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)

Decision Support for Mainstreaming and Scaling out Sustainable Land Management (GEF-FAO / DS-SLM)

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

Research Institute of Karakul Breeding and Desert Ecology of Uzbekistan - Uzbekistan

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

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Almonds and other drought-tolerant tree species are planted in rainfed zone, poor in precipitation, on shallow terraces on gentle slopes. Tree plantations prevent the development of soil erosion on the slopes and provide local land users with additional income

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Drylands in Uzbekistan are located in the foothills of Adyr and cover an area of 743,000 ha. Substantially, this is an agricultural zone, poor in rainfall, with a low and unstable row crops yield. The slopes are proned to soil erosion and require special methods of tillage and special measures to reduce erosion in order to improve the water regime and preserve the fertile topsoil.
The proposed technology includes the development of small terraces on the slopes with almonds planting and other local drought-resistant tree species on the terraces. Terracing is a traditional and well-known technique of cultivating crops on the slopes, therefore local timber enterprise have enough experience in creating such terraces. An isolated agroforestry area is fenced off by livestock damage. The technology has been applied as part of the GEF / FAO project “Decision Support for Mainstreaming and Scaling out Sustainable Land Management (GEF-FAO / DS-SLM)” (DS-SLM) (2015-2018)
Measures on implementation, inputs, and costs:
The technology includes the following activities:
1. Plowing, harrowing, soil leveling.
2. Small sloping terraces are created manually. The width of the terraces is 1 m, the distance between the seedlings is 5 m.
3. Creating a fence for the site.
4. Planting seedlings (in March) according to the scheme 5 mx 5 m.
5. Planting care includes:
- primitive drip irrigation using polyethylene bottles (first 2-3 years).
- fertilizer application (manure, composts)
- measures to control pests and diseases. In early spring (before the appearance of buds), trees are treated against pests with copper sulfate (ratio of 100-150 grams per 10 liters of water). Trunks of trees are treated with lime in March. Space between rows are treated with 57% of Fufanon at the rate of 0.6-1.0 l / ha, or 30% benzophosphate at the rate of 2.0-2.3 kg / ha to destroy root-gnawing caterpillars of beetles.
Total cost for establishment of the Technology is quite high, which is a limiting factor for its wide distribution. The main costs associated with the initial period (development of terraces, purchase and planting of seedlings). Hereinafter costs are reduced because there is no need for watering, weed distribution is reduced as a result of competitive relation with older trees
Natural and human environment.
Low precipitation is a feature of rainfed farming within the Technology area.
Territories under rainfed agriculture suffer from a lack of natural moisture and are subject to water and wind erosion. Climate and weather determine low and unstable productivity of winter wheat, which is traditionally grown on rainfed lands. Drought resistant crops such as sophlor are used to increase the productivity of rainfed lands. Rainfed and livestock farming are the main land use types for the local population. Finding alternative solutions and supporting the local community is essential for improving living standards and well-being. The development of plantations using drought-resistant fruit trees on sloping rainfed lands will increase land productivity of rainfed lands and the income of the local population engaged in agriculture. The Technology also provides environmental benefits - preventing soil erosion, mitigating the effects of climate change through sequestration of CO2 in woody biomass and soil, and contributes to the overall improvement of the environment.

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

Indicate year of implementation:

2015

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.):

Decision Support for Mainstreaming and Scaling up of Sustainable Land Management» (DS-SLM)

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• mitigate climate change and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact

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

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

Comments:

Cropland: Ca

3.4 Water supply

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

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• agroforestry
• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Natural causes of degradation: lack of rainfall in the rainfed zone, wind and water erosion on the slopes;
Anthropogenic causes: lack of shelter belts and other agrotechnical methods and techniques to reduce evaporation from the soil surface and to increase moisture accumulation; insufficient variety of drought-resistant species of cultivated plants, etc.

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

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

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

2867.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Plowing, harrowing, soil leveling	February
2.	Manual creation of terraces	February
3.	Site fencing	February
4.	Planting seedlings	February-March
5.	Watering seedlings	March-October

Comments:

All activities should be carried out in a short time to finish planting in early spring (late February - early March, depending on the weather) to maximize the use of rainfall, ensuring the survival of seedlings

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	Hired labor (planting seedlings)	USD / ha	1.0	200.0	200.0
Plant material	Seedlings	USD / ha	1.0	200.0	200.0
Construction material	Fencing (Rabitz netting)	USD / ha
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					400.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					0.14

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

Project

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Crop Care	during the growing season
2.	Pest control	2- times during flowering and fruiting
3.	Site Protection	during the growing season

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	hired labor for crops care	USD/ha	1.0	200.0	200.0	100.0
Equipment	The use of machinery	USD/ha	1.0	60.0	60.0	100.0
Other	Site Protection	USD/ha	12.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					260.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					0.09

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The costs of almonds plantations creation are needed only 1 time. Subsequently, only the costs of care, replacement of dried seedlings and site protection are needed.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

Yes

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

A special microclimate is formed in the created gardens. Tree crowns enhance biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

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

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

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

The Technology does not negatively affect the environment; biodiversity is increasing. The possibility of restoring degraded lands after depletion from the crops cultivation is growing

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	very well
seasonal temperature	summer	increase	well
annual rainfall		decrease	well
seasonal rainfall	spring	decrease	well
seasonal rainfall	summer	decrease	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
heatwave	well
drought	well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
extended growing period	very well

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:

Short-term positive benefits: increased biodiversity, the development of gardens on degraded lands.
Long-term positive benefits: biodiversity conservation and increasing, increase in population incomes, local employment

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 11-50%

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

The low level of farming culture among the local farmers, which is traditionally involved in cattle breeding, prevents scaling up of the technology adoption

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

• 11-50%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Fast acquisition of high-income
Low level of investment in Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Does not require special investments in Technology implementation
Fast acquisition of high-income The yield of nuts from one tree per hectare is up to 4-5 kg, or 200-250 kg per hectare for the third year of technology implementation

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Lack of agricultural machinery and farming culture	Education and trainings
Lack of broad information about the possibility of Technology using	Awareness raising

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Lack of agricultural machinery available for local farmers, who are involved in cattle breeding	Purchase / rental of equipment
Lack of experience and farming culture among local farmers traditionally involved in cattle breeding	Education, Awareness raising

7.1 Methods/ sources of information