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 corn with the use of a drip irrigation system is an efficient technique that saves water and is suitable for irrigation in areas where there is a scarce water supply. Farmers using the drip irrigation system with their corn crops is an adaptation to climate change, in periods such as during the drought period. It’s reduces unnecessary evaporation, saves labor and time, improves crop growth and makes it possible to produce a high yield because of a sufficient water supply.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The use of a drip irrigation system is an efficient method that saves water by letting it seep through the drainage network directly into the corn clumps at regular intervals (the seepage rate is 6 liters/hour and the pressure of the water flow is between 1.2 to 2 bar). Moreover, the drip system helps to maintain moisture around the roots of a crop and does not distribute water to superfluous areas at a distance from the crop (John, 2018). In doing so it reduces the weed proficiency and also insures that enough water is provided for the crop especially during the flowering phase. This is essential because a lack of water during this phase can have a significant impact on crop yields. At the same time the use of this drip system enables farmers to adapt to climate change through the efficient use of water especially in areas that experience the adverse impacts of climate change like droughts. Furthermore, a liquid fertilizer can also be directly fed into the drip irrigation system.

In order to cultivate corn one should first scatter cow manure on the ground and then plow the soil three times after which it should be left to dry for seven days. After that it should be plowed again and then the soil is prepared for the ridging of the rows. Once the ridges have been created the drip irrigation system should be installed. This technology was applied on a plot of land with an area of 2301.5 square meters.

In order to nurse the seedlings, the farmer should mix the soil from a termite mound (or other fertile soil) with other materials. The ratio should be 1 portion of fertile soil, with 2 portions of rice husk embers and 2 portions of animal manure. Then this mixture is put into trays and then one corn seed is embedded into each cell. After the seedlings are one week old they should be transplanted. The farmer should use a bamboo stick to dig holes to a depth of 3 cm and then firstly apply D A P (18-46-0) fertilizer after which the seedlings are placed in the holes. Nursery seedlings are healthy and well-balanced as they grow, do not die easily, and produce a higher yield than seeds that are directly planted into the ground. These always have to be replanted as some seeds do not grow, and they tend to not germinate as well as the nursery seedlings. Farmers should plant two lines of seedlings in each row with a gap of 55cm between the lines. Along each of the lines there should be a gap of 30cm between one plant and the next. Farmers are able to grow corn twice a year, once from July to September and the other from February to April.

During the rainy season farmers only need to use the irrigation system for about 10 to 15 minutes in the morning or evening once the land is dry, such as when there has been no rainfall for many days or also on occasions of inadequate rainfall. In the dry season farmers water the corn twice a day for about 30 minutes each time, once in the morning and once in the evening. During the dry season 6 to 7 litters of water are used to irrigate the corn, thereby the water flow rate being 6 liters per hour. Depending on the variation in water pressure the flow rate of this drip irrigation system can range between 1 to 4 gallons per hour (1 gallon = 3,785 liters).

The farmers were supported financially by the HARVEST project in 2014 to cover the costs of the drip irrigation system and so their only expenses included the preparation of the seeds, other agricultural inputs and maintenance costs. Regarding the water use for the dry season crop on this area of land, only 600-700 cubic meters of water were consumed, which the farmer sourced from a pond and a small river.

The use of the drip irrigation system helps to reduce the amount of labor necessary for the irrigation of the corn, saves time, is able to maintain unimpaired crop growth when there is not enough water, saves water, and also reduces the growth of weeds between the plants. Therefore, this system facilitates the efficient use of water, helps to adapt to conditions brought on by climate change such as droughts, and is especially beneficial in areas where there is a scarce supply of water.

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

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

HARVEST project and the farmer followed the neighborhoods.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

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

• Reduce water consumption and reduce labor.

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:

Before it was a rice field and over three years, she changed for other crops.

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

The water comes from the Steung Pursat river which is nearby .

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 3

Specify:

Growing within one year.

Livestock density (if relevant):

Raise 5 cows

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
• integrated soil fertility management
• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

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
• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The components of the drip irrigation system includes a motor pump, a valve, a filter, a pressure gauge, a main line (with a diameter 60 mm), a sub main line (with a diameter 49 mm), and a tube (diameter 16 mm). The drip irrigation system was applied on a plot of 2301.5 square meters.
Depending on the season there are two ways to prepare the ridges of the rows. Firstly, in the rainy season the farmer should plow the ridges to a height of 50 cm and a width of 1 meter. The gap between each of the rows should be 1 meter and the length of each row is the actual length of the land. In the dry season the ridges of the rows should be plowed to the same length and width but the height should only be 20 cm because in the dry season there is not a lot of rain. Each row gets one drip line.

