1.2 Coordonnées des personnes-ressources et des institutions impliquées dans l'évaluation et la documentation de la Technologie

Nom du projet qui a facilité la documentation/ l'évaluation de la Technologie (si pertinent)

Potential and limitations for improved natural resource management (NRM) in mountain communities in the Rustaq district, Afghanistan (Rustaq NRM Study)

Nom du projet qui a facilité la documentation/ l'évaluation de la Technologie (si pertinent)

Livelihood Improvement Project Takhar, Afghanistan (LIPT)

Nom du ou des institutions qui ont facilité la documentation/ l'évaluation de la Technologie (si pertinent)

Terre des Hommes (Terre des Hommes) - Suisse

Nom du ou des institutions qui ont facilité la documentation/ l'évaluation de la Technologie (si pertinent)

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (DEZA / COSUDE / DDC / SDC) - Suisse

Nom du ou des institutions qui ont facilité la documentation/ l'évaluation de la Technologie (si pertinent)

CDE Centre for Development and Environment (CDE Centre for Development and Environment) - Suisse

Nom du ou des institutions qui ont facilité la documentation/ l'évaluation de la Technologie (si pertinent)

Bern University of Applied Sciences, School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (HAFL) - Suisse

1.3 Conditions relatives à l'utilisation par WOCAT des données documentées

Quand les données ont-elles été compilées (sur le terrain)?

27/10/2016

Le compilateur et la(les) personne(s) ressource(s) acceptent les conditions relatives à l'utilisation par WOCAT des données documentées:

Oui

1.4 Déclaration sur la durabilité de la Technologie décrite

Est-ce que la Technologie décrite ici pose problème par rapport à la dégradation des terres, de telle sorte qu'elle ne peut pas être déclarée comme étant une technologie de gestion durable des terres?

Non

Commentaires:

SLM practices documented in the frame of the Rustaq NRM study were established only recently (1-3 years ago). It is too early for a final judgment on the sustainability of these technologies within the human and natural environment of Chokar watershed.

2.1 Courte description de la Technologie

Définition de la Technologie:

Hedgerows are vegetative strips of perennial grasses, shrubs or legumes - such as alfalfa - located along contours across a slope. These vegetative strips form a barrier to halt soil erosion and improve soil fertility. Hedgerows of alfalfa also provide quality animal fodder for a period of 5-10 years.

2.2 Description détaillée de la Technologie

Description:

Project supported implementation of hedgerows has taken place in the villages of Sari Joy and Jawaz Khana, located in Chokar watershed of Rustaq District in Northern Afghanistan. The Chokar watershed is a mountainous area situated between 600 m and 2,500 m above sea level. The climate is semi-arid with harsh and cold weather in winter and hot and dry summers. The annual precipitation in average years is 580mm. Land degradation affects all forms of land use and includes sparse vegetation cover, severe top soil erosion through rainfall runoff, and poor soil fertility. Unsustainable agricultural practices, and over-exploitation of the natural resources are adversely impacting the socio-economic well-being of local communities, as well as contributing to the risk of being adversely affected by drought, landslides and flash foods triggered by heavy rainfall. The data used for the documentation of the technology are based on field research conducted in Chokar watershed, namely in the villages of Sari Joy and Jawaz Khana. These villages represent the upper and the middle zone of Chokar watershed, respectively. They differ considerably in access to services and infrastructure, but in general are poorly served. The communities depend on land resources for sustaining their livelihoods. In a good year with high yields, wheat self-sufficiency lasts about 5 months. The three villages are home to ethnic Qarluq communities. Since 2012 the Livelihood Improvement Project Takhar (LIPT) implemented by Terre des hommes (Tdh) Switzerland has initiated a range of NRM interventions.

Hedgerows are vegetative strips, planted as contour barriers. In this case they are composed of the perennial legume alfalfa (sometime called lucerne: Medicago sativa), Using an A-frame, contours are defined and demarcated horizontally across the hillside. The distance between the contours depends on the slope gradient. For moderate slopes above 6%, and hilly slopes below 30%, the distance between the contours is 4-5 meters. Using such contouring measurements, a plot area of 0.2 ha is divided into 8 hedgerows along the slope. Once all the contours are established, the topsoil is levelled using a shovel. On each marked contour a soil ridge is created, some 10-20 cm high. On these ridges alfalfa seeds are sown to form the vegetative hedgerow. This stops soil wash, and prevents most of the rainfall runoff. The area between the grass strips is cropped with wheat. The hedgerows are protected for one year, to allow the alfalfa to become established.

