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)?

13/04/2017

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:

Cropping by setting up alternative rows of different crops: lettuce, pak choi, escarole, choy sum and morning glory for a reduction in damage from insects. This technique incorporates the spreading of lime in advance for control of soil pests, and plant derived pesticide is applied during the cultivation period. This technique is applied on the Mekong river bank in Kratie province.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Intercropping is a technique of cropping in which two or more crops are grown in different alternate rows at the same time (Pawan et al., 2012). The crops grown by the farmers are lettuce, pak choi, choy sum, escarole and morning glory. This technique was applied using 1080 square meters of land along the Mekong's river bank in Kratie province. In applying this technique, the farmer prepared the land, after which he prepared the rows across the slope of the river bank. Lettuce was planted in the first row, then pak choi, choy sum, escarole, and then morning glory, with the crop sequence being repeated in the following rows. Intercropping helps to reduce the damage from insects. Lettuce is a crop that insects dislike because of its bitter taste. Under the intercropping practice with the vegetables that insects dislike, the level of insect damage is reduced because, when facing such repellent crops, the insects normally disappear rather than go to the next row, even though it might be a crop they like.

Crops are easily damaged by insects when grown as a single species that insects like. In intercropping, even if the insects damage one crop, the other crops often survive without insect damage. To apply this technology more effectively, farmer used botanical pesticide that was produced by the farmer himself based on plant ingredients such as neem bark, boraphed, strychnine plant, derris, etc. Such natural pesticide ingredients are crushed and soaked in water for 15 days, after which l liter is mixed with 15 liters of water(Yang et al., 2006). The solution is sprayed on the crops on a daily basis when insects are present.

Soil preparation: The soil is ploughed and dried for 7 to 8 days, then aligned into rows with lime being applied for a period of 6 days to disperse the bad bacteria in the soil. Nursery preparation of escarole, pak choi and choy sum takes about 20 days before transplanting (morning glory was planted by direct seeding). Lettuce is only 10 days old when it is transplanted. Lettuce can be harvested within 30 days after transplanting, while morning glory is grown for about 38 days before being harvested. The farmer used organic fertilizer and cow manure to improve the soil fertility. The farmer makes the rows across the slope of the river to prevent soil erosion during heavy rainfall. To provide protection from the potential adverse effects of direct sunlight and rain, the farmer used a temporary 2 meters high net roof supported by bamboo poles, to provide cover. A net fence was also constructed around the crop area to provide protection from animals such as dogs and chickens. In relation to produce price, pak choi returned 3.500 to 4.000 riel per kilogram, morning glory 2.000 riels per kilogram, choy sum 2.000 to 3.000 riel per kilogram, escarole 3.000 to 3.500 riel per kilogram and lettuce 4.000 riel per kilogram.

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

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 land users' innovation

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• create beneficial economic impact

• Reduce soil erosion by making rows across the slope, prevent crops’ exposure to sunlight and rain, reduce insects

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 the farmer did intercropping and crop rotation he only grew onion.

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

Using water from Mekong River.

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 3

Specify:

The farmer cultivates vegetables from November to July. In average the crops grow for 45 days.

Livestock density (if relevant):

No livestock

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
• integrated soil fertility management
• integrated pest and disease management (incl. organic agriculture)

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 farmer prepared the rows for cropping using a soil height of 15 cm, 1.20 meters width and 30 meter length, with the rows being across the slope to the river to prevent soil erosion during heavy rainfall. He planted lettuce, pok choi, escarole, morning glory and choy sum in alternate rows to protect the crops from insect damage. The planting house constructed was 2 meters in height, with netting being used as a roof to provide protection against direct sunlight and rainfall. The materials used comprised three rolls of nets, 26 bamboo poles for a protective roof, and five rolls of nets for the construction of a protective border fence. The materials for irrigation include a bucket for irrigating seedlings and a hoose with a length of 700 meters used with a pumping machine for irrigation.

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.	Rent soil for cultivating vegetables	Agronomic	November
2.	Prepare soil (plow and dry soil, make row and spread the lime)	Agronomic	December
3.	Material for building (net, pole of bamboo, tank and plastict bowl)	Structural	when cultivation
4.	Seeds	Agronomic	when cultivation
5.	Organic and manure fertilizer	Agronomic	when cultivation and maintenance

Comments:

