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)

Tajik Soil Insitute (Tajik Soil Institute) - Tajikistan

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

NCCR North-South (NCCR North-South) - Kyrgyzstan

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:

This technology consists of vineyards plots that are mulched with grass and established on terraced land in the loess hills of Tajikistan.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

On the terrain of the Tajik Soil Institut's research station in Karsang, Faizabad District, Tajikistan, a vineyard was established on forward sloping terraces with about 12° inclination on land formerly used as extensive pastures. This technology dates back to the times of the Soviet Union in 1968. Bulldozers were used to establish the terraces.

Before the planting of vines the soil was ploughed. Local vine sorts were used for the plantation and intercropping is done with wheat and fodder crops. About 1300 vine seedlings were planted per hectare.

Purpose of the Technology: Mulching treatment with grass was initiated to increase soil moisture in the soil, improve soil quality such as soil organic matter and other elements and protect soil from erosion by water and wind.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Mulching with grass was set up by the Tajik Soil Institute and but has been maintained by the farmers who lease the land. Mulching with grass is relatively easy but can be very challenging; depending on the availability of resources. First, plots between the vineyard rows were ploughed by using animal power, in most cases horses. Natural grasses were cut from the property of the research station and applied as a mulch in between plots within the designated vineyard plots. Since then the experiment has been maintained by the farmers and over the last ten years layer of mulch with grass has been growing and building up the top soil layer. This layer of mulch prevents rainwater from eroding the top soil, improves soil organic carbon, provides shade to plant roots, and most importantly keeps soil moisture moderately in hot summer months, which is very essential in these rainfed areas.

Natural / human environment: The terraces have greatly helped to reduced soil erosion and the vines supported this effect in further stabilising the soil. Soil humidity has improved through increased soil moisture and reduced evaporation due to mulching throughout the year. As the vineyard was established on pasture land, a disadvantage is the reduced grazing land area. The disadvantage of mulching is that no inter cropping between the vines can take place for several years.

In summer of 2011, WOCAT questionnary was used to analyze and evaluate current conditions of the vineyard mulching treatment. At the same time proper soil samples were taken from the plots with mulch and control plots in 0-15 and 15-30cm for further comparison for soil organic carbon (SOC). All together 240 soil samples were taken from eight different plots and each have been analyzed for soil SOC content.

From this study it was revealed that plots with mulch has significantly higher SOC content than control plots. In average, plots with mulch consisted of 1.3% SOC and control plots in average contained 0.4% SOC within the 0-15cm depths. Average SOC content for plots with mulch and control plots were observed but there were no significant difference in 30cm depth, both contained 0.4-0.5% of SOC.

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:

• during experiments/ research

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The vineyard was originally set up 60 years ago but the mulching experiment within the vineyard was introduced around 2000-2003.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agroforestry

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): soil erosion through wind and water, soil moisture loss, soil nutrient mining

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): soil fertility and humidity decline, lack of technical equipment, low productivity of non-irrigated land on slopes when used in a conventional way as cropland of extensive pasture

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Mixed: Mf: Agroforestry

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)

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agroforestry

Comments:

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Mixed: Mf: Agroforestry

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

• agroforestry
• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures, vegetative measures

Secondary measures: structural measures, management measures

Type of agronomic measures: mulching, breaking compacted topsoil, zero tillage / no-till

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -contour

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wg: gully erosion / gullying

Main causes of degradation: soil management (Plowing), overgrazing, Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts)

Secondary causes of degradation: wind storms / dust storms, droughts, governance / institutional (common grazing land in the vicinity of the village regulated management)

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:

Main goals: prevention of land degradation

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation, rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

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

-2.13

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Planting
2.	Terracing by bulldozer	late autumn / early spring

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	Planting	Persons/day	13.0	6.5	84.5
Labour	Terracing by bulldozer	hours	16.0	2.81222	45.0
Equipment	Bulldozer rent	hours	16.0	0.8125	13.0
Plant material	Seedlings	Seeds/ha	1300.0	0.5	650.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fertilizer	kg	5.0	1.0	5.0
Construction material	Grass	tons	1.0	165.0	165.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					962.5
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					-451.88

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	cutting of grass	spring/once a year
2.	soil loosening around the trees
3.	Mulching	spring (end of April/beginning of May)
4.	Cutting the grass	1
5.	Protecting the vineyard from animals	autumn to spring

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	Cutting of grass	Persons/day	5.0	6.5	32.5
Labour	Soil loosening	Persons/day	2.0	6.5	13.0
Labour	Cutting the grass 2nd time	Persons/day	4.0	6.5	26.0
Equipment	Mulching	tons	1.0	86.0	86.0
Equipment	Scissors	ha	1.0	60.0	60.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					217.5
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					-102.11

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: scissors, hoes

The establishment of the vineyard took place in Soviet times and costs were born by the Soil Institute, which is a state institution. However, costs were calculated based on current costs (2011).

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

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 is medium

Soil drainage / infiltration is poor

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:

Annual population growth: 1% - 2%

Subsistence (self-supply) is supported by the local Institution.

All three levels of mechanization are existing.

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:

• state

Land use rights:

• leased

• research

• research

Comments:

harvest: 50% to state / 50% to land user

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Other ecological impacts

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		increase	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	well
local windstorm	well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	not well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	not well

Comments:

Different types of mulching are currently being tested to increase soil moisture storage, to build up soil organic matter and thus infiltration capacity and soil fertility properties.

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:

Farmers have noted that usually change can be seen within few years after the technology has established.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

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

10 households (3 percent of stated area)

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

• 91-100%

Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

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

Comments on spontaneous adoption: Overall acreage of the all field are roughly 3 hectares.

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Vineyards are adapted to climate and give consistently good harvest.
Between the rows there is an additional harvest thanks to intercropping.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Efficient soil protection.
Very practical and easily adaptable in villages, where grass is available. How can they be sustained / enhanced? At the same time grass can become deficit in villages, because of high number of livestock. In that cases small scale mulching is recommended with rotation system.

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Technology is very practical but so far it has not been taken seriously by the farmers.	Probably, few educational days for knowledge sharing would be very helpful.
Grass might be available for small scale mulching but usually not for a big scale, because everyone in the region has high number of livestock and automatically grass is used as fodder for animals.	Maybe mulching can be applied around the trees and not so much for covering entire plots.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information