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)

Kyrgyzstan Mountain Societies Development Support Programme, Aga Khan Development Network (MSDSP KG) - Kyrgyzstan

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

13/05/2011

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:

Passive solar greenhouses heated entirely by sunlight were established with the aim to produce vegetables for commercial use during the harsh winter conditions.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

A passive solar greenhouse is a greenhouse heated entirely by sunlight, with no additional fuel-based heating. In the Pamirs, the temperature inside these greenhouses can be kept high enough to grow vegetables throughout the year, even in winter if the greenhouse is built efficiently. Thus greenhouses can be of great use, particularly in those areas where there are continuing concerns about food security and economic development. These greenhouses were developed by GERES (Renewable Energy and Environment Group) and ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development) and first tested with farmers in Ladakh, India. MSDSP adopted the idea and introduced it to the GBAO region in Tajikistan establishing 3 demonstration greenhouses in collaboration with farmers in the Shugnan district in 2010.

Purpose of the Technology: A solar greenhouse aims to trap and intensify the heating effect of solar radiation and thus enables plants to be grown that cannot be grown under the normal (outside) ambient conditions. Solar greenhouses are particularly useful in areas where there is a lot of sunshine in winter, but where the air is too cold for growing crops. The main benefits of solar greenhouses are that vegetables can be grown during the winter, helping to fulfill basic subsistence needs of people in remote areas and income generation through selling the produce.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: A greenhouse is only efficient if it is constructed in the right place, in the right way, and is used properly. An efficient solar greenhouse should be designed along an east-west axis, with the length of the south face increased and angled to present the largest possible surface area to the sun, the size of the east and west facing walls reduced to minimise heat loss and provide shade inside the greenhouse, and the north wall should be heavily insulated.
The following steps are required in constructing an efficient greenhouse: (1) selecting an appropriate place: there needs to be a source of running water close to the greenhouse, solar radiation needs to be sufficient (sunrise should be before 9.30 and sunset after 3.00 pm even on the shortest days of the year), the land has to be flat and dry; (2) selecting the most appropriate design: (see manual); (3) constructing the foundation: digging a trench and filling the foundation with mud mortar; (4) preparing the floor; (5) building the double walls separated by one insulation layer; (6) making and installing an access door; (7) making and installing the wall ventilator; (8) constructing the roof; (9) making and installing the roof ventilator (shutter); (10) installing the polyethylene shutter; (11) installing night insulation.

Natural / human environment: The greenhouses were established in three villages of Shugnan district: Buni, Sokhcharv and Darmoracht. Two of these villages are located at about 2,500 metres a.s.l. and receive less than 300 mm of annual precipitation. The farmers who constructed these greenhouses are small-scale farmers with less than 0.5 ha of land available.

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:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

2010

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): A lack of precipitation and therefore irrigation water, soil erosion, low soil fertility (no fertilisers used or rotations), harsh climatic conditions (high altitude).

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Cropland: Ca: Annual cropping

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

Other: Os: Settlements, infrastructure networks

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: 170Longest growing period from month to month: late April-early October

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• home gardens

• greenhouse

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Comments:

At least 3 greenhouses built in Shugnan district, each one is 50 m2 in size.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures, structural measures

Type of agronomic measures: manure / compost / residues

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Bq: quantity / biomass decline, Bs: quality and species composition /diversity decline

Main causes of degradation: soil management (no application of fertilisers), deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), overgrazing, change of seasonal rainfall (decreased), droughts

Secondary causes of degradation: war and conflicts (during the civil war a lot of vegetation was cut to provide energy)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The diagram shows a greenhouse adapted to a cold climate, for greenhouses adapted to different climates please see the manual (annex 1)

GBAO

Date: 2004

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate (brochures available in Tajik)

Main technical functions: increase in organic matter, reduction in wind speed, increase of biomass (quantity), spatial arrangement and diversification of land use, production of microclimate suitable for crop growth in winter

Manure / compost / residues
Material/ species: manure is mixed with the soil to cover the floor of the greenhouse

Structural measure: greenhouse

Construction material (earth): mud

Construction material (stone): stone

Construction material (wood): wood (poplar, willow)

