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

{'additional_translations': {}, 'value': 1179, 'label': 'Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)', 'text': 'Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) - Oman', 'template': 'raw'} {'additional_translations': {}, 'value': 1179, 'label': 'Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)', 'text': 'Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) - Oman', 'template': 'raw'}

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

17/12/2015

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:

Alfalfa grown for fodder using flood irrigation from groundwater

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The technology involves growing alfalfa using irrigation from a well with salinity 5.4 dS/m. The total area is 10 faddan of which about a quater faddan is planted with sorghum and sesame. The farm has been cultivated for over 40 years. Alfalfa survives for 5 years at present but it used to sustain for over 12 years before. Showing that duration of harvesting age has reduced mainly due to increasing in the soil salinity, wich is greatly affected by subsequent increase in water salinity.

Purpose of the Technology: Alfalfa is grown for fodder production that is sold in the markets to earn income for supporting livelihoods of households.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The land is prepared using tractors. Two cycles of plowing and harrowing are undertaken before sowing the grass. Seed are broadcasted after proper seedbed preparation. The land is irrigated immediately after planting. The field is fertilized by manure mixture with Urea.

Natural / human environment: The land is flat with slope ranging from 0-2%. The soils are deep mostly sandy and sandy loam

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:

• more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

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

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Problems in Cropland, alfalfa production is decreasing because of increasing in soil and water salinity

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): productivity is declning

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Cropland: Cp: Perennial (non-woody) cropping

If land use has changed due to the implementation of the Technology, indicate land use before implementation of the Technology:

Cropland: Cp: Perennial (non-woody) cropping

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• full irrigation

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 45; Longest growing period from month to month: October to Mid November

Livestock density (if relevant):

1-10 LU /km2

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

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:

• 1-10 km2

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 4.6 km2.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Type of agronomic measures: better crop cover, early planting, manure / compost / residues, mineral (inorganic) fertilizers, deep tillage / double digging

Type of vegetative measures: scattered / dispersed

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content

Main causes of degradation: crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub), droughts, population pressure

Secondary causes of degradation: soil management, over abstraction / excessive withdrawal of water (for irrigation, industry, etc.), change in temperature, change of seasonal rainfall, labour availability

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation

Comments:

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation, rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: high

Main technical functions: improvement of ground cover

Secondary technical functions: increase of groundwater level / recharge of groundwater

Better crop cover
Material/ species: alfalfa
Quantity/ density: 10000
Remarks: broadcast

Early planting
Material/ species: first planting in October, second planting Feburary
Remarks: broadcast

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: G : grass

Perennial crops species: Alfalfa

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 0-2%

Layout change according to natural and human environment: field orientation

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Omani Rial

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

0.384

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Labour

4.5 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	ha	1.0	220.0	220.0	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	ha	1.0	300.0	300.0	100.0
Other	Electrcity	ha	1.0	80.0	80.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					600.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Cultivation and weeding	Agronomic	twice

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour and fertilzer, pestside

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

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 good

Soil water storage capacity is low

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:

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

Population density: 50-100 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 1% - 2%

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 use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

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)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	well

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

• 10-50%

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

29 households in an an are of 4.6 km2 (50-100 persons per km2)

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

• 50-90%

Comments:

13 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

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

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology