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)

Community-based sustainable land and forest management in Afghanistan

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

FAO Afghanistan (FAO Afghanistan) - Afghanistan

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

Comments:

This technology is applied with a focus on land restoration and conservation and is not problamatic with regard to land degradation.

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The Agroforestry system in Malistan district combines traditional practices with support from the Community-Based Sustainable Land and Forest Management project in Afghanistan. This initiative provides technical support, training, and resources like apple trees, fertilizers, and alfalfa seeds to establish 400 orchards (1,000 m² each). The goal is to enhance community livelihoods by reducing dependence on rangelands, helping to preserve local ecosystems.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The agroforestry system adopted in the mountainous districts of Ghazni province, particularly in Navor and Malistan district is an innovative approach that is transforming the way local farmers cultivate their land. This system integrates agricultural crops, tree cultivation, and livestock farming to maximize land productivity while promoting environmental sustainability. At the heart of the system are apple orchards, alfalfa seeds, and fertilizers, which work together to enhance food security, provide livestock feed, and improve soil fertility. Supported by modern agricultural techniques, the project includes a total of 400 orchards, each covering 1,000 square meters, helping to alleviate pressure on overgrazed rangelands while improving local livelihoods.

This agroforestry method is particularly well-suited to Ghazni’s rugged terrain, where farming communities rely heavily on livestock and rangelands for sustenance. However, the region’s dry climate, frequent overgrazing, and ongoing land degradation have made traditional farming increasingly unsustainable. By introducing apple trees and alfalfa cultivation, farmers now have an alternative source of income and animal feed while actively restoring degraded lands. Alfalfa serves as a nutrient-rich fodder for livestock, and in return, livestock manure is used as fertilizer, creating a self-sustaining agricultural cycle that enhances soil health.

Beyond its environmental benefits, this system plays a crucial role in improving livelihoods. By diversifying agricultural production, it enhances food security and generates additional income for local farmers. More importantly, it helps alleviate the burden on fragile rangelands by offering an alternative source of livestock feed, reducing overgrazing and preventing further land degradation. Through natural nutrient recycling, alfalfa provides essential fodder for livestock, while their manure replenishes soil nutrients, ensuring long-term soil fertility.

To successfully implement and maintain this system, several key activities and inputs are required. Local farmers receive specialized training and technical support to equip them with the necessary skills. Essential supplies, including apple saplings, fertilizers, and alfalfa seeds, are provided to help establish the orchards. Additionally, proper maintenance, such as irrigation, pruning, and weed control, ensures that the orchards remain productive. Soil and water conservation efforts, such as constructing contour banks and water diversion structures, further safeguard the land against erosion and water loss.
The impact of this technology extends far beyond the fields. Environmentally, it significantly reduces soil erosion, improves water retention, and restores soil health. Economically, it increases household income by boosting apple production and generating sales from alfalfa as livestock feed. Socially, it strengthens community resilience by offering a reliable source of food and income, while encouraging the adoption of sustainable farming practices.

While many farmers appreciate the system for its cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and diverse benefits, some challenges remain. Because of the duration for fruit production of apple trees are typically taking three to four years to bear fruit, patience and long-term planning is crucial. Additionally, the dry climate means that farmers must invest extra time and effort in irrigation, especially during drought periods, to ensure optimal growth and fruit yield. Despite these challenges, the agroforestry system in Malistan and Navor presents a promising solution for sustainable land management and rural development.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos 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:

2022

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The agroforestry system was introduced as an innovative, community-driven approach, offering an environmentally friendly alternative. This initiative was developed in response to the community's call for sustainable solutions that enhance livelihoods while preserving natural resources.
The agroforestry system integrates apple tree plantation with alfalfa intercropping, enhancing land productivity and sustainability by providing both fruit and forage. This technology improves livelihoods and promotes soil fertility and moisture retention for long-term environmental benefits

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• mitigate climate change and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact
• create beneficial social 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):

• Agro-pastoralism (incl. integrated crop-livestock)

Comments:

In autumn, people in the community graze their land with animals like cattle, sheep and goats. To manage and control the grazing, they use stakes and ropes to fence a specific area of land and ensure that the saplings are not damaged.
Planting of fruit trees helps to reduce pressure on rangeland grasses and shrubs to support landscape restoration.
Most land users plant apple trees and alfalfa. Some land users, who do not have animals, cultivate legumes instead of alfalfa.

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:

Yes

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

• Agro-pastoralism (incl. integrated crop-livestock)

Comments:

Most land users plant apple trees and alfalfa seeds. Some land users, who do not have animals, cultivate legume intercropping instead of alfalfa.

