Technologies

Plastic film technology [Nepal]

Plastic proyog gari kheti garne prabidhi (Main Contributor: Samden Sherpa, ICIMOD)

technologies_1687 - Nepal

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Completeness: 76%

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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SLM specialist:

Sherpa Samden Lama

ICIMOD

Nepal

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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:

Plastic film technology, sometimes called plastic mulching, is an important breakthrough that can transform traditional agriculture into modern agriculture by helping to circumvent many of the limitations of temperature and moisture. Plastic film is used to cover the surface of the soil in order to increase the temperature, to retain moisture, and to promote the germination of seeds.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Agricultural production by traditional methods is constrained by extremes in temperature and by extremes in the availability of water; freezing temperatures as well as droughts and waterlogging have long daunted farmers. When plastic film is used on the soil, the solar energy absorbed by the soil during the day is retained at night since the plastic film prevents water from evaporating. Higher night time temperatures and higher levels of moisture in the ground promote active micro-organisms, which diminish the need for fertilizer and improve the physical properties of the soil.

Purpose of the Technology: Plastic film can be used in one of two ways. In the first method, the plastic film is spread on ridges of soil, the plastic is perforated at regular intervals, and the seedlings are planted through these openings. In the other method, seeds are planted on the ridges as in the traditional method, and when the seedlings have grown to a reasonable size, the ridge is covered by a plastic film and holes are cut at the position of the seedlings to allow them to pass through the film. Depending on the condition of the film after the crops are harvested, the covered ridges can be used to grow another crop.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Experiments at ICIMOD show that the use of plastic film can, on average, double the crop yield as compared to traditional methods. Previous studies by Lu Rongsen (1994) showed that the plastic film method can increase chilli production by 74%, tomato production by 52%, and the production of garden peas by 31%.

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:

Nepal

Further specification of location:

Lalitpur District

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
Comments:

It was done in demonstration plote

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • during experiments/ research

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

  • Annual cropping
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 2
Forest/ woodlands

Forest/ woodlands

Products and services:
  • Fuelwood
  • Other forest products
Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Farmers have traditionally used mulching to retain moisture in the soil and to help plants withstand ground frost. Mulching is useful but has many limitations. Recently, plastic film technology has been successfully introduced to help retain moisture in the soil and to promote seed germination. Since moisture is retained, the temperature of the soil does not drop as low as it would otherwise; this accelerates the growth and the development of both the roots and the whole plant, resulting in good crops and high yields.

Forest products and services: fuelwood

Other forest products and services: Fodder

Constraints of Scrubland

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • improved ground/ vegetation cover

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

management measures

management measures

  • M7: Others

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

water degradation

water degradation

  • Ha: aridification

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

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Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

The diagram shows a cross-section of a ridge planted using plastic film technology. The plants grow through holes punched in the plastic. The plastic helps to retain moisture in the soil and, in so doing, also helps to increase the soil temperature. Weeds trapped below the plastic are inhibited from interfering with the crop.
The ridges (or beds) are typically 20 m long, 1 m wide and spaced 1 m apart (for access); they are usually 10–20 cm high. The distances shown in the diagram are averages for crops such as chillies where the row-to-row distance is 50–70 cm and the plant-to plant distance is 40–50 cm. These distances vary according to the crop.

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: Increase the temperature of the soil and promote seed germination and emergence, Retain soil moisture and reduce soil erosion

Secondary technical functions: Accelerates the growth and development of roots and plants in areas where the temperature is low dur, Hastens maturation of crops and increase yield and promote good quality crop

Change of land use practices / intensity level

Author:

