1.2 Detalles de contacto de las personas de referencia e instituciones involucradas en la evaluación y la documentación de la Tecnología

Nombre de la(s) institución(es) que facilitaron la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)

EEZA-CSIC (EEZA-CSIC) - España

Nombre de la(s) institución(es) que facilitaron la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)

Consejería de Agricultura y Agua Murcia (CARM) - España

Nombre de la(s) institución(es) que facilitaron la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)

Alimentos del mediterráneo (ALIMER) - España

Nombre de la(s) institución(es) que facilitaron la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)

COATO - España

Nombre de la(s) institución(es) que facilitaron la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)

Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAC-CSIC) - España

1.3 Condiciones referidas al uso de datos documentados mediante WOCAT

¿Cuándo se compilaron los datos (en el campo)?

04/07/2011

El compilador y la/s persona(s) de referencia claves aceptan las condiciones acerca del uso de los datos documentados mediante WOCAT:

Sí

2.1 Breve descripción de la Tecnología

Definición de la Tecnología:

Ecological production of almonds and olives under dryland conditions using green manure to increase soil fertility, to protect against soil erosion and to obtain a high-value product.

2.2 Descripción detallada de la Tecnología

Descripción:

Ecological agriculture is a strictly controlled production system that does not use synthetic chemical products like fertilizers, insecticides or pesticides. Also genetically modified organisms and materials are not used. Green manure or low quantities of organic fertilizers, preferably from dung (sheep, goat, cow, chicken), are used to increase and maintain soil fertility. Green manure is provided by seeding a mixture of leguminous nitrogen-fixing species and cereals in autumn (October) and incorporating this into the soil with tillage in springtime (May). To optimize the fertilizer effect, there is still scientific discussion on the need for mowing the green manure and letting it dry for several days before it is ploughed into the soil. For this system, no ploughing is performed in winter, which reduces fuel use and emission of greenhouse gases. In addition to its fertilising effect, green manure provides a continuous surface cover during winter time protecting the soil from erosion. The products grown under this ecological system command a higher market price than those grown under conventional production schemes.

Purpose of the Technology: The aim of ecological agriculture is to protect biodiversity and the environment and maintain or improve soil fertility and reduce soil, water, and air pollution. Under ecological agriculture and by using green manure, soil cover, soil organic matter, and soil biological activity will increase, which positively affects soil structure, soil fertility and soil water infiltration capacity. This reduces the sensitivity of the soil to surface crusting and it reduces surface runoff and soil erosion by up to 60%. Workload and energy use are up to 50% lower than under conventional agriculture, and benefits may increase around 40% due to higher yields. Moreover, a higher market price of ecologically produced almonds and olives will lead to increased farm income. This better economic return discourages land abandonment of marginal lands with low productivities under conventional farming. Ecological almonds and olives production does not require special establishment activities or investments in specialized equipment.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Infestations by, for example, insects and caterpillars are treated twice yearly by degradable products based on copper salts (Oxicloruro, max 3‰ solution) and mineral oils in winter, or the spores and proteins produced by the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis or based on natural pyrethrins (from the Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium; max 1.5 l/ha) in springtime. In ecological agriculture, farmers are obliged to take advice and instructions regarding plague control and fertilizer use from technicians specialized in ecological agriculture.

Natural / human environment: Soils mostly have a shallow to medium depth (between 20-60 cm), and slopes are gentle to moderate (between 5 and 15%). The climate is semi-arid with a mean annual rainfall around 300 mm. Droughts, in summer, commonly last for more than 4-5 months. Annual potential evapotranspiration rates larger than 1000 mm are common. The production system is highly mechanised and market-oriented but depends strongly on agricultural subsidies. All cropland is privately owned.

2.3 Fotografías de la Tecnología

2.5 País/ región/ lugares donde la Tecnología fue aplicada y que se hallan comprendidos por esta evaluación

2.6 Fecha de la implementación

Si no se conoce el año preciso, indique la fecha aproximada:

• hace menos de 10 años (recientemente)

2.7 Introducción de la Tecnología

Especifique cómo se introdujo la Tecnología:

• mediante proyectos/ intervenciones externas

Comentarios (tipo de proyecto, etc.):

Ecological agriculture is strongly stimulated by regional government through subsidies in last 8 years.

