Technologies

Cultivation of Indigofera (Indigofera tinctoria) to restore marginal lands and to increase local communities incomes [Uzbekistan]

Cultivation of Indigofera (Indigofera tinctoria) to restore marginal lands and to increase local communities incomes

technologies_4035 - Uzbekistan

Completeness: 90%

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:

Rakhimov Azad

Urgench State University

Uzbekistan

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. Description of the SLM Technology

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 Due to insufficient measures to combat salinization, the most salted areas are being withdrawn from agricultural use, and the land use type changes to abandoned lands.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

General remarks regarding photos:

The photographs illustrate the dyeing culture Indigofera (Indigofera tinctoria) and the use of the natural indigo dye obtained from the biomass of the Indigofera variety Feruz-1

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

Country:

Uzbekistan

Region/ State/ Province:

Khorezm region

Further specification of location:

Educational-experimental Farm Urgentch State University and agricultural farm named after M. Kuvakova, Bagatsky District, Khorezm Region

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 0.1-1 km2
Comments:

Materials were collected from various sources, including the results of studies of UNESCO projects in Uzbekistan “Uzindigo” (2005-¬2007), UNESCO / CEF Bonn / USU (2005-2008), grant SGP GEF, UNESCO in Uzbekistan (2009)
The technology is applied on degraded areas on the lands removed from crop rotation

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. Classification of the SLM Technology

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
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.

Unproductive land

Unproductive land

Specify:

Cultivation of Indigophera (Indigofera tinctoria) on degraded saline lands

Remarks:

Indigofer is used as a natural meliorant, due to its inherent properties - the ability to grow on low-productivity lands and enrich the soil with nitrogen

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

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A1: Vegetation/ soil cover
  • A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
management measures

management measures

  • M1: Change of land use type

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
  • Cs: salinization/ alkalinization
biological degradation

biological degradation

  • Bl: loss of soil life
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. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

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Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Indigofer Feruz-1 is recommended to be grown on ridges 30–40 cm high with 90 cm spacing. 5-7 cm distance between plants is left after thinning

Author:

R. Ibrahimov

Date:

26/08/2018

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
  • per Technology unit
Specify unit:

1 ha

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

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

about 10 USD

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. 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
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

96% of the precipitation falls between October and May

Indicate the name of the reference meteorological station considered:

Urgench

Agro-climatic zone
  • arid

The vegetation period lasts 70 days

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

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):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • low (<1%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

< 5 m

Availability of surface water:

medium

Water quality (untreated):

poor drinking water (treatment required)

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

Species diversity:
  • medium
Habitat diversity:
  • medium
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

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • > 50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • mechanized/ motorized
Gender:
  • men
Age of land users:
  • middle-aged
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

  • < 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
Comments:

The average size of farms is 35-75 hectares, dekhkan and household plots - up to 0.35 hectares

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

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
Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Increase in income up to 6 thousand USD / ha

diversity of income sources

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Increased due to the production and sale of indigo dye

Ecological impacts

Soil

nutrient cycling/ recharge

decreased
increased

salinity

increased
decreased
Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Vegetation cover

decreased
increased

plant diversity

decreased
increased

invasive alien species

increased
reduced

animal diversity

decreased
increased

beneficial species

decreased
increased

pest/ disease control

decreased
increased

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)?
Short-term returns:

very positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

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

very positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

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. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • interviews with SLM specialists/ experts

3 persons

  • compilation from reports and other existing documentation
When were the data compiled (in the field)?

2016

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

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