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)

NCCR North-South (NCCR North-South) - Kyrgyzstan

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

CARITAS (Switzerland) - Switzerland

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

09/07/2012

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:

Orchard based agroforestry established on the hill slopes of Muminabad

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Between 1993 and 94 an individual farmer initiated an orchard by planting a mix of fruit trees, such as apricots, walnuts, cherries, almonds and mostly apple trees in the rainfed hill zones of Muminabad District.
In the first couple of years 416 newly planted seedlings were watered manually: water was brought by trucks near to the plot and distributed to the seedlings with buckets. The orchard was established on the existing grazing land and therefore the seedlings had to be secured with a fence from livestock grazing nearby. First hard wire was used for fencing. Simultaneously, hawthorns (Dulona in Tajik) were planted along the fence in order to provide even stronger protection and establish a live fence for the future. Now, the fruit trees are fully-grown and fruits can be harvested every year. The farmer prunes trees annually, which is the key for fruit production. The farmer pointed out that in rainfed areas soils contain less nutrients and usually big trees do not produce high yield. Furthermore, pruned tree branches are used as firewood. The farmer also applies the pesticides B52 and B58, three times a year in the months of April, May and June. The total area of the plot is 1.03 hectares, whereof 0.60 hectares are orchard; Esparcet is covering roughly 0.30 hectares, 0.07 hectare is for haymaking and the rest of the 0.06 hectares is used for growing chickpea and wheat. There is also a road for machinery to pass and to turn around when plowing the land.

Purpose of the Technology: Shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union, the government officials distributed land to the villagers. The farmer always had a big interest to establish a small orchard and he obtained little more than a hectare of land. It is his project for retirement. He and his family worked hard throughout the establishment phase. They experimented by planting a variety of vegetables including melons and watermelons. The wild animals ate many of the vegetables and melons, what resulted in the farmer's idea of intercropping Esparcet.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: According to the farmer, the first two years were very labor intensive and crucial to establish the orchard. He also had to face a challenge posed by the community, as overnight people from the nearby villages stole roughly 100 of his newly planted seedlings. This is one of the reasons why the farmer had to plant hawthorn in order to establish a live fence. In summary: The establishment phase included planting of young seedlings; manually watering for the first two years; plowing in between the tree rows by machinery; building a fence around the plot and planting/sowing hawthorns. Maintenance activities consist of the following activities: planting new seedlings; pruning of existing trees; grafting new sorts of trees, plowing by tractor in between the tree rows annually; chickpea and wheat cultivation; application of chemical pesticides three times a year. For cutting wheat, the farmer gets support from his son and friends. Every day, he goes to his orchard, which is located at a distance of more than 1.5km from his house. When this technology was documented he was about to build a small clay hut in his orchard.
It should be noted that the terrace structure was not implemented at once, but over the years tilling in between the tree rows along the contour lines formed terrace shaped rows.
The structure of terraces has been built over the years by tilling in between tree rows along the contour lines.

Natural / human environment: Muminabad is situated in the southwest of Tajikistan (Khatlon Province) and its hills are covered by loessial soil. Winter temperatures are low and the amount of precipitation is high. Summers are very hot and dry. The growing season lasts from March/ April to September/ October.

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:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Soil erosion by water, heavy rainfalls, absence of vegetative cover on the hill slopes.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Soil erosion by water, extensive grazing, gully erosion.

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 180Longest growing period from month to month: April-Sept/oct

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.01 m2.

1.03 ha in total, whereof 0.6 ha is orchard

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -contour

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: soil management (Extensive grazing led to a reduction of soil cover, which is the major source of erosion), deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (Removal of trees left the soil unprotected against precipitation and extreme weather events), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (Trees were cut as firewood for fuel consumption), overgrazing, land tenure (Land abandonment after Soviet collapse), governance / institutional (Lacking istitutional support)

Secondary causes of degradation: Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts) (More extreme rainfall events), floods (As a result of extreme events there are more floods in the region)

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

Secondary goals: rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The fenced plot is mainly used for the orchard intercropped with chickpea, flax and wheat. Esparcet and grass for haymaking covers only a small part of the plot. The part on the left handside is also used to turn the tractor when ploughing, which is why this part is affected by soil erosion and rills. The whole property is fenced by hawthorns (dulona). The orchard has a terrace-like structure due to annual plowing by tractor.

