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)?

12/05/2011

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:

Tree nurseries are established to test and identify varieties of tree species that are tolerant to climate change in the region.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

In 1995-96 the first tree nursery was established in the Vanj valley with support from the Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP) of the Aga Khan Foundation. During Soviet times there were no tree nurseries in this region and seedlings had to be brought in from outside. Only the Pamir Biological Institute (PBI) was able to obtain seedlings for research purposes. A nursery of about 0.1 ha was established by one farmer on his own land. Tree species grown in the nursery include apple, peach, apricot, walnut, cherry and pear.

Purpose of the Technology: The main goal of the project was to make varieties of tree species adapted to different climatic conditions in GBAO locally available. The seedlings are used for other MSDSP projects, such as orchards for soil stabilisation, and are also purchased by private land users for their own land. In addition, the land user was taught how to establish a business by selling seedlings to other land users. There is a strong need for quality tree seedlings in the whole region and even people from as far away as Ishkhashim (7 hour journey by car) travel to Vanj valley to purchase seedlings from this nursery. The economic benefit for the land user is very high as during one year he can make more than 18,000 TJS (4000 USD) of profit from selling seedlings while the investments in fertilisers are comparably small.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The steps necessary for the establishment of a tree nursery are the following: (1) a suitable plot of flat land is chosen by the farmer, (2) the plot is fenced with dead branches to protect it from roaming animals, (3) in March, the farmer prepares several wooden boxes filled with humid soil in which he distributes 10 kg of seeds of different tree species and varieties. Those boxes have to be irrigated for a month while the seeds are germinating, (4) in April, the nursery plot is ploughed along the contour using animal traction and 1 ton of organic manure, 20 kg of phosphor and 2.5 kg of nitrogen is mixed with the soil, (5) seedlings are planted linearly along the contour with small irrigation ditches running parallel to the planting lines. These ditches were automatically established through the ploughing process, (6) two more times during the first season another 3 kg of nitrogen are applied. In the second year the grafting process is started and in the third year the farmer starts selling the seedlings. The farmer therefore splits up the nursery plot in three parts so that he can always have newly planted seedlings at the same time with second-year seedlings for grafting and third-year seedlings for selling

Natural / human environment: The technology was adopted by two other farmers from the village who had successfully applied to MSDSP for financial support for seeds and fertilisers. Many other farmers from neighbouring villages are interested. The bridge that is currently being built to allow for more trade between Afghanistan and Tajikistan might open further market opportunities for the land user. Furthermore this type of experience is being widely replicated in other districts and supported by MSDSP.

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 projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

1995, through MSDP project

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): reduction of vegetation cover, erosion of slope areas, decline of soil fertility,

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Cropland: Ct: Tree and shrub cropping

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

Cropland: Ca: Annual 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:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 90Longest growing period from month to month: March-May

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds

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:

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

Comments:

0.1 ha

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures

Secondary measures: management measures

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -linear

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wg: gully erosion / gullying, Bc: reduction of vegetation cover, Bh: loss of habitats

Main causes of degradation: soil management, deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), overgrazing

Secondary causes of degradation: change in temperature, change of seasonal rainfall, Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts), wind storms / dust storms, floods, droughts, other natural causes (avalanches, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, highly susceptible natural resources, extreme topography, etc.) specify (avalanches, mud flows), population pressure, poverty / wealth, education, access to knowledge and support services

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides), increase of biomass (quantity), promotion of vegetation species and varieties (quality, eg palatable fodder)

Secondary technical functions: increase of infiltration

Aligned: -linear
Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 3000 / 0.1 ha
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.6
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.1

Trees/ shrubs species: apple, peach, apricot, walnut, cherries, pear

Change of land use practices / intensity level: from cropland to tree nursery

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 =:

4.5

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Select a place with enough water and good soil fertility on flat land for establishment of nursery	Vegetative
2.	Fencing with dead branches	Vegetative
3.	Ploughing and distribution of fertilisers	Vegetative	March-April
4.	Plant seeds in box with humid soil and irrigate	Vegetative	March
5.	After one month transfer seedlings to planting lines	Vegetative	March-April

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	Fencing with dead branches	Persons/day	80.0	20.0	1600.0	100.0
Labour	Ploughing and distribution of fertilisers	Persons/day	1.0	50.0	50.0	100.0
Labour	Plant seeds in box with humid soil and irrigate	Persons/day	1.0	20.0	20.0	100.0
Labour	Transfer seedlings to planting lines	Persons/day	28.0	20.0	560.0	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	kg	10.0	5.0	50.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fertilizer	kg	30.0	3.0	90.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					2370.0

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 36 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Weeding	Vegetative	during first year
2.	Apply nitrogen fertiliser twice more during the growing season	Vegetative	during the growing season
3.	Grafting	Vegetative	second year
4.	None		None
5.	None

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	Apply nitrogen fertiliser	Persons/day	1.0	20.0	20.0	100.0
Labour	Weeding	Persons/day	28.0	20.0	560.0	100.0
Labour	Grafting	Persons/day	28.0	20.0	560.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fertilizer	kg	6.0	3.0	18.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					1158.0

Comments:

The costs were calculated for a nursery of 0.1 ha.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The most determinate factors affecting the costs are for labour, although in the documented example, labour was provided voluntarily by the family of the land user. Costs for labour are estimates for a situation in which labour had to be paid in Tajikistan.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zone: 1800 m a.s.l.

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 medium

Soil water storage capacity is medium

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: 10-50 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 1% - 2%

Off-farm income specification: teacher

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:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Comments:

The land belongs to the state but the land user has a certificate.

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

6.3 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	not well
local windstorm	not 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:

Increased income and benefit start after three years when seedlings can be sold.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

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

3 households

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:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: people from other villages in the valley contacted MSDSP because they would like to adopt the technology (however, they would need financial or material support).

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The technology is very important to the whole of the GBAO region as nurseries were not available during Soviet times and all tree seedlings were brought from outside How can they be sustained / enhanced? Improved access for farmers of interesting tree varieties that they can reproduce in their nurseries
Creation of business opportunities. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Experience sharing between farmers from outside GBAO
Through the spreading of this technology there will be more seedlings available to all interested households How can they be sustained / enhanced? Establishment of farmer field schools to disseminate the positive experiences of this technology and to increase the number of nurseries
Varieties of trees that are adapted to local climate can be more easily obtained How can they be sustained / enhanced? Access to other new varieties should be improved

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
It is quite a complicated process that requires some expertise; the farmer needs to know about planting technologies, grafting and market opportunities etc.	Farmer to farmer dissemination of knowledge could be facilitated through the establishment of farmer field schools.