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

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:

Crop diversification is the practice of simultaneously cultivating two or multiple varieties of crops in a given area whilst at the same time applying crop rotation and/or intercropping. In this case study the land user has been practicing crop diversification with eleven different crop varieties.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Crop diversification entails simultaneously growing two or multiple varieties of crops in a particular place with the application of crop rotation techniques and/or intercropping. The selection of the crop varieties will depend on the purpose of the land user. In general, a diversity of crops will provide a range of benefits such as food security, nutritional diversity, income generation, soil conservation, pest and disease control as well as adaptation to climate change (CGIAR, 2017, Makate et al, 2016, MoEYS& VVOB Cambodia, 2013).

Mrs. Prum Thon has been cultivating a diversity of crops with the application of rotation techniquesfor about 10 years, which involves exchanging an entire crop in a particular row. This means that cultivation can take place throughout the year without having to leave the land fallow. At the time of the interview eleven different crops had been cultivated including spring onions, anise basil, Cambodian mint, bok choy, choy sum, escarole, mint, long beans, cucumbers, bitter melons and lettuce. Almost all of these crops have an average lifespan of three months, except for the anise basil which can grow for one or two years depending on the way it is cultivated. After she has harvested a particular crop, she will then rotate this crop row with a new distinctive crop species. For instance after having harvested spring onions she will then plant mint in that row, and in the row where she was previously growing mint, she will rotate that with either spring onions or cucumbers.

The practice of crop diversification whilst at the same time rotating the crop in each of the rows aims to achieve the following main objectives:

Crop diversification enables the farmer to generate a daily income to offset her daily expenses which thereby becomes a means of improving her livelihood. Growing a diversity of crops can also enable her to meet a variety of market demands and generate a high daily income. If a farmer grows only one crop specie she can usually earn about 15,000 Riel per day, but if she plants four crop species such as anise basil, bok choy, long beans and cucumbers she can increase her income to about 20,000 Riel per day, However if she grows one more specie such as lettuce or grows eleven different crops, she would be able to increase her income up to 40,000 or 80,000 Riel per day. The practice of crop diversification enables her to generate an income on a daily basis.

Crop diversification with the rotation of the crop in each row after the harvest could assist in reducing soil degradation. According to her experience and observations each crop absorbs different nutrients from the soil. If one row is repeatedly used to cultivate spring onions, they tend not to flourish so well and the roots have a tendency to decay. However if they are rotated with another crop and the spring onions are then grown in another row, they are able to thrive and the roots and stems are less likely to spoil. Crop diversification also has other functions as the cover crops help to reduce soil degradation through expose to sunlight, maintain soil moisture, make the soil less compact and add beneficial micro-organisms to the soil. In addition crop diversification can control pests especially the practice of growing companion plants such as herbs or spring onions as this can prevent crops from being damaged by pests.

The use of this technology assists in improving livelihoods, reduces migration because she does not need to move in order to find a job in another location, and enables her to generate a daily income. In addition this technology is able to reduce the risk of crop failure resulting from damage by pests and insects.Furthermore it reduces the risks associated with changes in market demand as the farmer produces a diversity of crops and also it prevents and reduces soil degradation. In order to effectively use this technology there needs to be sufficient water supply such as a river, stream, well or pond.This enables the land user to grow crops throughout the year round and reduces damage of crops as the result of unpredictable adverse climate conditions such as changes in rainfall, or the occurrence of drought.

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:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation
• during experiments/ research
• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Through her experience and training from Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC).

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

Comments:

Spring onion, anise basil, Cambodian mint, bok choy, escarole, choy sum, mint, long bean, cucumber, bitter melon, lettuce.

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)

Comments:

Degraded forest land.

3.4 Water supply

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

There is one open well and a pond for crop irrigation during drought.

3.5 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)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

The farmer grows specific companion plants on the same plot with the aim of improving the plant growth and the pest control.

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:

At the first time when she cultivated the land the soil was fertile. At that time she grew only cassava but she realized soon that if she grows always the same crop, the soil will be less fertile from year to year.

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

KHR

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

4000.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Dig open well	During dry season
2.	Dig pond	During dry season
3.	Plough the soil two times and dry the soil by sunlight	After harvest
4.	Buy crop seeds	At the beginning of soil preparation
5.	Prepare pipe lines into cement rings	At the beginning of soil preparation
6.	Buy net to cover the roof of the nursery house	At the beginning of soil preparation
7.	Buy materials such as spit, handled basket, hoe ect	At the beginning of soil preparation

