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

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) - Greece

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Organization for the Development of Western Crete (OADYK) - Greece

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

07/02/2011

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

Yes

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Drip irrigation, also known as trickle irrigation is a method which minimizes the use of water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Irrigation is very important for increasing crop yields in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid climates. The area of irrigated land has increased more than twice in the last decades in the study areas. In recent years, the considerable reduction of winter and autumn rainfall has caused a serious lack of water resources. The production of the various crops is substantially reduced if water is not provided during the summer period.
The high demands for water consumption or other economic activities have increased the price of water, forcing up the cost of agricultural production. In addition, in many cases, low quality (with high electrical conductivity) water is used for irrigation. The need for intensification of agriculture to meet the high cost of production, the use of poor quality of water, the lack of drainage systems are in many cases responsible for soil degradation resulting from water logging, salinization, alkalinization, and soil erosion.

Purpose of the Technology: Drip or trickle irrigation achieves the highest irrigation efficiency since about 90% of the applied water is available to the plants. This SWC technology is especially suitable for watering trees or other large plants keeping strips among trees dry. Application of water by drip irrigation can be considered more as more efficient method using low quality of irrigation water. Irrigation water of high salt content can be applied in higher quantities in spots leaching salts to deeper soil layers. Drip irrigation can be applied in any type of soil from coarse- and fine-textured and without any limitation to slope gradient requiring little labour during installation.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: In the study area of Chania trickle irrigation system includes mainly three branches from the outlet of main water network transportation system to the application in the trees. The last branch consists of plastic tube 12 to 32 mm in diameter that lies either on or just below the soil surface and applies the water either through small holes in the line or through emitter nozzle

Natural / human environment: In recent years the increasing awareness of farmers on issues relating to the sustainability of the environment and conservation of water by promoting SWC technologies has led to widespread of use of drip irrigation in the area of Crete and in many other parts of the Country. The categorization of the specific SWC technology according to the WOCAT questionnaire is defined as: CtWtA3.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): availability of irrigation water, loss of water in the network, conflicts between districts and economic sectors of tourism and agriculure

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): availability of irrigation water, conflicts between districts and economic sectors of tourism and agriculure

Livestock is grazing on crop residues

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120Longest growing period from month to month: March to JuneSecond longest growing period in days: 150Second longest growing period from month to month: March to June

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 480 m2.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures

Secondary measures: structural measures

Type of vegetative measures: in blocks

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Ha: aridification

Main causes of degradation: disturbance of water cycle (infiltration / runoff) (lack of water), education, access to knowledge and support services (lack of knowledge)

Secondary causes of degradation: over abstraction / excessive withdrawal of water (for irrigation, industry, etc.) (salinization)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation

Comments:

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

In the study area of Chania trickle irrigation system includes mainly three branches from the outlet of main water network transportation system to the application in the trees. The last branch consists of plastic tube 12 to 32 mm in diameter that lies either on or just below the soil surface and applies the water either through small holes in the line or through emitter nozzles.

Location: Kasteli. Chania

Date: March 2007

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate (system installation requirements)

Main technical functions: improvement of ground cover

Secondary technical functions: increase in organic matter, increase of biomass (quantity)

In blocks
Vegetative material: C : perennial crops
Number of plants per (ha): 250
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 5
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 5
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 5
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 4

Perennial crops species: olives

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 15.00%

Gradient along the rows / strips: 15.00%

Structural measure: irrigation system
Spacing between structures (m): 8

Construction material (other): plastic, plastic tubes 12-32 mm in diameter

Other type of management: Water distribution among farmers, water is provided under the control of local authorities

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	planting the olive trees	Vegetative	2 days/ha
2.	transporting plastic tubes	Structural	once during installation
3.	Whole system of tubes, filters and system of fertilizers application	Structural	once during installation
4.	Main network of irrigation system	Management	once per year

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	>Installation	ha	1.0	350.0	350.0
Equipment	Tools	ha	1.0	1650.0	1650.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					2000.0

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 0.1 month(s)
Life span of the irrigation network: 20 years

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	cleaning filters and replacing destroyied tubes	Agronomic	3 hours every year/ha
2.	Checking outlets and conectors	Structural	once per year
3.	Control of network for loss of irrigation water	Management	once per year

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	10.0	10.0
Equipment	Tools	ha	1.0	50.0	50.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					60.0

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: hand tools, System of applying fertilizers through the irrigation water, filters for keeping various solid materials

per hectare of land affected

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

the reguired materials (tubes, filters, etc)

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 very high-medium
Soil drainage/infiltration is good
Soil water storage capacity is high-very high

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Ground water table: 5-50 m, > 50 m

Water quality (untreated): good drinking water, for agricultural use only (irrigation)

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: Women in rural areas are involved in other type of work

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 1% - 2%

5% of the land users are rich (cost for buying materials).
55% of the land users are average wealthy.

Off-farm income specification: working in tourist business

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:

• leased
• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)
• 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

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

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)

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	not well

Comments:

Control of flooding by adjusting river bed

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

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

3850

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

• 10-50%

Comments:

65% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

2200 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

35% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

1650 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Increase crop production in some cases up to 50% How can they be sustained / enhanced? providing more water

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view

Technologies on conserving soil and water resources and combating desertification in Crete are mainly related to land management. Olive groves are widely expanded in the island due to the importance of olive oil as one of the essential material for daily human food needs. Furthermore, olive groves can survive under adverse climatic and soil conditions supporting a significant farmer’s income under relatively low labour. Land management practices have been adopted in the area based on tradition and transfer knowledge by the local institutes and specialists. In addition, irrigation of the land by the drip system is considered as a very promising technique for conserving water resources in the area. Land terracing is a human intervention in sloping semi-natural landscapes, which have suffered losses, to some degree, in their sustainability and resilience. How can they be sustained / enhanced? by providing additional water resources in the area (build a water reservoir)

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?
High cost for buying materials, better education	subsidizing materials, technology transfer

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
increased cost for the first installation	subsidizing the system