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

Nombre del proyecto que financió la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)

Community-based sustainable land and forest management in Afghanistan

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

FAO Afghanistan (FAO Afghanistan) - Afganistán

1.3 Condiciones referidas al uso de datos documentados mediante WOCAT

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

Sí

1.4 Declaración de la sostenibilidad de la Tecnología descrita

¿La Tecnología aquí descrita resulta problemática en relación a la degradación de la tierra, de tal forma que no puede considerársela una tecnología sostenible para el manejo de la tierra?

No

Comentarios:

No, the technology described here is not problematic with regard to land degradation. In fact, it promotes sustainable land management by enhancing soil health, preventing erosion, and supporting afforestation efforts. This technology contributes to the restoration and conservation of forest ecosystems.

2.1 Breve descripción de la Tecnología

Definición de la Tecnología:

Water exploitation is a major issue in Afghanistan, and this technology helps to irrigate an afforestation/agroforestry area (demonstration plot) using surface water (rivers) and solar-powered submersible pump. The construction of reservoirs at the demo plot site ensures efficient water storage and use for irrigation purposes without relying on groundwater. A well-designed pipe irrigation scheme is implemented to distribute water evenly across the site, supporting plant irrigation and growth.

2.2 Descripción detallada de la Tecnología

Descripción:

Water exploitation is a critical issue in Afghanistan, and the project aims to address this challenge through innovative and sustainable technology. The technology involves the use of solar panels and submersible water pumps to efficiently lift water from a nearby river to constructed reservoirs, which is then distributed by gravity with the help of a pipe system to irrigate planted saplings in the afforested and agroforestry area. For afforestation, Pinus eldarica (Afghan pine) was planted due to its adaptability and soil stabilization properties. Additionally, citrus and persimmon trees are introduced for agroforestry, combining tree cultivation with agricultural benefits. This integrated technology promotes biodiversity, soil health, and sustainable land use, making the site a model/ demonstration site for afforestation and agroforestry practices. This is a significant advancement in the local area, utilizing clean energy to promote sustainable land & forest management and environmental restoration. The project is implemented on communal land, covering 50.25 hectares of land.
The primary purpose of this technology is to create an efficient irrigation system that extracts and transports water to support afforestation and agroforestry activities. By doing so, it aims to restore forest cover, mitigate environmental challenges such as land degradation, and promote long-term ecological and socio-economic sustainability. The technology includes key components such as solar panels, water pumps (submersible), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes, water reservoirs, and saplings. Additionally, it requires labor, technical assistance, capacity-building programs, and construction materials for its establishment and maintenance.
The benefits of this technology are substantial. It has successfully irrigated previously barren land, achieving an impressive 85% survival rate for the saplings that were planted in the plot, while preventing land degradation and improving soil health. Without this technology, survival rates would drop to zero due to the arid conditions. Furthermore, the project has enhanced the capacities of local farmers/community members, enabling them to replicate and demonstrate the technology within their community. This has fostered a sense of ownership and empowerment among land users.
Land users have expressed both appreciation and concerns regarding the technology. On the positive side, they value its efficiency and reliability, as the solar panels provide a consistent water supply, especially during the hot/sunny season, leading to increased greenery and healthier trees. The cost-effectiveness of solar energy, with its low operational costs compared to traditional diesel pumps, has also been a significant advantage. Additionally, the environmentally friendly nature of the technology aligns with their desire for sustainable practices. The capacity-building programs provided by organizations like FAO have further empowered users to manage the system effectively.
However, some challenges have been noted. The initial investment costs for purchasing, installing and construction of the technology are high, making it difficult for smallholder farmers to replicate. Technical issues, such as inverter failures or battery malfunctions during extreme weather conditions (e.g., cloudy weather), can disrupt operations. Additionally, not all community members are equally informed about the technology’s benefits, highlighting the need for increased outreach and engagement efforts to ensure broader adoption and understanding.
In summary, this solar-powered irrigation technology represents a groundbreaking innovation in the area, combining clean energy with sustainable land management practices. While it has demonstrated significant environmental and agricultural benefits, addressing the challenges of initial costs, technical reliability, and community engagement will be crucial for its long-term success and scalability.

