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)

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

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:

The mobile seed cleaning machine improves the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Tunisia by significantly enhancing seed quality, increasing crop production, reducing workload and costs, and promoting local value chains and social cohesion.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

In Tunisia and Algeria, the agricultural system is characterized by low levels of mechanization, particularly among small and medium-sized farmers who cannot afford expensive imported machines. As a result, a substantial amount of manual labour is required to carry out various agricultural operations, such as seed cleaning, which is traditionally done by women and children. While seed production is often done by large suppliers, this does not always satisfy the demand. Therefore, many smallholder farmers in Tunisia prefer to use their own seeds, despite the time-consuming manual cleaning process and the risk of lower quality.
To address these issues, the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) collaborated with national partners to develop a mobile seed cleaning machine for small-scale farmers. The prototype, designed and tested with input from a local manufacturer, is suitable for the primary field crops (such as wheat, barley, vetch, and faba beans) in Tunisia. The machine sort out damaged or small seeds and rock or pebbles, while treating the remaining seeds undoing them from any contamination or weeds, to ensuring quality and higher shelf-life.
The mobile seed cleaning machine, with a capacity of approximately 800 kilograms per hour depending on the seed type, was distributed to four farmer cooperatives, serving a total of 1,000 small-scale farmers. In order to promote ownership, the farmers contributed to a portion of the costs and received training on how to operate the machine effectively.
When using the mobile seed cleaning machine, farmers have the option to choose between two methods: solely cleaning the seeds or cleaning and treating them. The cost for cleaning alone is around 2 Tunisian Dinar per 100 kilograms, while the cost for both cleaning and treating, which includes the application of a fungicide, is 8 Tunisian Dinar per 100 kilograms. Life time is estimated between 5 and 10 years and worn out parts can easily be replaced.
The introduction of the mobile seed cleaning machine has several advantages, including a decrease in workload for women and children, improved production and quality of crops, higher productivity of the land, reduced dependence on imported seeds and machinery, and the promotion of local value chains and social cohesion through cooperative ownership and utilization of the machines.
However, there are still some challenges to overcome. For example, the initial prototype required heavy bags of seeds to be lifted to a height of two meters, leading to additional labour requirements and reduced efficiency. This challenge was addressed by equipping the machine with a conveyor screw, which can double its capacity at an additional cost. Additionally, the cost of purchasing the machine can be a significant investment for farmers, but this can be overcome through collective buying and organizing themselves in cooperatives.
In conclusion, the mobile seed cleaning machine represents an innovative solution that improves the (local) value chain and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Tunisia by reducing workload and costs, particularly for women and children. This technology has the potential to be scaled up and benefit other regions and cooperatives.

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:

Tunisia

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

No

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2019

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research
• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

see 2.2

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• create beneficial economic impact
• create beneficial social impact

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:

• Semi-nomadic pastoralism

Intensive grazing/ fodder production:

• Cut-and-carry/ zero grazing

Is integrated crop-livestock management practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify:

Crops like barley, vetch and faba beans, are cultivated to feed livestock. The manure from livestock is used to fertilize the lands.

Products and services:

• meat
• milk

Species:

sheep

Species:

goats

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

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

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• energy efficiency technologies
• post-harvest measures

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A5: Seed management, improved varieties

structural measures

• S10: Energy saving measures

management measures

• M2: Change of management/ intensity level

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• not applicable

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

The seed cleaning machine has the following dimensions:
-Length = 180cm
-Width = 80cm
-Height = 175cm.

Equipped with a high-quality sieve measuring 140cm in length and 65cm in width, the seed cleaning machine ensures that even the smallest impurities are removed from the seeds. With a hopper capacity of 200kg, the machine can accommodate large batches of seeds, allowing for uninterrupted cleaning.

The machine has a cleaning capacity of around 600 till 1000kg/h.

Its lifetime is estimated to be between 5 and 10 years. Worn-out parts are easily replaceable and locally available.

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):

Tunisian Dinar

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

3.0

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

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

Comments:

Farmers can choose to only clean or to also treat. Treating consists of applying fungicide as well. Farmers usually pay 2 TD/100kg for only cleaning and 8 TD/100kg for cleaning and treating.
Cleaning (and treating) 100 kilograms of seeds results in 70 kilogram of good useful seeds.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The costs of purchasing the machine is substantial. However, this should be shared among farmers within the cooperation.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

This innovation can be implemented in many different environments.

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

Yes

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:

This innovation also affects the children of the land users because the children are often the ones who do the seed cleaning

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
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)
• individual

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

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)

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Biological disasters

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

• 1-10%

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

• 0-10%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

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:

Rudiger, U., Zaiem, A., Idoudi, Z., Frija, A., Rekik, M. and Taher, A. 2021. Mobile seed cleaning and treatment unit improves forage seed quality and quantity and presents a successful business model for farmer cooperatives. Business Model Brief. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI.

Available from where? Costs?

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/116748

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Aymen, F., Idoudi, Z., Rudiger, U. and Rekik, M. 2020. Collaboration between ICARDA projects and linkages to IFAD investment portfolio for enhancing seeds quality and forage production through entrepreneurship and farmers associations. Some examples from ICARDA activities in Tunisia. Lebanon: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)

Available from where? Costs?

https://repo.mel.cgiar.org/handle/20.500.11766/11134

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Rudiger, U. 2020. Report on small mobile seed treatment units for cooperatives in Tunisia

Available from where? Costs?

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/12323

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Udo Rudiger. (15/12/2020). Workshop with beneficiaries.

Available from where? Costs?

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/12556

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Frija, A., et al. 2022. Soil Protection and Rehabilitation of Degraded Soil for Food Security – ProSol: Towards the Effective Scaling of Soil and Water Conservation Technologies under Different Agroecosystems in North and Central West Tunisia – SWC@Scale/ProSol: Technical Progress Report/ January – August 2022. Beirut, Lebanon: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)

Available from where? Costs?

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/67835

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Idoudi, Z. 2020. Encouraging Entrepreneurship with Mobile Grinders and Seed Cleaning Machines

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.icarda.org/media/blog/encouraging-entrepreneurship-mobile-grinders-and-seed-cleaning-machines

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Idoudi, Z., Najjar, D., Rekik, M., Frija, A. 2022. Integrating Gender in the Use of Conservation Agriculture for Crop and Livestock System (CLCA). Beirut, Lebanon: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)

Available from where? Costs?

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/67126

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Rekik, M., Frija, A., Idoudi, Z. 2022. Overview of CLCA Main Achievements in NA and LAC Countries. Beirut, Lebanon: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)

Available from where? Costs?

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/68177

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Rudiger, U., Zaiem, A., Idoudi, Z., Frija, A., Rekik, M. and Taher, A. 2021. Mobile seed cleaning and treatment unit improves forage seed quality and quantity and presents a successful business model for farmer cooperatives. Business Model Brief. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI

Available from where? Costs?

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/116748