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)

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:

A Diversified Cropping System (DCS) results in a more resilient and productive cropping system. In this case, chickpeas were introduced as a relay intercrop between established lines of lentils. This not only had no negative effect on lentil yields, but also enabled the harvest of an extra crop: chickpeas.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

In the semi-arid regions of Morocco, agricultural production varies from year to year, but yields are generally declining because of climate change. Climate change is leading to more irregular rainfall and frequent extreme weather events. Wherever possible, there is a need to intensify agricultural systems to ensure food security while simultaneously increasing resilience.
Cultivating lentils (Lens culinaris) as a sole crop is common practice in rural Morocco. To intensify this cropping system, the International Centre for Agricultural Research Dry Areas (ICARDA) introduced chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) as a relay intercrop into the common lentil production system. Because chickpeas are planted within an already growing crop of lentils, this form of intercropping is termed "relay planting". Importantly, chickpeas do not affect the yields of lentils (0.837 + 0.19 t ha-1 yield in sole vs. 0.808 + 0.159 t ha-1 in intercrop) because they do not significantly compete for water and nutrients. With two crops harvested from the same piece of land, overall farm profits increase. Furthermore, this creates a more resilient production system because the farmer is not dependent on a single crop. Additionally, including chickpeas as a relay-intercrop extends the cropping season and prolongs the period where the soil is covered, consequently protecting it from degradation. An added advantage is that both chickpeas and lentils are leguminous, nitrogen-fixing crops that can improve soil fertility. Also, both crops have high cultural and culinary value locally. However, the technology has potential drawbacks as in years of extreme droughts, chickpeas require supplementary irrigation, especially during establishment. This is often unavailable to local farmers and may result in poor crop establishment and low yields.
In 2020-2022, ICARDA tested this Diversified Cropping System (DCS) on a trial field of half a hectare, in an area with average annual precipitation of 390 mm (based on 40 years of data). The system is implemented as follows. First, the field is prepared by ploughing. In December, lentils are mechanically seeded. Two rows of lentils are planted 15 cm apart. The spacing between each two-row pair is roughly 90 cm. Compound fertilizer is applied during seeding. In January, an herbicide is sprayed to control grassy weeds. The field is mechanically weeded twice, in mid-January and then again in February. Chickpeas are sown at the end of February also in paired lines (two rows 20 cm apart) also with compound fertilizer. Each pair of chickpea lines is planted between pairs of lentils. In March, the plots are manually weeded, and in April, the lentils are manually harvested and mechanically threshed. A single spray of insecticide is applied in April-May. Finally, in June, the chickpeas are mechanically harvested and have an average yield of 1.1 + 0.146 t ha-1.
This documentation illustrates an ICARDA innovation that is accessible since there are no establishment events and costs. This Diversified Cropping System improves a traditional system by introducing an additional crop, resulting in higher farm income and resilience to variable weather.

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:

Morocco

Region/ State/ Province:

Khémisset Province

Further specification of location:

Merchouch

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

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

No

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2021

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• create beneficial economic 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:

• legumes and pulses - lentils

• chickpeas

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Is intercropping practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify which crops are intercropped:

Chickpeas

Is crop rotation practiced?

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?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

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

• rainfed

Comments:

By default, it is rainfed, unless there are droughts, in which case supplementary irrigation is introduced.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A1: Vegetation/ soil cover

management measures

• M2: Change of management/ intensity level
• M4: Major change in timing of activities

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

soil erosion by wind

• Et: loss of topsoil

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

other/ national currency (specify):

Moroccan Dirham

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

10.63

4.3 Establishment activities

Comments:

Chickepeas and lentils are annuals and they are cropped once a year under the conditions in question. As such, the above activities are listed under establishment (because they are only done once for every cropping season)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Comments:

The above activities are listed under recurrent because they are done more than once throughout the cropping season (and according to the need).

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

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

5.5 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:

• individual, not titled
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• 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

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Soil

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

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Diversified cropping systems for sustainable intensification of dryland family farming

URL:

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/66830

7.4 General comments

This technology is part of a series of technologies on Diversified Cropping Systems that test the incorporation of different crops into lentil production, namely onions (technologies_5992 - Morocco) and quinoa (technologies_5967 - Morocco)