3.2 Tipo(s) actuales de uso de la tierra donde se aplica la Tecnología

Comentarios:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): A lack of water availability seriously limits the production potential of the soil and results in a low vegetation/crop cover. The relatively high soil erosion rates cause various off-site related problems (i.e. flooding, reservoir siltation) and on-site problems (i.e. gully formation and reduced soil depth).

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): There is a lack of water for irrigation of crops limiting the crop types that can be planted as well as the crop yield of dryland farming.

Livestock is grazing on crop residues

3.3 Información adicional sobre el uso de tierras

Provisión de agua para la tierra donde se aplica la Tecnología:

• de secano

Número de temporadas de cultivo por año:

• 1

Especifique:

Longest growing period in days: 220Longest growing period from month to month: Nov - Jun

3.4 Grupo MST al que pertenece la Tecnología

• manejo integrado de la fertilidad del suelo

3.5 Difusión de la Tecnología

Especifique la difusión de la Tecnología:

• distribuida parejamente sobre un área

Si la tecnología se halla difundida homogéneamente en un área, indique el área aproximada que cubre:

• 10-100 km2

Comentarios:

Ecological agriculture is rapidly increasing in the area and strongly stimulated by subsidies.

3.6 Medidas MST que componen la Tecnología

Comentarios:

Main measures: agronomic measures

Secondary measures: management measures

Type of agronomic measures: green manure

3.7 Principales tipos de degradación del suelo encarados con la Tecnología

Comentarios:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wo: offsite degradation effects, Cp: soil pollution, Hq: decline of groundwater quality

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Bl: loss of soil life, Bp: increase of pests / diseases, loss of predators, Hp: decline of surface water quality

Main causes of degradation: soil management (Excessive use of pesticides and herbicides), crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (Excessive use of pesticides and herbicides), education, access to knowledge and support services (lack of knowledge of off site effects for contamination)

3.8 Prevención, reducción o restauración de la degradación del suelo

Especifique la meta de la Tecnología con relación a la degradación de la tierra:

• prevenir la degradación del suelo
• reducir la degradación del suelo

Comentarios:

Main goals: prevention of land degradation, mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4.1 Dibujo técnico de la Tecnología

4.2 Especificaciones técnicas/ explicaciones del dibujo técnico

Mixture of barley and vetch (Vicia sativa) seeds used for seeding green manure.

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high (High level of knowledge of possibilities and limitations of fertilizer use and plague control is needed.)

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate (Moderate level of knowledge of fertilizer use and plague control.)

Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard, improvement of ground cover, increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…)

Secondary technical functions: improvement of surface structure (crusting, sealing), improvement of topsoil structure (compaction), improvement of subsoil structure (hardpan), increase in organic matter, increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, improvement of water quality, buffering / filtering water

Green manure
Material/ species: seed
Quantity/ density: 195 kg/ha
Remarks: Mixture of Vicia (65kg) and Avena (130kg)

Other type of management: Ecological farming: Absence of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides

4.3 Información general sobre el cálculo de insumos y costos

otra / moneda nacional (especifique):

EURO

Indique la tasa de cambio de USD a la moneda local (si fuese relevante): 1 USD =:

0,63

4.5 Costos e insumos necesarios para el establecimiento

Comentarios:

Duration of establishment phase: 1 month(s)

4.6 Actividades de establecimiento/ recurrentes

	Actividad	Tipo de medida	Momento/ frequencia
1.	seeding green manure	Agronómicas	autumn (October)
2.	ploughing green manure	Agronómicas	spring (May)
3.	organic fertilizer of cow dung (optional)	Manejo	spring
4.	ecological treatment against plagues days	Manejo	winter and april