Hedgerows were introduced in the local villages to promote low-cost land management practices, which are sustainable and well adapted to the local environmental conditions. Apart from reducing soil erosion, this new practice takes into account the needs of local people to improve soil fertility and increase agricultural yields. Local land users were trained to establish hedgerows on their own land using low amount of inputs. They were given the technical knowledge required. Over the past four years of implementation the land users report noticeable improvements on their plots. The soil is protected from erosion, and the households harvest wheat for the family and alfalfa for their livestock.

One of the key benefits of the technology is that it does not require many or costly inputs and it is relatively easy to establish without technical support. Improved production and availability of alfalfa is a primary benefit from the land users' point of view. They can harvest fodder from the plot for up to 10 years without reseeding.

Hedgerows are among the least labour-intensive SLM practices and thereby do not have a significant influence on the daily household workload of local women. This feature of the technology is perceived as its strength by many female family members.

2.3 Photos de la Technologie

2.5 Pays/ région/ lieux où la Technologie a été appliquée et qui sont couverts par cette évaluation

2.6 Date de mise en œuvre de la Technologie

Si l'année précise est inconnue, indiquez la date approximative: :

• il y a moins de 10 ans (récemment)

2.7 Introduction de la Technologie

Spécifiez comment la Technologie a été introduite: :

• par le biais de projets/ d'interventions extérieures

Commentaires (type de projet, etc.) :

Livelihood Improvement Project Takhar (LIPT) implemented by Terre des Hommes (Tdh) Switzerland, supported by Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) from 2012-17

3.1 Principal(aux) objectif(s) de la Technologie

• améliorer la production
• réduire, prévenir, restaurer les terres dégradées

3.2 Type(s) actuel(s) d'utilisation des terres, là où la Technologie est appliquée

3.3 Informations complémentaires sur l'utilisation des terres

Approvisionnement en eau des terres sur lesquelles est appliquée la Technologie:

• pluvial

Nombre de période de croissance par an: :

• 1

3.4 Groupe de GDT auquel appartient la Technologie

• gestion intégrée de la fertilité des sols
• mesures en travers de la pente

3.5 Diffusion de la Technologie

Spécifiez la diffusion de la Technologie:

• répartie uniformément sur une zone

Si la Technologie est uniformément répartie sur une zone, indiquez la superficie couverte approximative:

• 0,1-1 km2

3.6 Mesures de GDT constituant la Technologie

Commentaires:

After establishment activities the area is put on quarantine for one year.

3.7 Principaux types de dégradation des terres traités par la Technologie

3.8 Prévention, réduction de la dégradation ou réhabilitation des terres dégradées

Spécifiez l'objectif de la Technologie au regard de la dégradation des terres:

• réduire la dégradation des terres

4.1 Dessin technique de la Technologie

4.2 Spécification/ explications techniques du dessin technique

Hedgerows are vegetative strips, planted as contour barriers. In this case they are composed of the perennial legume alfalfa (sometime called lucerne: Medicago sativa), Using an A-frame, contours are defined and demarcated horizontally across the hillside. The distance between the contours depends on the slope gradient. For moderate slopes above 6%, and hilly slopes below 30%, the distance between the contours is 4-5 meters. Using such contouring measurements, a plot area of 0.2 ha is divided into 8 hedgerows along the slope. Once all the contours are established, the topsoil is levelled using a shovel. On each marked contour a soil ridge is created, some 10-20 cm high. On these ridges alfalfa seeds are sown to form the vegetative hedgerow. This stops soil wash, and prevents most of the rainfall runoff. The area between the grass strips is cropped with wheat. The hedgerows are protected for one year, to allow the alfalfa to become established.

