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)

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:

Kiwi fruit cultivation on sloping land in the mid-hill areas of Nepal can help prevent soil erosion and is a sustainable land management practice. This high value crop introduces biodiversity and improves livelihoods by providing a source of cash income.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The kiwi fruit is native to China. Previously called Chinese gooseberry, it is now more commonly known by its marketing name of kiwi fruit. Kiwi fruits grow on large vines that are similar to grapevines in their general growth and fruiting habits as well as their training and trellising requirements. The fruit normally ripens within 25 weeks after the flowers first appear. The fruits range in weight from 40 to 90 g and can be picked shortly after the first frost in autumn; after that, they can be kept in cold storage for 4–6 months at oC. Kiwi vines can be grown on a wide range of soil types at elevations ranging from 1000 m to 2500 m. The kiwi plant is dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female. Only female plants bear fruit, but only when pollinated by a male plant. Vines of both sexes are essential for fruit production, and they must flower at the same time to ensure pollination. One male pollinator vine is required for eight female vines. The vines are commonly supported on sturdy structures strong enough to bear the heavy fruit, which might otherwise break the rather weak vines. T-bars or hitching post trellises are recommended to support the large fruiting area in the form of a canopy and provide easy access to the fruit.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Seedlings can be planted in the spring as soon as there is little chance of frost. Vines need to be pruned both in summer and in winter to maintain a balance between kiwi plant growth and profitable fruit production. Excessive plant growth is removed during the growing season to keep the kiwi canopy open and to remove non-fruiting wood. Harvesting can begin from the end of November. Frequent weeding is required to reduce competition for moisture and fertilizer. Kiwi fruit requires abundant water; during the dry season the newly planted kiwi vines need deep watering once a week.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Cropland

• Perennial (non-woody) cropping
• Tree and shrub cropping

Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:

• berries

• kiwi

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): When sloping land is not used for agricultural production and not planted with ground cover or other vegetation (such as contour hedgerows), the fertile soil can be eroded and washed away by heavy monsoon rains.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

• V1: Tree and shrub cover

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

chemical soil deterioration

• Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Above: Layout of a kiwi orchard. The ideal density of kiwi plants in an orchard is 300 per ha, or in terms of the units of measure commonly used in Nepal, 15 plants per ropani. The plants are spaced 6 m apart and the distance between the rows is 5 m, with a male to female plant ratio of 1:8.
Below: T-bars are used as trellis supports for the kiwi vines. The T-bars are 2.5–3 m long iron posts that are anchored into the ground; they extend approximately 1.8 m above the ground and 60–70 cm deep into the soil. The arms of the T-bar extend 1–1.2 m. The bars are spaced approximately 4.5 m apart with galvanized wire strung between them and pulled taught to form the trellis itself. The end posts are braced by 4–5 wires that are secured into the ground (as shown).
The kiwi plants should be at least
0.6 m away from the T-bars. The centre wire supports the main cordons, and the outer wires support the fruiting lateral parts.

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: improvement of ground cover, increase of biomass (quantity), Reduce soil erosion

Secondary technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: impede / retard, reduction of slope angle

Author:

AK Thaku

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The above establishment cost is for a plantation of 300 plants on one hectare; the recurrent annual maintenance cost has been calculated for a plantation of 300 plants per ha per year. All costs are estimated based on experience gained at the ICIMOD Knowledge Park at Godavari.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

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 medium

Soil drainage / infiltration is medium

Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Water quality (untreated): Also for agricultural use (irrigation)

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

695 species of flora and 230 species of fauna have been documented within the Knowledge Park's 30 ha area

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: < 10 persons/km2

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:

• communal (organized)
• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)
• individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Water availability and quality

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Other ecological impacts

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)

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

Climatological disasters

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

Comments:

A net canopy can be used to protect the vines from hail storms and help prevent fruit from dropping prematurely

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:

The approximate annual income from kiwi production is USD 11,765/ha/year. The technology provides on-farm employment opportunities for both men and women.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

Comments:

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Kiwi fruit is gaining in popularity in Nepal; at present it is cultivated commercially by farmers in Kavre, Lalitpur, Dolakha, and Ilam Districts as well as in the Kathmandu Valley. The technology is widely accepted. Kiwi saplings were initially supplied by ICIMOD and by a private nursery in Kavre District.

Driver for adoption:
• Increased market demand for kiwi fruit
• A good alternative for sloping land management
• Kiwi cultivation is a source of income generation
Constraints
• It has been difficult to meet the high demand for kiwi seedlings. The scarcity of seedlings is the main bottleneck limiting the uptake of kiwi production.

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

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Kiwi fruit production guide. Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States: Alabama University, Himelrick, DG; Powell, A (1998)

URL:

http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1084/ANR-1084.pdf