First campaign
The plot plan conceived for pilot6 allowed the establishment of two classical greenhouses for the cultivation of under-tunnels early cucumber, potato, winter seasonal salad.
An alfalfa plot was equally able to provide enough food for the livestock. Drip irrigation was used to irrigate ad fertilize all planted crops. Fertilization was mixed (organic and mineral) and phytosanitary treatments were mostly preventive.
The initial average production of this plot was limited to few dozen kilogrammes of olives and a hundred units of weed used as fodder for the livestock (equivalent of 100kg of barley per year). Following the development activities conducted under this pilot, this harvest was multiplied by ten.
A first analysis of results showed that the total revenue of the first cultivation campaign was very encouraging.
However, the economic evaluation of these results had to be done in comparison with and with referring to the total expenses.
Also, the economic assessment of the first season has to take into account the results of the second agricultural season.
Second Campaign
During the second cultivation campaign which started in autumn (September-December 2012), and following the economic success registered in the first cultivation campaign, a farmer took the initiative of purchasing two new greenhouses at his own expense after a consultation with experts and the technical service of the CRDA to extend the early field crops implemented during the first cultivation campaign.
So, the same agricultural plan was implemented during the second season and has sufficiently met the expectations of the farmer and the local project’s partners, namely the technical services of the CRDA.
The results obtained at the end of the implementation of pilot 6 were positive and incited a strong social demand from the technical services and local farmers’ part to replicate the pilot model.
Agricultural results
- An increase of more than 70% in the production of one hectare over only 9 months (without irrigated annual crops in June, July, and August).
- An increase in the revenue of all grown crops and an improvement of water efficiency.
- A clear improvement of the products quality and an increase in the percentage of marketable products.
Environmental Results
Soil salinization was totally avoided thanks to the use of desalinated water and remarkably reduced thanks to the use of mixed water (desalinated water + brackish water having a salinity of 1.5g/l).
Economic Results
- Total revenue: 35799 TD (22374 USD)
- Total expenses including the installation of a desalination and an electric Water Pumping Stations: 23622 TD, 14763 USD;
- Total gross benefit: 12177 TD (7610 USD)
- The Cost of brackish water desalination including the installation of the desalination and electric water pumping stations: 1200 TD/m3 (0.75 USD/m3).
