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)?

28/06/2017

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:

The cultivation of eggplants by using plastic mulch and a drip irrigation system in order to control weeds, retain soil moisture, save water and reduce labor for maintenance, weeding, watering, and the application of fertilizer for increase production and income.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The use of organic materials such as rice straw, water hyacinth, woody herbs, and coconut leaves to retain soil moisture has been practiced by vegetable farmers for many years. Recently, with the availability of diverse industrial products the use of plastic has become a popular technology to cover soils. The impermeable plastic mulch prevents water evaporation. Furthermore condense water built under the impermeable plastic sheets drop back to soil; thus, plastic mulching in combination with the highly efficient drip irrigation substantially saves water for irrigation and it makes it as well suitable to areas faced by water shortage. Generally, black opaque plastic is used, which stops weed growth and in consequences also the attraction of harmful insects. Less weed mean also less competition for soil nutrients and therefore better growth of the crop. Another positive aspect of the weed control is the labor saving otherwise needed for weeding. In addition, plastic mulches play a role in preventing soil erosion and water saturation of the soil. At a nutshell, using plastic mulch combined with drip irrigation saves water for irrigation, reduces the number of harmful insects, and last but not least saves labor and time (FAO, 2017).

The eggplant cultivation in combination with plastic mulch and drip irrigation was introduced by the HARVEST project in 2014. This technology was employed on a farm which formerly grew rice on 1410 square meters of land. The farm comprised 1740 eggplants planted in 20 rows covered by plastic mulch. Eggplant is an annual vegetable plant that matures in well composted soil at temperatures above 20°C. The soil should be kept moist and at the same time water logging has to be avoided.

On the above mentioned farm the technology has been installed as follows: On the already prepared soil (the soil has been ploughed and dried at three separate times) the farmer created a ridge in each row that itself measures 1 meter in width and 20 centimeters in height. The distance between each row was 1 meter. The drip irrigation pipes run along the rows, which were watered after installation. Then, the rows were covered by the plastic mulch at 1.50 meters in width. Next, soil was placed on the plastic sides to hold and protect it against gusts of wind. In order to create a growing space for the eggplants the farmer cut out round windows of 8 cm in diameter along the plastic rows making sure that there is gap of 60 cm) between each window (matches with the holes of the drip irrigation). Finally, eggplant seedlings were planted in the holes. Bamboos sticks near each eggplant provided first support to the seedlings and later on, hold the plants when they are grown and bear fruit.

This technology is economically beneficial as can substantially increase his income. In the interviews the land users reported that without this technology, after deducting the investment and maintenance costs, they generated a net income of only 30%. However, after application of the technology their net income increased up to 70% (as long as the crop was not affected by disease). Furthermore it freed up the farmers’ time to fulfill other important tasks.

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:

2014

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.):

Helping Address Rural Vulnerabilities and Ecosystem Stability Project (HARVEST)

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce risk of disasters
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact

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:

Rice field

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

Drilled well

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Livestock density (if relevant):

There are 5 cows to get manure.

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Eggplant seedlings are planted in rows on ridges. The farmer installed a drilled well to get water for drip irrigation during periods of water shortage.

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

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

This technology is applied in an area measuring 1410 square meters where 1740 eggplants have been planted in 20 rows. In each row the farmer has created a ridge with a height of 20 cm, and a width of 1 meter, in which the eggplants are planted with a gap of 60 cm between them. All of the rows have a drip irrigation pipe running along the length of the row which is also covered by black plastic sheets of 1.5 meters in width. In the middle of the farm there is one drilled well which has a 1.50 meter house built over the top of it. The land user has also placed three big jars in the middle of the eggplant field with each jar being 1 meter in height and 1 meter in diameter. One of these is for mixing natural fertilizer for the crop, another is for making botanical pesticide and the other one is for water storage. Each eggplant is tied to a bamboo stick to prevent the plant from falling over, when fruits are growing.

