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)

Decision Support for Mainstreaming and Scaling out Sustainable Land Management (GEF-FAO / DS-SLM)

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:

Cultivation of Indigofera (Indigofera tinctoria) is one of the ways to restore degraded saline lands with low agricultural potential, as well as the ability to diversify and increase the income of local communities through the production and sale of natural indigo dye, which is synthesized in the aboveground biomass of the plant

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The land and crops cultivation without useing of appropriate technologies leads to soil degradation, which creats serious barriers to the sustainable development of agricultural sector. Land degradation due to salinization affects half of the irrigated lands of Uzbekistan. Due to insufficient measures to combat salinization, the most salted areas are being withdrawn from agricultural use, and the land use type changes to abandoned lands. The productivity of low agricultural potential lands could be improved by introducing new alternative crops. Indigofera (Indigofera tinctoria) is recommended as a way to restore and improve saline degraded lands. In addition, the natural indigo dye is synthesized in its aerial parts, which is in demand on the world market. Studies in the framework of the UNESCO / ZEF project Bonn / Urgench University (Urgench State University) have shown that the Indigofer successfully grows on saline degraded lands and helps to restore their fertility. A group of scientists led by prof. A. Ergashev investigated the issues of seed production and marketing, and worked out the technology of growing Indigophera on degraded and arable lands. With the support of the project, a highly productive salt-resistant variety “Firuz-1” was created. The new variety was tested under the ADB / CACILM / SLM project and convincing results were obtained. In the conditions of Karakalpakstan, this variety produces 35 t / ha of biomass, from which about 110 kg of indigo paste can be extracted. On the European market, 1 kg of indigo powder costs about 80-240 Euros, on the domestic market - 100-130 thousand soums. The benefits are a good motivation for farmers to use this crop to restore degraded soils. Plant residues from dye extraction can be used as a “green fertilizer” rich in nitrogen.
Agricultural technology for Indigofers cultivation includes:

1. Soil flushing (1-3 thousand m3 / ha)
2. Manure application (15–20 t / ha) and amophos application 200 kg / ha
3.Plowing to a depth of 25–35 cm, microplanning and surface leveling
4. Creation of ridges (30–40 cm high with aisle - 90 cm)
5. Sowing seeds manually to a depth of 1–1.5 cm with a norm of 5.5–6 kg / ha and water supply irrigation after sowing with a norm of 300–350 m3 / ha
6. Thinning plants to a distance of 5-7 cm between plants.
7. The ammonium nitrate application (100-110 kg / ha) with a plant height of 10-15 cm
8. Protection from aphids with Cypermethrin® (1 g per 1 liter of water)
9. Weed weeding 3-4 times during the vegetation season
10. Watering 5–6 times with a norm of 450–500 m3 / ha and loosening of row-spacing during the vegetation season
For the cultivation of indigofer, no change is required in the traditional agronomic methods used in the cultivation of legumes. The cost of Indigofers cultivation is the same as for growing other legumes, except for the difference in the seeds price. Total cost amount is 980 USD / ha (2012). The averadge income from the sale of indigo pigment is about 20 thousand USD/ ha, in case indigofer is grown on degraded lands, and about 6 thousand USD/ ha, in case of arable land. Due to the ability of the culture to fix nitrogen, the soil is enriched with natural nitrogen, respectively, the need for fertilizer is reduced. The process of obtaining dye does not require special equipment, special knowledge and high costs. Farmers can acquire the necessary technology information by attending a short training course.

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

Indicate year of implementation:

2005

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 projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The Technology is being implemented through the projects aimed at promoting water-conservation technologies and alternative cash crops that will help restore saline lands in the Aral Sea basin

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

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

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

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)

Comments:

The land use was chanched. Before the Technology implementation, the land was withdrawn from agricultural use as unproductive land, due to high salinity.

3.4 Water supply

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

• full irrigation

Comments:

Number of growing seasons per year: 2
Specify: In the natural and climatic conditions of Uzbekistan, it is possible to obtain 2 harvests per year of crops with a short growing season, such as vegetables, potatoes, as well as the introduction of repeated crops after harvesting winter wheat in June. The main crops-cotton and wheat can produce only 1 crop per year.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover

• income diversification and rural employment

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

The deterioration of soil chemical properties is caused by the development of secondary salinization due to natural conditions (arid climate, difficult groundwater outflow conditions) and economic activities (inadequate drainage, inadequate irrigation regime). Outdated agricultural technology, poor crop rotation, low rates of organic fertilizers, harvesting of crop residues from fields for household purposes, etc. contributed to the soil humus decline and the deterioration of the habitat of useful soil organisms. All this led to the loss of the biological component of the soil: a decrease in the quantity and quality of soil macro-and microfauna.

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

Comments:

Restoration of degraded lands and improvement of fertility of lands with reduced agricultural productivity is provided due to the ability of indigofera to fix free nitrogen from the atmosphere on the root system, enriching the soil with it and reducing the need for fertilizers containing NO3. As a siderate, the plant helps to increase yields, while reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizers. After the extraction of the dye, the plant residues are used as compost. Indigofera can be used in erosion control and to anchor dunes.

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

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 =:

1800.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Soil flushing	February-early March
2.	Fertilizer application	Mid March
3.	Plowing	The end of March
4.	Creation of ridges	Beginning - mid-April
5.	Sowing	The end of April - beginning of May
6.	Water-supply irrigation	The beginning of May
7.	Protection from aphids	Mid May - early June; beginning of August
8.	Thinning	Mid-end of May
9.	Fertilizer application	Early mid June
10.	Watering and loosening of row spacing	Mid May - Mid August
11.	Weed weeding	Mid May - End of August
12.	Green mass collection	The end of August

Comments:

For the cultivation of Indigofer, no changes are required in the traditional agronomic methods that are usually used in the legumes cultivation.

