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)

Scaling-up SLM practices by smallholder farmers (IFAD)

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

Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) - Cambodia

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:

Eggplant cultivation between lemon trees using restroom and crop residues as a source of soil nutrients instead of being reliant on the use of chemical fertilizers.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Growing short-term crops or vegetables like eggplants and other crops between long-term crops belongs to the category of intercropping system. In case the farmer plants trees like lemon trees as long-term crop it can further be declared as agroforestry system. One important reason why farmers grow both, long-term and short-term crops on the same plot is to optimize the use of land resources. Another reason is that the short-term crops offer the opportunity to generate income to the farmers long before the long-term crop is productive.

These were also among the main reasons why Mr. Sokhom Oem from Svay sa village, Khnach romeas commune, Bavel district, Battambang province (the north-western province of Cambodia). He changed from mono-cropping to the intercropping system in 2016. His farm is connected to very deep alluvial soils (pH=5) with high topsoil organic matter and medium soil texture. The average annual rainfall in the region is 1100 mm. On a flat plot of 325.5 square meters (18.3 x 45 meters), he planted 10 lines of lemon trees (4 lemon trees per line). The space between each lemon tree is 4.5 x 4.5 meters. On his first year in December, after plowing and drying the soil, he planted eggplants at a distance of 80 to 100 cm on 40 rows between the lemon trees (16 plants per row = 640 plants). The reason why many farmers potentially prefer eggplants as an intercrop is that it can be grown as a yearlong crop that provides an initial fruit harvest only after one month of planting. After first harvest they continue to bear fruit during the whole year long. A fact that is very appreciated by the farmer, as this kind of plant does not require lots of work. Nevertheless, the productivity of the intercropped eggplant depends on its maintenance. Old leaves need to be removed when the plant has few flowers (General Directorate of Agriculture, 2012). After the eggplant cultivation the farmer can change to other intercrop vegetable if he likes. Lemon trees, on the other hand, can take up to three years before they produce fruit for harvest, after which they can be harvested continuously during 8 to 10 years. Sometimes trees can provide fruit during the whole year, but their productivity depends on sufficient water supply during the period from flowering to harvest. All in all, while waiting for full lemon yield the eggplants are an early and secure source of income. A further advantage to be mentioned is that eggplants improve the soil cover that protects from weed growing and in consequence eases the land management.

Besides the optimal use of the land, this technology also maintains and improves soil quality through the use of toilet residues. Only well decomposed liquid toilet waste (without a strong smell) is used in the form of a mixture of urine and feces which is drained from the septic tank. The application of this organic waste is based on the application of between 300-400 mm per lemon tree, after which normal watering is practiced. This liquid toilet waste is applied again when an intercrop like eggplants are producing less harvestable fruit. The intercrop plant residues are also kept as soil cover between the lemon trees, to provide more organic instead of using chemical fertilizer. The intercrop residues also help maintain the soil moisture content.

At some time after the initial adoption of this intercropping technology including the use of organic residues, land users understand the need for maintenance rather than anticipating ongoing long-term benefits after the immediate benefits. For example, the watering of the intercropped eggplants and of the lemon trees needs to be maintained in order to maintain their productivity. It is noted that farmers are able to achieve better and more sustainable incomes from the intercropping when compared with their previous practice of single cropping with corn or in the case of this study site sugar cane.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos 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

Indicate year of implementation:

2016

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:

• through land users' innovation

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Purpose was to generated higher incomes and reduce expenditures for fertilizers or plastic mulch.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• create beneficial economic impact

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:

Main products/ services: Eggplants and lemon trees
He will rotate to other crops after eggplants between lemon trees.

