Technologies

Environmentally-friendly rural practices [Moldova, Republic of]

Practici rurale prietenoase mediului

technologies_1815 - Moldova, Republic of

Completeness: 80%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

02/06/2014

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. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Various environmentally-friendly rural practices have been developed and applied in vineyards and orchards. These included contour tillage, strip cropping and buffer strips, as well as barriers to impede runoff made from straw and brushwood etc. There are also forest belts, channels for water retention and discharge, dams, and grassed waterways; trees are planted on land affected by landslides and soil erosion.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Tartaul de Salcie belongs to the Pri-Danube steppe pedologic region: clay-sandy carbonated chernozem is predominant. Widespread erosion leads to compaction of upper horizons. There is a danger of soil alcalization if irrigated.The landscape is hilly, and very fragmented with a dense network of valleys. Almost 85% of the land is situated on slopes. The climate is moderately continental: the summers are warm and long, and the winters are mild and dry. Annual rainfall ranges around 500 millimetres; long dry spells are not unusual. The sources of income are crops, mainly grapes and walnuts for sale. Vegetables are also grown - for home consumption. People also have cattle and sheep, mainly for consumption. Plots are about 2 to 4 hectares per household, with title deeds and land maps to prove it. The main problem relates to registration and legalization of sale or inheritance of land which is bureaucratized and expensive. Incomes depend closely on the amount of precipitation, and also on market access and prices, but on average, per capita, it is 38 US dollars per month.
Various environmentally-friendly rural practices have been developed and applied in vineyards and orchards. These included contour tillage, strip cropping and buffer strips, as well as barriers to impede runoff made from straw and brushwood etc. Integrated plant protection is carried out, reducing soil and water pollution. There are also forest belts, and trees are planted on land affected by landslides and soil erosion. Cleaning of natural springs is carried out, and their protection is ensured. Forest species trees are planted around homes - and cleaning within around the village is practiced.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

Comments, short description:

https://youtu.be/CGgCshNbVkg

Date:

02/07/2008

Location:

Tartaul de Salcie village Cahul district, Republic of Moldova

Name of videographer:

Viorica Cucereanu

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

Country:

Moldova, Republic of

Further specification of location:

Tartaul de Salcie village, Cahul district, Republic of Moldova

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2000

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:
  • during experiments/ research
  • through projects/ external interventions

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • conserve ecosystem
  • protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
  • preserve/ improve biodiversity
  • reduce risk of disasters
  • adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
  • mitigate climate change and its impacts

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
  • Perennial (non-woody) cropping
  • Tree and shrub cropping
Main crops (cash and food crops):

Wheat, maize, sunflower, vineyards, orchards

Forest/ woodlands

Forest/ woodlands

(Semi-)natural forests/ woodlands:
  • Selective felling
  • Dead wood/ prunings removal
  • Non-wood forest use
Tree plantation, afforestation:
  • Mixed varieties
Products and services:
  • Fuelwood
  • Fruits and nuts
  • Grazing/ browsing
  • Nature conservation/ protection
  • Recreation/ tourism

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • agroforestry
  • rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
  • cross-slope measure

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 100-1,000 km2

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A1: Vegetation/ soil cover
  • A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
  • A5: Seed management, improved varieties
vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V1: Tree and shrub cover
  • V2: Grasses and perennial herbaceous plants
structural measures

structural measures

  • S3: Graded ditches, channels, waterways
  • S5: Dams, pans, ponds
  • S6: Walls, barriers, palisades, fences
management measures

management measures

  • M3: Layout according to natural and human environment
  • M6: Waste management (recycling, re-use or reduce)
Comments:

- Control of runoff
- Maintain/ increase soil fertility
- Increase/maintain water stored in soil

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
  • Wg: gully erosion/ gullying
soil erosion by wind

soil erosion by wind

  • Et: loss of topsoil
physical soil deterioration

physical soil deterioration

  • Pc: compaction
  • Pk: slaking and crusting
  • Ps: subsidence of organic soils, settling of soil
biological degradation

biological degradation

  • Bc: reduction of vegetation cover
  • Bh: loss of habitats
  • Bq: quantity/ biomass decline
  • Bs: quality and species composition/ diversity decline
  • Bl: loss of soil life
water degradation

water degradation

  • Hs: change in quantity of surface water

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • reduce land degradation
  • restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.4 Establishment activities

Activity Type of measure Timing
1. Development of environmentally friendly rural practices Vegetative After harvest of crops
2. Public awareness and education Vegetative In winter when farmers have time and during vegetative period - to show the results of the measures
3. Monitoring and evaluation Vegetative After rainfall and strong winds
4. Combine income generation with land management Vegetative During establishment and maintenance
5. Give up unproductive land use practices Vegetative When farmers are convinced about efficiency of tested practices
6. Development of environmentally friendly rural practices Agronomic After harvest of crops
7. Public awareness and education Agronomic In winter when farmers have time and during vegetative period - to show the results of the actions
8. Monitoring and evaluation Agronomic After rainfall and strong winds
9. Combine income generation with land management Agronomic During implementation
10. Give up unproductive land use practices Agronomic When farmers are convinced about efficiency of tested practices
Comments:

Similar activities are performed for structural and management measures

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

The project Sustainable Agriculture financed by the Dutch Foundations CORDAID AND NOVIB

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specify average annual rainfall (if known), in mm:

450.00

Indicate the name of the reference meteorological station considered:

Cahul

Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid

Climate is moderately continental: the summers are warm and long, with temperatures averaging about 22°C, and the winters are relatively mild and dry, with January temperatures averaging -2°C. Annual rainfall, which ranges from around 500 millimeters; long dry spells are not unusual. The heaviest rainfall occurs in summer; heavy showers and thunderstorms are common

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:
  • not relevant
Comments and further specifications on topography:

The landscape is hilly, very fragmented with a dense network of valleys. Almost 85% of the land is situated on slopes. About 60% of the land has a gradient from 2 to 6 degree, while 25% of land has an inclination exceeding 6 degrees. Water erosion processes are widespread and quite intense. The predominant length of the hillsides in Tartaul de Salcie is over 1000 m.

