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)?

08/05/2017

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:

Dry compost is made from raw materials of cow manure, rice straw, rice husks, ash, leaves, waste from kitchen and water for application on paddy rice field to improveof soil quality and reduce chemical fertilizers.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Compost is a natural fertilizer derived from decayed organic materials, which helps plants grow better than using fresh manure or fresh vegetable residues because they are made up of many organic substances. Farmer could make compost within different periods, short term, medium term and long term. Compost can already be done in 14 to 18 days and it can be used, but the average maturation is 3-4 months and the long term , it can be used after 5 to 6 months (CEDAC, 2015).

Compost is made of manure (cow, buffaloes, pigs, poultry), household waste, fresh plant leaves (woody herb, water hyacinth, water lettuce, vegetable or fruit), etc. The compost brings significant benefits, such as: It provides quick nutrients to plants when compared with fresh manure or unburnt fertilizers. In addition, compost fertilizers bring many microorganisms to the soil, and these organisms help soil fertility. It doesn't exist any plants seed or weed, virus, disease on crop because most of them are killed while the fertilizer is decaying (CEDAC, 2015,YouTube, 2016).

Mr. Mam Mok, the examined farmer of this case study has been practicing this kind of fertilizer since 2008. His compost is made up of ingredients such as rice straw, cow manure, leaves, rice husks, biochar, kitchen waste, water etc. He uses dry compost mainly for his paddy rice fields.

The main purposes of making compost are to increase the rice yield and to get healthier produced rice (reduction in chemical fertilizer). Before he used dry compost his rice yield reached an amount of 4 tons per hectare by using a high amount of Urea (5 bags per hectare), now, though, his yield is about 5 to 6 tons per hectare. In addition, chemical fertilizer has been reduced to 1 to 2 bags per hectare. This means that the application of dry compost reduces as well the expenditure for chemical fertilizers. Another advantage is that the land user gets his manure on-site without spending money, as the most part of material can be found for free on his farm or nearby.

It is a very good SLM technology to improve soil fertility. The application of dry compost avoids compaction, increases the organic matter in soil, boosts the general activity of micro-organisms, and consequently stimulates the growth of rice plants. Then again, there are also some constraints as the amount of compost is not sufficient to feed the whole area of 1.30 hectares. Therefore, every year the farmer spreads the compost only on about an area of 0.50-0.60 hectares by shifting every year the application area. Moreover, the manufacturing requires labor force, which in the family of Mr. Mam Mok is rather decreasing. The duty consists e.g. of collecting raw material and the daily control over compost stage during the maturation process. At any time he has to control if water has to be added to the raw material. After three month he has to transfer the whole compost, partly decayed, from one basin to another, where final maturation takes place. However, the farmer is satisfied with the technology and because of multiple benefits he does not intend to give it up.


Before getting started with compost manufacturing, two compost basins (4 meter in length, 1 m in wide, 1 m in depth) have to be constructed. They are made of bricks, which guarantee a long life cycle. During the rainy season, the farmer uses a tent to cover the basins.
Following steps are necessary to get dry compost: Step 1: A layer of 30 cm of rice straw squashed and mixed with rice husks has to be filled on the bottom of the first basin. After, this mixture needs to be watered sufficiently. Step 3: 20 cm of cow manure has to be put over the first layer. After this, ash from rice husks or from the kitchen waste has to be added. Then it should be watered again. Last step is to bring the already pre-shredded woody herb or leaves (30 cm) on the previous layer. Preparation of layers takes place at the same time. It can be done at any time given, depending nothing but on available raw material and the labor force supporting the manufacturing.

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:

2008

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The technique of making compost is learned through ERECON's project and the practice is continued after the project completed.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts

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:

Previously high amount of chemical fertilizer was used together with a little of cow manure.

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Livestock density (if relevant):

The farmer has 5 cows.

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• integrated soil fertility management
• waste management/ waste water management

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

There are twin compost basins. Each basin is 4 square meters (1 meter width and 4 meters length ) for making compost, with 1 meter depth for both basins. There are four holes at the lower parts of the walls. The basins are made of brick with concrete, built closed to the house. The raw material for making compost includes cow manure, leaves, rice husk, ash wash from house and water.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

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.	Constructing compost basins	Structural	May
2.	Collecting raw materials	Management	August
3.	Applying ash of rice husk	Management	August

Comments:

For making compost, plastic stuff is excluded or need to be taken off, otherwise it affects the soil.

