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:

A resource-saving irrigation technology for row crops using shortened furrows, which enables significant savings of irrigation water and improves the efficiency of mineral fertilizer use on irrigated land.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

This technology is a simplest and low-cost method of irrigating row crops with regulated use of mineral fertilizers. It improves water and land use efficiency and is recommended for almost all row crops. Its distinctive features include:
a) Shortened irrigation furrows – the length of furrows in this method depends on the leveling of the irrigated plot and the soil’s infiltration properties. On sandy loam soils (high infiltration), furrow length should not exceed 50 m; on light loamy soils – no more than 60 m; on medium loamy and heavier soils – no more than 70–80 m.
b) Timely and regulated water supply in line with the needs of the cultivated crop.
c) Uniform infiltration of irrigation water along the entire length of the shortened furrow.
d) Even soil moisture distribution across the irrigated plot, targeting only the root zone.
e) Efficient use of mineral fertilizers, preventing their leaching beyond the main root zone.
f) Uniform plant growth and development across the entire field within a shorter time frame.
g) Contribution to environmental protection and improvement of ecological conditions in irrigated agriculture.
This method is especially suitable for light, medium, and heavy loams, but can also be applied to other soil types. For gently sloping fields, the recommended technology shortens irrigation time without requiring adjustment of the supplied water volume. It is strongly recommended for row crops throughout areas where furrow irrigation is practiced in the arid and semi-arid regions of Central Asia.
Purpose of the technology: to ensure efficient use of irrigation water for conserving water resources, increasing the productivity of irrigated land, and improving the livelihoods of rural populations in arid zones.
Main activities and investments:
The proposed method is low-cost. Any additional costs such as the construction of auxiliary (interception) canals (“ok-aryks”) as in this case the irrigated furrow length does not exceed 50–70 m do not exceed 2,000–7,000 UZS (USD 1–3) per ha. Full application of mineral fertilizers to meet the planned yield level costs farmers USD 100–300 per ha. Optimization of crop nutrition is achieved through strict compliance with recommendations on the timing and rates of fertilizer application for the specific crop (the necessary fertilizers are purchased by the farmer).
Natural and social context:
The technology is intended for arable land located in semi-arid or arid zones. Recommended agronomic practices include cultivating gently sloping, well-leveled fields (without abrupt changes in relief) with moderate slopes, typically on light or medium loam soils where row crops with a shallow (30–70 cm) root zone are grown.
The technology is recommended for wide-scale adoption in agricultural production as a cost-effective and efficient approach under long-term irrigated land leases. While recommended for broad implementation, it is currently practiced mainly by experienced specialists.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Uzbekistan

Region/ State/ Province:

Uzbekistan

Further specification of location:

Andijan and Fergana Region

Comments:

The total area where the technology is used is 1800 km2.

This technology is also relevant for other Central Asian countries. The technology was tested 1) In the Osh Region, Kyrgyzstan: within 50,000 hectares, 2) In the Sughd Region, Tajikistan: within 60,000 hectares.
The total area of technology distribution is given in hectares of cultivated area of row crops.

Map

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2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research

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

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Vegetative period: 210 days. Vegetative period by months: April-October

Comments:

Main land use problems (according to the compiler):
An assessment of the actual efficiency of vegetative irrigation at the field level, carried out in five Central Asian countries, shows a low weighted average field efficiency of 21–40%. This means that a significant share of the irrigation water delivered to the field is used inefficiently. Gross irrigation norms substantially exceed the actual crop water requirements, with widespread losses due to surface runoff beyond the irrigated field, deep percolation losses beyond the root zone, and poor synchronization between crop water demand and actual irrigation schedules. Rational water use and water-saving measures could conserve a significant amount of water. The level of utilization of mineral fertilizers applied during the growing season is also low, with particularly high losses of nitrogen fertilizers in areas where furrow lengths are 150–200–250 meters or more, as their soluble forms are irreversibly leached from the root zone into groundwater.

Main land use problems (according to the land user):
The main land users are farmers, who in Uzbekistan currently lease irrigated land from the state for up to 49 years, with farm sizes typically ranging from 70 to 150 hectares. The main problem for farmers is insufficient supply of irrigation water to the tail-end sections of their farms. In this regard, the proposed technology helps save water, improve water use efficiency, and ensure that problematic areas receive sufficient irrigation water. All applied fertilizers (especially nitrogen) are fully utilized by the cultivated crops.

Land use after the introduction of the shortened furrow irrigation technology:
Agricultural field: Ca: cultivation of annual crops.

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Comments:

Land use after the introduction of the shortened furrow irrigation technology:
Agricultural field: Ca: cultivation of annual crops.

3.4 Water supply

Comments:

Water consumption: fully irrigated

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A3: Soil surface treatment

Comments:

Secondary activities: agronomic
Type of agronomic activities: shifting cropping, mineral (inorganic) fertilizers, furrows (drainage, irrigation)

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

physical soil deterioration

• Pc: compaction

Comments:

Secondary types of degradation: Fu (Pc): compaction/compression/deterioration of soil structure

Main causes of degradation: land management (Unreasonably high irrigation rates and irreversible losses of soluble forms of mineral fertilizers)

Secondary causes of degradation: excessive extraction / over-absorption of water (for irrigation, industry, etc.) (Excessive withdrawal of water for irrigation), temperature changes (Low or high water years)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Comments:

Primary objective: prevention of land degradation

Secondary objectives: rehabilitation/restoration of bare lands, prevention/reduction of degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Uzbek soum

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

2203.0

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Creation time: 5 months

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Comments:

Machinery/tools: tractor, furrow maker, fertilizer application unit

Nitrogen fertilizers should be applied fractionally - 30% at sowing (April), 35% during budding (June) and 35% during the flowering phase (July), phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied in the fall. The above costs will only be incurred if the farmer does not apply enough mineral fertilizers recommended by the standards.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

It is necessary to cut an additional transverse furrow (to discharge water to another irrigated area) so that the distance along the length of the irrigated area does not exceed 50-70-80 meters.

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 who use this technology are mostly average:
Population density: 200-500 people/km2

Annual population growth: 2% - 3%

2% of land users are of average income and own 3% of the land
2% of land users are poor and own 3% of the land

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:

• state
• communal/ village

Land use rights:

• leased

Water use rights:

• individual

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

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

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

Climatological disasters

Hydrological disasters

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

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)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

5% of land user families use this technology without additional financial support

There is a tendency towards voluntary implementation of the technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

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

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Сборник материалов по проекту "Улучшение продуктивности воды на уровне поля". Сборник подготовлен специалистами группы НИЦ, МКВК и IWMI Центральная Азия. Ташкент 2013

Available from where? Costs?

НИЦ, МКВК и IWMI Центральная Азия