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)

Name of the institution(s) 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

Comments:

The technology aims to restore degraded areas through strip sowing of perennial drought-resistant forage grasses

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Radical improvement of low-yield pastures by strip placement of perennial drought-resistant grasses in the conditions of the foothill-semi-desert zone of south-eastern Kazakhstan

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Livestock farming is one of the main economic activities in the Kapal rural district of Aksu District, Zhetysu Region, Kazakhstan. The natural pastures are characterized by diverse vegetation, including feather grass (Stipa), fescue (Festuca), izen (Kochia prostrata), teresken (Krascheninnikovia ceratoides), sainfoin (Onobrychis), wormwood (Artemisia), sedge (Carex), brome (Bromus), and bluegrass (Poa). However, the pastures are heavily grazed without adherence to grazing regimes or stocking norms, which leads to their degradation. The low productivity of the rangelands fails to meet the forage needs of the existing livestock population.

To restore degraded natural pastures near the village of Kapal, the FAO/GEF project “Integrated Natural Resources Management in Drought-Prone and Salt-Affected Agricultural Production Landscapes in Central Asia and Turkey” (CACILM-2) introduced a technology aimed at the accelerated improvement of low-productivity pastures through the sowing of perennial legumes (sainfoin) and grasses (crested wheatgrass).

1. Natural and Socio-Economic Conditions

The project site (Farmer Cooperative “Bereke”) is located on a plateau at the foot of the Kapal Range of the Dzungarian Alatau at an elevation of 975 m above sea level, 81 km northeast of Taldykorgan. The average annual precipitation is 300–350 mm. The mean temperature in January is –15 °C and in July +24 °C.

The area lies in a foothill semi-desert arid zone with natural grass–wormwood–forb vegetation and chestnut soils. The site borders mountain slopes with a high content of stones and boulders.

Kapal village is the administrative center of the Kapal rural district of Aksu District, with a population of 3,660 people in 863 households. The main livelihoods are livestock husbandry and crop farming. Land use covers 36,716 ha, including 6,605 ha of cropland, 4,827 ha of pastures, and 2,233 ha of hayfields. Cultivated crops include wheat, barley, and perennial grasses. Livestock numbers include 23,492 sheep, 3,745 goats, 3,300 horses, and 6,561 cattle, of which 2,751 are dairy cows.

2. Key Characteristics and Technical Features of the Technology

This technology is relatively low-cost: sainfoin sowing is required only once every five years, while crested wheatgrass maintains productivity for 20–30 years. Its application increases pasture yields and establishes a sustainable forage base for livestock.

The technology was implemented on 30 ha of land adjacent to Kapal village (Farmer Cooperative “Bereke”). It was introduced within the framework of the “strip-seeding improvement” approach.

3. Objectives and Functions of the Technology

Accelerated improvement of low-productivity pastures through strip sowing of perennial drought-resistant forage crops while maintaining part of the natural vegetation cover.

4. Main Activities and Resources Required

Geobotanical or field survey to assess land suitability (topsoil depth at least 30 cm);

Division of the land into strips: 30 m (perennial crops) alternating with 15 m (natural vegetation);

On strips designated for crops: moldboard plowing (PLN-3.5), disking to 5–10 cm (LDG-5), harrowing (Zig-Zag tooth harrow), and rolling;

Sowing with a grain drill (SZT-3.6), followed by rolling (ZKKSh-6 ring roller). Sowing method: continuous row with 15 cm spacing. Seeding rates: crested wheatgrass 16–18 kg/ha (depth 1.5–2 cm); sainfoin 70–80 kg/ha (depth 4–5 cm).

During the first two years, while plants are establishing, the land is not used for grazing. From the second year, mowing for hay is possible.

If needed, fencing is installed to protect young plants from grazing.

Costs of implementation:
The establishment cost of 1 ha of strip-planted pastures with sainfoin and crested wheatgrass, including soil preparation and seed sowing, is 60,320 KZT (≈ 140.5 USD).

Maintenance costs:

Annually: early spring harrowing to conserve soil moisture (2,970 KZT/ha).

Every 5 years: reseeding sainfoin at a cost of 48,320 KZT/ha (≈ 112.6 USD/ha), covering seed purchase, labor, machinery, fuel, and all necessary agrotechnical measures (plowing, disking, harrowing, rolling, sowing).

