State-controlled research territory for orcharding
Type: Approaches
Creation: 2010-02-23 00:00 Updated: 2017-07-05 16:40
Compilers: Christian Wirz
Reviewers: David Streiff
Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied
- Country: Tajikistan
- Region/ State/ Province: Region of Republican Subordination
- Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: Faizobod
- Map: View Map
Description of the SLM Approach
Short description of the Approach
Cultivation of an orchard with research activities and research staff with food for work.
Detailed description of the Approach
Aims / objectives: The main objective is to dispose of varieties of fruits that are adapted to different conditions. Another objective is to prevent degradation and test methods of rehabilitation and to spread this knowledge. The orchard was also implemented as a source of labour for 50 employees. In the last years it has become more important to acquire self-sufficiency by fruit- and hay-production, because wages cannot always be paid. And because of limited state-support in terms of fertilisers, pesticides and machines, the selling of tree saplings is important.
Methods: Work is subdivided into research, whereby the analysis of soils is carried out in laboratories, into conservation methods carried out by field staff and the brigadier himself (planting fruit and other trees, grafting fruit trees, planting and maintaining tree saplings, combatting pests and forbs) and harvest (of fruits and hay) that is carried out by all the employees and their families. The fruits are partly dried and sold.
Stages of implementation: After the terraces being built and the trees being planted in the early 1960ies, the orchard needed to be maintained: e.g. annually trees are substituted and fertilisers, manure and pesticides are applied. When trees are not grown, intercropping is possible. Since 1992 soils on the terraces, between the trees, are not tilled anymore, because rees are too high.
Role of stakeholders: The workers are initially employed for a clearly defined work such as tractor driver, research coordinator or research scientist. They execute orders given by their superiors. In the years after independance the strict subdivision is broken up and the research station is more independent. During civil war, when the district government was nearly inexistant, the land needed to be distributed among the employees, who were now land rentors and had to maintain their part of the orchard by themselves: It was the only way to protect the orchard from being destroyed, says the research coordinator.
Photos of the Approach
- 📍 Karsang, Faizabad / Tajikistan
- 📷 Christian Wirz (Switzerland)
- 📍 Karsang, Faizabad / Tajikistan
- 📷 Christian Wirz (Switzerland)
- 📍 Karsang, Faizabad / Tajikistan
- 📷 Christian Wirz ( Switzerland)