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Desire for Greener Land

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Assessment<br />

Impacts of the Technology<br />

Production and socio-economic benefits Production and socio-economic disadvantages<br />

increased farm income (2200-2500 €/ha) hindered farm operations<br />

Socio-cultural benefits Socio-cultural disadvantages<br />

improved conservation / erosion knowledge<br />

Ecological benefits Ecological disadvantages<br />

reduced soil crusting<br />

reduced surface runoff<br />

increased water quantity<br />

increased soil moisture<br />

reduced soil loss<br />

reduced soil compaction<br />

reduced demand on irrigation water<br />

Off-site benefits Off-site disadvantages<br />

reduced downstream flooding<br />

reduced groundwater / river pollution<br />

Contribution to human well-being/livelihoods<br />

increase in farmers income and reduction of the off-site effects<br />

Benefits/costs according to land user<br />

Acceptance/adoption:<br />

Benefits compared with costs short-term: long-term:<br />

Establishment positive positive<br />

Maintenance/recurrent positive positive<br />

In all, 55% of land user families (1850 families; 45% of area) have implemented the technology with external material support.<br />

In all, 45% of land user families (800 families; 65% of area) have implemented the technology voluntarily.<br />

There is moderate (growing) trend towards spontaneous adoption of the technology.<br />

Concluding statements<br />

Strengths and how to sustain/improve Weaknesses and how to overcome<br />

Technologies <strong>for</strong> conserving soil and water resources and<br />

combating desertification in Crete mainly relate to land<br />

management. Olive groves are widespread on the island as a result<br />

of the importance of olive oil <strong>for</strong> everyday cooking. Furthermore,<br />

olive groves can survive adverse weather and soil conditions<br />

providing a significant income <strong>for</strong> farmers <strong>for</strong> a relatively low labour<br />

input. <strong>Land</strong> management practices have been adopted in the area<br />

based on tradition and knowledge transfer by local institutes and<br />

specialists. No-tillage land management practice with olives can be<br />

considered as an important technique to protect against land<br />

degradation and desertification and increase farmers’ incomes <br />

education of farmers<br />

Production costs can be cut, but may create problems <strong>for</strong> olive<br />

harvesting the necessity to cut weeds during harvesting<br />

Key reference(s): -<br />

Contact person(s): Costas Kosmas, Agricultural University of Athens. E-Mail: Isos2kok@aua.gr<br />

A slight decrease in water availability <strong>for</strong> the growing trees no<br />

solution to this problem<br />

The field is ‘clean’ in readiness <strong>for</strong> harvesting the necessity to<br />

cut weeds during harvesting<br />

84 DESIRE – WOCAT <strong>Desire</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Greener</strong> <strong>Land</strong>

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