Construction material (other): straw, wool

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.	Digging trench for fundament, 60 cm deep	Structural	spring
2.	Put fundament using stones mixed with mud	Structural
3.	Build walls: outer layer stones (40 cm width), then insulation layer with straw or wool (10 cm), inner layer out of mudbricks (15-20 cm). Total height of wall is 1.20 m.	Structural
4.	Build doors	Structural
5.	Build wall ventilators	Structural
6.	Build roof: southfacing side put 2 layers of each 40m2 cellophane, northfacing side put woodlogs	Structural
7.	Build roof ventilators	Structural
8.	Install night insulation	Structural

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	Digging trench for fundament,	Persons/day	3.0	40.0	120.0	100.0
Labour	Put fundament	Persons/day	10.5	40.0	420.0	100.0
Labour	Build walls	Persons/day	30.0	40.0	1200.0	100.0
Labour	Build doors	Persons/day	2.0	20.0	40.0	100.0
Equipment	Shovels	Pieces	2.0	20.0	40.0	100.0
Equipment	Nails	kg	3.0	10.0	30.0
Construction material	Cellophane foil	sq m	80.0	4.0	320.0
Other	Labour: Build wall ventilators	Persons/day	12.0	40.0	480.0	100.0
Other	Labour: Build roof ventilators	Persons/day	4.0	40.0	160.0	100.0
Other	Labour: Install night insulation	Persons/day	5.0	40.0	200.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					3010.0

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

MSDSP

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 1.5 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Replace cellophane	Structural	when needed, every 1-2 years for bad material, 5 years for good material

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	Replace cellophane	Persons/day	2.0	40.0	80.0	100.0
Construction material	Cellophane	sq m	80.0	4.0	320.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					400.0

Comments:

The costs were calculated for the establishment of one 5x10m greenhouse.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Apart from the cellophane cover, mainly local materials were used which did not require investments. If labour has to be paid, this is the most determinate factor, also wooden poles if they have to be bought.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Landforms: plateau / plains, hill slopes, footslopes, valley floors

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

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Water availability is good because area is close to river.

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

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
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Other socio-economic impacts

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

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)

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 windstorm	not well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	not 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)?

Comments:

Income revenues from vegetables are high, during one winter season two yields of vegetables can be planted.

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

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

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: many land users who have seen the demonstration greenhouses want to start constructing their own.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The materials are locally available (mud, wood, straw, stone), except for the transparent cover sheet How can they be sustained / enhanced? Some traders should start providing transparent foil
Using the available construction manual it can be constructed by local builders How can they be sustained / enhanced? The local builders still need to be advised by specialists
The cost can be recouped in less than three years if the production is well-managed and the products sold

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Vegetable production during wintertime and diversified food production all year round How can they be sustained / enhanced? Farmers should have access to microloan organisations in order to be able to invest in building greenhouses (initial investments are relatively high)
Availability of vegetables during wintertime, otherwise they have to be brought in from the capital (600 km by road) which makes them very expensive How can they be sustained / enhanced? Greenhouses should be distributed over the whole of GBAO in order to ensure local availability of crops, because during wintertime transport might be a big problem
Income opportunity How can they be sustained / enhanced? Better access to markets would improve profitability
Minimal heat loss, heat is stored during the day time and released at night How can they be sustained / enhanced? The greenhouse and should be constructed in a very careful and exact manner in order to make sure that the inside temperature can be well regulated
Adequate air circulation and prevention of crop damage by overheating, through installation of manually operated ventilators in walls and roof How can they be sustained / enhanced? Farmers need access to specialists who will help them in designing greenhouses appropriate to the prevailing ecological conditions

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?
Comparatively expensive, about 400 USD have to be invested for the construction of one greenhouse	The increased revenues from selling the produced vegetables can help cover the initial investment
Comparatively time consuming to build compared to conventional greenhouses in the area, one greenhouse needs about 6 weeks to be constructed	Plastic poles could be used instead of wooden ones
No good quality cellophane foil is available in this area, therefore it has to be replaced every 1-2 years	Instead of cellophane plexiglas could be used which is stronger.

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Stauffer, Vincent. Solar Greenhouses for the Trans-Himalayas. Kathmandu, ICIMOD / Aubagne, GERES 2004.

Available from where? Costs?

http://books.icimod.org/index.php/search/publication/93