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)

Decision Support for Mainstreaming and Scaling out Sustainable Land Management (GEF-FAO / DS-SLM)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geography and Geoecology (IGG) - Mongolia

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:

This technology is a SLM technology, because it returned abandoned land to productive agricultural land while building up soil health.

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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

This technology aimed to restore abandoned cropland which was used for crop and fodder production during the 1970s-1980s. Since 2016, the farmer applied conservation agriculture and mixed cropping to reduce land degradation, revive cropping practices, increase land productivity for agriculture and enhance soil health.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The land in Kherlen soum, Khentii province, spanning 500 hectares, was used for crop production and later for producing fodder for livestock. However, since 1984, it has been left abandoned. To rehabilitate the area and revive cropland, conservation agriculture combined with mixed cropping was introduced in 2014.
Mixed cropping encompasses various agrotechnical practices that involve the cultivation of different crops together, making use of their ability to interact with each other. The aim is to sustain crop yield in regions with limited moisture, protect the soil surface, regulate soil moisture levels, and enhance the availability of micro and macro-nutrients. In Kherlen soum, Khentii province, mixed cropping was implemented by planting seed mixtures of different proportions, taking into consideration the specific requirements and differences among various crops. Presently, annual crops such as mustard, peas, Cape rice, and wheat, rye along with rapeseeds, are successfully cultivated mixed and/or in rotation in the area.
Conservation agriculture in soil protection agriculture offers several advantages, including the enhancement of soil, its resilience to external factors such as erosion by wind, regulation of soil fertility and microorganism populations, avoidance of highly toxic substances in agriculture, and increased productivity. One significant aspect of conservation agriculture is using no-till and direct sowing techniques to minimize soil disturbance. During harvesting, only the crop heads are collected, while the remaining rootsystems and stems are left in and above the soil contributing to increasing soil organic matter. Other residues and parts of plants, such as straw/ stalks and leaves, are shredded and spread across the field to reduce soil moisture evaporation and protect it from the sun and wind. Soil erosion by wind can be mitigated by covering the soil as much and long as possible either by leaving the crop residues on the soil and/or including cover crops into crop rotations. Furthermore, this technology improves the soil health and microenvironment/ microclimate.
To initiate and implement this technology, the land user leased most of his land through a proposal, aimed at improving the soil quality of abandoned land, to the local government, and also purchased a certain amount of land through a land auction announced on the government website. Initial preparation of land for sowing consisted of removing stones from the field and spraying herbicides to get rid of weeds and their seeds. A minimal dose of herbicides with low toxicity is used to control the growth and spread of weed plants commonly found in abandoned fields. Later on mustard was incorporated into mixed cropping and rotations suppressing the growth of weed.
In the first year, the farmer planted a mixture of mustard, oilseed rape and lucerne to enhance soil penetration and break up compacted soil, as well as wheat in a 40 cm strip on stony soil with low fertility. First few years 2014-2018), the farmer didn’t harvest all the yields to keep the soil covered and improve the soil quality.
In 2019 the farmer built a fence to protect against grazing and yields significantly improved. Moreover, various equipment such as direct seeder for no till or minimum tillage crop cultivation, combine harvester, tractor, herbicide spraying machine and seed sorting machines to improve the quality of produce for the market (clean and separate seeds of different sizes and different types of crops) were bought with a bank loan.
A comprehensive knowledge of the interactions and symbiotic relationships between different crops is also essential to plan for crop mixtures and rotations. Crop morphology such as root system, competition for nutrients and water should be considered. Mustard-pea mixture facilitates harvesting as pea is difficult to harvest in monoculture and mustard can provide biological weed control.
He divided the land / field into 12 plots, which were planted with different crop mixtures and in rotation, maintaining soil fertility, limiting pests and diseases, and increasing crop yields. Legumes can improve soil fertility by adding nitrogen to the soil. The farmer practiced five-field rotation in his cropland using legumes including pea, bean, lentils and alfalfa. The rotation plan depends on climate conditions.
The levels of potassium and phosphorous in the soil were monitored and regularly measured. Only when a deficit occurred the land user used mineral fertilizers.
According to farmers who practice conservation agriculture and mixed farming, these technologies effectively maintains soil stability, ensuring its long-term sustainability.

