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

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

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

Increased efficiency of irrigation water use to address … [Tajikistan]

Climate change impact contributes to irrigation water shortage. The approach of improving irrigation water delivery, distribution and use prevents irrigation water losses and increases the productivity per amount of irrigation water available.

• Compiler: Stefan Michel
• 01/15/2019 5:20 p.m.

Integrated farming on irrigated lands for adaptation to … [Tajikistan]

Irrigated agriculture faces challenges from climate change impact and growing competition for irrigation water. The approach to get "more crop per drop" reduces the adverse effect of these impacts and improves the income of farmers.

• Compiler: Stefan Michel
• 01/15/2019 5:13 p.m.

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Onion seeds are sown in sheeting greenhouses, where the onion seedlings are propagated. The seedlings are then replanted in the open field. This makes them less prone to extreme weather events and provides higher yield of better quality.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The technology of greenhouse propagation of onion plants and transplantation is applied in intensive, irrigation dependent agricultural systems. The technology is based on sowing of onion seeds in a sheeting greenhouse, where the seedlings grow for 45 days. Afterwards the onion seedlings are replanted in the open field. By this technology the sensitive seedlings are propagated in a protective environment making them less vulnerable to unfavorable weather conditions, like late freezing or rainstorms. Due to ongoing climate change weather conditions become less predictable and extreme events become more frequent.

The propagation of onions in the greenhouse requires substantially less seeds than traditional hand sowing in the field – 4 kg/ha onion field instead of 16-18 kg, i.e. saving 75-77%. Furthermore the propagation of onion seedlings in greenhouses with transplanting allows for a reduced input of pesticides and fertilizer compared to sowing in the field. This reduction of agrochemical input is related to the small area and favorable conditions in the greenhouse during the propagation of the seedlings.

The technology requires the preparation of the field in fall with 30 cm deep ploughing, harrowing and planning (молование). Afterwards the furrows for planting are made. Complex mineral fertilizer “NitroAmmoPhosKa” (N 16%, P2O5 16%, K2O 16%) or “DiAmmoPhosKa” (N 16%, P 16%, K 16%) in an amount of 75 kg per ha is applied before the transplanting.

The onion seeds are in mid-March sown in a sheeting greenhouse with 4 kg seeds on 100 m². Together with the seeds 3 kg “NitroAmmoPhosKa” and some dung are applied as fertilizer. After 45 days the onion seedlings have reached the stage of three real leaves and are in their optimum growth stage for replanting into the field. The seedlings in the three-leaf stage are by hand planted on the open ground of the prepared as described field.

During the growth period the seedlings are one time weeded and fertilized as follows: i) during planting 75 kg/ha “NitroAmmoPhosKa” is applied; ii) another 100 kg/ha “NitroAmmoPhosKa” is applied in form of supplementary fertilizing (подкормка). Also other fertilizer has been applied in form of supplementary fertilizing (подкормка) 400 kg/ha “Selitra”, 200 kg/ha “Ammophos” and 200 kg/ha “Karbamid (46)”. The onion has also been treated with various pesticides. The field is 10 times irrigated during the vegetation season, requiring 8000 m³ of irrigation water.

The yield on test plots was 91,300 kg/ha. The harvested onions are more homogenous in size thus better marketable than those propagated conventionally.

The benefit of the technology is the reduced amount of seeds required, reduced costs of pesticides and fertilizer. Despite the costs of materials and the effort needed to establish the greenhouse and the additional work for transplanting the seedlings, the technology provides an economic net benefit to the farmer. In testing plots the net profit of traditional onion cultivation was 76% while with greenhouse propagation and transplanting a net profit of 192% would be achieved. Greenhouse propagation also protects the seedlings from failure caused by extreme weather events, which become more frequent due to climate change, and thus reduce the risk for the farmers.

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:

Tajikistan

Region/ State/ Province:

Sughd region

Further specification of location:

J. Rasulov district

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

Comments:

So far only single farmers apply the technology.

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2016

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research
• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Demonstration plots have been established and monitored by the NGO Neksigol with support by the GIZ project.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - wheat (spring)
• fibre crops - cotton
• oilseed crops - sunflower, rapeseed, other
• vegetables - root vegetables (carrots, onions, beet, other)

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Is crop rotation practiced?

Yes

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:

• full irrigation

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds

• imoroved vegetable cultivation

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A5: Seed management, improved varieties
• A7: Others

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• not applicable

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):

TJS

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

8.0

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

We did not differentiate establishment and recurrent activities, as this is a technology to be integrated in the overall cycle of agricultural works.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Comments:

We did not differentiate establishment and recurrent activities, as this is a technology to be integrated in the overall cycle of agricultural works.

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

Comments:

We did not differentiate establishment and recurrent activities, as this is a technology to be integrated in the overall cycle of agricultural works.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Transplanting is an important additional cost factor, compared to conventional sowing. However, costs for seeds is lower despite of use of higher quality seeds of certified sorts.

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?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

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

• Water management organization

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

No

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

Other ecological impacts

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)

Meteorological disasters

Climatological 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?

• 91-100%

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