Desire for Greener Land

Assessment
Impacts of the Technology
Production and socio-economic benefits Production and socio-economic disadvantages
increased crop yield
increased fodder production
increased fodder quality
reduced risk of production failure
increased farm income
increased product diversification (lupin, peas)
diversification of income sources (new products)
increased labour constraints
Socio-cultural benefits Socio-cultural disadvantages
improved conservation / erosion knowledge
improved food security /self sufficiency
improved health
Ecological benefits Ecological disadvantages
increased biomass / above ground C
increased soil organic matter / below ground C
reduced hazard towards adverse events
improved soil cover
increased nutrient cycling recharge
reduced soil loss and soil crusting / sealing
Off-site benefits Off-site disadvantages
reduced surface runoff
increased water availability
Contribution to human well-being/livelihoods: The incorporation of the legume to the crop rotation improves livelihoods, as the farmer
has new products such as vegetables (peas) or grain legumes to be sold in the local market, or used as a good supplement for their
animals (sheep or cattle) in the case of lupins, which additionally allows improvement of lamb and wool production.
Benefits/costs according to land user
Benefits compared with costs short-term: long-term:
Establishment Positive positive
Maintenance/recurrent Positive positive
Acceptance/adoption: This is a new approach to the cereal production system in rainfed areas. Initially the adoption has been slow, as
the results obtained in the project are recent. The crop rotation with legumes has been adopted by 50 families covering an area of 250 ha
in the municipality of Yumbel. However, the technology has been incorporated into the System of Incentives for the Recovery of
Degraded Soils supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of Chile. Hence it is expected that in the future the adoption of this technology
increases up to 20,000 ha in the “secano interior” of south-central Chile.
Concluding statements
Strengths and how to sustain/improve Weaknesses and how to overcome
Reduces the costs of fertiliser: the incorporation of legumes in the
rotation cycle means a saving of 30% of nitrogen fertilizer in cereal
production costs keep the phases of legumes sufficiently
frequent and long
Increases the economic benefits. When analysing the whole
farming system, replacing the traditional rotation of wheat followed
by natural pasture, implies two economic benefits for the producer:
increasing the income by the incorporation of a new crop (legumes)
and the reduction of costs in the fertilization of cereals.
Increase soil organic matter: the new rotation system means a new
concept in the management of crop residues. These should be
incorporated into the soil, which in the medium and long term will
involve an increase in the soil organic matter content ensure
application of the new management of crop residues
The new rotation system involves an increase in productivity of the
land, as it incorporates new cultures and improves the physical and
chemical conditions of the soils.
Necessity of more training for the farmers improve / enhance
agricultural extension
Key reference(s): Espinoza, S., Ovalle, C., del Pozo, A., Zagal, E., Urquiaga, S. 2011. Biological Fixation of N2 in mono and polyspecific legume pasture in the
humid Mediterranean zone of Chile. Chilean Journal of Agricultural Research. 71(1):132-139.
Contact person(s): Ovalle Carlos, Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. covalle@inia.cl
96 DESIRE – WOCAT Desire for Greener Land