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:

2014

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 land users' innovation
• during experiments/ research

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The farmer planted mustard, rapeseed, and alfalfa in rotation and mixture based on national and international experiences and research on conservation agriculture. These plants have taproot systems that penetrate the soil, enhance water uptake from lower soil depth and make the hardpan soil more porous. After implementing this technology, the land user observed and monitored the field himself. He observed that the retention of soil moisture has increased, soil erosion has significantly decreased, and biological diversity, including microorganisms, insects, and birds, has also increased due to the presence of cover plants.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• 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

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)

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

Comments:

Irrigation systems are not used throughout the field.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• minimal soil disturbance

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Abandoned land had been converted into annual cropland. According to the classification of Mongolian Land Unified Fund, land was classified as abandoned land and changed into agricultural land after starting to use it.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

The soil in the abandoned land became infertile due to water and wind erosion, and thus, there had been a decrease in biodiversity in the soil as well as in plant diversity and productivity.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

Comments:

The technology aims to revive the agricultural practice in abandoned cropland, protect the soil from erosion, enhance its moisture and organic matter, and improve biological diversity by planting a variety of plants, thereby allowing opportunities for long-term sustainable use.

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):

Tugrik

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

3453.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Build fence	before sowing
2.	Prepare (picking stones) and plough land	before sowing
3.	Buy and spray herbicide	before sowing
4.	Purchase tractor	before sowing
5.	Purchase direct seeder	before sowing
6.	Purchase combine harvester	before sowing
7.	Purchase spray machine	before sowing
8.	Purchase seed cleaning machine	before sowing
9.	Purchase stone picker machine	before sowing
10.	Purchase or rent pile machine for fencing	before sowing
11.	Purchase silos	before harvesting
12.	Storage shed	before harvesting

Comments:

Establishing a fence before the technology is an essential activity to protect from grazing and retain cover plants. The farmer empahsized that it is important to choose materials with good quality for building fence. He used imported fencing material from Canada of which the price was higher than average local market price.

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	Build fence	person	2.0	15000000.0	30000000.0	100.0
Labour	Spray herbicide	person	2.0	350000.0	700000.0	100.0
Labour	Sowing	person	1.0	4000000.0	4000000.0	100.0
Labour	Stone picking	person	1.0	4800000.0	4800000.0	100.0
Equipment	Tractor	piece	1.0	220000000.0	220000000.0	100.0
Equipment	Direct seeder	piece	1.0	224000000.0	224000000.0	100.0
Equipment	Combine harvester	piece	2.0	397000000.0	794000000.0	100.0
Equipment	Agriculture spray machine	piece	1.0	170000000.0	170000000.0	100.0
Equipment	Stone picker machine	piece	1.0	15000000.0	15000000.0	100.0
Equipment	Seed cleaning machine	piece	3.0	35000000.0	105000000.0	100.0
Equipment	Pile machine for fencing	piece	1.0	6900000.0	6900000.0	100.0
Equipment	Silos	tonnes (holding capacity)	700.0	714285.72	500000004.0	100.0
Plant material	Seeds first year	tonnes	70.5	4400000.0	310200000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Herbicide	l	2400.0	8000.0	19200000.0	100.0
Construction material	Poles and net for fence	km	25.0	10800000.0	270000000.0	100.0
Other	Land lease	ha	800.0	500000.0	400000000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					3073800004.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					890182.45

Comments:

The implementation of conservation agriculture and mixed cropping was self-funded by land user. For certain initial investments he took a loan from the bank. The fence materials were imported from Canada, for its good quality.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Sowing/ direct seeding	April to May per year
2.	Harvesting and separating harvested seeds	once in August to September
3.	Reproducing seed for own use and sowing	after harvest
4.	Spray herbicide	if necessary, once in 2-3 year
5.	Monitoring on plant development (e.g. germination, flowering, maturity)	at each plant development stage
6.	Monitoring soil fertility	once a year, in August

Comments:

Soil samples are taken and sent to a specialized laboratory for analysis.

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	Spray herbicide	person	2.0	1400000.0	2800000.0	100.0
Labour	Harvesting	person	4.0	1500000.0	6000000.0	100.0
Labour	Separating seeds	person	2.0	1000000.0	2000000.0	100.0
Labour	Sowing seeds	person	2.0	1500000.0	3000000.0	100.0
Equipment	Spare parts and maintenance of machines	ha	800.0	10500.0	8400000.0	100.0
Equipment	Spraying machine (fuel)	l/year	400.0	2400.0	960000.0	100.0
Equipment	Sowing machine (fuel)	l/year	4000.0	2400.0	9600000.0	100.0
Equipment	Combine harvesting machine (fuel)	l/year	4000.0	2400.0	9600000.0	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	tonne/year	13.7	4400000.0	60280000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Herbicide (different types)	l	1.0	30000.0	30000.0	100.0
Other	Land use tax	MNT/year	1.0	1900000.0	1900000.0	100.0
Other	Soil sampling and testing	MNT/year	1.0	830000.0	830000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					105400000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					30524.18

Comments:

