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

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

02/06/2014

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

Yes

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?

No

Comments:

The technology described here is sustainable land management

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Participatory land management was used to develop, and implement, SLM practices on slopes in order to rehabilitate degraded land. The local population were involved from the beginning. They took part in soil, water and biodiversity research, as well as the formulation and implementation of the land management plan, based on suitable SLM practices. In order to benefit from local knowledge, participatory training included traditional experience in soil conservation, and based on this, appropriate SLM technologies were included in the plan of action.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The distinctive feature of this approach to rehabilitating degraded land on slopes was the involvement of the local population from the beginning. They took part in soil, water and biodiversity research, as well as the development and implementation of the land management plan, based on suitable SLM practices. In order to benefit from local knowledge, participatory training included traditional experience in soil conservation, and based on this, appropriate SLM technologies were included in the plan of action.
The following stakeholders were involved in the overall process:
• Researchers: overseeing soil, water and biodiversity research and presenting results.
• Experts: proposing alternatives in the organization of the land and in the development of integrated management system for the landscape based on research results.
• Local public administration, Joint Stock Company and farmers: contributing with knowledge and experience in analysing land, water and biodiversity resources, preparation and implementation of the action plan.
• NGO BIOS: coordinating all activities, including research, implementation, training and monitoring of activities.

The land management plan was developed together with the local population, then it was implemented. Degraded areas (landslides and heavily eroded soils) were excluded from agricultural production and used for afforestation and grassland. The following soil and water conservation practices are applied:

Vineyards and orchards:
• Conservation tillage
• Forest belts
• Grass inter-rows in vineyards and orchards

Arable land:
• Crop rotation
• Application of mineral and organic fertilizers
• Strip cropping
• Conservation tillage,
• Forest belts.

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

Indicate year of implementation:

1998

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 projects/ external interventions

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies

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

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

About 150 ha of degraded land (landslides) were taken out of agricultural production and transferred to afforestation

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

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
• integrated soil fertility management
• integrated pest and disease management (incl. organic agriculture)

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:

• 100-1,000 km2

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:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Regeneration of degraded commune forest as well as existing forest protective belts
2.	Soil conservation tillage
3.	Planting of grass in inter raw of vineyards and orchards together with contour tillage and other soil conservation
4.	Earth dam structure

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

The territory of Cretoaia village is situated in the Central Moldavian Plateau, at an average elevation of about 350 m. It is interlaced by deep, flat valleys, ravines, and landslide-scoured depressions.|

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.

Chernozems (black soils) prevail (80% of the area), however they are degraded. About 50% of the land has a gradient from 2 to 6 degrees, while 30% of the land has an inclination exceeding 6 degree. Water erosion processes are widespread and quite intense. The predominant length of the hillsides in Cretoaia is over 900 m.

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The estimated average income per capita in the community over the last 3 years was 70 US dollars per month. The principal activity in the commune is agriculture. The farmers cultivate arable crops, grapes, fruits and vegetables. People also have cattle, sheep and goats in their household, mainly for home consumption and some extra for sale. There is a foodstuffs and a macaroni factory in the village, where the local population work.

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:

• communal/ village
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)
• 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

Ecological impacts

Soil

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Comments regarding impact assessment:

The expected environmental impact of the initiated actions are significant, especially in the long run. Expected changes include diminishing landslide activity, the soil erosion rates, changes in existing land use management, changes in the landscape, etc.|
The sustainable technologies were proposed and implemented for the soil to be productive. The increased production on the land were fertilizers applied in combination with soil conservation practices.
Men found another occupation - fishing in the constructed water reservoir, while for the community is meant a recreation facility. The expected social impact of implemented practices include increased jobs for people, and increases in agricultural productivity.

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

• single cases/ experimental

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

• 10-50%

6.6 Adaptation

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

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
1. Highly motivated local governments. 2. Bad weather which has led to intensifying activity against landslides 3. Clearly expressed objectives and expectations in respect to individual benefits. All these can be replicated anywhere.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Elena Bivol, Valentin Ciubotaru Urban Agriculture in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova / NGO BIOS, Chisinau, 2005, 60 p.

Available from where? Costs?

NGO BIOS 72/3 Columna str., office nr. 3, Chisinau, MD-2009, Republic of Moldova Tel./Fax: +(373-22) 545733; +(373-22) 723372 GSM: +(373) 69134294 .