1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

02/06/2011

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

It is constructed along the contour to minimize soil erosion and prevent runoff damage from down stream fields.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The technology is widely used by farmers in the area and also widely practiced. The structure is built from stone and/or soil. On the average 1m vertical interval is used on a slope of 20-40%.

Purpose of the Technology: The technology is used to increase and maintain crop productivity by promoting activities which improve production and conserve soil and water.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The embankment is constructed from stone/soil and a ditch is dug at the upper side of the bund and bund stablization technique is used and frequent maintenance made.

Natural / human environment: The technology is suitable to areas with gentle to undulating slope and in cultivated areas with moderate soil depth.

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Originated locally-farmers developed it from years of experiences.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Population pressure, deforestation, land degradation

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

Comments:

Water supply: Also mixed rainfed - irrigated

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 150 Longest growing period from month to month: Jul - Dec Second longest growing period in days: 105 Second longest growing period from month to month: Apr - Jun

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• cross-slope measure

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 239.5 m2.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Ha: aridification

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (clearing forests and bushes for agricultural purpose), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (no vegetation cover/complete denudation), other human induced causes (specify) (agricultural causes - continous farming with out apllying SWC), education, access to knowledge and support services (lack of soil management skill), governance / institutional

Secondary causes of degradation: overgrazing (high population/cattle pressure on the resources), poverty / wealth (lack of captial - unable to use improved technologies), land subdivision (small in size & fragmented), lack of enforcement of legislat./authority (legislation is not inplace)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation

Comments:

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation, rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Oromia

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high

Technical knowledge required for land users: high

Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap

Secondary technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, reduction of slope angle, reduction of slope length, increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, water harvesting / increase water supply

Better crop cover
Material/ species: farm implements
Remarks: plough along the contour

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs, F : fruit trees / shrubs
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 1

Terrace: bench level
Vertical interval between structures (m): 1
Spacing between structures (m): 5-10
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.75
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 1

Construction material (earth): the excavated soil is used for making the embankment

Construction material (stone): used to construct stone/stone faced bunds

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 15%

Lateral gradient along the structure: 0%

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Birr

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

8.6

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Surveying	Structural	dry season
2.	Collection of bund construction materilas	Structural	dry season
3.	Excavation	Structural	dry season
4.	Bund construction	Structural	dry season

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Labour	ha	1.0	169.0	169.0
Equipment	Tools	ha	1.0	69.0	69.0	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	ha	1.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					238.0

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 36 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Contour plough	Agronomic	dry season & on set of rains / 3-5 times
2.	Sowing	Agronomic	during rains / each cropping season
3.	Weeding	Agronomic	during rains / each cropping season
4.	Bund stablization	Structural	dry season/annual
5.	Repair the breaks	Structural	dry season/annual

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Labour	ha	1.0	82.8	82.8
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					82.8

Comments:

The cost is culculated for the stone/soil bund and trench per hectare of land.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour is the most important factor affecting the cost.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Landforms: Hill slopes (ranked 1), plateau/plains (ranked 2) and foot slopes (ranked 3)
Slopes on average: Also rolling (ranked 2) and steep (ranked 3)

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility: Medium (ranked 1), low (ranked 2) and high (ranked 3)
Soil drainage/infiltration is medium
Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 100-200 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 3% - 4%
20% of the land users are average wealthy and own 35% of the land.
50% of the land users are poor and own 45% of the land.
30% of the land users are poor and own 20% of the land.
Off-farm income specification: Farmers who have implemented SWC technologies on their farms have got better crop yields compared to those who have not implement SWC technologies.

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• state

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Soil

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

1049

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 10-50%

Comments:

70% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

734 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: survey results

30% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

315 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: survey results

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Reduce erosion and runoff How can they be sustained / enhanced? Regular maintenance

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Reduction of soil erosion How can they be sustained / enhanced? Regular maintenance
Increase infiltration rate