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)

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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The ridge sowing technology utilizes a special seeder, which is operated with special machinery and at the same time cuts the irrigation furrows and sows crops’ seeds on ridges. This method is primarily improved irrigation water use efficiency, reduced water erosion and more importantly lowers the expenses on irrigation water by 30%.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The ridge sowing technology is applied in CIS countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan.) in the production of wheat and other cereals. Kyrgyzstan first applied this technology with the support of the SIDA project “Support to seed development industry in Kyrgyzstan”. Further dissemination of this method was supported by the Seed Growers’ Association of Kyrgyzstan. This technology was utilized in Kyrgyzstan through the use of the Turkish seeder СBP-2,8, which forms ridges, sows and simultaneously cuts furrows to irrigate between the ridges. The ridge sowing technology creates optimal conditions for agricultural crops and provides effective furrow irrigation. This prevents excessive use of irrigation water (saving 25-30%) and irrigation erosion, which happens in the case of using flooding methods on the crop fields using common corn planters. In addition, it prevents the flooding of useful soil micro fauna, as well as saves time. Prior to irrigation or after irrigation, a tractor or agricultural machine can easily go along the irrigation furrows to spray plants with herbicides and pesticides. Ridge sowing of cereals can be implemented almost on all types of grey-brownish, grey, red, yellow soil types with middle and light mechanical composition. In addition to cereals, ridge sowing can be used for growing vegetables and legumes (including potato), as well as industrial and oil crops (sugar beet, rape, soya bean, sesame)
Depending on natural climatic conditions and biological peculiarities of the cultivated varieties, width between the ridges is about 60-70cm. 2-3 rows of seeds can be sown on the ridges with a row spacing of 15cm. Over the course of 3 years, 10 ha of land were sown by using this technology, and the wheat grain yield was not reduced in comparison to the conventional cultivation method using a corn planter. While sowing cereals with such a seeder, it is recommended to cultivate well-bushing varieties. The ridge seeder decreases the seeding rate to a minimum. The seeding rate of cereals is 100-150kg/ha instead of 200-250kg/ha when using the usual sowing method with a classical corn planter and provides additional yield of winter grain wheat up to 5 -8,3 centner/ha. Practice is documented in the frame of CACILM.

Purpose of the Technology: The purpose of this technology is to decrease irrigation erosion and to improve soil moisture content through the use of effective irrigation techniques utilizing irrigation furrows.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The main cost linked to the introduction of ridge sowing is the purchase of the ridge seeder. The establishment costs of ridge sowing are similar to the ones for conventional sowing methods using corn planters, but in the long term the maintenance costs will be far lower. The utilization of this technology includes the following operations once per vegetation period: plowing (harrowing and leveling), ridge sowing, irrigation and harvesting

Natural / human environment: This technology was implemented on the fields of the Kant local administration of the Kant Rayon in Chui Oblast by 10 land users

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Kyrgyzstan

Region/ State/ Province:

Kyrgyz Republic

Further specification of location:

Chui oblast, Kant rayon

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, specify area covered (in km2):

0.1

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.1 km2.

Map

×

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

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The technology was introduced in 2009-2010 with the support of SIDA “Support to seed industry development in Kyrgyzstan”.

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 160Longest growing period from month to month: April-September

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:

• Semi-nomadic pastoralism
• Ranching

Animal type:

• cattle - dairy
• cattle - non-dairy beef

Products and services:

• milk
• meat

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Frequently repeated droughts, water degradation and salinization of soil due to the irrational use of irrigation water, excess use of seeds
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): A shortage of machinery for soil handling and sowing; high price for the cereal crops’ seeds; outbreaks of pests and diseases; waterlogging due to the clogging of drainage systems

Livestock density: 1-10 LU /km2

3.4 Water supply

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

Водопотребление: полностью орошаемое, полностью орошаемое

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A3: Soil surface treatment

Comments:

Type of agronomic measures: furrows (drainage, irrigation)

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

biological degradation

• Bl: loss of soil life

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (Non-observance of crop-rotation; reduction of areas under perennials. Increase in the share of hydrophilic cereals’ varieties. Unwarranted high seeding rates.), disturbance of water cycle (infiltration / runoff) (Extremely high seeding rates while using flooding, which leads to salinization and waterlogging), change of seasonal rainfall (Seasonal drought during the growing season of crops.)

Secondary causes of degradation: droughts (Aerial and soil drought in May and June), education, access to knowledge and support services (Insufficient knowledge on the part of farmers about soil and water conservation)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• reduce land degradation

Comments:

Основная цель: предотвращение / сокращение деградации

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

KGS (Kyrgyz som)

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

40.0

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 1 month(s)
Life span of the product: 10 years

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: СBP- 2,8

Maintenance costs for ridge sowing are calculated per 1 ha taking into account prices for 2009 and 2010.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The technology’s cost depends on the physical state of the soil (degree of moisture, field slope, mechanical composition of soil), seed costs and fuel to be used for the machinery

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 1% - 2%

10% of the land users are rich and own 40% of the land.
70% of the land users are average wealthy and own 50% of the land.
20% of the land users are poor and own 10% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: During their free time, these farmers can use SLM on the fields of other farmers on a fee paying basis. Some farmers have shops for the sale of agrochemicals

Market orientation of production system: mixed (subsistence/ commercial, commercial/ market, commercial/ market

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, not titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

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

Soil

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

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

Climatological disasters

Hydrological disasters

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

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

Comments:

5 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

10 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: The adoption trend is present due to obvious economic and ecological benefits, as well as an increase of awareness among the farmers, who participated in the workshop. Together with the rayon agricultural department, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Advisory Service and SIDA, the project was carried out the in field with the participation of interested farmers from Kant, Sokuluk and Belovodsk rayons.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Пожарский В.Г. Норма высева озимой пшеницы при гребневой технологии возделывания в условиях Чуйской долины Кыргызстана//Агромеридиан, Алматы.2006.

Available from where? Costs?

В библиотеке Кыргызского НИИ Земледелия, 200 сом.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Пожарский.В.Г Акималиев . М. Д Технология возделывания озимой и яровой пшеницы на гребнях в условиях Чуйской и Иссык-Кульской долины КР.//Материалы 1-ой Центрально Азиатской конференции по пшенице,10-13 июня 2003 г. г. Алматы.

Available from where? Costs?

В библиотеке Кыргызского НИИ Земледелия, 300 сом.