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)

Soil protection and rehabilitation for food security (ProSo(i)l) {'additional_translations': {}, 'value': 6376, 'label': 'Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)', 'text': 'GIZ Tunisia (GIZ Tunisia) - Tunisia', 'template': 'raw'} {'additional_translations': {}, 'value': 6376, 'label': 'Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)', 'text': 'GIZ Tunisia (GIZ Tunisia) - Tunisia', 'template': 'raw'} {'additional_translations': {}, 'value': 6376, 'label': 'Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)', 'text': 'GIZ Tunisia (GIZ Tunisia) - Tunisia', 'template': 'raw'}

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

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

In Tunisia, ensuring a consistent supply of quality forage and pasture seeds to farmers is a critical hurdle in advancing the livestock industry, with many farmers turning to self-produced seeds to fulfil their requirements.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Farmers in Tunisia strive to enhance the quality of self-produced forage and pasture seeds, aiming to adhere to technical standards for purity and germination, often undertaking manual cleaning efforts. The initial phase, known as “purification”, occurs in the fields before the harvest. This phase focuses on weeding out unwanted plants, such as Cichorium intybus in bersim (Trifolium sp.). Post-harvest, each farmer engages in the process of cleaning the seeds to eliminate impurities using the means available to them (e.g. manually with basic implements).
Typically, additional seed cleaning, known as winnowing, is carried at the El Grine forage and pasture seed production center of the Livestock and Pasture Office (OEP) to meet quality standards.
In collaboration with national partners, the ProSol Tunisia project, spearheaded by OEP, has introduced an innovative, locally produced, "mobile seed cleaning and treatment unit". This unit, designed by a local machinery manufacturer, consists of various sieves tailored to different forage seed species (barley, vetches, faba beans, bersim, alfalfa, fenugreek, oats, forage peas, etc.).
A bucket chain feeds raw seeds directly into the machine's intake funnel at a height of 2 m. The unit operates on 220 V, ensuring ease of use for beneficiaries on their farms.
Under the ProSol/OEP partnership, two mobile seed conditioning units have been acquired. The first is allocated to the El Grine center in Kairouan, serving alfalfa seed multipliers either on their farms or at the center. The second is delivered to the OEP Fritissa farm, benefiting sulla, bersim, and other seed multipliers.
To boost the production of forage legumes, cooperatives in different regions have purchased these units, making them available to their members and developing a business model around mechanization. Through these mobile seed cleaning and treatment units, seed quality is enhanced, leading to increased revenue for farmers. Additionally, a business plan has been developed to create job opportunities and boost income for professional agricultural organizations (OPAs), mutual agricultural services societies (SMSAs), and others. This has encouraged cooperatives to acquire additional units, providing farmers with valuable services and contributing to economic growth.

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:

2018

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
• 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

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

• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds
• post-harvest measures

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:

• not applicable

Comments:

This technology is designed to provide an adequate and reliable supply of superior-grade forage seed.

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):

Tunisian dinar

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

3.1

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Ploughing	August
2.	Seeding	September
3.	Irrigation
4.	Mowing	December to mid-May
5.	Purification of the plot of parasitic plants (Cichorium intybus)
6.	Harvesting

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	Man-day	6.0	20.0	120.0	100.0
Equipment	Labour	Hour	4.0	40.0	160.0	100.0
Equipment	Seeding machine	Hour	1.0	70.0	70.0	100.0
Equipment	Combine harvester	Hour	1.5	100.0	150.0	100.0
Plant material	Seed	kg	20.0	5.5	110.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Manure	Hour	0.5	70.0	35.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	DAP	kg	100.0	0.8	80.0	100.0
Other	Transportation		1.0	40.0	40.0	100.0
Other	Irrigation	m3	4000.0	0.12	480.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					1245.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					401.61

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Manual seed sieving
2.	Cleaning of the seeds sieved using the mobile seed cleaning and processing unit

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	Workers	Man-day	4.0	20.0	80.0	100.0
Other	Transportation		2.0	40.0	80.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					160.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					51.61

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Availability of workers

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

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

Heritage

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

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

Impact assessment involves measurements on a pilot plot.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

This technology has no off-site impact.

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 rainfall		decrease	well
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	decrease	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)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 11-50%

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
Increased yield: Using high-quality seeds leads to improved yields, which in turn means higher profits and enhanced food security.
Preserving local crop varieties
Profitability: Minimize the cost of purchasing seeds while providing another source of income through the sale of the seeds produced.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Resilience to climate change: The seed multiplication and cleaning technique provides access to climate-resistant crop varieties, helping farmers to adapt to climate change and maintain productivity and livelihoods under changing climatic conditions.
Improved seed quality and diversity
Stimulation of local economies and improved livelihoods through the creation of employment opportunities

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?
The relatively high upfront investment needed to set up a seed a seed multiplication and cleaning system may pose a challenge for certain farmers, especially smallholders.	Incentivizing farmers through subsidies

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Climate change can have an impact on crop productivity and affect seed multiplication and cleaning activities.	Promote climate-friendly farming practices

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Locally manufactured seedcleaning and treatment unit: Improve seed quality, Udo Rudiger and Anis Zaiem

Available from where? Costs?

International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Cahier de charge relatif à la production et à la multiplication des semences et plants,

Available from where? Costs?

Ministry of Agriculture

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Mobile seed cleaning and treatment unit designed and developed with support from ICARDA, 2019, Zied Idoudi, Udo Rudiger

Available from where? Costs?

International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Outils de formation pour la production de semences de qualité: Module 1: Le développement d’entreprises semencières à petite échelle, 2019, FAO ET AFRICASEEDS

URL:

https://duddal.org/files/original/feefacb4735d646101fb82e4a5140801597e2b3c.pdf

Title/ description:

Rudiger, U. 2020. Mobile seed cleaning and treatment units as business opportunities for farmer cooperatives in Tunisia. Poster prepared for the Virtual Livestock CRP Planning Meeting, 8-17 June 2020. Tunisia: ICARDA.

URL:

https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/handle/10568/109777/udo.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Title/ description:

Report on business development of cooperatives using mobile seed treatment units for their members in Tunisia, 2018, Udo Rudiger and Anis Zaiem

URL:

https://docplayer.net/210998499-Report-on-business-development-of-cooperatives-using-mobile-seed-treatment-units-for-their-members-in-tunisia.html