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	Hired labor during the growing season for nursing, harvesting	USD/ha	1.0	77.0	77.0	100.0
Equipment	Use of machinery (tillage, sowing)	USD/ha	1.0	244.0	244.0	100.0
Plant material	Legumes and siderat seeds	USD/ha	1.0	316.0	316.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fertilizers: NPK	USD/ha	1.0	346.0	346.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					983.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					0.55

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

The cost of seeds paid for by the project

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Soil flushing	February-early March
2.	Fertilizer application	Mid March
3.	Plowing	The end of March
4.	Creation of ridges	Beginning - mid-April
5.	Sowing	The end of April - beginning of May
6.	Water-supply irrigation	The beginning of May
7.	Protection from aphids	Mid May - early June; beginning of August
8.	Thinning	Mid-end of May
9.	Fertilizer application	Early mid June
10.	Watering and loosening of row spacing	Mid May - Mid August
11.	Weed weeding	Mid May - End of August
12.	Green mass collection	The end of August

Comments:

Since the culture of the indigofer is annual, the activities for maintaining the Technology are no different from the activities for launching the Technology

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	Hired labor during the growing season for nursing, harvesting	USD/ha	1.0	77.0	77.0	100.0
Equipment	Use of machinery (tillage, sowing)	USD/ha	1.0	244.0	244.0	100.0
Plant material	Legumes and siderat seeds	USD/ha	1.0	316.0	316.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fertilizers: NPK	USD/ha	1.0	346.0	346.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					983.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					0.55

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of maintaining the Technology:

983.0

Comments:

Since the culture of the indigofer is annual, the activities for maintaining the Technology are no different from the activities for launching the Technology

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The highest costs relate to the use of machinery, including fuels and lubricants, the purchase of seeds

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

Yes

Specify:

Water is suitable for irrigation

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Surface waters are polluted by discharge of drainage runoff from irrigated fields

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

The main types of vegetation in the irrigated area are cultivated plants: cotton, wheat, vegetables, melons, perennial plantings of fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Traditionally, men are the main land users

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
• individual

• через ассоциации водопользователей и управления ирригационных систем

Comments:

In Uzbekistan, the land is state-owned, farmers rent land for up to 50 years; household lands are privately owned with the right to inherit, purchase and sale.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Ecological impacts

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

Indigofera cultivation poses a threat to local ecosystems through rapid growth and seed dispersal. Seeds are easily spread by humans and animals.
The risk of spread is moderately high, but more data and research are needed

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	very well
seasonal temperature	summer	increase	well
annual rainfall		decrease	well
seasonal rainfall	spring	decrease	well
seasonal rainfall	summer	decrease	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
heatwave	well
drought	well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
extended growing period	well

Comments:

The technology is well adapted to reduce rainfall, increase air temperature due to artificial irrigation.

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:

Benefits become positive in the short term. The total income from the sale of indigo pigment can reach 2,100 USD per hectare, if the Indigophera is grown on degraded lands, and 6,300 USD per hectare, if the Indigophera is grown on arable lands with reduced fertility

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 11-50%

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

• 11-50%

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
High profit from the sale of dye
Restoration of fertility of low-productive saline lands

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Double benefit: restoration / increase of fertility of degraded / low-productive lands and additional income from dye production and sale
Fast high income
Indigofera cultivation does not differ from traditional agronomic methods used in legumes cultivation, so it does not require special farmers training
Obtaining a dye extract from biomass is not a complicated process and does not require much cost.

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?
Indigofera is a new culture that is unknown to the local community; the lack of experience in dye production	Education of farmers to disseminate knowledge about innovative culture and alternative methods of cultivation, educational activities, presentations
The high cost of seeds and the lack of information for the local community about the possibility of their acquisition	State / sponsor support for seed production. High profits from the sale and own seed production will offset the initial cost of acquiring seeds

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Indigofera is a new culture that has never grown in Uzbekistan and its impact on the local flora requires further research.	Additional studies are needed to evaluate the impact of Indigofera tinctoria on local flora and natural communities.
Innovative technology unknown to a wide range of local farmers	A training center for farmers was created at Urgench State University for the awareness raising

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Cultivation of indigo culture, biotechnology of natural dye and restoration of degraded lands GEF SGP, EBRD, DRR (Japan) and UNESCO Urgench State University Khorezm Regional Representation of the Association of Farmers of the Republic of Uzbekistan Private Enterprise “Indigo Zhonibek” Training manual for farmers

Available from where? Costs?

http://www.sgp.uz

Title, author, year, ISBN:

UNESCO, 2010. Can a blue dye help save the Aral Sea? A World of SCIENCE, Vol. 8, No. 1, January–March 2010 SGP/GEF, 2009

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Manual for farmers: Cultivation of Indigo plant, biotechnology of natural dyes and
improving the soil’s ecology. Tashkent-Urgench, 2009

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Jenny, B. P. Indigo. First published by British Museum Press: London, 1998; Vol. 4, pp 89-104

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Ergashev, A., Eshchanov, R., Yakubov, G., Rakhimov, A., Turdieva, N., Turaeva, N., Urinova, H. and Matchanov, A.2014. Abiotechnology of Indigofera tinctoria L. on the Saline Land of Aral Sea Basin and Producing of the Natural Plant Indigo Pigment for the Industry. J. Chem. Chem. Eng. 8 (2014) 707-716.

URL:

www.cacilm.com