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Technologies
Inactive

Trashlines [Kenya]

Maraini ya Mavuti (Kiembu)

technologies_1735 - Kenya

Completeness: 82%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:

Gathenya Mwangi

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

P.O.Box, 62000-00200, Nairobi, Juja, Kenya

Kenya

SLM specialist:

Home Patrick

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

P.O.Box, 62000-00200, Nairobi, Juja, Kenya

Kenya

SLM specialist:

Chege Timothy

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

P.O.Box, 62000-00200, Nairobi, Juja, Kenya

Kenya

SLM specialist:

Wamuongo Jane

+254 729 054547

Kenya Agricultural Research Institute

Nairobi

Kenya

SLM specialist:

Karanja Andrew

+254 729 054547

Kenya Agricultural Research Institute

Nairobi

Kenya

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
KARI Headquarters (KARI Headquarters) - Kenya
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Jomo Kenyatta University (Jomo Kenyatta University) - Kenya

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

09/02/2011

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

Ja

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

Nee

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Trashlines are lines of crop residuals that remain after harvesting, they are formed along the contours.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Trash lines are crop residues laid in bands across the slope of annual crop fields to conserve soil and water, and to incorporate organic matter into the soil after decomposition. They are formed into ridges across the slope to form semi permeable barriers that decrease the runoff velocity and increase the infiltration duration, but allow passage of excess runoff. They impede runoff and enhance infiltration. They also prevent evaporation of water from the soil thus conserving soil moisture. Different dimensions and spacing as practiced by farmers have given rise to different structures depending on availability of materials and tools. Thus there are large and small, fixed and mobile trash lines, spaced about 15 m apart. The position of most trash lines is not fixed but instead new trash is placed 3 to 5m up slope each season.

Purpose of the Technology: Trash lines allow water to infiltrate into the soil in the area directly beneath them, and require little labour to construct but frequent maintenance. Trash lines form semi-permeable barriers across the slope that decrease the surface runoff velocity and increase the infiltration duration of impounded water, but allow passage of excess runoff. As a result, the amount of infiltrated water increases and the runoff volume and its erosive power decrease. Additionally, retention of sediment in the trash results in reduced soil and nutrient losses. Trash lines require low labor.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Farmers in Embu utilizes the crop residuals after harvesting. The most common used type of crop residual used in Embu district is maize stovers that are left behind after harvesting. They are laid down in a row along the contour and left to decompose after sometime leaving a line of rich organic matter. They do very well when practiced with conservation agriculture. This is very common in the lower Mbeere District.

Natural / human environment: In other areas, cereal stover (straw) and weeds that are collected during primary cultivation (hand hoeing), and heaped in strips along the approximate contour are used as trash lines. Creeping grasses should not be used in trash lines, they can alternatively be decomposed in bundles, and then used as mulch in nearby banana plantations. Trash lines can also be constructed on hillside fields where annual crops, including sorghum, finger millet, beans and peas, are grown.The recommended spacing between the improved trash lines is 5–10 m, depending on the slope: the steeper the closer. The amount of material available determines the cross section of each trash line (typically ±0.5 m wide and ±0.3 m high).

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

Country:

Kenya

Region/ State/ Province:

Eastern Province

Further specification of location:

Embu North District

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
  • 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through land users' innovation

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • improve production
  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
  • create beneficial economic impact

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
Main crops (cash and food crops):

Major cash crop: Coffee
Major food crop: Maize

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Reduction of soil erosion and excessive evaporation
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Increase of organic matter to increase nutrients

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: 180, Longest growing period from month to month: January to June

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • improved ground/ vegetation cover
  • water harvesting
  • irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

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:
  • 1-10 km2

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

structural measures

structural measures

  • S6: Walls, barriers, palisades, fences

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
Comments:

Main causes of degradation: soil management

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation
  • reduce land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Author:

Paul Kahiga, 62000-00200 Nairobi

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The technical drawing on the left side shows rows of maize stovers that are laid down along a contour line after harvesting.

Location: Embu North District. Eastern province
Date: 02/09/2011

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate
Technical knowledge required for land users: high

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

Structural measure: Trashline
Vertical interval between structures (m): 5
Spacing between structures (m): 15
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.5
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 1
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 30

Construction material (other): maize stovers
Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 8%

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Kshs

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

100.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

4.00

4.4 Establishment activities

Activity Type of measure Timing
1. Harvesting and cutting the stovers Structural When maize matures
2. Marking the contours Structural Before laying the stovers
3. Collecting the stovers and laying them along the marked contour Structural

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 Harvesting and cutting the stovers Mandays 4.0 1.0 4.0 100.0
Labour Marking the contours Mandays 3.0 1.3333 4.0 100.0
Labour Collecting the stovers and laying them along the marked contour Mandays 4.0 1.0 4.0 100.0
Equipment Tools Numbers 4.0 1.25 5.0 100.0
Plant material Seeds ha 1.0 16.0 16.0 100.0
Construction material Maize stovers ha 1.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 133.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Type of measure Timing/ frequency
1. Adding stovers in the next season Structural after every season

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 Adding stovers in the next season Mandays 4.0 1.0 4.0 100.0
Equipment Tools ha 1.0 10.0 10.0 100.0
Plant material Seeds ha 1.0 8.0 8.0 100.0
Construction material Maize stovers ha 1.0 50.0 50.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 72.0
Comments:

Machinery/ tools: Pangas
Labour

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Availability of crop residuals and labour are the most determinate factors affecting the costs.

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)
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: High
Soil drainage/infiltration: Good
Soil water storage capacity: Medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

medium

Water quality (untreated):

poor drinking water (treatment required)

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users
Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 0.5% - 1%
70% of the land users are average wealthy.

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

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • small-scale

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

Land ownership:
  • individual, titled
Land use rights:
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • open access (unorganized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

fodder production

decreased
increased

risk of production failure

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

Improved livelihoods and human well-being

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

A healthy crop stand produces high yields.

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

water quality

decreased
increased

surface runoff

increased
decreased
Soil

soil loss

increased
decreased
Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

biomass/ above ground C

decreased
increased

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change
Season Type of climatic change/ extreme How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature increase well
Comments:

Farmers in the lower Mbeere District have been uprooting maize stovers to increase weight so as to prevent the trash being carried away by strong wind

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Trashlines reduces soil erosion by trapping the sediments
Increase of organic matter in the soil after decomposition
Establishment of trashlines doesn't need alot of labour.

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
When crop residuals are used for establishment of trashlines, this leads to reduction of fodder for farm animals planting of fodder crops instead of relying on maize stocks alone
The trash lines harbors pests, they are also associated with termite infestation especially in the dry areas of Mbeere south District Alternative methods of controlling pests should be put in place

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys
  • interviews with land users

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