4.7 Costos e insumos necesarios para actividades de mantenimiento/ recurrentes (por año)

	Especifique insumo	Unidad	Cantidad	Costos por unidad	Costos totales por insumo	% de los costos cubiertos por los usuarios de las tierras
Mano de obra	Labour	ha	1,0	25,0	25,0	37,0
Equipo	Machine use	ha	1,0	72,0	72,0	37,0
Material para plantas	Seeds	ha	1,0	96,0	96,0	37,0
Fertilizantes y biocidas	Fertilizer	ha	1,0	79,0	79,0	37,0
Fertilizantes y biocidas	Biocides	ha	1,0	159,0	159,0	37,0
Indique los costos totales para mantenecer la Tecnología					431,0

Comentarios:

Machinery/ tools: tractor with seeding machinery, tractor

Cow dung costs approximately US $350 per tonne and will therefore increase the costs significantly if applied. The costs are calculated assuming the application of green manure, ecological pesticides and organic fertilizer. However, many farmers decide not to use organic fertilizer because of their high costs. As part of the Rural Development Programme (QASPA01), ecological agriculture receives a subsidy of 476 US $ per ha during the first 3 years of production, after which the subsidy is reduced to 380 US $ per ha. Prices are for spring 2008.

4.8 Factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

Describa los factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

Fuel price, ecological pesticides and organic fertilizer are the most determining factors affecting the costs.

5.1 Clima

5.2 Topografía

Indique si la Tecnología se aplica específicamente en:

• no relevante

Comentarios y especificaciones adicionales sobre topografía :

Landforms: plateau / plains, hill slopes, footslopes, valley floors

5.3 Suelos

Si se halla disponible, adjunte una descripción completa de los suelos o especifique la información disponible, por ej., tipo de suelo, pH/ acidez de suelo, capacidad de intercambio catiónico, nitrógeno, salinidad, etc. :

Soil fertility is low
Soil drainage/infiltration is poor/none
Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.4 Disponibilidad y calidad de agua

Comentarios y especificaciones adicionales sobre calidad y cantidad de agua:

Ground water table: >50m (there is a lowering of groundwater table due to overexploitation for irrigation purposes)
Availability of surface water:S Poor/none. Sporadically there are flash floods during extreme rainfall events
Water quality (untreated): For agricultural use only (irrigation) (groundwater from aquifers)

5.5 Biodiversidad

5.6 Las características de los usuarios de la tierra que aplican la Tecnología

Indique otras características relevantes de los usuarios de las tierras:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users
Difference in the involvement of women and men: Traditionally most agriculture is done by men in this region.
Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 3% - 4%
15% of the land users are rich and own 20% of the land.
80% of the land users are average wealthy and own 75% of the land.
5% of the land users are poor and own 5% of the land.
Off-farm income specification: There is no difference in the ones who apply the technology and those who don’t. Most farmers do have an off-farm income for example from hunting, work in a factory, office or from animal farming (pigs, rabbits).
Market orienation: Commercial/market and mixed (subsistence and commercial) (some farmers are weekend or hobby farmers and not market oriented)

5.7 Área promedio de la tierra que pertenece a o es arrendada por usuarios de tierra que aplican la Tecnología

5.8 Tenencia de tierra, uso de tierra y derechos de uso de agua

Tenencia de tierra:

• individual, con título

Derechos de uso de tierra:

• individual

Derechos de uso de agua:

• individual

Comentarios:

All cropland is privately owned. Water use is organised by permits to water extraction from aquifers on individual basis. Water rights are provided and controlled by the Water authority of the segura river basin (CHS).

