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)

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

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:

A Diversified Cropping System (DCS) results in more resilient and intensive cropping. In this case, the cash crop of onions was introduced as an intercrop for lentils. The yield of lentils is not reduced; hence the system becomes more productive, profitable and resilient with the introduction of onions.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

In the semi-arid regions of Morocco agricultural production is increasingly unstable as consequence of changing climate, variable rainfall and more frequent extreme weather events. There is a need, where possible, to intensify agricultural systems while improving food security - and increasing the resilience of the overall system.

Cultivating lentils in cereal-based systems is common practice in rural Morocco. To intensify this cropping system, taking into account the effects of climate change, the International Centre for Agricultural Research Dry Areas (ICARDA) introduced onions into the common lentil production system. This was a part of research trials to find suitability and economic profitability of crop rotation systems. The introduction of onions as a relay intercrop within lentils has multiple benefits and advantages. Firstly, with two crops are harvested from the same piece of land, thus overall farm profit increases. Secondly, the cultivation of two crops creates a more resilient overall system because the farmer is not dependent on one single crop. Thirdly, as onions are harvested later than lentils, the soil is covered for a longer period, consequently protecting it from degradation, hence soil quality is improved. Fourthly, lentils are leguminous, fixing nitrogen in the soil, thus improving soil fertility. Lastly, the market linkage for onions is very good in Morocco because it is a commonly cultivated crop with high cultural and culinary value: indeed, onions are a cash crop.

However, the technology has potential drawbacks. Firstly, onions require supplementary irrigation if there is not enough late season rainfall. Highly efficient irrigation systems (e.g. drip) require initial investment. In this case the Moroccan government supports 80% of the investment cost for installing drip irrigation. This establishment activity is thus a one-time cost. Secondly, if planted in small plots there may be risks of free grazing livestock as well as pest and insect infestations. This can be overcome by community farming and pest control.

In 2020 and 2021, ICARDA tested this Diversified Cropping System on a trial field of half a hectare, in an area with average annual precipitation of 400 mm. DCS is implemented in the following order of activities. The field is prepared by ploughing. In December, lentils are mechanically seeded. Two rows of lentils are planted 15 cm apart. The spacing between each two-row pair is roughly 95 cm. Compound fertilizer is applied during the seeding. In January, a single spray of herbicide is applied to control grassy weeds. The field is mechanically weeded twice, in mid-January and then again in February.
Onion seedlings are raised in January. These are then transplanted in March: also in paired lines (two rows at 20 cm apart). Compound fertilizer is applied before transplanting. Each pair-row of onion seedlings is planted between two pair-rows of lentils. Because the onions are planted within an already growing crop of lentils, this form of intercropping is termed "relay planting".
The onions are manually weeded in March-April. In April, the lentils are manually harvested and mechanically threshed. Finally, in June, the onions are manually harvested.
During a period from March until May, the onions are irrigated three times. Because the irrigation is just partial, it is termed "supplementary irrigation". The average irrigation amount per event was 15 millimetres. This is done through drip irrigation.

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:

Morocco

Region/ State/ Province:

Merchouch

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

No

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2020

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research
• through projects/ external interventions

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

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• legumes and pulses - lentils
• vegetables - root vegetables (carrots, onions, beet, other)

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Is intercropping practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify which crops are intercropped:

The onions are intercropped between rows of lentils

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:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A1: Vegetation/ soil cover

vegetative measures

management measures

• M2: Change of management/ intensity level
• M4: Major change in timing of activities

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

soil erosion by wind

• Et: loss of topsoil

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

The technical drawing relates to the following quantification:
A: Spacing between a row of lentils and a row of onions = 35 centimetres
B: Spacing between two rows of lentils in the same pair = 15 centimetres
C: Spacing between two rows of onions in the same pair = 20 centimetres
D: Spacing between two rows of lentils bordering a pair of onions = 90 - 95 centimetres

Author:

Joren Verbist

Date:

09/11/2021

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):

MDH

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

8.92

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

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

The Moroccan Government

Comments:

Total costs included labour of technicians, materials etc

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

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:

• individual, not titled
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Soil

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

Scale too small to have a noticeable impacts

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

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

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

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Mina Devkota Wasti, Vinay Nangia. (13/10/2021). Diversified Cropping System: Relay Intercropping of Lentil with Quinoa (Morocco). Global: WOCAT.

URL:

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/66329 / https://qcat.wocat.net/en/summary/5967/?as=html