3.4 Water supply

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

Out of the 400 agroforestry plots, some have full water availability, while others have 80% water availability. About 10% of the agroforestry plots receive only 40% to 60% of the required water. The saplings are mainly irrigated by spring rainfall. In a few plots, additional irrigation is provided two to three times during the warm season by transporting water from the canal using animals.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• pastoralism and grazing land management
• integrated crop-livestock management
• integrated soil fertility management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Residue management of trees is used for fuel, and alfalfa is utilized as livestock fodder in winter.

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:

• reduce land degradation
• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

Comments:

This project reduced the land degradation by applying this agroforestry technology.

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 area

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Survey and site selection follow by feasibility study	December to January
2.	Procurement sapling and equipment	December and January
3.	Levelling plots, cleaning from weeds	March
4.	Designing layout	March
5.	Digging planting pits	March
6.	Planating apple saplings	spring
7.	Irrigating	April to September
8.	Training and pruning of orchard	October and Noverber

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	Labour for preparation of plots levelling, digging pits and cleaning weeds	Person/day	10.0	5.0	50.0	100.0
Labour	Labour for plantation	Person/day	5.0	8.0	40.0	100.0
Equipment	Shovel	Number	1.0	4.0	4.0	100.0
Equipment	Rope	Meter	1.0	2.0	2.0	100.0
Equipment	Hoe	Number	1.0	3.0	3.0	100.0
Equipment	Pruning scissors	Number	1.0	10.0	10.0	100.0
Equipment	Wheelbarrow	Number	1.0	1.0	1.0	100.0
Plant material	Alfalfa seeds	Kg	4.0	3.0	12.0
Plant material	Apple sapling	Number	50.0	1.0	50.0
Fertilizers and biocides	DAP	Kg	25.0	3.0	75.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Urea	Kg	25.0	1.0	25.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					272.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					272.0

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Applying manure for growth of crops and trees(refers to using organic animal waste (such as cow, horse, chicken, or sheep manure) to improve soil fertility and promote plant growth.)	in fall season
2.	Disc ploughing and harrowing	in fall season
3.	Chemical fertilizer application to crops	at the time of observing needs
4.	Pest management with chemicals	in spring season
5.	Irrigation of sapling	As per needed time
6.	Mulching trees (humus cover)refers to the practice of covering the soil around trees with organic material, such as humus, straw, leaves, wood chips, or compost.	In a hot summer and lack of water, dry year
7.	Pruning trees	in spring season
8.	Operation and maintenance	spring, summer and fall

Comments:

Inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

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	Unskilled labour	Person/day	20.0	5.0	100.0	100.0
Labour	ploughing	person/day	2.0	5.0	10.0
Labour	apply of fertilizer and manure	person/day	2.0	5.0	10.0
Labour	form pest management	person/day	3.0	5.0	15.0
Labour	planting of annual crops / perennial alfalfa	person/day	2.0	5.0	10.0
Labour	Uprooting dry sapling and replacing to fresh sapling.	Number	2.0	1.0	2.0	100.0
Equipment	Shovel	Number	1.0	3.0	3.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Organic fertilizer	M3	1.0	10.0	10.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	DAP
Fertilizers and biocides	Urea
Fertilizers and biocides	Pesticides
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					160.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					160.0

Comments:

After establishment, all responsibilities for maintenance, operations activity, care, and management belongs to land users.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Usually, the land users are farmers, and all the activities are performed by the land users. The project team provides technical support and capacity building. The most important factors affecting the cost in the project are the materials’ accessibility in the field such as saplings, chemical fertilizer, and pesticides.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

As the technology have been applied in a 400 different topography plots, some of the plots are in a flatted, gentle and hilly slop and most of the technologies are applied in flatted area.

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.

In Ghazni province, the primary soil types include Aridisols in arid regions, Entisols on slopes, Sierozems in desert areas, and fertile Alluvial soils in valleys that support agriculture. Soil pH levels in the region range from 6.33 (slightly acidic) to 8.52 (alkaline), indicating varying degrees of acidity and alkalinity. The Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), nitrogen levels, and salinity vary across these soil types, influencing agricultural productivity and land management practices. For more detailed information, including specific nutrient content and soil characteristics, resources such as the FAO’s Agro-Climatic Atlas can be consulted.

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

In years with heavy snowfall, water availability increases, and springs are replenished. Conversely, during drought years, water resources decrease significantly. From July to September, a water shortage is commonly experienced, prompting farmers to transport water from canals using animals. Additionally, some farmers rely on groundwater specifically for irrigating saplings. This seasonal variation in water supply is critical for agricultural practices in the province.

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:

• communal/ village
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)
• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• communal (organized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

The traditional system refers to a record that recognizes land ownership and is issued based on the customs and traditions of local communities. This document is not legal but is used within the community to validate ownership.

Comments:

The land in this area is privately owned, while the rangeland is government-owned and accessible for public use. However, some individuals have encroached the rangeland, converting it into agricultural land and claiming it as their own property, despite lacking legal ownership documentation.

