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)?

02/07/2017

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:

Intercropping of chilies (or other short-term crops) between young orange trees is a type of agro-forestry system which increases income, makes ultimate use of land resources, saves time for maintenance and irrigation, and improves soil fertility by using crop residue with cow manure as fertilizer, thereby reducing the use of chemicals.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Chili can be seen as a short-term crop that can be harvested soon after plantation. Farmers plant such short term crops to support their family’s income (Pov, 2016). Oranges are a long-term crop that can be fully harvested after six years and then continue to be harvested for a long time. The more the orange trees are mature, the more they are able to produce. Furthermore, they do not require a great deal of maintenance and there is a good market demand for oranges (CEDAC, 2011). Growing chilies between young orange trees is known as an agro-forestry system that gives rise to a great number of benefits including an increase in the efficiency of land use, a saving of time otherwise spent on maintenance and irrigation, and also it improves the soil quality and prevents land degradation. Moreover it is an improvement in crop production that helps to generate more income for farmers (ECHO, 2007).

The purpose of implementing this technology, whereby other short-term crops (such as chilies, eggplants, and herbs) are seasonally intercropped between young orange trees is to economize time spent on maintenance, watering, and applying fertilizer on chilies. And oranges benefit, too. Assorted crops absorb different nutrients from the soil which enables the soil to remain balanced and fertile and also they do not interfere with the growth of the long-term crop. Additionally the use of crop residue with cow manure is a mean of improving the soil’s fertility and it helps to reduce the use of chemical fertilizer. Alternatively this technology can also include the plantation of papaya and banana trees around the land as additional crops, which provide shade and help to control soil moisture for the other crops.

The farmer needs to plough the soil three times. After the first ploughing the soil has to be dried for four days, after the second ploughing for five days and after the final ploughing it should be dried seven days. If there is additional rainfall then extra days will be needed to get the soil dry. After that, holes need to be dug at a distance of 3.5 meters from each other in any direction. Each hole measures 30 X 40 centimeters and is 30 centimeters in depth. . Before the orange trees are planted the soil should be mixed with compost, consisting of vegetables or crop residue and cow manure. Twenty-five to thirty days after the chilies have sprouted they should be planted between the trees in a row with a gap of 1.2 meters and a distance of one meter from side to side. 2 month later the around 270 chilies plants are able to produce a yield of around 50 to 60 kg.. Once they are four to five months old, 100 to 200 kg can be harvested every 15 days for a period of 6 months. The market price of chilies is between 2000 to 4000 riel per kilogram.

One of the main advantages stated by the land user is to be able to balance the land shortage by using all of free space within the orange orchard. Another advantage is that weeds have less chance to grow. This saves labor time and generates better income. Due to crop rotation (different seasonal crops) he can maintain a good soil quality through a balanced absorption of the soil nutrients.

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:

2016

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Even though land is small, the farmer finds strategies to earn more income.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• 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:

Mango trees plantation land

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

Using water comes from well, but it is not sufficient during dry season.

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Chili and other crops

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

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

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:

Applied on land of 36m × 60m= 2160 square meters.

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

Comments:

Before the land was covered by a mango trees plantation, which the farmer used only chemical fertilizers.

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

A farmer has applied this technique on a 2160 square meter piece of land (36 meters × 60 meters), planting 10 lines of orange trees with 15 trees in each line, at a distance of 3.5 meters in any direction between the orange trees. Chilies should be at a distance of 1.2 m between each row and a space of one meter between each plant.

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):

Riel

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

4000.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Drill the well	Structural	Dry season
2.	Plow and dry the soil	Structural	When no rain (December)
3.	Dig the the pits to cultivate orange trees	Structural	January
4.	Planting the orange seedlings	Agronomic	January

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	Drill the well	person-day	40.0	20000.0	800000.0	100.0
Labour	Plow and dry the soil	person-day	7.5	20000.0	150000.0	100.0
Labour	Dig the the pits to cultivate orange trees	person-day	8.0	20000.0	160000.0	100.0
Equipment	Material and pumping machine	piece	1.0	1000000.0	1000000.0	100.0
Equipment	Spade	piece	2.0	30000.0	60000.0	100.0
Equipment	Hoe	piece	3.0	20000.0	60000.0	100.0
Equipment	Rope	kg	5.0	3700.0	18500.0	100.0
Plant material	Orange trees	tree	150.0	5000.0	750000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fertilizer	kg	500.0	400.0	200000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Animal manure	kg	1000.0	200.0	200000.0	100.0
Construction material	Pipe	piece	50.0	12000.0	600000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					3998500.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Planting the chili seedlings	Agronomic	January
2.	Watering	Agronomic	Every weeks
3.	Weeding	Agronomic	Every 3 weeks

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	Planting the chili seedlings	person-day	6.0	20000.0	120000.0	100.0
Labour	Weeding	person-day	20.0	20000.0	400000.0	100.0
Plant material	Chili	kg	3.0	10000.0	30000.0	100.0
Other	Gasoline for pumping and watering	liter	34.0	2500.0	85000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					635000.0

Comments:

The farmer spends gasoline only for irrigation.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The farmer spends much for labor.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

It is similar as on a island because of the surrounding stream.

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.

At a depth of 5 m it is sandy soil (pH=6,2)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

The water has no lime. There was a flood in 2013 only.

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

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

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Comments regarding impact assessment:

There are no noticeable off-site 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	not known
annual rainfall		increase	moderately
other gradual climate change	Climate change is irregular	increase	not known

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
extreme winter conditions	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:

Long-term benefits depend on orange yields.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• more than 50%

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
Even if the land is small a large variety of crops can be planted.
Crop residue mixed with cow manure can make the soil more fertile.
The farmer is able to generate income continuously from the short-term crops before the long-term crop provides its yield.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
If the farmer plants only orange trees, the time consume for maintenance will be similar to the time consume for maintenance of both, orange trees and chilies, thus, this practice saves time in crop maintenance.
Different crops absorb different nutrients, and therefore the application of fertilizer made from cow manure and crop residue helps to maintain the soil’s balance and improve its quality.
This technique can maintain the soil’s moisture and does not lead to soil compaction because the soil obtains additional fertilizer and especially organic waste.

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?
A drilled well cannot supply enough water in the dry season.	Reduce the amount of plants according the amount of available wate, or apply a drip irrigation system to help saving water.
There have been some diamondback moth (worms) destroying the vegetables.	Use standard pesticides
A lack of labor	Hire additional labor

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

CEDAC (2011) Farmer Innovation. CEDAC. (in khmer)

Available from where? Costs?

Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture: 100000 Riel

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Tim, M. (2007) Agroforestry Principles. ECHO.

URL:

Retrieved August 18 2016: http://people.umass.edu/psoil370/Syllabus-files/Agroforestry_Principles.pdf

Title/ description:

Pov, K. (2016) Chili. Khmer Spirit. (in khmer)

URL:

Retrieved August 18 2016: http://smaradeykhmer.org/general-knowledge/chili-peppers/