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

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Bureau of Soils and Water Management (Bureau of Soils and Water Management) - Philippines

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

19/01/2006

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:

Planting of herbaceous plants or trees along property boundaries to serve as windbreaks and as sources of fodder and fuel

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The main characteristic of the technology is the planting of herbaceous crops, grasses or trees along property boundaries. The grasses and herbs are occassionally cut and served as fodder or fuel. The trees are allowed to grow up to maturity which will then be felled for timber (construction) or for boat making. With time, especially when trees are used for boudary planting, individual fields look like boxes from the air. The choice of plants between two adjacent farms is agreed upon by the two landowner.

Purpose of the Technology: The boundary planting serves as windbreak to protect agricultural crops from wind damage. Other uses are fodder and fuelwood. The planting especially when done along the contours also trapped eroded soil from the upper portions of the field.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Planting is done once. The herbs and grasses are regularly cut to serve as animal feed. Trees are allowed to grow to maturity. Dead branches are gathered to be used as fuel.

Natural / human environment: The area where the technology is applied is frequently visited by typhoons. The climate is maritime and even at times when there are no typhoons, wind speed is still strong enough to cause damage to crops. Susceptibility to wind damage is further agravated by the nature of the terrain which is mostly hilly.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Crop damage due to frequent typhoons and strong winds.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Low crop yield due to wind damage, poor crop quality and lack of market.

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: Corn, garlic or root crops are grown in separate fields. Corn is planted in December; garlic in September and rootcrops in July.

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 180Longest growing period from month to month: May - Dec

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• windbreak/ shelterbelt

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, indicate approximate area covered:

• 10-100 km2

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Et: loss of topsoil

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: reduction in wind speed

Secondary technical functions: reduction of slope length, improvement of ground cover

In blocks
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs, C : perennial crops, G : grass
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 3, 5, 0.5

Trees/ shrubs species: Mahogany, native shrubs

Perennial crops species: Coconut

Grass species: Napier

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Seedling/planting	Vegetative	beginning of rainy season

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 2 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Removal of dead branches (trees)	Vegetative	/twice a year
2.	Cutting (grass)	Vegetative	/every two months

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Perimeter length (m) of area to be treated/planted.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zones: 0-100m a.s.l. (hills range from 70 to 270 meters altitude)
Landforms: hill slopes (slopes are gentle and gradual )

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 is medium: (1 to 2 years fallow period improves soil fertility)
Topsoil organic matter: 1-3% (Average O.M. content is 2 .0 percent)
Soil drainage is good to medium: (Medium only in depressions)
Soil water sotrage is medium: (soil is deep)

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2

10% of the land users are very rich and own 5% of the land.
20% of the land users are rich and own 5% of the land.
5% of the land users are average wealthy and own 8% of the land.
60% of the land users are poor and own 80% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: Fishing

Level of mechanization: animal traction: Plowing, harrowing, furrowing

Market orientation: Market is practically non-existent

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

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Other ecological impacts

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

Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

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

Comments on spontaneous adoption: estimates

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Almost all the agricultural areas have adopted the technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Low maintenance cost How can they be sustained / enhanced? Frequent removal of unnecessary foliage
Protect crops from wind damage How can they be sustained / enhanced? Maintenance of canopy and foliage
Improves soil fertility How can they be sustained / enhanced? Use vegetative parts as mulch.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Easy to establish and maintain How can they be sustained / enhanced? Encourage adoption for other land users
Provides other benefits such as fodder and fuelwood. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Frequent cutting in the case of reeds/grasses to stimulate new growth.
Provides residue for organic matter build-up How can they be sustained / enhanced? Frequent cutting and spreading of vegetative parts
Trap for eroded soil How can they be sustained / enhanced? Close-spacing of trees and grass
Good for eco-tourism How can they be sustained / enhanced? Aggressive promotion and marketing

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Competition with crops for space	Use narrower strips for hedgerows
Shading effect of trees	Planting of "taro" in shaded area. Frequent cutting of branches

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Loss of space for crops	Use narrower strips for windbreaks
Possible sanctuary for pests	Practice integrated pest management
Shading effect in the case of tree windbreaks	Use of shade tolerant crops. Trees should be pruned regularly.