The amount of herbicide used in a given year depends on the type of weed and its distribution. Initially, the land user spent 19 million (2400 litres) on herbicide to prepare the field for cultivation, and the price was relatively low compared to today (8000 MNT on average). But, in 2022, different types of herbicides were bought for different types of weeds distributed in the field and 120 million MNT (1800 litres) were spent because the price became high compared to other years due to the border closure (COVID). But in 2023, only 30 000 MNT (1 litre) was spent on herbicides in the whole field.
The land user and a permanent help receive a monthly salary.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Factors that mainly affect the cost are inflation and the MNT exchange rate (mainly relevant when purchasing imported products). In addition, in the event of extreme weather and disastrous conditions, extra labor may be required to mitigate damage.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• concave situations

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:

It depends on intensity of rainfall.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Based on an animal and plant richness research study, biodiversity in this region is classified as moderate. After the implementation of the technology, more species of insects and birds were found in the fields due to the increase in agrobiodiversity.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Khentiin Tarialan LLC is a company with theland user and an aid are employed and with seasonally hired labour.

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:

• individual

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

No

Comments:

Land is rented for a period of 15 years and when duration is over, the contract can be extended. Land users pay land use tax every year. Land use rights for agricultural production was leased by auction.

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

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

In winter, vertical stems of plants hold snow well. It has an important effect on soil protection and increasing soil moisture in spring.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

The land user, implementing the technology, made a conclusion based on his own observations.

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 temperature		increase	well
seasonal temperature	summer	increase	moderately
seasonal temperature	winter	decrease	not well
seasonal rainfall	summer	decrease	not well
seasonal rainfall	spring	decrease	moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local snowstorm	moderately
local sandstorm/ duststorm	not well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
heatwave	very well
drought	very well

Biological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
epidemic diseases	well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	not 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)?

Comments:

Establishment cost for 800 hectare of agricultural farm was approximately 3.6 billion MNT and there is no income in first several years. In long term, annual cost have decreased and, annual income became 320 million MNT, net income 128 million MNT. Thus, income can be positive in long term.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

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

1 household

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

• 91-100%

Comments:

All expenses were paid by own.

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Yes

If yes, indicate to which changing conditions it was adapted:

• climatic change/ extremes

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

Crop rotation decisions are made based on spring weather conditions and soil moisture of the planting year. In some years, the crop rotation and mixture is not changed.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The technology provides higher yields than traditional monoculture in climate condition in Mongolia.
The technology allows to plant crops early in spring, because soil moisture absorbed from winter snow provide convenient condition.
Soil erosion and sand accumulation have been significantly reduced.
Conservation agricuture can significantly improve the physical properties of soil, providing sustainable and ecological rehabilitation of abandoned land.
Over time, soil fertility should improve as a result of increased soil organic matter.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Abandoned land can be restored at the lowest cost.
Soil conservation technology was used without reducing the soil fertility as well as returning of abandoned land into use.
The use of machinery in medium-scale farming is advantageous because it reduces labor costs.
Planting with low seed rates increases the economic efficiency in the long term.

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?
Due to climate change and aridity, in some years, crop loss occurs during the planting and growing period.	Install irrigation system for seasonal irrigation or irrigation when needed.
When harvesting, it is necessary to leave a plant cover as high as possible, which requires particular harvesting machine.	A combine harvester or a machine (head stripper) that collects only heads of the crop is required.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The use of imported seeds increases the cost.	To cultivate crop seeds in small isolated areas.
With climate change, the lack of irrigation facilities increases risk of production failure.	More water harvesting techniiques and soil moisture conservation/accumulation technologies to be identified and implemented. Installation of an irrigation system for supplementary irrigation or irrigation when needed.
It is difficult to separate the seeds after harvesting due to the lack of techniques and appropriate equipement. Sorted seeds will increase market value.	Improve seed sorting mechanism.
Due to the lack of appriopriate harvesting equipment, the crop cannot be harvested completely.	Buy a new type of combine harvester or rent from others.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Guidelines for Intercropping. Charles L. Mohler, Sue Ellen Johnson. 2009. ISBN 978-1-933395-21-0

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/Crop-Rotation-on-Organic-Farms.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, Reference Work. Second Edition. 2013. ISBN 978-0123847195

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Biodiversity-2nd-Set/dp/0123847192

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Intercropping: benefits and types

URL:

https://geopard.tech/blog/what-is-intercropping-and-how-does-it-work/

Title/ description:

Intercropping: Ergonomic And Efficient Farming

URL:

https://eos.com/blog/intercropping/

Title/ description:

INTERCROPPING

URL:

http://nwrm.eu/measure/intercropping