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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The introduction of 'Kounouz,' a drought-tolerant barley variety, has significantly enhanced farm income and reduced production risks for small-scale farmers in Tunisia.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Tunisia has a semi-arid climate with annual precipitation ranging between 200 and 450 millimetres. Many people are dependent on the agricultural sector. Typically, barley is cultivated and used for fodder or sale. Barley production is increasingly in danger of failure because of droughts worsened by climate change. Therefore, a new and drought tolerant barley variety was sought. NARS developed such seed by using germplasm that was made available by the International Center of Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA).
As adoption of technologies is often the most difficult part of the innovation process, special care was put into this. It was found that combining different extension methods ranging from technical training to information through SMS led to the highest adoption. And solely focusing on the technical training was the most cost-effective approach. The targeted beneficiaries were small-scale farmers in central Tunisia. Their farm enterprises consist predominantly of small ruminant and cereal production. On average their farm size is 5 hectares and their flocks comprise 20 to 40 sheep and/or goats.
The benefits of the new, drought tolerant variety 'Kounouz' encompass enhanced farm income through reduced production risks and increased yields because Kounouz is better adapted to the semi-arid conditions. It makes more efficient use of water, therefore, Kounouz can produce grain with 300 millimetres of rainfall, whereas the alternative varieties (e.g., Rihane) need at least 350. Under favourable conditions (around 400 millimetres) Kounouz has higher yields than currently available varieties. Kounouz reaches 3 tonnes per hectare of grain, and 4.5 tonnes of straw.

The adoption of this variety has already made significant strides. By 2019, approximately 617 tonnes of certified seeds were available. This accomplishment was the result of successful collaboration between a large-scale cooperative, COSEM, and a private seed company, TUNIFERT. Presently, two more cooperatives, namely SOSEM and CCSPS, have also become actively involved.
It is worth noting that a mere 5% of the Kounouz seeds are estimated to be sourced from certified suppliers, with the majority being multiplied on individual farms. Consequently, it is estimated that the cultivation of Kounouz now spans over 20,000 hectares.
To further facilitate widespread adoption, the establishment of demonstration plots within target regions is imperative. This approach allows farmers, seed companies, and cooperatives to witness production first-hand and become persuaded of its benefits. However, the provision of adequate technical support and comprehensive coaching to farmers is indispensable.
The recommended cultivation practices for Kounouz are typically outlined as follows:
Field preparation, involving ploughing, is initiated at the onset of the rainy season, which generally occurs between September and October. Sowing activities take place in the months of November to December. In order to effectively manage weed growth, herbicide applications are undertaken from December to January. The quantity of herbicide utilized is contingent upon various factors, including climatic conditions, precipitation levels, and the preceding crop type. Notably, cultivating cereal crops after another cereal crop tends to result in a higher weed population compared to the cultivation of legume-cereal rotations. Depending on the geographical location of the farm, the application of mineral fertilizer is scheduled for the months of January to February in North-Western Tunisia. This timeline ensures that the fertilizer is strategically administered to optimize crop growth and yield.
We would like to thank BMZ/ GIZ who supported this innovation through their contributions to the “Mind the Gap” project as well as Tunisian NARES (INRAT, AVFA, OEP, CRDA) for co-implementing project activities

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:

Tunisia

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

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

• 0.1-1 km2

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:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)
• during experiments/ research
• through projects/ external interventions

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce risk of disasters
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact
• 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:

• cereals - barley

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:

• Semi-nomadic pastoralism

Animal type:

• goats
• sheep

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

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• 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

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 =:

3.0

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

Comments:

This no different than conventional varieties and practices.

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?

Yes

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:

• communal (organized)
• individual

Specify:

Land use rights in Tunisia have a long history with religious (e.g. melk) influences and French influences. This resulted in that currently most lands are private owned or state owned.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

Expert judgement and (field) data

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

Not significant

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

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

• 11-50%

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

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:

Boubaker Dhehibi, Mohamed Zied Dhraief, Udo Rudiger, Aymen Frija, Jutta Werner, Liza Straussberger, Barbara Rischkowsky. (13/4/2022). Impact of improved agricultural extension approaches on technology adoption: Evidence from a randomised controlled trial in rural Tunisia. Experimental Agriculture, 58, pp. 1-16.

URL:

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/67344

Title/ description:

Udo Rudiger. (22/4/2020). Mind the Gap: Improving Dissemination Strategies to Increase Technology Adoption by Smallholders_Final Technical Report.

URL:

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/11120