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

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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 climate-resilient irrigation scheme is one that aims to successfully cope with and manage the impacts of climate change while preventing those impacts on the scheme from growing worse. The pipes are retrofitted with new and climate-resilient technology. Such a climate-proof irrigation system is designed to better withstand extreme weather conditions.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The climate-resilient irrigation scheme in Khomshar Chiwog under Bardho Gewog (Block), Zhemgang Dzongkhag (District), was funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), UNDP-Bhutan. The 3.9 km irrigation system was designed with a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe system benefiting 150 households with a command area of 955 acres (approx. 386 ha). The total irrigation cost incurred was Nu. 18,055,180 (approx. USD 225,700) and was completed in 11 months (7 December 2020 - 7 November 2021). The irrigation scheme was officially handed over to the community on 27 August 2021, upon the formation of a water-user group (WUG).
The smart irrigation system consists of key components, viz. intake, sluice gate, silt-cum-inlet tank, flush-out valves, air release valve, water distribution points, and tail point. The intake collects and diverts the water from the source to the sluice gate. The land users were taught to maintain the intake by regularly clearing it from bushes and removing debris. The sluice gate controls the flow of the water into the tank based on the water requirement. The silt-cum-inlet tank holds the water to settle out sediments and debris before clean water flows through the pipe at a constant rate. Flush out valves clear the sediment and debris from the tank. The air release valve vents out the air trapped in the pipe and water distribution points. Water distribution points deliver water to the users, as required, up to the tail point where water is discharged.
The irrigation scheme fulfils the need for a continuous water supply for both drinking and irrigation purposes. To ensure sustainability, a WUG headed by a chairman, a secretary, and a treasurer was instituted. The WUG ensures operations, maintenance, and harmonious distribution of water. The group is also responsible for the safety of the irrigation system.
The main reason for considering such irrigation scheme as being “climate resilient” is that unlike open earthen channels, this type of irrigation scheme results in zero loss of water through evaporation and leakage, as it is a closed channel. Furthermore, being closed, it is not prone to blockages caused by landslides triggered by rainfall. There is also complete end-to-end management, i.e., management at source including the watershed, and management at tail-end.
The irrigation scheme was constructed by a private company through a contract award: community members were not involved. The irrigation scheme was also accompanied by a land development programme (bench terracing) by a separate contractor, with the prospect of transitioning to irrigated paddy cultivation in the future after adequate soil stabilization. More than 90 acres (36 ha) of fallow lands were revived. This blended approach was applied to ensure the food self-security/sufficiency of the beneficiaries.
Though at a very initial stage, the construction and operation of the irrigation scheme have brought happiness to the beneficiaries. They expressed their hope and expectation of improved crop production, stable and reliable water availability, and major fallow land reversion.

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:

2021

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The climate-resilient irrigation scheme in the community was supported by a GCF Project, which is a six-year project from 2019-2025. The project promotes climate resilient agricultural practices, integrates climate change risk data into water and land management to support smallholders, and reduce the risk and impact of climate change-induced landslides during extreme events that disrupt market access.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• mitigate climate change 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:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agroforestry

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:

The land use system has changed due to the technology introduction. About 90 acres of shrubland were converted to terraces with the use of an excavator machine, to transition to wetland cultivation in the coming years. Currently, these terraces are in the stabilization stage with the production of dryland crops.

3.4 Water supply

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

The land users depend both on the irrigation system and the rain for farming.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

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
• reduce 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 unit

other/ national currency (specify):

Nu.

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

80.0

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

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

18055180.0

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

Green Climate Fund

Comments:

The cost breakdown is not possible as the activity was carried out through a contract award. However, with the total cost of the establishment being Nu. 18,055,180 (approximately USD 225,700) with a command area of approximately 386 hectares, the amount incurred per ha of irrigable land is around USD 585.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Replacement of pipe	One time (just after the completion)

Comments:

The irrigation scheme was handed over to the community on 14 May 2022. As of now, no major maintenance activities were required except for a portion of pipe replacement (the break down occurred due to a falling boulder), and a few occasional sediment clearing.

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

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

48000.0

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

Royal Government of Bhutan (Gewog budget)

Comments:

The exclusive pipe replacement expenditure was borne by the Gewog Office. The work was allocated to the same contractor.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• concave situations

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitude: 1319 m a.s.l.

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.

Moisture content-5.41%
Organic matter-5.48 %
Organic carbon-3.18%
pH-6.25
Electrical conductivity-368.97 µs/cm
Nitrogen-0.16
Phosphorus-0.33
Potassium-80.10 mg/100ml
Soil texture-Sand Clay Loam

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

The source of the water serve for both drinking and irrigation purposes.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

The rich periphery environment, higher vegetation coverage, and evident agroforestry indicate high species and habitat diversity.

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

• Family land

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

The land use rights in Bhutan is based on a traditional legal system guided by formal land act and land rules and regulations.

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

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

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
annual rainfall		increase	very well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	very well
local thunderstorm	very well
local windstorm	very well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
extreme winter conditions	very well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
landslide	very well

Comments:

The respondents pointed out that the current rainfall pattern has changed compared to the past 10 - 15 years. Before, there used to be steady and enough rain. Now, the dry days continue for quite a long time and when rain comes, it's sudden and very heavy.

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

• > 50%

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

150

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

• 0-10%

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
Enough irrigation and drinking water compared to earlier conventional system.
Fallow land reversion is being enhanced.
Cleanliness (social hygiene) due to better water availability.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Fallow land reversion is being enhanced.

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?
Risk of source destruction due to landslide.	Shifting the current source tank to a different location.
No proper filtration at the source. Currently, a locally fabricated filter is being used.	Permanent filter is required.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The road leading to source, constructed exclusively to monitor the irrigation line is not being maintained well.	Timely road maintenance by the beneficiaries.
The source tank premise needs proper fencing to avoid casualties.	Fencing the irrigation source premises.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Formation and Training Report on Khomshar Water-User Group and the Bylaws for the Khomshar Irrigation Scheme in Bardo Gewog under Zhemgang Dzongkhag

URL:

https://www.bhutangcf.gov.bt/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Khomshar-WUA_Training-Report.pdf