REAP-Georgia: “No-till” Technology for Soil Exploitation

USAID-REAP introduced new technology at a demo plot of the USAID/REAP funded Farm Service/Machinery Service Center in Dedoplistskaro District, the use of which can decrease the cost per hectare of fuel, labour and energy and increase fertility by 25%.

‘Total’ tillage, recognized as a tradition, is now known to have a negative impact on the fertility of soil as the frequent turnover and hoeing causes its degradation, mineralization of humus and the development of erosive processes in land parcels situated on slopes.

Currently, in countries with developed agriculture, technologies are used for the purpose of decreasing erosion, restoring soil fertility and renewing common damaged ecologic balance. The so called “No-till” is one of the above-mentioned technologies. During the utilization of said technology the exploitation of soil is almost non-existent and the chemicals used for killing weeds have no negative impact on soil microflora. Due to economic and ecological efficiency of the above-mentioned technology, many countries have passed to no-tillage cultivation systems when growing crops.

In the world agricultural sector, the “No-till” technology is currently used on more than 100 million hectares of area, mainly in countries with developed agriculture (such as USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, France, Germany, New Zealand, Australia). Mulch layer is the main component of the “No-till” technology with surface cultures (mainly fast growing cultures) specially sown in order to obtain the mulch. 2-3 weeks before sowing of basic culture, the surface cultures are tamped and processed with herbicides in order to be dried. Plant residues form the mulch layer, preserving moisture, protecting the soil from drying out or suffering water and wind erosion and, in addition, with the activity of microorganisms, the mulch experiences decay resulting in an increase of fertility in the soil. Straw can be scattered across the field during the harvesting process along with the above-mentioned technology.

The main technical facility of “No-till” technology for production of cereal culture is the seeding combined machine, maintaining the following: preparation of cultivation slot, precise equal sowing, closure and tamping of slot and input of mineral fertilizers or chemical fertilizers in some cases. Thus, the above-mentioned complex excludes the 5-6 ways otherwise utilized by other aggregates, thereby significantly decreasing soil tramping, evaporation of water from soil, development of erosive processes, and significantly increasing fertility. And, based on excluded mechanized operation, it results in economy of fuel and labour and hence in significant economy of cash assets. In addition, in comparison with ordinary sowing, the above-mentioned sowing method allows the possibility for accomplishment of sowing procedures in limited terms- vital in the mountainous regions of Georgia where vegetation periods are considerably shorter.

The most important factor that effects yield of grain crops in Dedoplistkaro is precipitation. Annual precipitation in this district does not exceed 500 millimetres. This is not enough to produce high yields of grain crops and any technology that can increase moisture in the soil is more than welcome if it can guarantee at least minimum yield during the dry seasons (2014 was very dry with most farmers losing their harvest).

After introduction of the above-mentioned technology at a demo plot of the USAID/REAP funded Farm Service/Machinery Service Centre, owned by I/E Z. Tetvadze and located in Dedoplistskaro District, the amount of cash needed per hectare for fuel, labour and energy costs decreased by approximately 15-20% while fertility was increased by 25%. Moisture content was sufficient to get a high yield and there was no erosion of soil identified during the monitoring of the field. Envisaging the fact that 74% of the crops of Georgia includes grain and legume cultures, the development and introduction of “No-till” technology in Georgia has great significance for the economy and food-stuffs security of the state.

Zviad Adzinbaia