1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

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:

Allocation of organic rotation gardens for employees and people from the University of Murcia. It aims to demonstrate the viability of organic farming through a series of techniques and management practices in the cooperative orchards at the University of Murcia

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Annually, the University of Murcia allocates 28 agricultural plots to its employees and/or students for cultivation under organic farming. The plots are located on the Espinardo campus in Murcia (Spain). The plots, of approx. 20 m2, have an irrigation point connected to the general campus network. In the area where the garden plots are located, there is also storage space for community tools and other equipment for cultivating the land.

The most relevant objective that the university is pursuing is to demonstrate the viability of organic farming. This is through a series of practices (fertilization, pest control, crop associations, rotations) that solve specific agronomic problems. In order to develop these techniques and practices guidelines for these practices are given by the person responsible for the project. Some of the practices and techniques implemented are: exclusive use of non-polluting fertilizers, pest control by natural means, crop rotation, and the use of compost.

Each participant selects a vegetable variety to establish their own crop, mainly tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), zucchini (Cucurbita pepo), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), radishes (Raphanus sativus), potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) and others. The fertilization is based on a non-contaminating fertilizer, mainly horse and goat manure from the Veterinary Faculty of the same university, in addition, a worm-based compost (vermiculture) provided by the university is applied annually. Additionally, pest control is carried out through adhesive strip traps, the addition of eggshells to the top soil against snails, and aromatic plants are cultivated on the border of the orchards to attract natural predators of pests. Additionally, organic waste from the management of the gardens is deposited in a composter installed nearby.

Furthermore, the ecological gardens are a meeting place, a relaxing yet productive area, where human relationships among the members of the university community are strengthened.

Finally, in order to promote gender empowerment, women are the main users and managers of the gardens; men’s presence is minimal – just occasionally to help with harvesting tasks.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

Country:

Spain

Region/ State/ Province:

Murcia

Further specification of location:

Espinardo-Murcia

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

No

Comments:

Universidad Murcia Campus Espinardo Eco-Campus

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2014

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

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• create beneficial social impact

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• vegetables - other

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Verano/Invierno

Is intercropping practiced?

No

Is crop rotation practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify:

winter and summer

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

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

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

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

• full irrigation

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
• minimal soil disturbance
• integrated pest and disease management (incl. organic agriculture)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A1: Vegetation/ soil cover
• A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
• A5: Seed management, improved varieties
• A6: Residue management

A6: Specify residue management:

A 6.3: collected

management measures

• M6: Waste management (recycling, re-use or reduce)

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

chemical soil deterioration

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

physical soil deterioration

• Pc: compaction

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent 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

other/ national currency (specify):

euro

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

0.99

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of establishing the Technology:

60.0

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

University of Murcia covered the cost of stablishment activities

Comments:

Only the user bought the seed or plants

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of maintaining the Technology:

50.0

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

University of Murcia

Comments:

The user only bought the pest traps

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Only the users bought the material plant and the selected pest control that they choose in their individual plot

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?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Las mujeres son las usuarias y las responsables de los huertos, la presencia masculina es pequeña o inexistente, solo para ayudar puntualmente en labores de cosecha, etc.

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:

• company

Land use rights:

• leased

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

Cesión anual por parte de la Universidad de Murcia

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

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

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

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Biological disasters

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)?

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

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

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

GUÍA DE HUERTOS ECOLÓGICOS. Los huertos eco-campus de la Universidad de Murcia; ISBN: 978-84-8371-949-7

Available from where? Costs?

https://guadanatura.es/producto/guia-de-huertos-ecologicos-los-huertos-eco-campus-de-la-universidad-de-murcia/

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Web del huerto universitario

URL:

https://www.um.es/web/campussostenible/inicio

7.4 General comments

Las usuarias van rotando el cultivo 2 veces al año, y cada 2 años cambia la cesión del huerto a usuarias diferentes, de esta manera la Universidad de Murcia se asegura que el suelo tiene una renovación de nutrientes continuo.