5.9 Acceso a servicios e infraestructura

6.1 Impactos in situ demostrados por la Tecnología

Impactos socioeconómicos

Producción

Ingreso y costos

Impactos socioculturales

Impactos ecológicos

Ciclo de agua/ escurrimiento de sedimento

Suelo

Biodiversidad: vegetación, animales

Reducción de riesgos de desastres y riesgos climáticos

Otros impactos ecológicos

6.2 Impactos fuera del sitio demostrados por la Tecnología

6.3 Exposición y sensibilidad de la Tecnología al cambio climático gradual y a extremos relacionados al clima/ desastres (desde la percepción de los usuarios de tierras)

Cambio climático gradual

Cambio climático gradual

	Estación	tipo de cambios climáticos/ climas extremos	¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
temperatura anual		incrementó	bien

Extremos (desastres) relacionados al clima

Desastres climatológicos:

	¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
tormenta de lluvia local	bien
tormenta de viento	bien

Desastres climatológicos

	¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
sequía	no muy bien

Desastres hidrológicos

	¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
inundación general (río)	bien

Otras consecuencias relacionadas al clima

Otras consecuencias relacionadas al clima

	¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
periodo reducido de crecimiento	bien

Comentarios:

The crop type is sensitive to changes in water availability under the semi arid conditions.

6.4 Análisis costo-beneficio

¿Cómo se comparan los beneficios con los costos de establecimiento (desde la perspectiva de los usuarios de tierra)?

¿Cómo se comparan los beneficios con los costos de mantenimiento/ recurrentes (desde la perspectiva de los usuarios de tierra)?

Comentarios:

First years require some adaptation, but after 1-2 years the higher market price and crop yield will generate a slightly higher income.

6.5 Adopción de la Tecnología

De todos quienes adoptaron la Tecnología, ¿cuántos lo hicieron espontáneamente, es decir, sin recibir incentivos/ pagos materiales?

• 0-10%

Comentarios:

95% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: The majority is convinced by the subsidies provided for ecological agriculture

5% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: There is a limited number of farmers that started already before the existence of subsidies.

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Spontaneous, but strongly driven by available subsidies.

6.7 Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades de la Tecnología

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra
High quality products with a good market price are produced How can they be sustained / enhanced? Costs of pest control should fall

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave
Ecological agriculture and green manure have a very positive effect on soil quality, biodiversity and reduction of runoff and erosion How can they be sustained / enhanced? Reduced costs related to pest control
High quality products of ecological agriculture provide a good impression and an attractive product How can they be sustained / enhanced? Better marketing of eco-almond and olives

6.8 Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos de la Tecnología y formas de sobreponerse a ellos

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
Application of green manure is competition for water for the crop.	Plough away the green cover on time in spring before competition becomes important. Moreover, provide demonstrations on the effects of green manure on competition and crop productivity by additional nitrogen input.

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
Application of organic fertilizers and ecological pest control is relatively expensive and depend on subsidies especially in the first few years of implementation	Look for cheaper methods and combine possibly with other techniques such as reduced tillage to further reduce the costs. After several years, normally less pest control is required due to increased natural control and ecosystem integrity.

7.3 Vínculos a la información relevante disponible en línea

Título/ descripción:

Online shop for fertilizers and pesticides allowed in ecological agriculture.

URL:

http://www.ecotenda.net/info/

Título/ descripción:

Centro de Formación de la Asociación CAAE 2006 El cultivo del almendro en producción ecológica 15pp.

URL:

http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/agriculturaypesca/portal/www/portal/com/bin/portal/DGAEcologica/LA_DGAE/plancolumela3/almendro.pdf

Título/ descripción:

CARM 2008. Programa de Desarrollo Rural de la Región de Murcia 2007-2013 Tomo II. Calculo de primas de las medidas eje 2 208pp.

URL:

http://www.carm.es/neweb2/servlet/integra.servlets.ControlPublico?IDCONTENIDO=4689&IDTIPO=100&RASTRO=c431$m1219

Título/ descripción:

CARM 2008. Programa de Desarrollo Rural de la Región de Murcia 2007-2013 Tomo I. 508pp.

URL:

http://www.carm.es/neweb2/servlet/integra.servlets.ControlPublico?IDCONTENIDO=4689&IDTIPO=100&RASTRO=c431$m1219

Título/ descripción:

Regional advisory board on ecological agriculture:

URL:

http://www.caermurcia.com

Título/ descripción:

Greenpeace, 2007. El negocio del agua en la cuenca del Segura, Greenpeace.

URL:

www.greenpeace.es