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

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

Central Asian Countries Initiative for Land Management (CACILM I)

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

The National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna of the Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan ( NIDFF) - Turkmenistan

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:

Farming techniques for growing arundo reeds in order to protect households from wind and dust and other economic purposes.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The Arundo reed (Arundo donax) is a 3-4 m tall perennial grass species. It grows wild in Central and South-West Kopetdag on river banks and as a cultivated plant in the gardens of rural areas of Turkmenistan, where it is grown with limited irrigation for economic purposes. Up to 200 t/ha of stems could be harvested. The growing technique is simple. One-off costs for planting Arundo will bring benefits to a farmer for at least 60 years without any additional costs. In the wild and on farmlands, the roots of arundo grow horizontally and in the fall they develop large growth buds in the form of a cone 0.03 m in height and 0.05 m in diameter. In the spring, these buds form above-ground sprouts. To plant the reeds, the roots together with the growth buds should be dug out from the wet soil and cut off with the pruning shears, so that each rootstock has a growth bud. The reeds are then planted in 3-8 m wide belts around the house (150-400m²). In autumn and winter, the planting area is fenced with an earth mound 25x25cm in height and filled with water. Then the land levelling takes place. The soil is spaded to a depth of 20cm, harrowed and planting furrows 15m in height are formed at with 60cm between each row. The area should then be fenced to keep out animals. The rootstocks and growth buds, prepared in advance, are planted perpendicular to the surface of the planting holes in furrows 0.4 m apart and covered with soil. Watering in the 1st year is carried out once every 8 days, and in subsequent years every 15 days.

Purpose of the Technology: The purpose of this technology is to protect farmers’ households from hot, dry winds and dust and to improve environmental conditions and economic livelihood of villagers living in the extremely hot conditions of the Karakum desert

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Bokurdak village is a pilot village for the GIA project. Stages of implementation: 1) establish a public committee during the villagers’ meeting; 2) conduct a workshop to demonstrate the arundo planting techniques at the pilot plot and train local people and authorities; 3) provide financial assistance to 5 households who have expressed an interest in growing arundo with the aim to involve more people and demonstrate the effect of the technology. Currently, the number of farmers growing Arundo has increased to 40 households

Natural / human environment: Bokurdak village, the administrative center of “Karakum” Daikhans’ Association (DA), is located 90 km north of Ashkhabad in the Central Karakum Desert. The village has a population of 4,200 people and is equipped with a school and hospital. It is supplied with water piped from the Karakum Canal, using for irrigation and the watering of animals. Relief: honeycombed sand ridges with takyrs between them. The water table is located at a depth of 18-25 m. Soil types: sandy deserts, takyr-like soils and typical takyrs and solonchaks. Perennial forage grasses and spring annuals grow on natural pastures. Summer is continental, dry and hot, and winters are cold. Precipitation is 141 mm/year.

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:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Arundo has long been cultivated in the oases of Turkmenistan, but this is the first time it is grown in this particular climate zone

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• reduce risk of disasters
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Local vegetation has been completely removed and this has led to the formation of sand dunes around the village. Irrigation water shortage (water is delivered to the village by a 90 km long water pipe). High temperatures in summer and low temperatures in winter, winds, dust storms, heavy clay and loamy soils with a low organic matter content

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): There is a lack of time for work in the gardens, because people spend a lot of time out of the houses with their grazing animals. Not everyone has irrigation water.

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?

3.4 Water supply

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

• full irrigation

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• windbreak/ shelterbelt
• area closure (stop use, support restoration)
• improved ground/ vegetation cover

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Secondary measures: management measures

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Eo: offsite degradation effects, Bc: reduction of vegetation cover, Bq: quantity / biomass decline, Bs: quality and species composition /diversity decline, Bl: loss of soil life

Main causes of degradation: overgrazing (Excessive use of pastures. Water shortages do not allow the growth of enough plants for a secure fodder reserve)

Secondary causes of degradation: over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (Deforestation has destroyed the natural vegetation and increased soil exposure), education, access to knowledge and support services (Poor knowledge and attitudes of stock-breeders constrain the adequate development of crop production in the village. There is no advisory service in the village that could assist in crop growing), Irrigation water scarcity (Not all households have irrigation water due to its scarcity)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

Comments:

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation, mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

turkmen manat

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

2.86

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	The plot is fenced with an earth mound 25x25 cm in height and filled with water, then the land leveling is carried out	Autumn and winter
2.	Mechanized plowing and harrowing the soil at the land plot	After irrigation (winter)
3.	Forming irrigation and planting furrows	After harrowing
4.	Planting in the furrows
5.	Watering 16 times during the growing season	During the 1st year after the planting, once every 8 days
6.	Fencing the plot(Construction of the fence)	After forming the irrigation and planting furrows and planting the rhizomes

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	The plot is fenced with an earth mound	persons/day/ha	8.0	12.125	97.0	87.0
Labour	Forming irrigation and planting furrows	persons/day/ha	1111.0	2.0	2222.0	87.0
Labour	Planting in the furrows	persons/day/ha	67.0	20.0	1340.0	87.0
Labour	Watering 16 times during the growing season	persons/day/ha	32.0	20.0	640.0	100.0
Equipment	Mechanized plowing and harrowing the soil at the land plot	hours/ha	1.5	333.33333	500.0	87.0
Equipment	Tools	spade/ha	1.0	87.0	87.0
Plant material	Seedling	pieces/ha	41750.0	0.04	1670.0	87.0
Construction material	Wooden racks for the fences	pieces/ha	200.0	4.0	800.0
Construction material	Iron wire for fencing	meter/ha	1200.0	0.35	420.0
Other	Labour: Fencing the plot	persons/day	8.0	20.0	160.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					7936.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					2774.83

