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

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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:

A cascading rock irrigation channel lined with fast growing poplar trees, constructed on rocky slopes to channel water runoff from the high mountains for human use at the valley floor.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

A one metre wide, 300m long, irrigation channel constructed of stones, that is built into the steep slope of a mountain gorge. The channel is 0.5m deep and is lined with poplar trees that help stabilise the structure. The water runs down the channel from the top mountains, with water splashing onto the poplar trees. At the foot of the channel the water is used to irrigated cultivated land and provide drinking water.

Purpose of the Technology: The main purpose of the cascading rock irrigation structure is to capture surface water run-off from the top of the mountain and channel it to where it can be utilised for human use such as drinking water, sanitation, and irrigation. The uneven surface of the rock channel slows the pace of the water thus preventing scouring at the foot of the channel. The channel also provides a suitable environment for the cultivation of poplar trees which in turn can help reduce water and wind erosion on the slopes, thus preventing rock and debris movement down onto the cultivated lands on the valley floor.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The channel is dug perpendicular to the steep slope and lined with stones gathered from the mountainous slopes. This activity is labour intensive, but can be more efficient with the use of donkeys. The stones are placed upon/on top of each other in the base of the channel, and used to line the sides of the channel to retain the water. The soil along the edge of the channel is cleared of debris and stone until it is suitable for the planting of poplar cuttings. The cutting are supplemented with organic fertiliser. The channel is financed by the land owner, with voluntary support from the community.

Natural / human environment: The cascading rock irrigation channel is located in a remote steep mountainous gorge where there is a shortage of land for cultivation. Water is in short supply, especially during the hot summer months. Subsequently the inhabitants have a high dependency on irrigated water from the top of the mountain range. The majority of the residents have a semi-subsistence living and are highly reliant upon the cultivated land where they grow a range of crops (e.g. wheat, potatoes. etc), fruits (e.g. apricots) and poplar trees for selling and construction purposes.

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

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The technology was constructed in 1992 and 1997 based upon ideas generated from the local inhabitants.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation

• improved access to water

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Water and wind erosion, rockfalls and debris movement.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Debris movement due to excessive rains damaging crops and infrastructure.

Selective felling of (semi-) natural forests: Infrequent felling of poplars.

Forest products and services: timber, protection against natural hazards

Other forest products and services: construction

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Forests / woodlands: Fp: Plantations, afforestations

Constraints of wastelands / deserts / glaciers / swamps

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

3.4 Water supply

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

• rainfed

Comments:

Number of growing seasons per year:

1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 180Longest growing period from month to month: March-October

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• cross-slope measure
• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)
• water diversion and drainage

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures, structural measures

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -linear

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wm: mass movements / landslides

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wg: gully erosion / gullying, Ed: deflation and deposition

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (Removal of forest vegetation many years before.), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts) (Extreme events lead to debris movement covering fertile lands.)

Secondary causes of degradation: war and conflicts (Lack of natural resources during civil war led to the cutting of many of the trees preventing slope movement.)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation

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 unit

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 =:

4.5

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Planting Poplars	Spring, March
2.	Composting	spring
3.	Construction of rock irrigation channel	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 Poplars	Persons/day	10.0	25.0	250.0	100.0
Labour	Construction of rock irrigation channel	Persons/day	60.0	25.0	1500.0	100.0
Equipment	Tools	Pieces	3.0	20.0	60.0	100.0
Equipment	Donkey	Donkey/day	20.0	22.5	450.0	100.0
Plant material	Seedlings	Unit	1.0	266.0	266.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Composte	per tree	250.0	1.0	250.0	100.0
Construction material	Stone	tons	50.0	20.0	1000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					3776.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					839.11

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 1 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	tree tending	every year
2.	Maintenance of channel	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	Tree tending	Persons/day	7.0	25.0	175.0	100.0
Labour	Maintenance of channel	Persons/day	10.0	25.0	250.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					425.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					94.44

Comments:

The indicative cost of the technology was calculated based on 2010 prices.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

There was no real cost in construction of the rock irrigation channel. All labour, animal traction and materials were sourced locally for no cost, poplar seedlings are cuttings from local poplars, and organic compost for the trees was collected from local livestock.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zone: This area is located at 1500m

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 texture is rocky, shale.

Soil fertility is very low and nothing is growing on the adjacent slopes.

Soil drainage / infiltration is poor

Soil water storage capacity is very low.

5.4 Water availability and quality

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

No natural propogation/reproduction on the slope and slow growth rate without irrigation.

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 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 1% - 2%

100% of the land users are average wealthy and own 100% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: Some of the incomes come from driving, teaching etc

Market orientation of production system: Poplars are used for personal construction projects but can be sold for $300 per tree.

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:

• communal (organized)

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

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Climate and disaster risk reduction

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	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

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
mass soil movement	not 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:

Low initial expense due to inputs easily available.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

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

400 households

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

• 91-100%

Comments:

5% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

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

Comments on spontaneous adoption: Minimal replication in small areas of land, but no replication in recent years. (It appears in this area the implementation of the technology may have been optimised).

There is no trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Improved livelihoods and the variety and yield of crops. How can they be sustained / enhanced? If the water was not available through the channel then the land would have to be abandoned.
The poplar trees provide a good source of secondary income.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
It reduces soil and wind erosion from the mountain slopes. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Further planting of trees.
It reduces rockfalls and debris movement, thus protecting the land down slope that is used for cultivation.
It provides water for irrigation and hence leads to an increase in crops yields and crop diversification down slope of the channel. These crops include wheat, potatoes, onions and some fruit trees mainly apricot. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Pipes form the channel to other areas.
Increased access to clean running water has improved sanitation and hygiene conditions for the inhabitants. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Further training on hygiene and sanitation.
The use of uneven rocks slows down the speed of the water in the channel and prevents water erosion at the base of the slope.

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?
The channel can become severely damaged after a harsh winter.	The rock lining could be cemented in but that would increase the cost, and the trees would not be able to use the water that soaks through the channel.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The technology is a major construction activity that needs to be strategically positioned.	The location should be carefully considered with help of specialists.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information