Mulching grasses are cut in the rangeland, dried and collected in bundles to be transported to banana and coffee plantation. (Godfrey Baraba (DED Bukoba District Coumcil, Box 491, Bukoba.))
The technology is applied in coffee and banana fields in the sub humid climate. The technology objective is prevention of land degradation specifically nutrient improvement, erosion control, soil moisture and soil health (soil's living organisms) improvement. The materials applied are very variable perennial grass from 60-240 cm high. Panicle loose and narrow up to 50 cm long, with slightly spreading or contiguous racemes with shortly hairy or nearly glabrous spikelets 3.5-5 mm long. The materials are spreaded to 15cm thickness, manually across the slpoe, once per year, at the beginig of short rains.
Purpose of the Technology: The purpose of the technology is to retain moisture content in soil by promoting water infiltration during and after the rains, promoting water holding capacity through decay and formation of organic matter. Grass mulch control soil erosion by intercepting raindrops (splash erosion) that detach soil particles. Grass mulch technology improves soil nutrient through grass decomposition.
Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: There is no establishment activities for the technology only maintenance activities (operational activities) are required once a year.
Maintenance activities include collection of mulching grasses -The grass is cut and collected by household or hired labor. The quantity of grass required per hectar is 1,500 cubic metre equivalent to 375 bundles.
To spread/apply mulching grasses -Grass is spread manually across the slope preferably to 15cm thickness. Dry grasses are spread across the slope with thickness of maximum 15cm. It is recommended to apply mulch grass around 15cm from the banana trunks.This is done once annually before the onset of short rains (during Augost and September)
Natural / human environment: The technology is applied on coffee/banaana fields. The Rainfall is 1000-1500mm, the subhumid climate (temp 26 -30 degree centigrade) and two growing seasons. The technology is meant for soil water evaporation contol and is tolerant in dry spell season while sensitive to excessive rains.
Location: Bukoba District (Karong village), Tanzania, Tanzania, United Republic of
No. of Technology sites analysed:
Spread of the Technology: evenly spread over an area (approx. 1-10 km2)
In a permanently protected area?:
Date of implementation: more than 50 years ago (traditional)
Type of introduction
| Specify input | Unit | Quantity | Costs per Unit (USD) | Total costs per input (USD) | % of costs borne by land users |
| Labour | |||||
| Collection and Apllication of mulching materials | persons/day/ha | 16.0 | 1.5625 | 25.0 | 100.0 |
| Construction material | |||||
| Mulch | ha | 1.0 | 117.0 | 117.0 | 100.0 |
| Total costs for maintenance of the Technology | 142.0 | ||||
| Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD | 142.0 | ||||
Hyperrhamia rufa is un palatable, hence its dominance implies reduced fodder quality.
Unpalatability of Hyperrhamia rufa implies reduced nutrient intake, hence animal production is reduced.
Quantity before SLM: 0
Quantity after SLM: 135
Purchase of mulch grass, without transport and labor for spreading mulch.
Increased banana productivity, labores earn income for purchasing food
Practiced farmers respected as inovators as well as progressive farmers
Quantity before SLM: 0 mandays
Quantity after SLM: 10 mandays
Cutting mulching grasses are income generating activities for young men and women.
Improved coffee/banana mulching increases farm income. Additional revenue is spent for child’s education and health services
Soil's living organisms
Surface water run-off is combated in the area, hence neighbor's fields face only rain direct rain drops.
