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

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1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

04/07/2011

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

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Ecological production of almonds and olives under dryland conditions using green manure to increase soil fertility, to protect against soil erosion and to obtain a high-value product.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Ecological agriculture is a strictly controlled production system that does not use synthetic chemical products like fertilizers, insecticides or pesticides. Also genetically modified organisms and materials are not used. Green manure or low quantities of organic fertilizers, preferably from dung (sheep, goat, cow, chicken), are used to increase and maintain soil fertility. Green manure is provided by seeding a mixture of leguminous nitrogen-fixing species and cereals in autumn (October) and incorporating this into the soil with tillage in springtime (May). To optimize the fertilizer effect, there is still scientific discussion on the need for mowing the green manure and letting it dry for several days before it is ploughed into the soil. For this system, no ploughing is performed in winter, which reduces fuel use and emission of greenhouse gases. In addition to its fertilising effect, green manure provides a continuous surface cover during winter time protecting the soil from erosion. The products grown under this ecological system command a higher market price than those grown under conventional production schemes.

Purpose of the Technology: The aim of ecological agriculture is to protect biodiversity and the environment and maintain or improve soil fertility and reduce soil, water, and air pollution. Under ecological agriculture and by using green manure, soil cover, soil organic matter, and soil biological activity will increase, which positively affects soil structure, soil fertility and soil water infiltration capacity. This reduces the sensitivity of the soil to surface crusting and it reduces surface runoff and soil erosion by up to 60%. Workload and energy use are up to 50% lower than under conventional agriculture, and benefits may increase around 40% due to higher yields. Moreover, a higher market price of ecologically produced almonds and olives will lead to increased farm income. This better economic return discourages land abandonment of marginal lands with low productivities under conventional farming. Ecological almonds and olives production does not require special establishment activities or investments in specialized equipment.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Infestations by, for example, insects and caterpillars are treated twice yearly by degradable products based on copper salts (Oxicloruro, max 3‰ solution) and mineral oils in winter, or the spores and proteins produced by the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis or based on natural pyrethrins (from the Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium; max 1.5 l/ha) in springtime. In ecological agriculture, farmers are obliged to take advice and instructions regarding plague control and fertilizer use from technicians specialized in ecological agriculture.

Natural / human environment: Soils mostly have a shallow to medium depth (between 20-60 cm), and slopes are gentle to moderate (between 5 and 15%). The climate is semi-arid with a mean annual rainfall around 300 mm. Droughts, in summer, commonly last for more than 4-5 months. Annual potential evapotranspiration rates larger than 1000 mm are common. The production system is highly mechanised and market-oriented but depends strongly on agricultural subsidies. All cropland is privately owned.

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 projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Ecological agriculture is strongly stimulated by regional government through subsidies in last 8 years.

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): A lack of water availability seriously limits the production potential of the soil and results in a low vegetation/crop cover. The relatively high soil erosion rates cause various off-site related problems (i.e. flooding, reservoir siltation) and on-site problems (i.e. gully formation and reduced soil depth).

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): There is a lack of water for irrigation of crops limiting the crop types that can be planted as well as the crop yield of dryland farming.

Livestock is grazing on crop residues

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: 220Longest growing period from month to month: Nov - Jun

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• integrated soil fertility management

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:

• 10-100 km2

Comments:

Ecological agriculture is rapidly increasing in the area and strongly stimulated by subsidies.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures

Secondary measures: management measures

Type of agronomic measures: green manure

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wo: offsite degradation effects, Cp: soil pollution, Hq: decline of groundwater quality

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Bl: loss of soil life, Bp: increase of pests / diseases, loss of predators, Hp: decline of surface water quality

Main causes of degradation: soil management (Excessive use of pesticides and herbicides), crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (Excessive use of pesticides and herbicides), education, access to knowledge and support services (lack of knowledge of off site effects for contamination)

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, mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Mixture of barley and vetch (Vicia sativa) seeds used for seeding green manure.

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high (High level of knowledge of possibilities and limitations of fertilizer use and plague control is needed.)

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate (Moderate level of knowledge of fertilizer use and plague control.)

Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard, improvement of ground cover, increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…)

Secondary technical functions: improvement of surface structure (crusting, sealing), improvement of topsoil structure (compaction), improvement of subsoil structure (hardpan), increase in organic matter, increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, improvement of water quality, buffering / filtering water

Green manure
Material/ species: seed
Quantity/ density: 195 kg/ha
Remarks: Mixture of Vicia (65kg) and Avena (130kg)

Other type of management: Ecological farming: Absence of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

EURO

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

0.63

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 1 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	seeding green manure	Agronomic	autumn (October)
2.	ploughing green manure	Agronomic	spring (May)
3.	organic fertilizer of cow dung (optional)	Management	spring
4.	ecological treatment against plagues days	Management	winter and april

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	Labour	ha	1.0	25.0	25.0	37.0
Equipment	Machine use	ha	1.0	72.0	72.0	37.0
Plant material	Seeds	ha	1.0	96.0	96.0	37.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fertilizer	ha	1.0	79.0	79.0	37.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Biocides	ha	1.0	159.0	159.0	37.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					431.0

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: tractor with seeding machinery, tractor

Cow dung costs approximately US $350 per tonne and will therefore increase the costs significantly if applied. The costs are calculated assuming the application of green manure, ecological pesticides and organic fertilizer. However, many farmers decide not to use organic fertilizer because of their high costs. As part of the Rural Development Programme (QASPA01), ecological agriculture receives a subsidy of 476 US $ per ha during the first 3 years of production, after which the subsidy is reduced to 380 US $ per ha. Prices are for spring 2008.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Fuel price, ecological pesticides and organic fertilizer are the most determining factors affecting the costs.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Landforms: plateau / plains, hill slopes, footslopes, valley floors

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 is low
Soil drainage/infiltration is poor/none
Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Ground water table: >50m (there is a lowering of groundwater table due to overexploitation for irrigation purposes)
Availability of surface water:S Poor/none. Sporadically there are flash floods during extreme rainfall events
Water quality (untreated): For agricultural use only (irrigation) (groundwater from aquifers)

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
Difference in the involvement of women and men: Traditionally most agriculture is done by men in this region.
Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 3% - 4%
15% of the land users are rich and own 20% of the land.
80% of the land users are average wealthy and own 75% of the land.
5% of the land users are poor and own 5% of the land.
Off-farm income specification: There is no difference in the ones who apply the technology and those who don’t. Most farmers do have an off-farm income for example from hunting, work in a factory, office or from animal farming (pigs, rabbits).
Market orienation: Commercial/market and mixed (subsistence and commercial) (some farmers are weekend or hobby farmers and not market oriented)

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:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

Comments:

All cropland is privately owned. Water use is organised by permits to water extraction from aquifers on individual basis. Water rights are provided and controlled by the Water authority of the segura river basin (CHS).

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Other ecological impacts

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	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	well
local windstorm	well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	not 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	well

Comments:

The crop type is sensitive to changes in water availability under the semi arid conditions.

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:

First years require some adaptation, but after 1-2 years the higher market price and crop yield will generate a slightly higher income.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

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:

95% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: The majority is convinced by the subsidies provided for ecological agriculture

5% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: There is a limited number of farmers that started already before the existence of subsidies.

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Spontaneous, but strongly driven by available subsidies.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
High quality products with a good market price are produced How can they be sustained / enhanced? Costs of pest control should fall

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Ecological agriculture and green manure have a very positive effect on soil quality, biodiversity and reduction of runoff and erosion How can they be sustained / enhanced? Reduced costs related to pest control
High quality products of ecological agriculture provide a good impression and an attractive product How can they be sustained / enhanced? Better marketing of eco-almond and olives

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?
Application of green manure is competition for water for the crop.	Plough away the green cover on time in spring before competition becomes important. Moreover, provide demonstrations on the effects of green manure on competition and crop productivity by additional nitrogen input.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Application of organic fertilizers and ecological pest control is relatively expensive and depend on subsidies especially in the first few years of implementation	Look for cheaper methods and combine possibly with other techniques such as reduced tillage to further reduce the costs. After several years, normally less pest control is required due to increased natural control and ecosystem integrity.

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Online shop for fertilizers and pesticides allowed in ecological agriculture.

URL:

http://www.ecotenda.net/info/

Title/ description:

Centro de Formación de la Asociación CAAE 2006 El cultivo del almendro en producción ecológica 15pp.

URL:

http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/agriculturaypesca/portal/www/portal/com/bin/portal/DGAEcologica/LA_DGAE/plancolumela3/almendro.pdf

Title/ description:

CARM 2008. Programa de Desarrollo Rural de la Región de Murcia 2007-2013 Tomo II. Calculo de primas de las medidas eje 2 208pp.

URL:

http://www.carm.es/neweb2/servlet/integra.servlets.ControlPublico?IDCONTENIDO=4689&IDTIPO=100&RASTRO=c431$m1219

Title/ description:

CARM 2008. Programa de Desarrollo Rural de la Región de Murcia 2007-2013 Tomo I. 508pp.

URL:

http://www.carm.es/neweb2/servlet/integra.servlets.ControlPublico?IDCONTENIDO=4689&IDTIPO=100&RASTRO=c431$m1219

Title/ description:

Regional advisory board on ecological agriculture:

URL:

http://www.caermurcia.com

Title/ description:

Greenpeace, 2007. El negocio del agua en la cuenca del Segura, Greenpeace.

URL:

www.greenpeace.es