Location: Sarmaydon 2. Muminabad

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: control of raindrop splash, control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard, improvement of ground cover, water harvesting / increase water supply, increase of biomass (quantity)

Secondary technical functions: improvement of surface structure (crusting, sealing), improvement of topsoil structure (compaction), increase in organic matter, increase / maintain water stored in soil, reduction in wind speed

Aligned: -contour
Number of plants per (ha): 416
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 3
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 3.5

Fruit trees / shrubs species: apple, apricot, pear, cherry

Other species: intercropped with chickpea and wheat

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Somoni

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

4.83

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Digging a deep barrier for protection around the plot with a bulldozer, 1 day	Vegetative	once (1993)
2.	Plowing in between the rows by tractor, labor, petrol and rent for one day	Vegetative	once (1993)
3.	Planting fruit trees, 3 days by 3 persons (3-5 Somoni per seedling, 3 Som/ seedling planting)	Vegetative	once (1993)
4.	Watering young seedlings for the first couple of years by truck (60 TJS per truck)	Vegetative	one day a week/ 50 times a year
5.	Construction of fence with hard wire and haw thorn (approx. 320m)	Vegetative	once
6.	Buying and replanting of 100 stolen fruit seedlings	Vegetative	once

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		1.0	1523.7	1523.7	100.0
Equipment	machine use	l	1.0	3336.8	3336.8	100.0
Equipment	petrol	m	1.0	38.0	38.0	100.0
Plant material	seedlings	pc	1.0	534.2	534.2	100.0
Construction material	fence		1.0	776.3	776.3
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					6209.0

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 24 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Tractor ploughing, labor, petrol and rent, 1-2 hours, 2 persons	Vegetative	spring, once a year
2.	Soil loosening around trees, 5-6 days, 3-4 persons	Vegetative	spring, once a year
3.	Pruning of the approx. 400 fruit trees (3 TJS per tree)	Vegetative	every year
4.	Bringing water from village and watering (40 liters a day,20l on each donkey, 3 h for walking and watering)	Vegetative	every day
5.	Applying pesticides, 1 person, 7 days (5 hours per day)	Vegetative	Three times a year: April, May, June
6.	Sowing wheat and chickpea (1 person, 2 hours)	Vegetative	spring, once a year
7.	Cutting wheat and chickpea (2 persons, 4 hours)	Vegetative	autumn, once
8.	Harvesting fruit trees (3.6 TJS per fruit tree)	Vegetative	autumn, once a 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	4493.5	4493.5	100.0
Equipment	machine use	ha	1.0	10.3	10.3	100.0
Equipment	petrol	l	1.0	38.0	38.0	100.0
Plant material	pesticides	l	1.0	77.5	77.5	100.0
Plant material	seeds	pc	1.0	6.2	6.2	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					4625.5

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The technology was established during the Soviet Union and most of the expenses were calculated on the price basis of that time. If technology is priced by current prices, the total sum would be very high and no farmer would be able to afford. Thus, current prices were not identified. Nowadays, machinery cost, buying hard wire for fencing and buying seedlings would be the most costly factors.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

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:

Population density: 100-200 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 1% - 2%

40% of the land users are average wealthy.

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:

• state

Land use rights:

• leased

Comments:

Land ownership is based on the land user certificate conferred by the government.

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

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

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	not 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	not 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)?

Comments:

After 6 years income is very comparable to the establishment cost

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

98% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

2% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

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

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Cost of the technology is very expensive, which discourages farmers to implement orchards based agroforestry.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Grafting trees especially apple and pear trees on native hawthorns is an affordable and sustainable way of creating orchards in semi-arid areas with rainfed agriculture. Hawthorn is a plant adjusted to dry areas with strong and deep roots, which endures the hot summer months. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Tree nursery workshops and educational programmes about local species through seed associations
Intercropping wheat, chickpea, flax and Esparcet in between the tree rows gives an extra economic incentive and also improves land productivity. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Knowledge raising, inspection of those good practices by other farmers
Haymaking with natural grass and Esparcet provide the farmer with an opportunity to produce hay for the winter months for his livestock, so that he does not need to purchase it from the market at high costs.
The farmer practices pruning on a regular basis to keep the trees in good shape for better fruit production, but also to have sufficient fire wood for the winter months.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Compared to other plots with orchards there is almost no soil erosion which is mainly due to good land management practices, e.g. the slow building up of terraces. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Sustain the practice of contour ploughing

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?
It is expensive to establish such orchards nowadays, because of the high cost for purchasing seedlings and hiring other machinery.	See comment below
Growing new seedlings and grafting trees is a cheaper way of establishing a new orchard, but it is not commonly practiced among the farmers in the region.	There should be a tree nursery workshop in order to raise awareness among the young generation of farmers.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Since the orchard is located in a rainfed area, hot summer months make the technology vulnerable to drought. To some extent the technology is tolerant to dryer summers, but maybe not for prolonged droughts (e.g. two successive drought).	The farmer has suggested that grafting fruit trees on native hawthorn (dulona) trees has potential for farmers when establishing orchards in rainfed areas. In extreme events (extremely dry years), the farmer brings water for supplementary irrigation from his house by donkey.