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Irrigation of the Arundo plantations. Watering 10 times during the growing season	Watering every 12-15 days

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	Irrigation of the Arundo plantations.	persons/day/ha	20.0	20.0	400.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					400.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					139.86

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: Spade, tractor, Spades

The calculation is given for the technique of planting Arundo reeds used as windbreaks and building material. The costs are calculated for the area currently used for Arundo plantations (1 ha). Farmers grow plants around their households; the width of the belt is 3-8m, while the length varies from 20 to 50 m. The size of the land plots of each of the first five farmers is 0.025 ha. The area of the farmers’ lands occupied by Arundo is within 150-400 m². The calculations were made on 10.12.2011

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The costs were calculated according to the scheme provided by the farmers growing Arundo reeds at their plots. Manual labor is primarily used in planting and furrowing (there is no agricultural machinery for furrowing in the village). If mechanized furrowing was introduced, the cost of the technology per 1 ha could be reduced

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Landforms: The technology is applicable where the plants can be watered

Altitudinal zone: 74 m a.s.l.

5.3 Soils

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 low

Soil drainage / infiltration is medium

Soil water storage capacity is low

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Ground water table: The water table is located at a depth of 18-20 m

Availability of surface water: Surface water remains on takyrs after rainfall. Rainfall takes place in the winter and spring seasons. Runoff is absent in summer and autumn

Water quality (untreated): The fresh surface rain water (in winter and spring) is used for drinking purposes (people and animals). The pipeline from the Karakum Canal supplies water for drinking and irrigation

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

There are about 200 species of vascular plants in the area of the research

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

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

Difference in the involvement of women and men: Women are traditionally used in the household (care on domestic animal, housework, work on the household plot)

Population density: < 10 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 0.5% - 1%

5% of the land users are rich.
95% of the land users are average wealthy.

Off-farm income specification: 10%-20% of daykhan association (DA) serve outside the DA and make 10%-50% of the family incomes

Market orientation of production system: Livestock breeding for personal use and for sale.

Level of mechanization: Planting and preparation of the planting materials is manual labour and plowing and harrowing is carried out by tractor.

The number of state owned animals grazing on the Daikhan Association’s land: 25090 sheep and 2329 camels. Along with the animals owned by the state there are private cattle grazed on Daikhan Association’s pastures. There are 62863 privately-owned sheep and 5909 privately-owned camels. The total number of animals grazed on these lands is 88 953 sheep and 8238 camels. According to the data of the boundary survey (1980-1981), the total area of the daikhan pastures is 863 474 hectares. The geobotanical survey evaluated the pastures area to be 845 531 ha

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

Land use rights:

• leased

• daikhan association

• daikhan association

Comments:

The Daikhan Association is engaged in livestock breeding. Farmers lease state-owned animals that graze year round on the desert pastures within the grazing boundaries of the Daikhan Association. Every farmer living in the village has a personal land plot of 0.25-0.3 ha

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Other socio-economic impacts

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

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
local windstorm	well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	well

Comments:

The technology has not been modified

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:

For the first 2 years, while the plants are growing, they do not bring high economic and environmental benefits, this happens later, and the only care the plants require is watering. 2 or 3 waterings a month are enough for the drought-resistant plants

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• > 50%

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

40 households covering 100 percent of stated area

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 51-90%

Comments:

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

Comments on acceptance with external material support: In the first phase of the project, 5 farmers’ households received financial aid from the project for the cultivation of Arundo donax

35 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: Subsequently, 35 more farmers began cultivating Arundo donax by themselves

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Currently, 10 more people have planted Arundo. This is due to the high demand for building materials. In many households, the lack of irrigation water constrains cultivation of this plant

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Arundo cane does not require complicated care. The plant can withstand 2-3 waterings per month during the summer. This is important for the places where irrigation water is scarce. The plant is resistant to high temperatures How can they be sustained / enhanced? Arundo stems is used well by the farmers as a building-material for their own needs, and the sale of the remaining stems generates additional income for the family. The number of farmers willing to cultivate this plant will grow in the future. This is due to the increasing demand for Arundo as a building material
A green windbreak is created near the houses and outbuildings, that protect people and animals from hot winds and dust. These belts are effective in protecting the fruit trees and vegetables grown in the gardens from hot winds How can they be sustained / enhanced? Neighboring farmers visiting the households can see the benefits that Arundo brings to those who grow it around the house

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Arundo Reed (Arundo donax) is a perennial plant. Its cultivation technique is simple and consists of the purchasing or preparation of the planting materials, planting, watering and easy care How can they be sustained / enhanced? One-off costs for planting Arundo will bring benefit to a farmer during for at least 60 years without any additional costs. If the plot adjacent to the Arundo plantation is watered the plant can itself spread to this a plot
The Arundo belts around the households create a specific microclimate favorable for human health and the growth of other crops on the household plot How can they be sustained / enhanced? This process will last as long as the plants are growing around the household.
The farmers are economically interested in growing Arundo donax, because the stems of plants can be used as building material for their own needs and the remaining stems can be profitably sold and generate additional income How can they be sustained / enhanced? Demand for building materials is constantly increasing due to population growth and an increasing number of farmers’ outbuildings constructed in the village, and because the import of similar building materials is much more expensive

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?
This technology requires irrigation water, which is scarce in the village	Construction of an additional water pipe is necessary

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Popov K.P., Sukhova G.V., Kuksov K.G, Anatomy of the Arundo reed stem (Arundo donax L.) used in wind instruments production. “Izvestiya” magazine, the Academy of Sciences of the Turkmen SSR, a biological science series. 1990, № 2

Available from where? Costs?

Library of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan