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

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

Scaling-up SLM practices by smallholder farmers (IFAD)

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

Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) - Cambodia

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

03/07/2017

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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

A nethouse is a structure that is enclosed by a nylon net (like mosquito nets) which protects vegetables from insects. Additionally, it prevents the vegetables from being damaged by rainfall wind and sunlight.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Currently one of the major challenges farmer face when growing vegetables is the damage caused by insects. Moreover, climate change creates obstacles when cultivating crops such as irregular rainfall, strong winds, and a rise in temperature. In order to address these issues the farmers trialed the growing of vegetables under a nethouse. Nethouses also enable crop growing throughout the whole year.
The main purpose of building a nethouse is to ward off insects without having to apply pesticides. A nethouse is highly effective in damage reduction caused by insects on crop from 80% to 100% (Stilers, 2011). Also farmers noticed that there's no significant insect infestation when using this technology. The netted roof helps to protect vegetables from direct rainfall onto them as this can damage plants or splashes soil on plant's leaves. As well it is slowing down the speed of rainfall and split it into small droplets, which is important to improve the cultivation of vegetables during rainy season, (usually farmer can grow vegetables only during dry season).
Nethouses come in a range of different size and height, and construction materials also differ depending on the available resources. Before setting up a nethouse, farmer will firstly have to prepare the terrain and then mark out the points where posts will be installed (generally it is rectangular in shape) and dig holes measuring 0.40 meters x 0.40 meters with a depth of 1 meter at all of the marked out point. After post have been inserted into these holes they should be filled with concrete to a height of 60 cm so as to secure post (the length of side post are 3 meters and the middle post are 4 meters). After frame completion, nylon ropes are extended. They act as frames to support the net and then lastly, the net is rolled over the frame to cover the entire nethouse (the sides of net should be buried in ground at a depth of 25 cm). There are two common types of nethouse roofs, those being either a gable roof or a curved (gambrel) roof, which is better than a flat roof that risks breaking down when water accumulates on it during heavy rainfalls.
Farmers generally use the same cultivation techniques as other farmers. The differences lie in the nethouse, in nearly no use of chemical fertilizers and in complete elimination of pesticide. The interviewed farmer established a nethouse measuring 316.25 square meters at Tasei village, Tameun commune (Thmakoul district). The land selected by the farmer for such nethouse vegetable growing was previously a rice field. He considered that rice can only be grown once a year, whereas vegetables can be grown throughout the year. Thus, it is possible to generate more income. They decided to dig a large pond (35meter x 35meter) for water storage connected to the irrigation system, which disburden him from watering during dry season. Initially, the excavated soil was less fertile, but the farmer used compost for one year, after which it was possible to improve the soil quality. The farmer makes dry and liquid compost by himself and also uses organic fertilizer which is purchased externally. The liquid compost is made up of sugar palm 1 kg, pineapple 5 kg and coconut juice 2 liters. This practice adds nutrients to soil and promotes a lot of living organisms that make crops flourish.
Comparing the construction costs and time it takes to make a profit from sale of vegetables farmers have to have at least three harvests before they can cover the cost of the nethouse or to achieve the profit. The nethouse can be used for a period of 10 to 13 years, and it is only necessary to change the nylon net once it is ripped. The actual gross income from pok choi and escarole is 1,590,000 riels for 530 kilograms.
If he continued to produce rice on this land, this would generate 100kg of rice sold at about 800 riels per kg and so, he would gain 80,000 riels per year. However, as the farmer applies this technology he can grow vegetable several times per year (6-7 times) with an average yield of 530 kg per harvest that amounts to 3,180 kg per year. If one kilogram of vegetables is worth 3000 riel he is able to generate an income of around 9,540,000 riel, which is more than hundredfold that of rice. Additionally, he is able to produce safe vegetables, contributes to the reduction in environmental pollution and the technology is adapted to climate change.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos 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:

2017

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The Project Safe Vegetable Value Chain in Cambodia, implemented by Division of Research and Extension of Royal University of Agriculture and funded by USAID.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact

• improve consumers health

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:

It used to be the paddy field before but it just changed to vegetable growing last year (2017).

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

There is pond for irrigation during drought and dry season.

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 3

Specify:

Vegetable can be grown from 6 to 7 times per year

Livestock density (if relevant):

N/A

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• 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:

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The nethouse is 27.50 meters x 11.50 meters, with 3 meters high. It uses 18 wooden pillars​​ with a space of 4.50 meters from to another. Inside the nethouse, there are 6 rows of vegetable and each row has 9 sprinkler heads for the irrigation. Actually, the farmer planed 2 types of crop - pok choi and escarole. The ways between the vegetable rows are about 45 centimeters in width.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

KHR

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

4000.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Prepare the land	Agronomic	June
2.	Make the pillars for the nethouse	Structural	June
3.	Make the roof and the surrounding with the nylon netting	Structural	June
4.	Plow the land again	Agronomic	June
5.	Make the row and prepare sprinkler system	Structural	June
6.	Irrigation and planting	Agronomic	July