4.4 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 the soil for the first and second time	person-day	11.0	15000.0	165000.0	100.0
Labour	Clear land for growing 11 different crops	person-day	15.0	15000.0	225000.0	100.0
Labour	Dig the open well and put the cement ring	person-day	84.0	15000.0	1260000.0	100.0
Labour	Dig pond	person-day	133.0	15000.0	1995000.0	100.0
Equipment	Bamboo sticks	Piece	50.0	1500.0	75000.0	100.0
Equipment	Hoe	Piece	2.0	17000.0	34000.0	100.0
Equipment	Spit	Piece	2.0	1300.0	2600.0	100.0
Equipment	Handle basket to carry soil	Pair	1.0	6000.0	6000.0	100.0
Plant material	Spring onion	Kilogram	10.0	1000.0	10000.0	100.0
Plant material	Bok choy	Can	12.0	1500.0	18000.0	100.0
Plant material	Escarole	Package	2.0	10000.0	20000.0	100.0
Plant material	Choy Sum	Can	5.0	1500.0	7500.0	100.0
Plant material	Anise basile	Package	1.0	15000.0	15000.0	100.0
Plant material	Mint	Kilogram	3.0	4000.0	12000.0	100.0
Plant material	Cambodian mint	Kilogram	2.0	2500.0	5000.0	100.0
Plant material	Long bean	Kilogram	1.0	60000.0	60000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Buy cow manure for the use of one year	Two wheel handle tractor	10.0	70000.0	700000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Buy chicken manure for the use of one year	Bag	20.0	4000.0	80000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Buy soil of termite mounds	Two wheel handle tractor	10.0	40000.0	400000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Buy botanical pesticides	Liter	6.0	4000.0	24000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Rice husk	Bag	30.0	1500.0	45000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Buy Bat manure for soil preparation	Bag	5.0	70000.0	350000.0	100.0
Construction material	Water Pumping Machine	Piece	2.0	880000.0	1760000.0	100.0
Construction material	Cement rings which also have a cement base that have been constructed for water storage to irrigate crops.	Piece	2.0	70000.0	140000.0	100.0
Construction material	Net for making the roof to prevent sunlight and water.	Set	2.0	220000.0	440000.0	100.0
Other	Cucumber	Can	1.0	40000.0	40000.0	100.0
Other	Lettuce	Package	5.0	15000.0	75000.0	100.0
Other	Bitter melon	Package	2.0	5000.0	10000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					7974100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					1993.53

Comments:

Generally, the rate for digging a pond in Cambodia is USD 50 per hour if the contractor does not obtain the soil, but if he does the cost of digging the pond will be less. Cost calculations of this technology are based on crop cycles (the average lifespan of crop being three months with a diversity of eleven crops). The farmer uses her own labor force to implement this technology without hiring any external labor. In reference to the costs indicated in the table above, there may be minor errors compared to the actual costs because the land user did not make exact records, and the costs that were provided are only estimates.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Watering	Two times per day or three times per day depend on the weather.
2.	Apply cow manure	When dig the soil near the crop root.
3.	Apply bat manure	When dig the soil near the crop root.
4.	Weeding	Once a week
5.	Spraying pesticides	When there is insects.

4.6 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	When weeding, dig the soil near the crop root and apply fertilizer for elevent diversify of crops.	Person-day	12.0	15000.0	180000.0	100.0
Labour	Spray pesticides	Person-day	3.0	15000.0	45000.0	100.0
Equipment	Diesel	liter	10.0	3000.0	30000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Liquid fertilizer made of bat manure buying from fertilizer company.	liter	1.0	70000.0	70000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					325000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					81.25

Comments:

The estimated maintenance costs base on one crop cycle of 3 months. It is not calculatee for the whole year. The land user does not hire wageworker as she is doing the work by herself and by the support of her husband.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Cow manure, chicken manure, rice husk, botanical pesticides has to be bought. Digging the pond and buying the water pumping machine are the most important factors affecting the costs. However these equipments are longlasting.

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=6

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

In this technology only two persons are involved in the technology (husband and wife). The interviewee is the wife is 50 years old. She finished grade 8.

5.7 Average area of land used 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

6.3 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	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		decrease	well
seasonal temperature	wet/ rainy season	decrease	well
seasonal temperature	dry season	increase	well
annual rainfall		decrease	well
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	decrease	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	well

Biological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
epidemic diseases	moderately
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)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 11-50%

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

7 families

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

• 91-100%

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
Provides a daily income.
The quality of the soil is better through crop rotation and the exchange of crops in the rows. Additionally cow manure and soil from the termite mound can be used as fertilizer.
The actual work can be done by oneself which involves physical exercise and is good for one’s health.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Grow a diversity of crops which reduces the risk of production failure from damaging from insects, disease and market.
The farmer is able to generate a daily income, thereby improving her livelihood and it gives her the means to cope with her daily expenses.
Crop rotation could reduce soil degradation.
Reduces migration as now she has her own job and as this technology improves her livelihood.

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?
During some months it is not possible to grow herbage vegetables.	Can grow other crops such as anise basil.
She has to water the crops only by herself which is very exhausting	Must try harder.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Farmer spends a lot of time for watering the crops.	Could change and start using a sprinkler or drip irrigation system in order to reduce labor.
Must properly record expenses and income so as to verify the net income.	Provide training in recording income and expenses.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

CGIAR. (2017). Crop diversification strategies for Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Retrieved December 11, 2017, from

URL:

https://ccafs.cgiar.org/blog/crop-diversification-strategies-cambodia-laos-and-vietnam#.Wi4Hu1WWbIU

Title/ description:

Makate, C., Wang, R., Makate, M., & Mango, N. (2016). Crop diversification and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe: adaptive management for environmental change. SpringerPlus, 5(1), 1135.Retrieved December 11, 2017, from

URL:

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-2802-4

Title/ description:

MAFF. (2006). Technology stardardize: Home gardening. In Khmer. (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries). Phnom Penh. Retrieved December 11, 2017, from

URL:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3kkBprEzhDoMWtPeXZUNE4teTQ/preview

Title/ description:

MoEYS & VVOB Cambodia. (2013). Teaching Methodology for Agricultural Life Skills Education for Teacher Training Centers:Part 3 Organic gardening (1st editio). Phnom Penh: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Retrieved December 11, 2017, from

URL:

http://www.vvob.be/cambodia/sites/default/files/content_manual_part_3_organic_gardening.pdf