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	Construction of compost basins	Day	4.0	15000.0	60000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Cow manure	Two wheel tractor	5.0	300000.0	1500000.0	100.0
Construction material	Brick	piece	900.0	140.0	126000.0
Construction material	Cement	bag	6.0	20000.0	120000.0
Construction material	Sand	cubic meter	2.0	40000.0	80000.0
Construction material	Atarpaulin	set	1.0	40000.0	40000.0
Construction material	Hoe	piece	1.0	15000.0	15000.0	100.0
Construction material	Handled bansket	pairs	1.0	4000.0	4000.0
Construction material	Big knife	piece	1.0	15000.0	15000.0	100.0
Construction material	Ax	piece	1.0	10000.0	10000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					1970000.0

Comments:

ERECON supported the construction of the twin compost​ basins during the project phase. And the farmers spent on the composting materials. After the project was finished, farmers adopte it by no external support.

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Watering (self-implemented)	Management	Dry season
2.	Transfer from one composting basin to another when it is decompose	Management	Every two moths or threes months and need to control.
3.	Add more compositing materials	Management	Once per 3 months

Comments:

It is possible to produce compost 4 times per year, if there is enough labor.

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

If possible, break down the costs of maintenance according to the following table, specifying inputs and costs per input. If you are unable to break down the costs, give an estimation of the total costs of maintaining the Technology:

200000.0

Comments:

Farmer do not expend on hiring labor for maintenance. He does it by himself. Thus, it is difficult to calculate the cost.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The farmer is not in the situation to pay for external manpower, which means working hard by himself. Another financial constraint consists in bringing up enough money to keep an adequate amount of cows to provide sufficient manure for compost manufacturing.

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.

Soil depth: at 3 meters it is white and black rock.

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:

Water has to be filtered and boiled befor being safe to drink.

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The farmer is 66 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

• Rental land

Land use rights:

• leased
• 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

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

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
annual rainfall		decrease	moderately
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	increase	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Biological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
epidemic diseases	moderately
insect/ worm infestation	moderately

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

• 10-50%

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

There are 15 families practicing this technology in the village.

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

• 10-50%

Comments:

There are 15 families practicing the making of compost​ which support by ERECON. ERECON supported the construction of the twin compost​ basins. And the farmers spent on the composting materials.

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Yes

other (specify):

Improve soil fertiity

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

15 families practices this technology supported by ERECON, however even if the project is finished, the farmers still practice this technology.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The soil is less compact, because of the improvement ofsoil texture.
Reduction in the amount of chemical fertilizer.
Raw materials for composting, which can be found in the village

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Compost provides microorganisms tothe soil, which makes it less compact and easier for the plants to absorb the nutrients.
Reduction in expenditure on chemical fertilizers, which improves the farmer’s livelihood and enables him to use a safer product.
The farmer has his own cows, rice straw, rice husks and other materials which can be found in the region without need to spend money.

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 lack of labor for compost processing in order to complete tasks such as finding adequate material.	step-by-step
If one does not work hard on this compost, it will not get ready to use.	Check and take care of the composting process.
Due to rain water the compost gets to much moisture some times.	Placing a plastic tarp sheet over the top.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
It requires a lot of labor and time while the family members who were able to assist decreased in number.	Work hard and be patient.
Making compost also requires proper training because if compost is produced by the farmers themselves without having received instructions or they have learned it from other farmers it might be not of a very high quality.	Promote training or on-farm practices
Lack of adequate amount of compost for all rice fields.	Rotate application of compost on rice fields.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

CEDAC. (2015). Kit of simple Agriculture Technologies. Phnom Penh.

Available from where? Costs?

Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC). 10000 Riels

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Video. Compost fertilizer, Cambodia. June 6, 2017

URL:

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=A0LEVzNzS.BZYvMAdaJXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyNWNiaW4yBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjI5NDRfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=Making+dry+compost+in+cambodia&fr=tightropetb#action=view&id=4&vid=62cb521e7ee9d4cda885eb335043bb32