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:

No

Comments:

Before the land was cultivated by sugar cane (mono-cropping)

3.4 Water supply

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

Using water from well

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• agroforestry
• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• integrated soil fertility management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent 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 area

other/ national currency (specify):

KHR (Riel)

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

4000.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Plow and sundry the soil	October
2.	Lemon trees propagation (marcotting)	October
3.	Lemon tree plantation	November

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	Plow and sundry the soil	person-day	6.0	20000.0	120000.0	100.0
Labour	Lemon tree propagation (marcotting)	person-day	1.0	20000.0	20000.0	100.0
Labour	Dig the hole for lemon tree planting	person-day	1.0	20000.0	20000.0	100.0
Equipment	Drilled well (motor pump included)	set	1.0	750000.0	750000.0	100.0
Equipment	Hoe	piece	2.0	20000.0	40000.0	100.0
Equipment	Spade	piece	1.0	15000.0	15000.0	100.0
Equipment	Two handle basket (to carry the soil)	pair	1.0	15000.0	15000.0	100.0
Plant material	Lemon tree	tree	36.0	5000.0	180000.0	100.0
Plant material	Eggplant seeds	package	2.0	50000.0	100000.0	100.0
Construction material	Watering tank	pair	2.0	25000.0	50000.0	100.0
Construction material	Pipe	meter	40.0	12000.0	480000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					1790000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					447.5

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Eggplant nursery	November
2.	Plow and sundry the soil	December
3.	Eggplant plantation	December
4.	Watering lemon trees	Watering only in dry season
5.	Spraying botanical pesticide	Applied when insects appeared
6.	Application of restroom residues ( on ground of lemon trees)	2 times/ year
7.	Watering the crops	Watering a times/3 days to 7 days
8.	Application of restroom residue (eggplants)	When fruit is reduced or leaves appear unusual signs as yellow leaves
9.	Application of pesticide to the eggplants	2 times/ week

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	Eggplant nursery and plantation	person-day	2.5	20000.0	50000.0	100.0
Labour	Watering lemon trees	person-day	26.0	20000.0	520000.0	100.0
Labour	Pesticide spraying	person-day	78.75	20000.0	1575000.0	100.0
Labour	Application of fertilizer	person-day	3.0	20000.0	60000.0	100.0
Plant material	Eggplant seeds	package	2.0	50000.0	100000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Pesticide (worm)	bottle	2.0	25000.0	50000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Pesticide (vegetable louse)	bottle	2.0	25000.0	50000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					2405000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					601.25

Comments:

Eggplants can be harvested after 1,5 months and provide further yield during the next 12 month, if the maintenance is good.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The organical pesticide application to the eggplants is most cost-relevant.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

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.

Alluvial soil with pH= 5.

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

N/A

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The farmer is 53 years old.

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:

• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

Comments:

The land user has a well for personal use.

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

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

There was no considerable off-site effect detected.

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
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	increase	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	very well

Biological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
epidemic diseases	moderately

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

• single cases/ experimental

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

• 91-100%

Comments:

No other family wants to apply this technology.

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
Continued profitability of the land from the diversification of crops being grown.
It is easy to take care of the crops and the lemon trees also benefit from the labour input from watering the eggplants, as the water applied also helps to meet the needs of the lemon trees.
The technology is also adaptive to a strong sunlight and heat.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Improves the soil nutrient level and availability based on the crop rotation and the use of restroom residues.
Reduces the cost of chemical fertilizers and other inputs.
Maintains soil moisture and reduces labor input required for watering and/or weeding.
The use of cover crops reduces potential weed competition.

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?
Some problems with disease and insects	Application of appropriate and technically recommended pesticide.
Lack of natural pesticide techniques for prevention and control insects.	Seek support in the form of instructions and/or short-term training.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

General Directorate of Agriculture (2012) Vegetable techniques. (In Khmer)

URL:

Retrieved on Aug 2017 from https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B41jxuufJz2-Y1c1bHpNb2ZpMm8/view

Title/ description:

My Agriculture Information Bank (2015) Inter Cropping and Its Advantages. My Agriculture Information Bank. Retrieved on July 25 2017 from

URL:

http://www.agriinfo.in/?page=topic&superid=1&topicid=492