5. Advantages and Impacts of the Technology

This technology is recommended for the foothill semi-desert zones of Kazakhstan. Compared to monoculture seeded pastures or degraded natural rangelands, it provides several advantages:

Preserved strips of natural vegetation prevent wind erosion on seeded areas and reduce further degradation;

Strip planting of perennial grasses and natural vegetation provides livestock with more diverse and nutritious forage than monoculture pastures;

Sowing perennial drought-resistant species more than doubles pasture productivity compared to natural pastures;

Crested wheatgrass maintains productivity for 20–30 years with proper management (spring harrowing, rotational grazing), contributing to soil humus and topsoil accumulation;

Sainfoin enriches soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, thus improving nitrogen content in the soil;

Both sainfoin and crested wheatgrass are more drought-resistant than most other forage crops.

6. Farmers’ Perceptions of the Technology

Farmers reported the following positive outcomes:

More efficient use of land resources;

Guaranteed forage harvests even in dry years;

Improved forage nutritional quality;

Reduced production costs for livestock products (e.g., beef).

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:

Kazakhstan

Region/ State/ Province:

Aksu district, Zhetysu region

Further specification of location:

Kapal village

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

Comments:

The technology was applied on a 30-ha site

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2021

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

FAO/GEF project “Integrated Natural Resources Management in Drought-Prone and Salt-Affected Agricultural Landscapes of Central Asia and Turkey” (CACILM-2)

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• mitigate climate change 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
• Perennial (non-woody) cropping

Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:

• fodder crops - legumes, clover

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Is intercropping practiced?

No

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:

• Semi-nomadic pastoralism

Intensive grazing/ fodder production:

• Improved pastures

Animal type:

• cattle - non-dairy beef
• horses

Is integrated crop-livestock management practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify:

Breeding of beef cattle, production of forage crops, pastures

Products and services:

• meat

Species:

cattle - non-dairy beef

Count:

130

Species:

horses

Count:

60

Settlements, infrastructure

• Traffic: roads, railways

Remarks:

Inter-village road

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)

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

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

• pastoralism and grazing land management
• integrated crop-livestock management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A3: Soil surface treatment

A3: Differentiate tillage systems:

A 3.3: Full tillage (< 30% soil cover)

vegetative measures

• V2: Grasses and perennial herbaceous plants

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

biological degradation

• Bc: reduction of vegetation cover
• Bq: quantity/ biomass decline

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

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

The horizontal sowing strips of perennial grasses (sainfoin, wheatgrass) are 30 meters wide and 1111 m long. The horizontal strips of natural grass stand are 15 meters wide and 1111 m long. The slope is less than 1 degree.

Author:

Kanysh Kushenov

Date:

08/12/2022

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

other/ national currency (specify):

tenge

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

429.3

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:

Part of the costs were covered by the FAO/GEF project “Integrated Natural Resources Management in Drought-Prone and Salt-Affected Agricultural Landscapes of Central Asia and Turkey” (CACILM-2)

Comments:

With funding from the FAO/GEF project “Integrated Natural Resources Management in Drought-prone and Salt-affected Agricultural Production Landscapes in Central Asia and Turkey” (CACILM-2), seeds of perennial forage crops (crested wheatgrass and sainfoin) were purchased.

All operating costs related to the use of agricultural machinery (owned by the land user), fuel and lubricants, and labor were covered by the land user.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Comments:

Early spring harrowing is carried out to retain moisture in the soil, evenly distribute plant and root residues, create an optimal soil structure, and aerate the soil.

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:

Purchase of seeds of perennial forage grasses

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

The site where the technology was applied is located on a plain at the foot of the hills.

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

The soils are alkaline - pH 8.3, non-saline - Es, mS/cm - 0.07, with a low content of organic matter - 2.0%. The nitrogen content is low: ammonium nitrogen - 5.0 mg/kg; nitrate nitrogen - 7.7 mg/kg; mineral nitrogen - 12.7 mg/kg. The phosphorus content is low - 13 mg/kg. The potassium content is high - 607 mg/kg.

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:

• state

Land use rights:

• leased

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

In accordance with the Land Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, agricultural lands are leased for a period of 2 to 49 years.

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

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

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

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

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

1 household, 30 ha

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:

Recommendation for the radical improvement of degraded pastures using strip placement of perennial forage crops in the conditions of the Almaty region. Meldebekova N.A., Kushenov K.I., Shanbaev K.B., Zhakipova K.B., Oryntay B. 2022

Available from where? Costs?

Almaty: Kazakh Research Institute of Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Marketing research of agriculture in Kazakhstan Analysis of investment attractiveness of the market

URL:

https://marketingcenter.kz/20/rynok-selskoe-khoziaistvo-kazakhstan.html

Title/ description:

Consolidated analytical report on the state and use of lands of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2020

URL:

https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/land/documents/details/126567?lang=ru

Title/ description:

Consolidated analytical report on the state and use of lands of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2021

URL:

https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/land/documents/details/291911?lang=ru