Approaches

Combating Soil Salinization [Greece]

ΚΑΤΑΠΟΛΕΜΗΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΑΛΜΥΡΙΣΗΣ ΤΩΝ ΕΔΑΦΩΝ

approaches_2576 - Greece

Completeness: 86%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:

Giougis Ioannis

+302541079692,

jgiougis@civil.duth.gr

Democritus University of Thrace

Vas. Sofias 12,

Greece

SLM specialist:

Dimantis Vasileios

+302541079692

vdiamant@env.duth.gr

Democritus University of Thrace

Vas. Sofias 12

Greece

SLM specialist:

Pechtelidis Alexandros

+302541079692

apechtel@civil.duth.gr

Democritus University of Thrace

Vas. Sofias 12

Greece

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)
Democritus University of Thrace (Democritus University of Thrace) - Greece

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:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

Transport of freshwater from local streams
technologies

Transport of freshwater from local streams [Greece]

Freshwater transport from local streams for irrigation purposes, in order to replace the traditional form of irrigation (by pumping saline groundwater from wells).

  • Compiler: John Gkiougkis

2. Description of the SLM Approach

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Use of freshwater to combat soil salinization.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: Freshwater transport from surface streams/rivers in order to remediate saline soils.

Methods: Freshwater flushing/irrigation on saline soils.

Stages of implementation: 1) License from local authorities for surface water consumption. 2) License from local electricity provider. 3) Installation of water-pump. 4) Installation of water transport network. 5) Installation of water irrigation sprinklers.

Role of stakeholders: Awareness of local authorities concerning the problem in order to accelerate the issue of the licenses for freshwater exploitation.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

Country:

Greece

Region/ State/ Province:

Prefecture of Xanthi

Further specification of location:

East Nestos delta

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

Indicate year of initiation:

1980

2.7 Type of Approach

  • traditional/ indigenous

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The Approach focused on SLM only

Remediation and prevention of soil salinization. Local farmer motivation in order to adopt the SLM technology.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: 1) Depending on the pump type (diesel or electric), operational cost is subject to current oil-electricity price. 2) Freshwater not appropriate for sodic type soils reclamation (may enhance soil degradation). 3) Licenses for water pumping from surface streams are subject to bureaucracy. 4) Lack of cash to invest, due to recent economic crisis.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

social/ cultural/ religious norms and values
  • hindering


Treatment through the SLM Approach: Appropriate management and control of water usage is required

availability/ access to financial resources and services
  • hindering

High equipment cost (water pump and water transport network) and operational cost especially for diesel pumps.

Treatment through the SLM Approach: Government or EU funding for the purchase of the equipment. Replacement of existing diesel pumps with electric and more economic pumps.

institutional setting
  • hindering

Bureaucracy for licensing.

Treatment through the SLM Approach: 'Fast track' policy implementation.

legal framework (land tenure, land and water use rights)
  • hindering

There is a regulation concerning surface water transport which limits the transportation distance to 500m from nearby streams/rivers.

Treatment through the SLM Approach: Since there is sufficient surface water, the transport distance (500m) can be increased up to 2km in order to extend the area irrigated with freshwater and constrain the area which is irrigated by saline groundwater.

The existing land ownership, land use rights / water rights moderately hindered the approach implementation There were some restrictions on water rights (transport distance from irrigation/drainage canals is limited up to 500m).

3. Participation and roles of stakeholders involved

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

  • local land users/ local communities

Local farmers

farmer, male, 50 years old, married, greek

  • SLM specialists/ agricultural advisers

Democritus University of Thrace

  • researchers

Democritus University of Thrace

  • local government

Municipality of Topeiros

  • national government (planners, decision-makers)

Ministry of Rural Developement and Food (Local Department), Head of Water Management Division, Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach
Involvement of local land users/ local communities Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation interactive Discussions between SLM specialists and local land users.
planning interactive Discussions between SLM specialists and local land users.
implementation interactive Discussions between SLM specialists and local land users.
monitoring/ evaluation none
Research none

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:
  • mainly SLM specialists, following consultation with land users
Explain:

After a thorough soil analysis and taking into account fresh-water availability in the area, SLM specialists agreed with land users upon the appropriate SLM technology.

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by mainly by SLM specialists with consultation of land users. As 2.1.5.1.

4. Technical support, capacity building, and knowledge management

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:
  • land users
Form of training:
  • on-the-job
  • farmer-to-farmer
  • demonstration areas
  • public meetings
  • courses
Subjects covered:

Discussion with local farmers to realize the extension of the problem and the remediation strategies.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:
  • at permanent centres
Describe/ comments:

Name of method used for advisory service: Discussions ; Key elements: In-situ discussions, Public debates, Demonstrations

Advisory service is inadequate to ensure the continuation of land conservation activities; More funding needed as initiative.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?
  • no

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

economic / production aspects were regular monitored by land users through observations; indicators: Annual income

bio-physical aspects were regular monitored by project staff through measurements; indicators: Crop growth - quality

bio-physical aspects were regular monitored by land users through observations; indicators: Surface soil & crop quality

area treated aspects were regular monitored by land users through observations

management of Approach aspects were regular monitored by project staff through observations

There were no changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation

There were few changes in the Technology as a result of monitoring and evaluation: According to previous experience of land user.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:
  • ecology
Give further details and indicate who did the research:

Thorough soil and water study of the area. Democritus University of Thrace.

Research was carried out on-farm

5. Financing and external material support

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:
  • < 2,000
Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Approach costs were met by the following donors: government (Agricultural Union): 10.0%; international non-government (Desire Project ): 80.0%; local government (district, county, municipality, village etc) (Municipality of Topeiros): 10.0%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

No

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

  • none
 
If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:
  • voluntary

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

6. Impact analysis and concluding statements

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

Did the Approach help land users to implement and maintain SLM Technologies?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Transportation and use of freshwater for irrigation purposes is beneficial for plant growth and salt leaching.

Did the Approach empower socially and economically disadvantaged groups?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

There weren't any socially/economically disadvantaged group.

Did the Approach improve issues of land tenure/ user rights that hindered implementation of SLM Technologies?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

No change in legislation. The problem is likely to be overcome in the near future. There will be a revision of the current legislation in the near future.

Did other land users / projects adopt the Approach?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Mainly the land users whose fields are situated adjacent to surface streams.

Did the Approach lead to improved livelihoods / human well-being?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Due to better water quality there has been an increased crop production (where the SLM technology applied).

Did the Approach help to alleviate poverty?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Increased crop production lead to increased farmer's income.

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

  • increased production
  • increased profit(ability), improved cost-benefit-ratio
  • payments/ subsidies
  • well-being and livelihoods improvement

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?
  • yes
If yes, describe how:

However with increasing oil prices it is requisite to install electricity and use electrical pumping stations. For small cropland fields the use of petroleum pumps is feasible.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
test 1 strength - luaa (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: sustain 1 - lu)
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
test 1 strength - ownbb (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: sustain 1 - own)

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
test 1 weak - luxx overcome 1 - lu
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
test 1 weak - ownzz overcome 1 - own

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys
  • interviews with land users

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