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)

Integrated natural resources management in drought-prone and salt-affected agricultural production landscapes in Central Asia and Turkey ((CACILM-2))

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

Design and Research UZGIP Institute, Ministry of Water Resources (UzGIP) - 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

Comments:

The use of hydrogels in crop cultivation aims to enhance agricultural productivity while helping to prevent land degradation.

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The technology of cultivating agricultural crops with the use of hydrogels ensures optimal soil moisture and plant nutrition by accumulating soil water and nutrients and gradually releasing them to the plants, thereby increasing crop yields and improving harvest quality.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The use of hydrogel technology in crop production was demonstrated under the FAO/GEF (CACILM-2) project at the agricultural site of the Kashkadarya branch of the Grain and Legume Research Institute, located in Kamashi district of the Kashkadarya region.

In arid climates, soil moisture is the main limiting factor for crop cultivation. In irrigated zones, the lack of precipitation is compensated by artificial irrigation. However, rainfed farmland depends entirely on precipitation, which is distributed extremely unevenly throughout the year. Under such conditions, measures to improve crop water availability become increasingly important.

In global agriculture, one of the methods for conserving soil moisture is the use of hydrogels, which can retain water in amounts 300 to 1,000 times their own weight. Unlike most water-absorbing substances, hydrogels can gradually release the absorbed water and nutrients to plants. Thanks to these unique properties, the hydrogel functions as a water reservoir that maintains normal soil moisture. Although it cannot replace water, it enables the most efficient use of rainfall and existing soil moisture reserves.

Hydrogel is applied to the soil in dry form, evenly spread over the surface and then plowed in. In this case, the effect appears later, as the hydrogel needs to absorb water before it starts working. Once swollen, the hydrogel improves soil structure and its water-retention capacity. Hydrogel can also be applied after pre-hydration—up to a 100-fold increase in polymer mass (about one hour)—by spraying the mixture onto the soil. This method can be used immediately before plowing.

The use of hydrogels helps save irrigation water by reducing surface evaporation caused by the soil’s inability to retain moisture.

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:

2011

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The technology is being implemented within the framework of the FAO/GEF Project ('CACILM2'). The implementation of the technology is facilitated by donor projects

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts

• reduction of evaporation from the surface, efficient use of precipitation and available soil moisture reserves, saving of irrigation water

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

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:

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

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

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Soil preparation: plowing, harrowing, coarse leveling	Autumn-spring
2.	Planting/sowing	Spring (March-April)
3.	Crop care and plant protection	March - September

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	Workers' labor	ha	193.0	99.0	19107.0
Equipment	Preparing the land, sowing	ha	193.0	26.4	5095.2
Plant material	Seeds + manure	ha	193.0	27.9	5384.7
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					29586.9
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					29586.9

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

The costs were covered from the institute/project budget.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Soil preparation: plowing, harrowing, coarce leveling	Autumn-spring
2.	Planting/sowing	Spring (March-April)
3.	Crop care and plant protection	March - September

Comments:

Hydrogel application, an annual event

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

Comments:

No additional investment is required to maintain the technology, as it is an annual activity. However, actions are needed for farmer training, information dissemination, and related activities.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The highest costs for implementing the technology are associated with soil preparation and sowing/planting, which include labor and fuel and lubricants.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

The rainfed zone is located in the upper reaches of the river basin, where surface water sources are free from anthropogenic pressure and are not polluted by human activities.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

The cultivated vegetation in rainfed areas is represented by a limited variety of drought-tolerant crops, including oilseeds (sunflower, safflower), melons, and winter wheat.

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

• Through water user associations and irrigation system management authorities

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

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 has no negative impact on the environment, either within or beyond the area of its application.

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	moderately
seasonal temperature	summer	increase	moderately
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	moderately
drought	well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

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

Comments:

The use of hydrogels is one of the adaptation measures to climate change, particularly for adapting to increasing aridity.

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 technology is low-cost, so the results achieved are positive compared to the investment, even in the short term.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

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
Moisture-retaining properties and the ability to release water slowly to plants
Provides an opportunity to increase crop yields in rainfed areas under low moisture conditions

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Enhanced moisture absorption (granules absorb up to 300 times their own weight), allowing the required moisture level for plants to be maintained for an extended period.
Efficient material use (only 1–1.6 g of dry granules is needed to produce 1 liter of base).
Earlier seed germination compared to traditional cultivation.
Preservation of all microelements present in the substrate (they are not washed out);
Higher crop yields
Reduced soil compaction promotes better root system development.
Increases air circulation, enhances bacterial life in the soil, promotes the growth of the worm population, which is especially important when soils are depleted.
The water retention capacity of hydrogels is high enough to prevent moisture loss through evaporation, but not too high that roots cannot extract water from them, providing an optimal environment for plant growth
Hydrogels can be infused with nutrients, and even herbicides can be incorporated into the polymer and gradually released into the soil.