Organic fertilizer the farmer bought from Vann Long company

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 soil	person-day	3.0	17000.0	51000.0	100.0
Equipment	Pumping machine	set	1.0	1000000.0	1000000.0	100.0
Equipment	Hoe	piece	1.0	13000.0	13000.0	100.0
Equipment	Rake	piece	1.0	15000.0	15000.0	100.0
Equipment	Hose	piece	14.0	16000.0	224000.0	100.0
Equipment	Big basket	pair	1.0	50000.0	50000.0	100.0
Plant material	Seed of lettuce	package	15.0	10000.0	150000.0	100.0
Plant material	Choy sum	package	15.0	6000.0	90000.0	100.0
Plant material	Escarole	package	6.0	6000.0	36000.0	100.0
Plant material	Morning glory	kilogram	14.0	10000.0	140000.0	100.0
Plant material	Pok Choi	Can	2.0	7000.0	14000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Lime	kilogram	2.0	2500.0	5000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Organic fertilizer	sack	1.0	130000.0	130000.0	100.0
Construction material	Net	piece	3.0	260000.0	780000.0	100.0
Construction material	water tank	pair	1.0	50000.0	50000.0	100.0
Construction material	Big plastic bowl	piece	3.0	10000.0	30000.0	100.0
Construction material	storage tank	piece	1.0	80000.0	80000.0	100.0
Construction material	Nylon net for the construction for a protective border fence.	piece	3.0	58000.0	174000.0	100.0
Other	Rent land	year	1.0	300000.0	300000.0	100.0
Other	Bamboo	pole	20.0	4000.0	80000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					3412000.0

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

He spend all on this establishment and ows some payment to the seller of the equipment.

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Weeding, prepare soil and put fertilizer	Agronomic	When the crop is at 7 days.
2.	Irrigation (morning and evening)	Agronomic	every day
3.	Spray botanical pesticide	Agronomic	spread pesticide when there are insect on crop
4.	Diesel (one month 30 liters)	Agronomic	Two times per day (morning and afternoon.

Comments:

He sprays pesticide when he has insects and uses gasoline to pump water (30 liters of gasoline per month).

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 (by farmer)	person-day	4.0	17000.0	68000.0	100.0
Labour	prepare soil and put fertilizer ( by farmer)	person-day	4.0	17000.0	68000.0	100.0
Labour	Spray pesticide	person-day	12.0	17000.0	204000.0	100.0
Equipment	Pesticide sprayer equipment use by hand	set	1.0	80000.0	80000.0	100.0
Equipment	Diesel	liter	90.0	2350.0	211500.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					631500.0

Comments:

When buying material, some owe seller and some give money to seller

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The price of fertilizer and seeds depends on type of seed and market price.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

soil is a slope on Mekong River Bank.

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 pH = 5

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

frequently

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

It is flooded all year because it's close to the river.

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

He is 37 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

• rent

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

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

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		decrease	well
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	decrease	well
other gradual climate change	this year frequently raining, last year rarely raining		moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
tropical storm	not well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
heatwave	moderately
extreme winter conditions	not well
drought	well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	moderately
flash flood	moderately

Biological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
epidemic diseases	not well
insect/ worm infestation	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:

Regarding the short-term returns, the farmer spent a lot of money to buy natural or organic fertilizer because at the beginning there is the infertile soil. However, after long-term practice there is no need of much natural or organic fertilizer.

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?

• 90-100%

Comments:

In this village it is only one farmer who is implementing this technology.

6.6 Adaptation

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

Yes

If yes, indicate to which changing conditions it was adapted:

• changing markets

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

Farmer grows crops according to the market demand, for example: The market needs lettuce in the dry season, especially in March and April, lettuce have a high price: one kilogram is 4000 to 5000 riels.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
High income
Preventing soil from compaction by using cow manure and organic fertilizer and reduce heat by using temporary net roof.
Reduce the insects by diversification of crops.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Improves daily income.
Reduced the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Helps to improve soil condition.

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?
Still have some problems with diamond back moth and striped flea beetle.	When the spraying of the chemical pesticide brings no result, they change the type of crops and use botanical pesticide which helps to get rid of the black moth and flea beetle.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Plough the land by the river side causes the loss of loamy soil and increases the level of sediment downstream during flood events.	Reduce plowing the soil or ridging of soil before flooding.
Have problems with insect (diamond back moth and striped flea beetle).	Use botanical pesticide made by farmer and change cropping system.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

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

Available from where? Costs?

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Finsheries

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Pawan K. et al., (2012).Manual on cropping system and sustainable agriculture:Department of Agronomy CCS Haryana Agricultural University Hisar-125004

Available from where? Costs?

Department of Agronomy CCS Haryana Agricultural University Hisar-125004

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Yang S. et al.,(2008). Kit of botanical pesticide.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:

Chan M. (2015). VOA program: Cambodian Farmers Prosper by Going Organic. Retrieved on 15/01/2018 from

URL:

www.voacambodia.com/a/cambodian-farmes-prosper-by-going-organic/2993415.html

Title/ description:

AGRISUD CAMBODGE (2017). Crop production. Retrieve on 20/12/2017 from

URL:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3kkBprEzhDoX3NuYjI0X1FoSVU/edit

Title/ description:

Deen B. (2016). Intercropping: Principle and Types. Retrieve on 20/12/2017 from

URL:

http://www.agrihortieducation.com/2016/09/intercropping-principles-and-types.html#more