicable

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

Ja

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Nee

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

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:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Ja

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Income and costs

Other socio-economic impacts

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

Not applicable

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

Not applicable

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

Comments:

Not applicable

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

• > 50%

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

Many of the homesteads already used to growing choi jahl

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

• 91-100%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Ja

other (specify):

At present nursery has been emerging to market saplings of choi jhalet

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

Nursery has been developed

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Can earn cash money
Can use for own family
Can be grown in small area in homesteads
Almost all parts of the Choi Jhal are edible

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Easy to propagate
No use of chemical fertilizer
Marketing of the crop increased
Added menu of restaurants bigger cities

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Fungus infection at early stage	Use of anti fungus

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Confined in Khulna division	Extension message could be developed
Preservation of green Choi	Harvesting matured parts or has to be market quickly.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Choi Jhal: The culinary fire of Bengal

URL:

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2020/01/09/choi-jhal-the-culinary-fire-of-bengal

Title/ description:

Chui Jhal is a traditional Khulna's spice that brings water to the tongue

URL:

https://www.orchidshade.com/2020/09/chui-jhal-is-traditional-khulna-spice.html

Title/ description:

Piper chaba

URL:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piper_chaba

7.4 General comments

The crop can be grown in small home gardens especially on higher ground. It is adapted to soil salinity, grows under shade and is a very high value crop. It remains green throughout the year, reducing evapotranspiration from the soil and hence reduces capillary rise of salinity from shallow ground water.