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?
A relatively new practice, with limited comprehensive information available on both its benefits and potential risks. There is not much research on the possible negative effects of applying hydrogels to soil over long periods.	Dissemination of information, involvement of media and other sources

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
An in-depth review reveals some potential risks to humans and animals from the use of hydrogels: 'Some soil-applied hydrogels release sodium as they degrade, which can eventually lead to soil salinization. The newly used hydrogels do not have a fully established profile, and as with many experimental products, potential issues have not yet been thoroughly investigated.	Hydrogels should be selected carefully. Before use, all properties and potential risks must be thoroughly examined. The use of poorly studied and potentially hazardous hydrogels should be avoided.
Physical swelling of hydrogel crystals can clog or block the intestinal tracts of animals and insects if ingested.	When using hydrogels, it is essential to follow application guidelines and observe all recommended safety precautions.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

1.A.I.Nurbekov. CULTIVATION OF AGRICULTURAL CROPS UNDER CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE IN IRRIGATED CONDITIONS CENTRAL ASIA. Tashkent, Uzbekistan. -2019. –P. 173

Title, author, year, ISBN:

2.Х.М.Талипов. Қашқадарё вилояти Қамаши туманининг тоғ ва тоғ олди ҳудудларидаги лалмикор қурғоқчил ерларда агроўрмончиликни ривожлантириш бўйича тавсиялар. Baktria press –Тошкент. 2020. –Б. 50

Title, author, year, ISBN:

3.О.А.Аманов, А.И.Нурбеков, Д.Т.Жўраев, Н.Ғ.Ёдгоров, О.С.Амирқулов ва А.Шоймурадов. Қишлоқ хўжалик ландшафтларида қурғоқчил ва шўрланган майдонлар табиий ресурсларни комплекс бошқариш технологияси бўйича тавсиялар. Насаф нашриёти. –Қарши. 2020. –Б. 60.

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Nurbekov, A., Akramkhanov, A., Lamers, J., Kassam, A., Friedrich, T., Gupta, R., ... & Bekenov, M. (2013). conservation agriculture in central Asia. Conservation Agriculture: Global Prospects and Challenges, Wallingford: CABI, 223-247.

Title/ description:

Nurbekov, A., Akramkhanov, A., Kassam, A., Sydyk, D., Ziyadaullaev, Z., & Lamers, J. P. A. (2016). Conservation Agriculture for combating land degradation in Central Asia: a synthesis. AIMS Agriculture and Food, 1(2), 144-156.

Title/ description:

Nurbekov, A. (2015). Conservation agriculture in irrigated areas of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Amman, Jordan: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).

Title/ description:

Acreman, M., Albertengo, J., Amado, T., Amis, M., Anderson, A., Bacchur, I., ... & Yakushina, E. (2012). Report of the work of the expert group on maintaining the ability of biodiversity to continue to support the water cycle.

Title/ description:

Nurbekov, A., Jamoliddinov, A., Joldoshev, K., Rischkowskv, B., Nishanov, N., Rai, K. N., ... & Rao, A. S. (2013). Potential of pearl millet as a forage crop in wheat-based double cropping system in Central Asia. Journal of SAT Agricultural Research, 11, 1-5.

Title/ description:

Nurbekov, A., Aksoy, U., Muminjanov, H., Khujabekov, A., Nurbekova, R., & Shukurov, A. (2018, August). Organic agriculture in Uzbekistan. In XXX International Horticultural Congress IHC2018: II International Symposium on Organic Horticulture for Wellbeing of the 1286 (pp. 11-16).

Title/ description:

Israilovich, N. A., Sydyk, D., Chorsham, U., & Ibragimovna, R. D. (2020). EFFECT OF PLANTING DATE ON PRODUCTIVITY OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L. SSP.) IN SOUTHERN KAZAKHSTAN. European science review, (9-10), 12-17.

Title/ description:

Nurbekov, A. (2015). News coverage of the Field day in Karao'zak district in local TV. Amman, Jordan: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)(Executive Producer).