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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Planting drought-resistant tree species on sloping rainfed areas will increase the productivity of rainfed land and local incomes. Local afforestation of rainfed arable land will provide environmental benefits such as reducing the risk of water erosion, mitigating the impact of climate change by sequestering CO2 in wood biomass and soil, and will also contribute to overall environmental health.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

This technology was implemented within the framework of the GEF/FAO project "Decision Support for the Promotion and Dissemination of Sustainable Land Management" (DS-SLM) (2015-2018) on a plot of rainfed arable land in the Kamashi district of the Kashkadarya region. Rainfed arable land in Uzbekistan occupies about 743 thousand ha, located in the foothill zone on the adyrs (foothills). The slopes of rainfed land are subject to water erosion, and hence, implementation of special techniques and specific measures to grow crops is needed to preserve the upper fertile soil layer and conserve soil moisture. The technology of agroforestry reclamation of rainfed arable land consists of creation of drought-resistant tree species plantations on small terraces. Implementation of the technology includes the following activities:
1. Traditional land preparation – plowing, harrowing, leveling and compaction of upper soil layer,
2. Manually preparing small, 1 m wide terraces at a distance of 5 m to each other, with a sloping opposite to the general slope,
3. Fencing an isolated agroforestry plot with a metal fence or other means to prevent damaging by livestock,
4. Planting seedlings during spring (in March), in 5 x 5 m plots,
5. Further activities include caring for the plantings:
- simple drip irrigation using polyethylene bottles (during the first 2-3 years),
- application of fertilizers (manure, compost),
- implementation of measures to combat pests and diseases. In early spring (before the buds appear), trees are treated against pests with copper sulfate at the rate of 100-150 grams per 10 liters of water. In March, tree trunks are whitewashed with lime. The row spacings are treated with 57% fufanon at 0.6-1.0 l/ha, or 30% benzophosphate at a rate of 2.0-2.3 kg/ha.
The cost of implementing the technology is quite high - about 1200 US dollars, which acts as a deterrent factor to its widespread use. The main costs relate to the initial period - making terraces, purchasing and planting seedlings. Later, the costs are reduced - there is no need for irrigation, and weed infestation is reduced as a result of competition with matured trees.
A feature of rainfed land conditions in the territory of technology implementation is the low precipitation. Climate and weather determine the low and unstable yield of winter wheat, crop that is traditionally grown on dryland areas. To increase the productivity of dryland farming, areas under drought-resistant crops, such as safflower, are currently expanded. Finding alternative solutions and supporting local communities whose main occupation is rainfed agriculture and livestock breeding is of paramount importance to improving living standards and well-being.

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

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

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

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?

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

• Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agroforestry

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

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

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Plowing, harrowing, leveling and compacting upper soil layer	February
2.	Handmade terraces	February
3.	Fencing of the plot	February
4.	Planting seedlings	February-March
5.	Watering for seedling development	March-October

Comments:

All activities must be done within a short time frame in order to complete planting in early spring (late February - early March, depending on weather) to make maximum use of favorable weather conditions.

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 (making terraces, planting, caring for trees)	ha	1.0	436.0	436.0
Equipment	Use of machinery (plowing, harrowing, leveling and compacting upper soil layer)	ha	1.0	87.0	87.0
Plant material	Seedlings	piece	280.0	3.0	840.0
Construction material	Fencing the plot with metal fence		1.0	349.0	349.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					1712.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					1712.0

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.	Caring for crops (irrigation using platic bottles during the first 2 years)	during plant growth period
2.	Pest control: treatment with copper sulfate, fufanon, benzophosphate	In early spring before the budding phase
3.	Pest control: whitewashing tree trunks with lime	during plant growth period when needed

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	Work of a tree care	ha	1.0	200.0	200.0	100.0
Equipment	Use of agricultural machinery	ha	1.0	60.0	60.0	100.0
Other	Protecting the plot	ha	1.0	60.0	60.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					320.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					320.0

Comments:

The cost of planting trees is related to the first year of technology implementation. Other costs include activities to caring for the plantings, replacing dried trees and protection against damage

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The highest costs are related to making terraces, purchasing seedlings and fencing the area. However, fencing the area can be done in some other, cheaper ways, e.g., using other materials instead of metal fence

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

520 m above sea level, slope steepness is 8-16%

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:

There are no sources of surface water for drinking purposes in the rainfed areas. Underground water from wells or imported water is used for drinking.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

The rainfed zone is characterized by poor species diversity due to the lack of natural moisture. The main crops of rainfed agriculture are winter wheat and barley, safflower, and sunflower. By the end of summer, the soil surface becomes virtually completely practically bare, without vegetation.

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
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• leased
• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

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

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

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
seasonal temperature	summer	increase	not well
annual rainfall		decrease	not well
seasonal rainfall	spring	decrease	not well at all
seasonal rainfall	summer	decrease	moderately
seasonal rainfall	autumn	decrease	not well at all

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	moderately

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:

Long-term positive benefits: conservation and enhancement of biodiversity, increased incomes, employment

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%

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
Additional source of income

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Additional source of income
Improving the agricultural landscape
Preventing erosion

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?
High cost of implementation and long period to wait for benefits.	Use a loan, look for additional sources of income for the period until the technology starts to generate income
Lack of information	Conducting trainings, workshops

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Long period of waiting for benefits	Use a loan, look for additional sources of income for the period until the technology starts to generate income

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Khamzina T.I. et al. PRACTICES AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE USE OF IRRIGATED AND RAINFED AREAS SUBJECT TO SALINIZATION AND DROUGHT, 2017

Available from where? Costs?

Collection of scientific and practical conference. Tashkent