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)
If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Tartaul de Salcie belongs to the Pri-Danube steppe pedologic region. Clay-sandy carbonated chernozem is predominant on the territory of the village.The intensification of the erosion process leads to compaction of the upper horizons. The drainage porosity is high in the weakly and moderately eroded soils, and medium in heavily eroded soils. There is a large impact of erosion on penetrability. There is a danger of soil alkalization if irrigated

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

medium

Water quality (untreated):

poor drinking water (treatment required)

Is water salinity a problem?

Yes

Specify:

Water mineralization is high: 1 mg/l

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • low
Habitat diversity:
  • low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial
Off-farm income:
  • 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
Individuals or groups:
  • groups/ community
  • employee (company, government)
Level of mechanization:
  • animal traction
  • mechanized/ motorized
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The sources of income are agricultural crops, mainly grapes and walnuts for sale, but also vegetables for home consumption. People also have cattle and sheep in their households, mainly for own consumption and some extra for sale.|
People in the community have land plots of about 2 to 4 hectares per household - which belongs to them - and they have title deeds and land maps to prove it. The main problem relates to registration and legalization of sale or inheritance of land which is bureaucratized and expensive. The principal landowner in the village is the association of shareholders “TarSalAgro”.
Income in the area depends much on the amount of precipitation and also on market access and prices, but on the average for the last 3 years the estimated income per capita per month was 38 US dollars.

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • medium-scale
  • large-scale

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • company
  • communal/ village
Land use rights:
  • communal (organized)
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • communal (organized)
  • individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

wood production

decreased
increased

land management

hindered
simplified

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved

land use/ water rights

worsened
improved

recreational opportunities

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

The forest close to the village (22 ha) was transformed into a recreational site. A lake was built for recreation purposes. Natural springs in the forest were cleaned and arranged. Currently both the local population and the population from neighbouring villages use the forest for recreation.

community institutions

weakened
strengthened
Comments/ specify:

Improved capacities of LPA and school

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

SLM knowledge is improved not only among the local population, but also people in the from South region. Students from Comrat University visited several times to view the SLM practices in Tartaul de Salcie.

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

surface runoff

increased
decreased
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil cover

reduced
improved

soil loss

increased
decreased
Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

plant diversity

decreased
increased

beneficial species

decreased
increased

habitat diversity

decreased
increased

pest/ disease control

decreased
increased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

groundwater/ river pollution

increased
reduced

buffering/ filtering capacity

reduced
improved

wind transported sediments

increased
reduced

damage on neighbours' fields

increased
reduced
Comments regarding impact assessment:

While illegal cutting of trees still occurs, people started planting forest species of trees on all spare spaces in the village, which has improved the environment and compensates for earlier loss through tree cutting without replacement planting. |
Community cohesion has improved. People became less isolated through participation in meetings, training events, they exchange opinions more frequently and assist each other. |
Productivity is paramount, since it guarantees future income. For the soil to be productive for many years ahead, sustainable technologies were proposed and implemented. Thus, while the crops have not increased much, the replacement of mineral nutrients with manure diminished expenditures and needs. Changes included a cleaner community area and cleaner households, better use of existing resources, and more attention to hygiene.

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Comments:

Environmentally friendly rural practices implemented in Tartaul de Salcie improved soil properties, water quality, restored forests, planted forest belts, i.e. they create very good conditions for the development of agricultural biodiversity and wild biodiversity in farming landscapes. |
Environmentally friendly rural practices are one of the main sinks of carbon dioxide. Thus, they have a positively impact on climate change mitigation. |
Environmentally friendly rural practices are in harmony with nature and they positively impact on climate change adaptation.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

neutral/ balanced

Long-term returns:

positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • 1-10%
If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

The area covered is over 1000 ha

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 10-50%

6.6 Adaptation

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

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Reduce soil loss and runoff from the slopes
The project used local knowledge and people are happy that their ideas are implemented in their own village.
Almost all village the population was involved to some extent in the development and implementation of activities, and they are proud that their village has become better than others, and outsiders come and learn how to improve their own situation.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Show sincere interest in people's life and their problems. Seek expertise among wise village people and encourage them to share it. Accept people as they are and provide assistance for their growth
Teach people to save and plan. Advise them that wise investment always pays off. Teach them to invest more in things they treasure most (family, health, land, local forests, etc.).
Try out and experiment with new things on a small scale, so that failure does not affect income significantly.

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?
Difficulty to cover maintenance costs after end of project Possibility to apply for additional funding to National Environmental Fund and to motivate the private sector to cover better the respective expenses.
Lack of interest of new LPA to continue to implement the SLM practices on communal land. Awareness building workshops with farmers who implement SLM practices.
Lack of substantial difference in profit. Although there is a small difference in the short term, nevertheless the soil quality and water storage capacity will be improved, and as a result, the yields and profits will be increased in the long term.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys

10

  • compilation from reports and other existing documentation

4

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Making a Difference. Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

Available from where? Costs?

http://www.recoveryplatform.org/assets/submissions/200909020934_recovery_from_desertification.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Elena Bivol, Valentin Ciubotaru. Farmer’s Book (Cartea fermierului)/ NGO BIOS, Chisinau, 2005, 264 p. ISBN: 978-9975-9901-4-1

Available from where? Costs?

NGO BIOS. 72/3 Columna str. # 3, Chisinau, MD-2001, Republic of Moldova

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