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.	Eggplant nursery	Agronomic	April
2.	Planting eggplant in the box produced by banana leaves	Agronomic	May
3.	Plough the soil	Agronomic	May
4.	Make the ridge of the row	Structural	May
5.	Apply cow mannure	Agronomic	May
6.	Set up drip irrigation system	Structural	May
7.	Watering the rows of crop	Agronomic	May
8.	Cover plastic sheets on the row	Structural	May
9.	Planting eggplant	Agronomic	May

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	Plough 3 times	Time	3.0	50000.0	150000.0	100.0
Labour	Eggplant nursery	person-day	2.0	20000.0	40000.0	100.0
Labour	Make row, apply cow manure, set up drip irrigation system,water on row, plastic mulching.	person-day	5.0	20000.0	100000.0	100.0
Labour	Planting eggplant	person-day	2.0	20000.0	40000.0	100.0
Equipment	Two wheel tractor	Piece	1.0	12300000.0	12300000.0	100.0
Equipment	Pumping machine	set	1.0	1400000.0	1400000.0	100.0
Equipment	Hoe	Piece	6.0	12000.0	72000.0	100.0
Equipment	Spade	Piece	1.0	12000.0	12000.0	100.0
Equipment	Tent	set	1.0	40000.0	40000.0
Equipment	Pesticide sprayer by using hand	Piece	1.0	280000.0	280000.0
Equipment	Tray for nursery of eggplant	Piece	30.0	2500.0	75000.0
Equipment	Big baskets for harvesting crop	Piece	3.0	15000.0	45000.0
Plant material	Eggplant seed	Package	1.0	10000.0	10000.0
Construction material	Plastic sheet	set	2.5	70000.0	175000.0
Construction material	Drip irrigation system	set	1.5	160000.0	240000.0
Construction material	Jar	Piece	3.0	45000.0	135000.0	100.0
Other	Waterproof boot shoes	Paires	1.0	60000.0	60000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					15174000.0

Comments:

Farmer uses her own cow manure which is difficult to calculate into cost. The main pipes were provided by the HARVEST project, so she doesn't know the cost of them. There are 100 piece of pipe provided by HARVEST, so she doesn't know the cost. Please also note that HARVEST project also supported other equipment such as eggplant seed, pesticide sprayer, nursery tray, big basket for harvesting the crop, waterproof boot shoes. The cost put in the table base on the price on the market and price estimation.

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Watering by pumping machine through drip irrigation system	Agronomic	Everyday
2.	Weeding in between of eggplant rows.	Agronomic	Two times in one cycle of crop
3.	Spaying botanical pesticide mixing with pesticides on eggplant	Agronomic	One time per week before first harvesting of eggplant
4.	Apply fertilizer	Agronomic	One time in three days

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 between the rows	Time	2.0	240000.0	480000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Golden pesticide	Bottle	1.0	15000.0	15000.0	100.0
Other	Gasoline for pumping	Liter	70.0	3000.0	210000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					705000.0

Comments:

Botanical pesticide is produced by herself which is difficult to calculate into cost.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Plastic and drip irrigation system are very expensive. The plastic can be used only once and drip irrigation system can be used for 2 years.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slight slope and new soil is added on the former rice field land.

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.

The soil texture below the surface soil is clay-loam.

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Ground water table is 8 meters dept. pH = 6

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The land user is 22 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

Comments:

All land are tittle land.

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

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
seasonal temperature	dry season	increase	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:

Some farmers who received support from the HARVEST project gave it up when the project finished because of spending too much money on the plastic and drip irrigation system.

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?

• 0-10%

Comments:

Farmer uses her own cow manure which is difficult to calculate into cost. The main pipes were provided by the HARVEST project, so she doesn't know the cost of them. There are 100 piece of pipe provided by HARVEST, so she doesn't know the cost. Please also note that HARVEST project supported also other equipment such as eggplant seed, pesticide sprayer, nursery tray, big basket for harvesting the crop, waterproof boot shoes. The cost estimation put in the table 4.5 bases on market prices and price estimations.

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
Helps to control weeds.
Saves labor and time otherwise spent for weeding.
Saves water by using a drip irrigation system.
Generates better income for the household.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Weeds are unable to grow, which saves labor on weeding.
Reduce pest because there not many weed .
It is easy to maintain and use the drip irrigation system, which saves water and time.
Retain soil moisture through the use of plastic mulches.

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?
Establishing this technology costs a lot of money.	Use rice straw instead of plastic mulch.
Difficult to collect the plastic waste.	Should manage plastic waste properly and set up a place to burn it.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Spend a lot of money buying plastic mulch and the drip irrigation system.	Seek external support and introduce budget management.
Plastic and waste from the plastic mulches and drip irrigation system can have an effect on the environment.	Proper plastic waste disposal.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

FAO. (2017). Rooftop water collection , drip irrigation and plastic mulching in home garden conditions in drought prone areas of Cambodia. Retrieved November 10, 2017, from

URL:

file:///C:/Users/HTPP ROYAL INV/Downloads/TECA - Rooftop water collection, drip irrigation and plastic mulching in home garden conditions in drought prone areas of Cambodia - 2017-05-31.pdf