4.3 Informations générales sur le calcul des intrants et des coûts

Spécifiez la manière dont les coûts et les intrants ont été calculés:

• par superficie de la Technologie

Indiquez la monnaie utilisée pour le calcul des coûts:

• dollars US

Indiquer le taux de change du dollars en monnaie locale (si pertinent): 1 USD= :

67,0

4.4 Activités de mise en place/ d'établissement

	Activité	Type de mesures	Calendrier
1.	Selection of the area for establishing a hedgerow	Modes de gestion	End of autumn
2.	Design of the hedgerows using an A-frame	Structurel	End of autumn
3.	Leveling of the land	Agronomique	End of autumn
4.	Alfalfa seed sowing	Végétale	End of winter (February)
5.	Area under protection	Modes de gestion	For one year

4.5 Coûts et intrants nécessaires à la mise en place

	Spécifiez les intrants	Unité	Quantité	Coûts par unité	Coût total par intrant	% du coût supporté par les exploitants des terres
Main d'œuvre	Designing of the hedgerow using A-frame	person-day	5,0	9,0	45,0
Main d'œuvre	Leveling the land	person-day	25,0	5,3	132,5
Main d'œuvre	Ploughing the land with animal traction	person-day	5,0	5,3	26,5
Main d'œuvre	Wheat and Alfalfa seed sowing	person-day	10,0	5,3	53,0	100,0
Equipements	Rake	piece	1,0	5,3	5,3
Equipements	Shovel	piece	1,0	3,8	3,8
Equipements	Twine	meter	50,0	2,0	100,0
Equipements	A-frame	piece	1,0	6,0	6,0
Matériel végétal	Alfalfa seed	Kg	17,5	0,42	7,35
Matériel végétal	Wheat seed	Kg	140,0	0,42	58,8	100,0
Engrais et biocides	DAP	Kg	250,0	0,9	225,0
Engrais et biocides	Urea	Kg	250,0	0,45	112,5
Engrais et biocides	Herbicide	Liter	50,0	0,25	12,5
Coût total de mise en place de la Technologie					788,25

Si le coût n'est pas pris en charge à 100% par l'exploitant des terres, indiquez qui a financé le coût restant:

Livelihood Improvement Program in Takhar (LIPT) implemented by Terre des hommes (Tdh)

Commentaires:

Costs calculated for a Technology area of 1ha was only done for the purpose of the WOCAT documentation. In reality SLM plots are on average 0.2-0.4 ha or 1-2 jiribs. Costs were simply multiplied by 2.5. The actual costs for a 1ha plot might be slightly different.

4.6 Activités d'entretien/ récurrentes

	Activité	Type de mesures	Calendrier/ fréquence
1.	Ploughing the land with animal traction (Men)	Agronomique
2.	Wheat sowing	Agronomique
3.	Weeding	Agronomique
4.	Fertilizer application	Agronomique
5.	Repair the damaged section of the hedgerow by adding soil	Structurel	End of winter (February/March)
6.	Reseeding alfalfa in the repaired section	Végétale	End of winter (February/March)
7.	Wheat and alfalfa harvesting and delivering	Agronomique

Commentaires:

Sowing of alfalfa is done once in 5-10 years. The maintenance activities do not require reseeding of alfalfa every year (only where damaged). Mostly damage to hedgerows occur as a result of heavy rainfall and require maintenance work in early spring.

4.7 Coûts et intrants nécessaires aux activités d'entretien/ récurrentes (par an)

	Spécifiez les intrants	Unité	Quantité	Coûts par unité	Coût total par intrant	% du coût supporté par les exploitants des terres
Main d'œuvre	Ploughing the land with animal traction	person day	5,0	5,3	26,5	100,0
Main d'œuvre	Sowing of wheat	person day	5,0	5,3	26,5	100,0
Main d'œuvre	Weeding and Fertilizer application	person day	5,0	5,3	26,5	100,0
Main d'œuvre	Harvesting and delivering wheat and alfalfa	person day	35,0	3,0	105,0	100,0
Equipements	Sickle	Pcs	1,0	2,25	2,25	100,0
Equipements	Pitchfork	Pcs	1,0	5,3	5,3	100,0
Matériel végétal	Alfalfa seed	kg	1,0	0,42	0,42	100,0
Matériel végétal	Wheat seed	kg	140,0	0,42	58,8	100,0
Engrais et biocides	DAP	Kg	250,0	0,9	225,0	100,0
Engrais et biocides	Urea	Kg	250,0	0,45	112,5	100,0
Coût total d'entretien de la Technologie					588,77

Si le coût n'est pas pris en charge à 100% par l'exploitant des terres, indiquez qui a financé le coût restant:

Livelihood Improvement Program in Takhar (LIPT) implemented by Terre des hommes (Tdh)

Commentaires:

Costs calculated for a Technology area of 1ha was only done for the purpose of the WOCAT documentation. In reality SLM plots are on average 0.2-0.4 ha or 1-2 jiribs. Costs were simply multiplied by 2.5. The actual costs for a 1ha plot might be slightly different.

