Technologies

A woollen water retention bed installed under the roots of a tree irrigated by a pipe feed. [Tajikistan]

technologies_1508 - Tajikistan

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Completeness: 71%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
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land user:

Esanov Ahmad

Tajikistan

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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. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The use of sheep's wool placed below the roots of fruit trees, to retain the water fed from a surface pipe.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

A bed of wool is placed within the hole before a fruit sapling is planted. The wool is fed water via a plastic pipe, which is used to saturate the wool with irrigated water. This provides a prolonged source of moisture for the trees which subsequently helps the tree survive intense dry periods and improves fruit yields.
This technology could also be applied using hay or pressed sawdust as an alternative to the wool to store the water.

Purpose of the Technology: The purpose was to implement a sustainable cost effective and easy irrigation process that will help increase fruit production in the Pejikant region of Tajikistan during the long hot dry summer periods. The process utilises readily locally available natural materials that are environmentally friendly.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: A 1m deep hole is prepared to plant the tree inside. Placed at the foot of the hole is layer of natural wool, approximately 10kg, and a plastic pipe is installed running from the wool layer to the above the surface. On top of the wool a bed of organic compost and/or high quality soil is placed to assist the growth and the sapling is planted in this. The sapling is then watered through the pipe. It is estimated that 10kg of wool will retain around 8 litres of water.

Natural / human environment: This region has low levels of annual precipitation and poor soil quality. Therefore, the land users are reliant on devising ways to improve the soil quality and irrigation practices to increase the amount of land that can be cultivated. With an increasing population and a heavy relaince on the land to support the people, there is a strong desire to bring into production land that in its current state is unproductive.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

Media Gallery

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

Country:

Tajikistan

Region/ State/ Province:

Tajikistan, Sughd

Further specification of location:

Penjakent, Toshmunor

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)
Map preview

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:
  • through land users' innovation
Comments (type of project, etc.):

The land users developed this technology.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • improve production

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Tree and shrub cropping
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 2
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 270Longest growing period from month to month: October-JuneSecond longest growing period in days: 90Second longest growing period from month to month: July-Septeber

Forest/ woodlands

Forest/ woodlands

Tree plantation, afforestation: Specify origin and composition of species:
  • Mixed varieties
Products and services:
  • Fruits and nuts
Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): The soil structure is very poor, with low density vegetation cover.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): There is a lack of irrigation water for the vegetation.

Plantation forestry: Fruit orchards

Forest products and services: fruits and nuts

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V1: Tree and shrub cover
Comments:

Main measures: structural measures

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
soil erosion by wind

soil erosion by wind

  • Et: loss of topsoil
biological degradation

biological degradation

  • Bc: reduction of vegetation cover
  • Bq: quantity/ biomass decline
water degradation

water degradation

  • Ha: aridification
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Bc: reduction of vegetation cover

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Et: loss of topsoil, Bq: quantity / biomass decline, Ha: aridification

Main causes of degradation: overgrazing (Increasing numbers of livestock), other human induced causes (specify) (Disintegration of the irrigation system), change in temperature, war and conflicts (After the collapse of Sovet Union the irrigation pipes were stolen)

Secondary causes of degradation: change of seasonal rainfall, droughts

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • reduce land degradation
  • restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

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Author:

Sa'dy Odinashoev, Muminabad, Tajikistan

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Somoni

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

4.7

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. A 1m deep hole is prepared to plant the tree inside. spring
2. Placing approximately 10kg of wool at the foot of the hole spring
3. installing of plastic pipe from the wool layer to the above surface spring
4. On top of the wool a bed of organic compost and/or high quality soil is placed to assist the growth spring

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 Digging hole Persons/day 0.1 20.0 2.0 100.0
Construction material Plastic pipe meter 1.0 4.0 4.0 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 6.0

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

Comments:

The costs previously are based on the cost for providing enough pipe for one tree.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

In this situation, the wool is free to the farmers as they obtain it from their own sheep.
The labour is provided free of charge by the farmers themselves.

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Agro-climatic zone
  • semi-arid

Thermal climate class: temperate

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: Also hilly

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • low (<1%)
If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility is very low

Soil drainage / infiltration is good

Soil water storage capacity is low

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

> 50 m

Availability of surface water:

poor/ none

Water quality (untreated):

good drinking water

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
Off-farm income:
  • > 50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Gender:
  • men
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 2% - 3%

100% of the land users are poor.

Market orientation of production system: Self consumption of fruits

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • small-scale

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • state
Land use rights:
  • leased
Water use rights:
  • leased

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

wood production

decreased
increased

risk of production failure

increased
decreased

production area

decreased
increased
Water availability and quality

drinking water availability

decreased
increased
Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased

workload

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved

health situation

worsened
improved

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

Livelihood and human well-being

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

It has helped improve the fruit harvests on land that was becoming increasingly degraded and would in the future be unsuitable for farming practices.

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

harvesting/ collection of water

reduced
improved

surface runoff

increased
decreased

evaporation

increased
decreased
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil cover

reduced
improved

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
local windstorm 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)?
Short-term returns:

neutral/ balanced

Long-term returns:

positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

neutral/ balanced

Long-term returns:

very positive

Comments:

The impacts can be seen within the first growing season.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

NA

Comments:

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Some other people and projects expressed an interest.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
It improves the fruit harvest.
It is easy to buy the wool.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Wool could be made available to other orchards.
It is cheap and easy to implement.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
It reduces the number of times the trees need to be irrigated.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? The technology is so easy to implement, the information should be dispersed to other farmers.
It improves the soil moisture content of the orchards.
The technology could be applied in very dry, desert conditions

How can they be sustained / enhanced? It could be used in the more dry arid areas of the country.
It increases the length of the planting season, as it holds the water in the ground for longer.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? To implement the technology across a wider area.
It can be applied to older, established trees, not just seedlings.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Educate the farmers about these methods.

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?
It still reliant on some water being available at crucial times of the year. Piped irrigation to the land plot

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

Links and modules

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