1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of the institution(s) 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:

Cultivation of wheat or feed grain for straw production on a degraded plot

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The farmer started to plant flax for oil production on his 0.2 hectare plot, which gave a good harvest. Since 1999 the farmer has cultivated wheat and feed grain, rotating year by year. According to the farmer, wheat and feed grain cropping does not provide a benefit on that plot, when money and labour inputs are considered. But as straw is scarce but is needed for his cows, the farmer gets that by-product from harvesting wheat. Furthermore, as that plot is accessible by the tractor for ploughing, he plants wheat and will continue doing that in future, even though the output is low. Though the farmer has a land user's certificate for that property, it becomes common for livestock grazing after the harvest. This causes overgrazing, bare soil, trampling and other issues.

Purpose of the Technology: The purpose of cropping wheat is to get straw for feeding. According to the farmer the bad quality of soil and the absence of water do not allow a different crop type than wheat.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Establishment and maintenance activities are almost the same. The crop must be ploughed, seeds planted and fertilizer applied. Though no fertilizer was needed at the beginning of crop cultivation, now its use is increasing. Between the time of planting and harvesting, the crop is regularly safe guarded from grazing livestock. If herds approach, the farmer or a family member will protect the crop. After the harvest, the crop is somehow declared as communal land, where cattle are allowed to graze there.

Natural / human environment: The crop is situated on a ridge above the village of Chargii bolo. It is a small sized terrace with a slight slope. Soil quality and moisture were already very poor when the crop was established, which results in a low output comparing to the input. The soil is compacted and shows a low level of organic matter, soil moisture and nutrients. The farmer complains about the small sharp stones of around 1-2 cm of diameter in the soil. They indicate a high level of soil degradation. Although the slope is slight, the vertical ploughing has caused small rills in the lower part of the plot and some more pronounced rills off-site. The plot is the property of the farmer, but is used as pasture after harvest for the livestock. Soil compaction, lowered vegetation cover and water infiltration result from trampling and overgrazing. There’s no agreement between cultivars and herders, reason why this crop continues to be grazed uncontrolled.

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:

Tajikistan

Region/ State/ Province:

Khatlon, Tajikistan

Further specification of location:

Muminobod

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

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

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

Map

×

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

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Since 1999. Farmer claims that he only can cultivate wheat on that crop.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• fodder crops - grasses
• fodder crops - other

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 180 Longest growing period from month to month: April-Sept/Oct

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Low soil nutrients and moisture on that plot. Bare and crusted soil which cause worse infiltration capacities and soil erosion. Building of small rills enhanced through vertical ploughing.
Additionally, overgrazing by livestock, compaction of soil.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Crop was already degraded at the beginning but its getting worse. Small and sharp stones which are in the soil indicate the compaction and low level of nutrients.

Livestock is grazing on crop residues

3.4 Water supply

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

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
• pastoralism and grazing land management

• Feed grain cultivation

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
• Wo: offsite degradation effects

physical soil deterioration

• Pc: compaction

biological degradation

• Bc: reduction of vegetation cover

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Pc: compaction, Bc: reduction of vegetation cover

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Wo: offsite degradation effects

Main causes of degradation: soil management (vertical plowing), land tenure (cropping and afterwards grazing)

Secondary causes of degradation: overgrazing

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Somoni

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

4.83

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

Comments:

Labour, machine use and petrol was indicated for totally 0.8 ha, this is why all input is divided by 4 for the compilation of reccurent activities for the plot of 0.2 ha. The input were further multiplied by factor 5 for the cost overview for one ha.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Agricultural inputs as seeds and fertilizer are the most expensive

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: Moderate (ranked 1) and rolling (ranked 2, up to 11%)

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 fertility: High
Soil drainage/infiltration: Poor (presence of "compacted stones" of 1-2 cm in the soil)
Soil water storage capacity: Very low

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:

Population density: 100-200 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 1% - 2%
Level of mechanization: Mechanised (Ploughing and cutting fodder grain, ranked 1) and manual labour (sowing and putting fertilizer, ranked 2)

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:

• leased

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

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

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

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

Climatological disasters

Hydrological disasters

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

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