AK Thaku

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
  • per Technology area
Indicate size and area unit:

ha

Specify currency used for cost calculations:
  • USD

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. The plot of land to be planted is prepared by first fertilizing it with a mixture of soil, compost, and/or farmyard manure. The soil is gathered into parallel ridges, typically 20 m long, 1 m wide, and 10–20 cm high; the distance between two ridges is usually 40–50 cm. For many crops the seedlings are spaced 50–70 cm apart.
2. Method #1 Plastic film (approx. thickness 0.014–0.003 mm) is used to cover the ridges and anchored into the ground. Round holes are punched in the film at regular intervals. Some soil is excavated through the holes and the seedlings are planted through the holes and thoroughly watered. The holes in the plastic are sealed using soil.
3. Method#2 Seeds are sown on the ridges and seedlings are allowed to develop. The ridge is covered in plastic film and the film is anchored. Holes are punched into the plastic at the position of the seedlings so that they pass through.
4. For either method, when the crops are harvested all residue should be removed. Depending on local conditions and on whether the plastic film is still viable, the plastic covered ridges can be reused to grow another crop without replacing the film.

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 Preparing land plot persons/day/ha 80.0 3.875 310.0
Equipment Spade, secateurs ha 1.0 10.0 10.0
Equipment Plastic film kg/ha 48.0 1.0 48.0
Plant material Seedlings ha 1.0 250.0 250.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 618.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 618.0

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Provide crop support such as staking and removal of excess leaves as required

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 Support the crops persons/day/ha 30.0 3.6668 110.0
Equipment Bamboo poles ha 1.0 20.0 20.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 130.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 130.0

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

This was a demonstration project conducted by ICIMOD.

All costs and amounts are rough estimates by the technicians and authors.

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
  • sub-humid

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.

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):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • high (>3%)
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

Ground water table:

< 5 m

Availability of surface water:

good

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

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

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • high

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • > 50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
Individuals or groups:
  • employee (company, government)
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • animal traction
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

  • < 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

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

Land ownership:
  • state
Land use rights:
  • communal (organized)
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
Labour:
  • 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
Comments/ specify:

in areas with a long winter season

Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

less time is spent weeding

Socio-cultural impacts

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

livelihood and human well-being

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

improved crops and higher yields benefit the entire community because more food is available and the harvest brings in cash income.

Ecological impacts

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Other ecological impacts

soil erosion and nutrient loss

improved
reduced

soil temperature

decreased
increased

weeds are controlled

reduced
improved

discarded plastic

not biodegradable
biodegradable

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

downstream flooding

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

Downstream farmers benefit because soil is conserved and runoff is reduced

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences
How does the Technology cope with it?
long spell of low temperature, frost and snowfall well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

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

very positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • single cases/ experimental
Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 0-10%
Comments:

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Acceptance/adoption:
This demonstration of plastic film technology was used mainly to show that it is viable both in the mid-hills and at higher elevations where temperatures can be very low during the winter season. Plastic film technology can be used to cultivate high-value horticultural crops such as vegetables, strawberries, and melons. In China, it has been successfully used to cultivate more than 80 species (Lu Rongsen 1994).

Driver for adoption:
Improved income for farmers and less time is spent weeding. Greater awareness among farmers is being spread through participatory research and development in rural areas.

Constraints
Plastic film is not always available in rural areas

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Plastic film technology can increase the yield of some crops by as much as 100% as compared to conventional farming.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Since this technology is still relatively new, it will be necessary to continue sharing experiences and to promote awareness.
Plastic film technology can be used to grow crops in hilly areas where the long winter season is usually too cold to support crops.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Need to create greater awareness of the benefits of using plastic film technology in mountain areas

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?
As farmers begin to use plastic film technology more plastic is being discarded in rural areas. Plastic film needs to be retrieved and recycled. In China it has been shown that this is possible.
Discarded plastic film can pollute agricultural lands Farmers need to be made aware of hazards and encouraged to form networks for collection and recycling the used plastic.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

The application of plastic film technology in China: Plastic film technology data collected and analyzed in ICIMOD D&T Centre, Godavari. Kathmandu, Nepal: ICIMOD, Rongsen, L (1994)

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