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	Prepare and plowing the soil	person-day	1.0	28000.0	28000.0	100.0
Labour	Set up nethouse	person-day	1.0	28000.0	28000.0	100.0
Equipment	Rotary machine	Set	1.0	3000000.0	3000000.0	100.0
Equipment	Pumping machine	Piece	1.0	420000.0	420000.0	100.0
Equipment	Pipe	stem	8.0	20000.0	160000.0	100.0
Plant material	Pok choi seed	cans	1.0	7000.0	7000.0	100.0
Plant material	Escarole seed	cans	1.0	4500.0	4500.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Cow manure	bag	10.0	10000.0	100000.0	100.0
Construction material	wooden pole	stem	28.0	8000.0	224000.0	100.0
Construction material	Pillars 3 meters in height	stem	16.0	25000.0	400000.0	100.0
Construction material	Pillars 4 meters in height	stem	7.0	35000.0	245000.0	100.0
Construction material	Nylon nettings	set	2.0	1200000.0	2400000.0
Construction material	Cement	bag	2.0	20000.0	40000.0	100.0
Construction material	Sand	cubic	0.5	30000.0	15000.0	100.0
Construction material	Rock	cubic	0.5	30000.0	15000.0	100.0
Construction material	Nail at size of 12 cm	package	2.0	5000.0	10000.0	100.0
Other	Nail at size of 10 cm	package	2.0	5000.0	10000.0	100.0
Other	Shovel	Piece	1.0	12000.0	12000.0	100.0
Other	Rake	Piece	1.0	35000.0	35000.0	100.0
Other	Sprinkler	set	1.0	450000.0	450000.0	100.0
Other	Nylon	kilogram	5.0	13000.0	65000.0	100.0
Other	Black nylon	kilogram	4.0	5000.0	20000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					7688500.0

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

The nylon net was supported by Safe Vegetable Value Chain in Cambodia project

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Irrigation	Agronomic	every day
2.	Spaying liquid compost	Agronomic	once week per month
3.	Weeding and thinning cabbage seedlings	Agronomic	at 15 days old, weeding and thinning cabbage seedlings

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	Weeding and thinning cabbage seedlings	person-day	1.25	28000.0	35000.0	100.0
Labour	Spray liquid compost (by himself)	person-day	6.0	28000.0	168000.0	100.0
Equipment	Spraying tank	set	1.0	60000.0	60000.0	100.0
Plant material	Fertilizer (N P K)	Kilogram	6.0	2000.0	12000.0	100.0
Plant material	Fertilizer (A D P)	Kilogram	1.0	2500.0	2500.0	100.0
Other	Gasoline for pump water one cycle of cropping	liter	6.0	3200.0	19200.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					296700.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Nylon netting and pillars

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

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.

pH = 6.2

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The farmer is 45 years old.

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:

• individual

Water use rights:

• 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

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

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
seasonal temperature	wet/ rainy season	increase	well
annual rainfall		increase	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	very well

Biological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
epidemic diseases	very well
insect/ worm infestation	very 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)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

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

6 families

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

• 90-100%

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 land user’s view
No use of chemical pesticides.
Able to cultivate numerous crops almost throughout the whole year.
Produce safe vegetables.
Increase income.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Good adaptation to climate change by maintaining a good soil moisture, less use of water and a good protection of the vegetables from being damaged by heavy rainfall.
No use of pesticides, creates a low demand for fertilizer and helps to reduce the expenditure on fertilizer. The technology is easy to manage, maintain and control.
Production of safe vegetables for consumption.

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?
Generates heat and there is less air circulation.	Utilize a fan.
It is not easy to go in and out of the nethouse.	Construct a proper door.
Have to spend a lot of money to construct the nethouse.	Progress as resources are available such as bamboo, small wood in forests.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Have to spend a lot of money to make the nethouse.	Finding partners or organizations to corporate. Farmer could make nethouse by other resources available like bamboo or small wood.
In nethouse is less air circulation.	Utilize a fan.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Saingkoma.Y & Sokha. P. (2009). kit of book: Technical principles and practical experience.CEDAC. In Khmer

Available from where? Costs?

The Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

RUA.(2016).Nethouse helps a vegetable producer stop using chemical pesticide. Agro-ecology learning alliance in South East asia.Retrieve from 23/01/2018

URL:

http://ali-sea.org/item/nethouse-helps-a-vegetable-producer-stop-using-chemical-pesticide/

Title/ description:

Talekar.N.S., F.C. Su., and M.Y.(2003).How to Grow Safer Leafy Vegetables in Nethouses and Net Tunnels. Asian vegetable research & development center. retrieved from 23/01/2018

URL:

https://www.google.com.kh/search?q=How+to+Grow+Safer+Leafy+Vegetables+in+Nethouses+and+Net+Tunnels&oq=How+to+Grow+Safer+Leafy+Vegetables+in+Nethouses+and+Net+Tunnels&aqs=chrome..69i57.1116j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Title/ description:

Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. small ideas, big revolution. (2009).Net Houses. retrieved from 23/01/2018

URL:

http://www.jains.com/Protected%20Cultivation/net%20houses.htm

Title/ description:

XStivers. L (2011). Net House Vegetable Production: Pest Management Successes and challenges. Journal of the NACAA 4(1). retrieved from 08/01/2018

URL:

https://www.nacaa.com/journal/index.php?jid=87

Title/ description:

Dr. A. (2018). Net house vegetable production: Pest management successes and challenges. Entomology Series Timely Information Agriculture & Natural Resources. retrieved from 23/01/2018

URL:

www.aces.edu/timelyinfo/entomology/2010/December/Dec_2010.pdf