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)

ICIMOD International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) - Nepal

1.3 Condiciones referidas al uso de datos documentados mediante WOCAT

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

01/03/2013

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:

Plastic film technology, sometimes called plastic mulching, is an important breakthrough that can transform traditional agriculture into modern agriculture by helping to circumvent many of the limitations of temperature and moisture. Plastic film is used to cover the surface of the soil in order to increase the temperature, to retain moisture, and to promote the germination of seeds.

2.2 Descripción detallada de la Tecnología

Descripción:

Agricultural production by traditional methods is constrained by extremes in temperature and by extremes in the availability of water; freezing temperatures as well as droughts and waterlogging have long daunted farmers. When plastic film is used on the soil, the solar energy absorbed by the soil during the day is retained at night since the plastic film prevents water from evaporating. Higher night time temperatures and higher levels of moisture in the ground promote active micro-organisms, which diminish the need for fertilizer and improve the physical properties of the soil.

Purpose of the Technology: Plastic film can be used in one of two ways. In the first method, the plastic film is spread on ridges of soil, the plastic is perforated at regular intervals, and the seedlings are planted through these openings. In the other method, seeds are planted on the ridges as in the traditional method, and when the seedlings have grown to a reasonable size, the ridge is covered by a plastic film and holes are cut at the position of the seedlings to allow them to pass through the film. Depending on the condition of the film after the crops are harvested, the covered ridges can be used to grow another crop.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Experiments at ICIMOD show that the use of plastic film can, on average, double the crop yield as compared to traditional methods. Previous studies by Lu Rongsen (1994) showed that the plastic film method can increase chilli production by 74%, tomato production by 52%, and the production of garden peas by 31%.

2.3 Fotografías de la Tecnología

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

2.7 Introducción de la Tecnología

Especifique cómo se introdujo la Tecnología:

• durante experimentos/ investigación

3.1 Propósito(s) principal(es) de la Tecnología MST

• mejorar la producción

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

Comentarios:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Farmers have traditionally used mulching to retain moisture in the soil and to help plants withstand ground frost. Mulching is useful but has many limitations. Recently, plastic film technology has been successfully introduced to help retain moisture in the soil and to promote seed germination. Since moisture is retained, the temperature of the soil does not drop as low as it would otherwise; this accelerates the growth and the development of both the roots and the whole plant, resulting in good crops and high yields.

Forest products and services: fuelwood

Other forest products and services: Fodder

Constraints of Scrubland

3.3 Información adicional sobre el uso de tierras

Número de temporadas de cultivo por año:

• 2

3.4 Grupo MST al que pertenece la Tecnología

• cobertura de suelo/ vegetal mejorada

3.5 Difusión de la Tecnología

Especifique la difusión de la Tecnología:

• distribuida parejamente sobre un área

Comentarios:

It was done in demonstration plote

3.6 Medidas MST que componen la Tecnología

3.7 Principales tipos de degradación del suelo encarados con la Tecnología

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:

• reducir la degradación del suelo

4.1 Dibujo técnico de la Tecnología

4.2 Especificaciones técnicas/ explicaciones del dibujo técnico

The diagram shows a cross-section of a ridge planted using plastic film technology. The plants grow through holes punched in the plastic. The plastic helps to retain moisture in the soil and, in so doing, also helps to increase the soil temperature. Weeds trapped below the plastic are inhibited from interfering with the crop.
The ridges (or beds) are typically 20 m long, 1 m wide and spaced 1 m apart (for access); they are usually 10–20 cm high. The distances shown in the diagram are averages for crops such as chillies where the row-to-row distance is 50–70 cm and the plant-to plant distance is 40–50 cm. These distances vary according to the crop.

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: Increase the temperature of the soil and promote seed germination and emergence, Retain soil moisture and reduce soil erosion

Secondary technical functions: Accelerates the growth and development of roots and plants in areas where the temperature is low dur, Hastens maturation of crops and increase yield and promote good quality crop

Change of land use practices / intensity level

4.3 Información general sobre el cálculo de insumos y costos

Especifique cómo se calcularon los costos e insumos:

• por área de Tecnología

Especifique la moneda usada para calcular costos:

• dólares americanos

4.4 Actividades de establecimiento

	Actividad	Tipo de medida	Momento
1.	The plot of land to be planted is prepared by first fertilizing it with a mixture of soil, compost, and/or farmyard manure. The soil is gathered into parallel ridges, typically 20 m long, 1 m wide, and 10–20 cm high; the distance between two ridges is usually 40–50 cm. For many crops the seedlings are spaced 50–70 cm apart.	Manejo
2.	Method #1 Plastic film (approx. thickness 0.014–0.003 mm) is used to cover the ridges and anchored into the ground. Round holes are punched in the film at regular intervals. Some soil is excavated through the holes and the seedlings are planted through the holes and thoroughly watered. The holes in the plastic are sealed using soil.	Manejo
3.	Method#2 Seeds are sown on the ridges and seedlings are allowed to develop. The ridge is covered in plastic film and the film is anchored. Holes are punched into the plastic at the position of the seedlings so that they pass through.	Manejo
4.	For either method, when the crops are harvested all residue should be removed. Depending on local conditions and on whether the plastic film is still viable, the plastic covered ridges can be reused to grow another crop without replacing the film.	Manejo

4.5 Costos e insumos necesarios para el establecimiento

	Especifique insumo	Unidad	Cantidad	Costos por unidad	Costos totales por insumo	% de los costos cubiertos por los usuarios de las tierras
Mano de obra	Preparing land plot	persons/day/ha	80,0	3,875	310,0
Equipo	Spade, secateurs	ha	1,0	10,0	10,0
Equipo	Plastic film	kg/ha	48,0	1,0	48,0
Material para plantas	Seedlings	ha	1,0	250,0	250,0
Costos totales para establecer la Tecnología					618,0

4.6 Actividades de establecimiento/ recurrentes

	Actividad	Tipo de medida	Momento/ frequencia
1.	Provide crop support such as staking and removal of excess leaves as required	Manejo

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	Support the crops	persons/day/ha	30,0	3,6668	110,0
Equipo	Bamboo poles	ha	1,0	20,0	20,0
Indique los costos totales para mantenecer la Tecnología					130,0

4.8 Factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

Describa los factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

This was a demonstration project conducted by ICIMOD.

All costs and amounts are rough estimates by the technicians and authors.

5.1 Clima

5.2 Topografía

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 medium

Soil drainage / infiltration is medium

Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.4 Disponibilidad y calidad de agua

Comentarios y especificaciones adicionales sobre calidad y cantidad de agua:

Water quality (untreated): Also for agricultural use (irrigation)

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:

Population density: < 10 persons/km2

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:

• estado

Derechos de uso de tierra:

• comunitarios (organizado)
• individual

Derechos de uso de agua:

• individual

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

Suelo

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)

Otras consecuencias relacionadas al clima

Otras consecuencias relacionadas al clima

	¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
long spell of low temperature, frost and snowfall	bien

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)?

6.5 Adopción de la Tecnología

• casos individuales / experimentales

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

• 0-10%

Comentarios:

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Acceptance/adoption:
This demonstration of plastic film technology was used mainly to show that it is viable both in the mid-hills and at higher elevations where temperatures can be very low during the winter season. Plastic film technology can be used to cultivate high-value horticultural crops such as vegetables, strawberries, and melons. In China, it has been successfully used to cultivate more than 80 species (Lu Rongsen 1994).

Driver for adoption:
Improved income for farmers and less time is spent weeding. Greater awareness among farmers is being spread through participatory research and development in rural areas.

Constraints
Plastic film is not always available in rural areas

6.7 Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades de la Tecnología

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave
Plastic film technology can increase the yield of some crops by as much as 100% as compared to conventional farming. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Since this technology is still relatively new, it will be necessary to continue sharing experiences and to promote awareness.
Plastic film technology can be used to grow crops in hilly areas where the long winter season is usually too cold to support crops. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Need to create greater awareness of the benefits of using plastic film technology in mountain areas

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

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
As farmers begin to use plastic film technology more plastic is being discarded in rural areas.	Plastic film needs to be retrieved and recycled. In China it has been shown that this is possible.
Discarded plastic film can pollute agricultural lands	Farmers need to be made aware of hazards and encouraged to form networks for collection and recycling the used plastic.

7.2 Vínculos a las publicaciones disponibles

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

The application of plastic film technology in China: Plastic film technology data collected and analyzed in ICIMOD D&T Centre, Godavari. Kathmandu, Nepal: ICIMOD, Rongsen, L (1994)