1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

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

World Bank (World Bank) - United States

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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Development of grazing areas through plantation of Izen

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Improvement of grazing areas through plantation of izen in non-used areas for improvement of condition of grazing areas and to increase fodder basis.
In general, grazing territories located in Tohirsu watershed are severely degraded due to overgrazing and digression. Pastures that are located on mountain slopes have turned into paths, bare ground and tussocks. Soil is often washed out, it is quite stony; Pastures are located on steep slopes, pastures that located close to settlements are severely degraded and covered by noxious plants and burrs. Grazing areas suffer from non-regulated daily and annual grazing during spring-summer-autumn period or even all-year-round. Vegetation cover was severely damaged by overgrazing, couch grass can be seen in some places, soil suffer from water erosion, multiple gullies have formed and etc.
Non-regulated grazing causes damage to grass cover and changes ecological situation in the area. Continuous grazing compacts or destroys soil cover and causes specific forms of the so-called “grazing microtopography”. As a result, soil permeability is reduced, runoff level increases, pit-run fines, humus and mineral nutrients are washed out. This severely affects soil fertility. As a result, grass cover is reduced as well as the total number of animals that can be grazed there. Thus, additional measures for ecological optimization of grazing areas are needed.
With support of the project and local initiative group 5ha of non-used areas were selected in Lokhur Jamoat of Dangara region for plantation of izen (Kochia). The overall idea was to improve the condition of grazing areas, prevent wind and water erosion through plantation of izen. With 100% germination capacity 6-8kg of seeds are needed per one hectare. Seeds are selected with the use of laboratory analysis. Simultaneous tillage and harrowing at depth of 25-30cm allowed to save fuel and funds. Seeds of izen of “Kuikanak” sort were planted at the depth of 0,5-1,0cm. The area sown with izen was fenced. “Kuikanak” is tolerant to +40C temperature and is really good for climatic conditions of Dangara region. Its root system reaches 80-150cm per year.

Purpose of the Technology: The overall goal of the idea was to improve the condition of grazing areas, prevent wind and water erosion, rehabilitate saline soils, preserve moisture in soils, increase fodder basis, enrich soil organic matter with nitrates, harvest and sale seeds and improve rural livelihoods. Improve agricultural conditions, increase and create soils that can resist degradation. Create favorable socio-economic and ecologic conditions for rural population.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: First of all, a group of common interest has been set up. Group members took part in a workshop on application of this technology. During the workshop it was suggested to improve productive capacity of grazing areas. Members of the group have selected a 5ha grazing area in Lokhur Jamoat. According to the project, the group has provided 20% of funding. At the initial stage land was prepared for tillage. Izen seeds were planted following the laboratory analysis. Average lifetime of izen is 25-30 years.

Natural / human environment: Izen is mainly used to enrich arid grazing areas. Biological value of izen is that it is tolerant to hot summer periods that are typical for south Tajikistan. At the same time, izen also grows in the eastern Pamir where winter temperatures vary from -40 down to -45C.
The selected land is the property of the group of common interest which has official land use certificate. The group consists of representatives of 10 households. They have equal access to fodder crops, seeds and have equal grazing opportunities.

2.3 Photos 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

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research

Comments (type of project, etc.):

With proper grazing and pasture management the technology can be used for a period of 25 years

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Prevention from wind and water erosion, improvement of fodder basis

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): A Group of Common Interest has been set up

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Cropland: Cp: Perennial (non-woody) cropping

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)

Comments:

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Cropland: Cp: Perennial (non-woody) cropping

Grazing land: Gi: Intensive grazing/ fodder production

3.4 Water supply

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

• rainfed

Comments:

Longest growing period in days: 6Longest growing period from month to month: 8

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures, management measures

Type of agronomic measures: better crop cover, early planting, minimum tillage

Type of vegetative measures: scattered / dispersed

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: soil management, population pressure

Secondary causes of degradation: crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub), overgrazing, land tenure, poverty / wealth

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

Comments:

Основная цель: предотвращение деградации земель

Второстепенные цели: реабилитация / восстановление голых земель, снижение деградации земель

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Tillage	February
2.	Fencing
3.	Leveling
4.	Planting

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	medium	hectare	1.0	69.0	69.0	100.0
Equipment	machine use	hectare	1.0	45.0	45.0	20.0
Equipment	tools	pc	1.0	20.0	20.0	20.0
Plant material	seeds	pc	1.0	80.0	80.0	20.0
Construction material	wire fencing	meter	1.0	285.6	285.6	20.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					499.6
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					499.6

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Hay production
2.	Harvesting

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	medium	hectare	1.0	50.4	50.4	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					50.4
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					50.4

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly disadvantaged land users

Difference in the involvement of women and men: Major portion of the population is unemployed

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2

Off-farm income specification: Firs yield is used for internal purposes, then seeds are produced and animals are grazed

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

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

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)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	well

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:

Single tillage and izen seeds are planted after fencing of the area. One year after initial planting fence will be removed. The technology can be used for a period of 25 years.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

10 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: The technology was implemented with support from the World Bank and the group of common interest

Comments on adoption trend: After the project people got interested in growing izen

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Can be applied in saline soils
Can be used as additional source of income for farmers and rural population, fodder production and sale of seeds
Expansion of grazing areas
Prevents soil from erosion

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The technology can be used in areas that are not used for cultivation of other crops How can they be sustained / enhanced? Effective for a period of 25 years
Can be applied in saline soils in different climatic conditions. Tolerant to draughts How can they be sustained / enhanced? One year after initial planting fence can be removed
Increases fodder basis. Reduces load on grazing areas. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Transportation of seeds to other areas by wind
Income from sale of seeds. Demand for seeds.
Prevents soil from wind and water erosion

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
During the first year should be protected from animals	Area should be fenced
Fencing requires funds	Can be done through support of donors and projects
Limited during the first year