2.3 Fotografías de la Tecnología

2.4 Videos 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

Indique año de implementación:

2022

2.7 Introducción de la Tecnología

Especifique cómo se introdujo la Tecnología:

• mediante proyectos/ intervenciones externas

Comentarios (tipo de proyecto, etc.):

GEF-06 Community based Sustainable Land and Forest Management in Afghanistan

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

• mejorar la producción
• reducir, prevenir, restaurar la degradación del suelo
• adaptarse al cambio climático/ extremos climáticos y sus impactos
• crear impacto económico benéfico

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

Mezcla de tipos de uso de tierras dentro de la misma unidad de tierras: :

Sí

Especifique el uso combinado de tierras (cultivos/ pastoreo/ árboles):

• Agroforestería

3.3 ¿Cambió el uso de tierras debido a la implementación de la Tecnología?

¿Cambió el uso de tierras debido a la implementación de la Tecnología?

• Sí (Por favor responda las preguntas de abajo referidas al uso de la tierra antes de implementar la Tecnología)

Mezcla de tipos de uso de tierras dentro de la misma unidad de tierras: :

No

Comentarios:

5 decades ago the area was a forest, but due to war, smuggling and drought the area become barren land.

3.4 Provisión de agua

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

• mixta de secano – irrigada

Comentarios:

The saplings planted in the area have been supplementary irrigated. Prior to the implementation of this technology, the land was barren, and seasonal rains led to soil erosion.

3.5 Grupo MST al que pertenece la Tecnología

• manejo de plantación forestal
• cobertura de suelo/ vegetal mejorada
• tecnologías de eficiencia energética

3.6 Medidas MST que componen la Tecnología

Comentarios:

The project has successfully implemented afforestation by planting forest trees and promoting agroforestry through the cultivation of fruit trees. To improve irrigation management, the project installed a 1-inch underground pipeline system with connected taps, enabling the attachment of flexible hoses. This efficient setup ensures optimal watering of saplings while significantly reducing water waste. By implementing this approach, the project has enhanced vegetative cover and successfully planted approximately 32,000 saplings. Additionally, the project constructed 14 rotating mounting structures for solar panels, installed 134 solar panels, established pipe schemes for manual irrigation of saplings, and constructed 6 water reservoirs with different capacities. The integration of trees at optimal spacing, combined with regular cultural practices, has further supported the project's goals.

3.7 Principales tipos de degradación del suelo encarados con la Tecnología

Comentarios:

The planting pits are specially designed for planting of saplings. Additionally, farmers construct small barriers near plants (eye-brows and trenches), known as micro-catchments, to collect and retain water. It is important to note that these micro-catchments are distinct structures, separate from pits and reservoirs, and are specifically built to support water retention for plants. The enhanced vegetation cover and the establishment of micro-catchments for water collection significantly reduce soil erosion. Soil improvement and enrichment, as well as habitat enhancement, are supported through these practices. Additionally, they contribute to groundwater recharge and help control runoff.

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
• restaurar/ rehabilitar tierra severamente degradada

Comentarios:

The human-induced causes of land degradation include deforestation, overgrazing of livestock, and unsustainable agricultural practices. In response, following the implementation of a specific technology, local communities established regulations rooted in their customs and traditions to protect the site, which is quarantined for five years. These regulations prohibit herders from grazing animals, cutting trees, engaging in unsustainable agricultural practices, and uprooting bushes for fuelwood. Additionally, the community has constructed rainwater harvesting structures, such as eyebrows and trenches, across the site to address natural causes of land degradation through runoff by enhancing water infiltration. As a result, the site is now effectively protected from both human-induced and natural land degradation.

