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 Rice Field with Poor Drainage (RMME) is a cultivated rice field enclosed by embankments, relying on an irregular water supply, and facing potential water scarcity risks at the onset, during, or towards the conclusion of the cropping cycle. Specific rice varieties are particularly well-suited to this type of rice cultivation.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

A Rice Field with Poor Drainage (RMME) is a cultivated rice field enclosed by embankments, relying on an irregular water supply, and facing potential water scarcity risks at the onset, during, or towards the conclusion of the cropping cycle. Specific rice varieties, characterized by extended and rapidly growing roots, are particularly well-suited to this type of rice cultivation. These roots enable the plants to access deeper water resources, in the absence of rainfall throughout the crop cycle.
RMME may be situated in lowlands or along the banks of floodable rivers, often on levelled plots enclosed by dikes. Water is sourced from springs, river intakes, or through brief flooding. However, careful management of the water level within the rice field is essential.
Transplanting or dry-sowing methods can be employed under RMME. Dry sowing is preferred when the availability of water in the rice field is uncertain, an increasingly common scenario with climate change. The nursery can be placed near the rice field, on a plot with water resources, or in proximity to the village.
The rice varieties selected for RMME cultivation are characterized by long roots and rapid growth, with examples including Sebota 70, 281, and 410 (with a 105-day vegetative cycle). During transplanting, it is crucial to ensure that the age of the seedlings does not exceed 15 to 20 days. This precaution prevents the young rice plants from rooting deeply in the nursery, reducing the risk of root breakage during transplanting, which could otherwise hinder their tillering capacity. Transplanting is carried out in rows.
For fertile or well-fertilized soils, the recommended spacing is 20 cm * 20 cm. This configuration allows for the manual rotary hoe to pass in both directions during weeding. In less fertile soils, the spacing between rows remains 20 cm, but plants within the same row are spaced 10 cm apart. In this scenario, the rotary hoe only needs to pass through one row.
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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:

Madagascar

Region/ State/ Province:

Boeny

Further specification of location:

Tsaramandroso, Ambondromamy

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

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2019

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.):

GIZ ProSoil Madagascar

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:

• cereals - maize
• cereals - rice (upland)
• legumes and pulses - beans
• legumes and pulses - peas
• oilseed crops - groundnuts
• vegetables - root vegetables (carrots, onions, beet, other)

• Cowpeas

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

November to March for rice, then April to July for other crops (cowpeas, mung beans, corn, peanuts).

Is intercropping practiced?

No

Is crop rotation practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify:

Cereals in one year, then legumes and oilseeds in the second, and so on.

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:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds
• surface water management (spring, river, lakes, sea)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A1: Vegetation/ soil cover
• A5: Seed management, improved varieties

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

biological degradation

• Bq: quantity/ biomass decline

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• adapt to land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Rice can be sown directly with sticks (vary tomboka) at a rate of 5 to 7 grains per seed hole, if water is not available on the planting date. On more fertile soils, it is possible to maintain a spacing 20 cm apart and the rice bunches on the same row 20 cm apart.

Author:

GIZ ProSoil Madagascar, GSDM

Date:

05/19/2022

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

The optimal transplanting period falls within a 15 to 20-day window, aiming to discourage the development of deep roots in the nursery by young rice plants. It is crucial, during this phase, to plant the seedlings with their roots reaching a maximum depth of 2 to 3 cm into the soil. In less fertile soils, the spacing between rows remains at 20 cm, while the plants within the same row are positioned 10 cm apart.

Author:

GIZ ProSoil Madagascar, GSDM

Date:

05/19/2022

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):

ariary

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

4300.0

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

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

GIZ ProSoil Madagascar

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Tillage equipment and planting tools

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

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Flooding during the rainy season only

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

This region boasts a diverse array of plant and animal species, with some being native. However, this biodiversity is relatively moderate when compared to other parts of the island. In terms of habitats, approximately 20% of the region comprises suitable environments for supporting this biodiversity, including forests, water bodies, mangroves, and more, although this percentage remains relatively low.

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:

• open access (unorganized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

The person looking after the land owns it.

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

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

These are estimates provided by the farmers interviewed.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

no impact

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

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:

Région Boeny, 2016, "Schéma Régional d’Aménagement du Territoire de la Région Boeny"

Available from where? Costs?

Boeny Region Hotel

Title, author, year, ISBN:

GIZ ProSol Madagascar, 2022, "Livret des Paysans Relais"

Available from where? Costs?

GIZ ProSol Madagascar

Title, author, year, ISBN:

GIZ ProSol Madagascar, 2022, Poster "Riziculture à Mauvaise Maîtrise d’Eau"

Available from where? Costs?

GIZ ProSol Madagascar

Title, author, year, ISBN:

A. L. RANDRIANAIVOMANANA, E. Penot, J. C. Rakotondravelo, 2010, "Innovation et diffusion encadrée des techniques de riziculture améliorée anti risques en zone RMME au lac Alaotra"

Available from where? Costs?

https://agritrop.cirad.fr/558956/1/document_558956.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

V. P. Rasoamanana , 2010, "Etude sur la diffusion latérale des systèmes techniques améliorés en zones RMME au lac Alaotra"

Available from where? Costs?

https://agritrop.cirad.fr/570654/1/document_570654.pdf

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

OPERATION RIZIERES A MAUVAISE MAITRISE D’EAU LAC ALAOTRA 2004 – 2005

URL:

http://madadoc.irenala.edu.mg/documents/v02488_RIZ.pdf

Title/ description:

GSDM, "Culture de riz sur RMME Rizières à Mauvaise Maîtrise de l’Eau"

URL:

https://gsdm-mg.org/wp-content/files/Fiche_technique__Voly_vary_saro-drano_RMME_GSDM__TFNAC.pdf