4.8 Facteurs les plus importants affectant les coûts

Décrivez les facteurs les plus importants affectant les coûts :

Due to the remoteness of the villages where the Technology has been implemented, all the inputs for establishment, such as plant material, fertilizers and agricultural tools are purchased in Rustaq town. The expenses for traveling and delivering the inputs affect the establishment costs.

5.1 Climat

5.2 Topographie

Commentaires et précisions supplémentaires sur la topographie:

-SLM implementers information provided in the Land User Protocol (LUP) during an FGD
-Elevation and slope statistics derived for terraced plots from ASTGTM. ASTGTM is the ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model V002 with a 30 m spatial resolution. More information on ASTGTM is available here: https://lpdaac.usgs.gov/node/1079. The data can be downloaded here: https://gdex.cr.usgs.gov/gdex/

5.3 Sols

Si disponible, joignez une description complète du sol ou précisez les informations disponibles, par ex., type de sol, pH/ acidité du sol, capacité d'échange cationique, azote, salinité, etc.

Hedgerows are implemented on light soil - a locally defined category for soil types. Light soil corresponds to moderately deep soil; medium topsoil texture; medium below surface texture and low topsoil organic matter.

5.4 Disponibilité et qualité de l'eau

La salinité de l'eau est-elle un problème? :

Non

La zone est-elle inondée?

Oui

Régularité:

épisodiquement

Commentaires et précisions supplémentaires sur la qualité et la quantité d'eau:

Floods occur mainly during the rainy seasons in spring and autumn. Availability of surface water differs for the two study villages Sari Joy and Jawaz Khana. Sari Joy has relatively good surface water availability, also for drinking. Jawaz Khana has poor water both in quality and availability. Water has to be fetched from a lower lying stream.

5.5 Biodiversité

5.6 Caractéristiques des exploitants des terres appliquant la Technologie

Indiquez toute autre caractéristique pertinente des exploitants des terres:

The land users in the area where the Technology is applied belong to the Uzbek ethnic minority group Qarluq. Although the men are generally the main land users, however, women and children also take active part in the related work. The functions of men and women are clearly distinguished within the Afghan society. At the same time within the family this division of work and functions also results in men and women working hand-in-hand. An improvement of the family’s livelihood situation is expected to positively affect all family members. While, it is recognized that the involvement of women is key in order to secure basic human rights for everyone, to achieve good governance, sustainable development, and to efficiently contribute to poverty reduction (SDC 2004), it is also clear that a context sensitive approach is of great importance.
Women in rural Afghanistan are involved in many production and income generating activities that contribute to the overall household income, however, very few women own resources such as land and livestock, and their income generating options are fewer in comparison to that of men.

5.7 Superficie moyenne des terres détenues ou louées par les exploitants appliquant la Technologie

5.8 Propriété foncière, droits d’utilisation des terres et de l'eau

Propriété foncière:

• individu, sans titre de propriété

Droits d’utilisation des terres:

• individuel

Droits d’utilisation de l’eau:

• communautaire (organisé)

Commentaires:

Those who own a land and use water for irrigation are obliged to pay for water. The payment is made either in kind or in cash to Mirob - the person in charge of distributing water in the community. The amount of the payment varies from village to village.