4.1 Dibujo técnico de la Tecnología

4.2 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:

• USD

4.3 Actividades de establecimiento

	Actividad	Momento (estación)
1.	Awareness and mobilization of the community	Aug-2021
2.	Survey and site selection followed by feasibility study	Sep to Oct-2021
3.	Stakeholder consultation	Aug-2021 till Sep-2022
4.	Preparation of technical design, drawings, and Bill of Quantities (BoQ).	Nov to Dec-2021
5.	Initiation of procurement process for required tools and equipment	Jan to Feb-2022
6.	Excavation and construction of water reservoirs, setting up pipe system and installation of solar panels for irrigation.	Mar to Sep-2022
7.	Capacity building of the target communities	Aug- 2021 till date
8.	Practical interventions: production or purchase of saplings, digging planting pits, transplatation and irrigation of saplings and establishment of micro-catchments	Feb to Mar-2023

Comentarios:

The awareness-raising session on Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) was successfully held to improve understanding of land and forest management practices and conservation efforts. Community members were actively mobilized to support the project, aiding in the completion of construction and installation work.

4.4 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	Unskilled labor for planting of saplings	Man/day	450,0	5,0	2250,0	100,0
Mano de obra	Skilled labor for installation of irrigation system and constuction of reservoirs	Man/day	50,0	10,0	500,0
Equipo	Water Pump 2 inch - 10HP/7500w	Number	4,0	450,0	1800,0
Equipo	Solar Panel minimum size 400W and 270W	Number	132,0	82,0	10824,0
Equipo	DC to AC Inverter 7.5-11KW	Number	4,0	450,0	1800,0
Equipo	Polyethylene Pipes 2 Inch and 1.5 Inch with all elbows, joints, connectors and valves after 30 meter for both sides to connect pipes.	Meter	4300,0	2,75	11825,0
Equipo	Rotating PV panels mounting structure (manual)	Number	28,0	270,0	7560,0
Equipo	DC and AC current wire	Meter	1800,0	2,5	4500,0
Equipo	Distribution board	Number	2,0	70,0	140,0
Equipo	Flexon 1 inch rubberize pipes	Meter	5500,0	1,4	7700,0
Material para plantas	Saplings procured & transported	Sapling	32000,0	0,775	24800,0
Material para plantas	Planting tools	lump sum	1,0	500,0	500,0	100,0
Fertilizantes y biocidas	Organic fertilizers for transplanted saplings added through community	Kg	16000,0	0,1	1600,0	100,0
Material de construcción	Ssix (6) reservoirs constructed by a construction company (cement, stone, sand excavation and etc..	lump sum	1,0	35000,0	35000,0
Otros	Patrolling, irrigating and quarantine of the site	lump sum	1,0	1000,0	1000,0	100,0
Costos totales para establecer la Tecnología					111799,0
Costos totales para establecer la Tecnología en USD					111799,0

Si el usuario de la tierra no cubrió el 100% de los costos, indique quién financió el resto del costo:

The remining cost were covered by the project.

Comentarios:

The first two 2-inch submersible pumps draw water from the river to supply the first reservoir. From there, two additional 2-inch submersible pumps transfer water from the first reservoir to the central reservoir. The water then flows to the other four reservoirs through gravity.

4.5 Actividades de establecimiento/ recurrentes

	Actividad	Momento/ frequencia
1.	Cleaning of sedimentation of reservoirs	Spring/annually
2.	Patrolling	All seasons/regular
3.	Repairing solar system & water pump (submersible)	Ad hoc /Annually
4.	Plot maintenance (Pest-diseases control, mulching, weeding,).	Spring & Automn/annually
5.	Replacement of failed saplings	Feb/two times (1st & 2nd year)
6.	Repairing micro-catchments	Spring/annually