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

Other socio-economic impacts

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Comments:

The cultivation of apple orchards and alfalfa crops is highly sensitive to both gradual climate change and climate-related extremes like floods, droughts, and temperature fluctuations. These climate impacts affect not only the crops' growth and yield but also the technologies used in managing these crops. Understanding the exposure and sensitivity of these agricultural technologies to such climate factors is crucial for farmers and land users to ensure long-term sustainability.

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:

Before the project was implemented, the land was either used for wheat cultivation or left fallow. With the introduction of the agroforestry project, tree seedlings were planted, and alfalfa was grown. In some plots, legumes were cultivated instead of alfalfa. In the first year, the production of alfalfa and legumes significantly outpaced the wheat yield, resulting in high levels of satisfaction and happiness among the local communities.

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?

• 11-50%

Comments:

In addition to the 400 gardens established through the project, local communities independently created 50 small and large gardens without any financial assistance. They purchased saplings from the market and, having previously received capacity-building training from the project team, applied agroforestry practices on plots of various sizes, tailored to their available land.

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
Integrated systems that combine apple trees with alfalfa and legumes offer several benefits. Farmers appreciated the enhanced biodiversity, which supports pest control and improves pollination, leading to healthier crops and increased yields. The intercropping of legumes is particularly valued for its role in improving soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers, and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Economically, farmers find that this system provides diversified income sources, as they can sell both fruit and forage crops, which mitigates risks associated with crop failure. Additionally, the ability to optimize land use while maintaining ecological balance is a significant advantage. This resource efficiency, coupled with the adaptability of practices to different climates and soils, enables farmers to achieve resilience against climate variability.
Furthermore, land users recognize the opportunities for community engagement and knowledge sharing to promotes agroforestry. As these systems gain popularity, farmers are increasingly accessing markets for sustainably produced goods, enhancing their profitability. With supportive policies of sustainable land management, the future of agroforestry initiatives appears promising, benefiting both the environment and local economies.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Integrated systems of apple trees intercropped with alfalfa and legumes are recognized for their multifaceted benefits. They highlight the importance of these systems in promoting sustainable agricultural practices, noting that the biodiversity fostered by agroforestry enhances pest control and supports healthier ecosystems. This ecological balance is crucial not only for soil health but also for mitigating the reliance on chemical inputs, which aligns with global sustainability goals (Nair, 2019; FAO, 2020).
Moreover, compilers emphasize the economic advantages of agroforestry. By diversifying income streams, these systems reduce financial risks for farmers and stabilize local economies. The adaptability of agroforestry practices to various climates and soil types allows for broader implementation, making it an attractive option for diverse agricultural settings (Schroth et al., 2004; Somarriba et al., 2016).
Key resource persons also note the social dimension of agroforestry, as these systems encourage community engagement and collaboration. This participatory technology fosters knowledge sharing, leading to improved agricultural practices and strengthening local capacities. With increasing support from policies advocating for sustainable land management, agroforestry initiatives are well-positioned for growth and development, contributing to both environmental health and economic resilience (Pretty, 2018; Wang et al., 2020).

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?
Initial costs and investment risks	The project team provided seedlings, fertilizers, and Alfalfa seeds at the start of the technology. Land users were responsible for carrying out physical activities such as digging holes, planting seedlings, and irrigation, which helps reduce costs and fosters a sense of ownership among the participants.
Low knowledge of the technology and skill gaps	To address educational gaps, the project’s field team conducted capacity-building programs and workshops before implementing the technology. This initiative has enabled land users to become familiar with new methods and enhance their capabilities in agroforestry
Market access and economic viability	The project team established agroforestry committees and facilitated direct market communication and improved access for land users to sell their produce. It has provided sales skills training to land users, allowing them to make more profit from their produce
4) Pest and disease management:	4) The project's field team has educated land users about common pests and diseases in the area and provided them with preventive management strategies. In case of new issues, they have been linked with the Department of Agriculture to ensure timely and effective support.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Provision of Resources and Local Engagement:	Importance of equipping land users with essential materials, such as sapling and fertilizers, to lower initial barriers and encourage participation. Enhance ownership to ensure sustainability when the project pulls out
Addressing educational gaps	Realizing that knowledge gaps could hinder the project’s success, the team implemented pre-launch training workshops. These sessions were aimed at familiarizing land users with innovative agroforestry, helping to ensure their understanding and effective implementation of new techniques.
Market connections and economic benefits	Key resource personnel highlighted the importance of establishing market access for sustainable success. By Rangeland management Association and offering training in market engagement, the project helped land users gain market literacy, empowering them to maximize income potential from their produce.
Support for pest and disease management	The project team prioritized proactive pest and disease management by training land users in common pest prevention techniques. The creation of a support network with the Department of Agriculture ensures that land users have access to timely guidance for any emerging issues, ensuring resilience and adaptability in their practices.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information