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.	Ploughing the soil	Agronomic	May
2.	Making rows + nursing of corn seedlings+ installing drip irrigation system	Agronomic	May
3.	Making pits + putting fertilizer in pits + planting corn seedling	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	Plow the soil	Person-day	4.7	20000.0	94000.0	100.0
Labour	Make row and prepare drip irrigation	Person-day	2.5	20000.0	50000.0	100.0
Labour	Nursing and planting the corn seedlings	Person-day	4.0	20000.0	80000.0	100.0
Equipment	Pump motor	Set	1.0	240000.0	240000.0	100.0
Equipment	Hoe	Piece	1.0	200000.0	200000.0	30.0
Equipment	Seed tray	Piece	80.0	2500.0	200000.0	100.0
Plant material	Corn seed	Pack	3.0	28000.0	84000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fertilizer (D A P, Kaly, Urea)	Kilogram	7.0	2000.0	14000.0	100.0
Construction material	Pipe	Meter	100.0	1600.0	160000.0	100.0
Construction material	Tube	Piece	1.0	200000.0	200000.0	30.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					1322000.0

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

Harvest project supported the cost of the drip irrigation system.

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Irrigated corn by using drip irrigation system when there is no rain.	Agronomic	drought or dry season
2.	Applying fertilizer 4 times per crop cycle.	Agronomic	during maintenance
3.	Create the ridge of the row after growth of 15 or 18 days	Agronomic	during maintenance
4.	Cutting leaf of corn two times: corn have 20 days and one month	Agronomic	during maintenance

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	Create the ridge of the rows	Person-day	1.0	20000.0	20000.0	100.0
Labour	Cutting the leafs of the corn	person-day	1.0	20000.0	20000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fertilizer	Kilogram	40.0	2000.0	80000.0	100.0
Other	Electricity for water pumping	kilowatt-hour	267.0	790.0	210930.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					330930.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The seed and the tube are expensive.

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 = 5.5

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Farmer is 47 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:

• open access (unorganized)

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

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Comments regarding impact assessment:

មិនមានប៉ះពាល់ទៅដល់បរិវេណខាងក្រៅបច្ចេកទេសទេ

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	very well
annual rainfall		increase	moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	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):

4 households of the village

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

• 0-10%

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
Reduces the amount of labor necessary for the crop irrigation.
Produces a high yield.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The trays of the seedlings in the corn nursery only require a small amount of soil and the seedlings grow well when they are transferred to the field.
Saves time and water for irrigation.
There are less weeds and a greater abundance of micro-organisms in the soil, which produces a high yield.

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?
The amount of time that is spent collecting the drip line after the crop has been harvested.	Expend effort in collecting the drip line.
It is expensive	Farmers need to know how to maintain and connect the drip line by themselves once it breaks, as well as wash it well and handle it properly.
The remain drip line cannot be used for anything.	Farmers suggest to burn it or bury it in the soil.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

John D. (2018). Corn benefits of Drip Irrigation. John Deere water. Retrieved from

URL:

https://www.deere.com/en_US/docs/agriculture/irrigation_and_water_management/brochure_irrigation_solutions_corn.pdf

Title/ description:

DanChurchAid/Christian Aid. (2015). Farmer book: Kit of best Agriculture Technologies to Adapt with climate change. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Finsheries. In Khmer. Retrieved from

URL:

http://www.maff.gov.kh/agri-tech/78-%E1%9E%80%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%8A%E1%9E%B6%E1%9F%86%E1%9E%8A%E1%9E%BB%E1%9F%87%E1%9E%8A%E1%9F%86%E1%9E%8E%E1%9E%B6%E1%9F%86/%E1%9E%80%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%8A%E1%9E%B6%E1%9F%86%E1%9E%8A%E1%9E%BB%E1%9F%87%E1%9E%8A%E1%9F%86%E1%9E%8E%E1%9E%B6%E1%9F%86%E1%9E%95%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%9F%E1%9F%81%E1%9E%84%E1%9F%97%E1%9E%91%E1%9F%80%E1%9E%8F/1586-variety-agriculture.html

Title/ description:

Maff (2014). Technical growing corn. Agricultural magazin. Volum (47). In Khmer. Retrieve from

URL:

www.maff.gov.kh/agri-tech/40.../1161-technical growing corn.html

Title/ description:

Agritoday (2018). Corn planting technique. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. In khmer. Retrieved from

URL:

http://agritoday.com/view/1593.html

Title/ description:

Cam Agriculture (2016). The modern irrigation system. CAM AGRICULTURE IMPORT EXPORT LTD. In Khmer. Retrieved from

URL:

http://www.camagriculture.com/drip-irrigation-system/?lang=kh