4.6 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	Labor for cleaning of sedimentation of reservoirs	Man/day	60,0	5,0	300,0	100,0
Mano de obra	Labor for patrolling	Man/day	360,0	5,0	1800,0	100,0
Mano de obra	Labor for repairing micro-catchments	Man/day	20,0	5,0	100,0	100,0
Mano de obra	Manage the solar system operations	Man/day	360,0	2,77	997,2	100,0
Mano de obra	Labor for weeding and mulching	Man/day	30,0	5,0	150,0	100,0
Equipo	Pump submersible, PVC pipe, fittings	lumpsum	3,0	500,0	1500,0	100,0
Equipo	Shovels	lumpsum	1,0	140,0	140,0	100,0
Material para plantas	saplings	Sapling	2000,0	0,6	1200,0	100,0
Fertilizantes y biocidas	Organic fertilizers (cows dungs)	Kg	16000,0	0,1	1600,0	100,0
Indique los costos totales para mantenecer la Tecnología					7787,2
Costos totales para mantener la Tecnología en USD					7787,2

Comentarios:

The community has hired an individual to manage the solar system operations. This person is responsible for both operating the solar system for lifting water and overseeing the distribution of water for irrigation purposes among community members.

4.7 Factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

Describa los factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

All equipement is imported and of high cost.
Natural hazards, floods and windstorms will increase the costs of repairs and replacement

5.1 Clima

5.2 Topografía

Indique si la Tecnología se aplica específicamente en:

• situaciones cóncavas

5.3 Suelos

5.4 Disponibilidad y calidad de agua

¿La salinidad del agua es un problema?

No

¿Se está llevando a cabo la inundación del área? :

Sí

Frecuencia:

frecuentemente

5.5 Biodiversidad

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

5.7 Área promedio de la tierra usada 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:

• comunitaria/ aldea
• individual, con título

Derechos de uso de tierra:

• comunitarios (organizado)
• individual

Derechos de uso de agua:

• comunitarios (organizado)
• individual

¿Los derechos del uso de la tierra se basan en un sistema legal tradicional?

Sí

Especifique:

In Afghanistan, the traditional land use system involves the equitable distribution of deserts and barren land among the local residents. The decisions made by the elders are respected and adhered to by all members of the community.

5.9 Acceso a servicios e infraestructura

6.1 Impactos in situ demostrados por la Tecnología

Impactos socioeconómicos

Producción

Disponibilidad y calidad de agua

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

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	Incremento o reducción	¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
temperatura anual		incrementó	moderadamente
lluvia anual		incrementó	moderadamente
lluvia estacional	primavera	incrementó	moderadamente

Extremos (desastres) relacionados al clima

Desastres climatológicos:

	¿Cómo es que la tecnología soporta esto?
tormenta de viento	moderadamente

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

• 1-10%

De todos quienes adoptaron la Tecnología, ¿cuántos lo hicieron espontáneamente, por ej. sin recibir nada de incentivos/ materiales:

• 0-10%

Comentarios:

The community economic condition is not good. So, without receiving incentives they are not able to adopt such technology easily.

6.6 Adaptación

¿La tecnología fue modificada recientemente para adaptarse a las condiciones cambiantes?

No

6.7 Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades de la Tecnología

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra
Improved water availability with minimized fuel cost and decreased pollution as well as minimum operational cost
Opportunities/ potential for upscaling of the technology
Use of clean energy to contribute to mitigate climate change
Reduce greenhouse emission through carbon sequestration

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave
The technology is very efficient and can be adopted by land users. Also it helps in promoting clean energy and hence reducing greenhouse emission also through carbon sequestration. It contributes to adaptation tp climate change.
The area has been successfully afforested, restoring its natural beauty and original landscape.
The vegetation cover on the previously degraded land has been significantly enhanced.
This technology with its approach for implementation represents an effective solution for the restoration of degraded soils.

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?
Inadequate maintenance and repair services of the technology	Linkage to the service provider and maintenance services. National wide technology transfer
Solar water lifting relies on fully sunny days for operation, which can sometimes be a limitation, especially when weather conditions are cloudy or during periods of low sunlight. This can result in insufficient water being lifted to meet the irrigation needs of the site.	Backup charging system/battery system

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
Solar water lifting depends on sunny days for operation, which can sometimes fall short of meeting irrigation needs during cloudy periods.	Combining solar power with backup energy (like batteries or grid connection)

7.1 Métodos/ fuentes de información