6.1 Impacts sur site que la Technologie a montrés

Impacts socio-économiques

Production

Impacts socioculturels

Impacts écologiques

Cycle de l'eau/ ruissellement

Sols

Biodiversité: végétale, animale

6.2 Impacts hors site que la Technologie a montrés

Commentaires concernant l'évaluation des impacts:

Based on the Land User Protocols: SLM implementers were asked to rate the benefits from hedgerows individually. They were asked to indicate production increase of crops; fodder; animals; wood; non-wood forest products; increase in product diversity; or production area. The most important increase they rated with 3, the second most with 2, others with 1 point. Averages of the points given by all hedgerow implementers are reflected here.
Based on the Land User Protocols: Individual SLM implementers were asked to rate the on-site and off-site impacts of the Technology on water; soil; and vegetation. They were asked to indicate the strength of impacts with three, two or one points. Averages of the points given by all implementers are reflected here.

6.3 Exposition et sensibilité de la Technologie aux changements progressifs et aux évènements extrêmes/catastrophes liés au climat (telles que perçues par les exploitants des terres)

Extrêmes climatiques (catastrophes)

Catastrophes météorologiques

	Comment la Technologie fait-elle face à cela?
pluie torrentielle locale	très bien

Catastrophes climatiques

	Comment la Technologie fait-elle face à cela?
sécheresse	bien

Commentaires:

Based on the multi-criteria matrix: SLM implementers were asked to jointly discuss and rate how much the SLM technology reduced the lands vulnerability to drought and local rainstorms. Only vulnerability to the most prevalent climate extremes (drought and local rainstorms) was discussed. SLM technologies were rated as reducing vulnerability poorly, well, or very well. The average points reflected here are from multi-criteria matrixes compiled in three villages where the SLM technology had been implemented.

6.4 Analyse coûts-bénéfices

Quels sont les bénéfices comparativement aux coûts de mise en place (du point de vue des exploitants des terres)?

Commentaires:

SLM implementers from three villages were asked to jointly discuss and rate the SLM technologies short term (1-3 years) and long-term (10 years) return. As most of the technologies have only been implemented 1-2 years ago, it is too early to compare benefits to maintenance costs. Farmers have little experience so far on the actual benefits of the SLM technologies. The ratings are mostly based on expected benefits and not on actual benefits.

6.5 Adoption de la Technologie

• cas isolés/ expérimentaux

Si disponible, quantifiez (nombre de ménages et/ou superficie couverte):

16.4 ha

Commentaires:

Based on the Land User Protocol: Individual SLM implementers were asked whether they received support for implementing the Technology. Each indicated the type of support he received from the proposed options: "Full Support 100%, Some Support, No Support 0%".

6.6 Adaptation

La Technologie a-t-elle été récemment modifiée pour s'adapter à l'évolution des conditions?

Non

6.7 Points forts/ avantages/ possibilités de la Technologie

Points forts/ avantages/ possibilités du point de vue de l'exploitant des terres
The contour alfalfa strips preserve moisture and makes the land less vulnerable to dry spells. Longer moisture retention also helps the crop to grow better.
Production of livestock fodder such as alfalfa has been improved as observed by the land users. The hedgerow protects the soil from heavy rainfall, which would wash off the topsoil otherwise.
The establishment and maintenance activities are well compatible with the daily work of the land user compared to other more demanding field work.
Alfalfa can be grown without reseeding for up to 5 years and there is no need to buy alfalfa seeds every year.
Hedgerows are considered as the least labour-intensive technology for women and does not impact their daily household activities.

Points forts/ avantages/ possibilités du point de vue du compilateur ou d'une autre personne ressource clé
The establishment of hedgerows is not very technically demanding and does not require great technical knowledge

6.8 Faiblesses/ inconvénients/ risques de la Technologie et moyens de les surmonter

Faiblesses/ inconvénients/ risques du point de vue de l’exploitant des terres	Comment peuvent-ils être surmontés?
The costs of establishment are high for the land user, including the labour and material inputs
The alfalfa strips need to be reseeded in 5-10 years and the land user may not have the seeds and has to buy them himself

Faiblesses/ inconvénients/ risques du point de vue du compilateur ou d'une autre personne ressource clé	Comment peuvent-ils être surmontés?
Hedgerows are among least popular practices among the land users and the adoption rates have been very low. The reasons behind might be the high establishments costs.

7.1 Méthodes/ sources d'information

7.2 Références des publications disponibles

Titre, auteur, année, ISBN:

Guidelines for Focus Groups Discussions

Titre, auteur, année, ISBN:

Methods section of the Rustaq NRM study