Technologies

TEAK-BASED AFFORESTATION FOR INCOME GENERATION AND TIMBER PRODUCTION [Uganda]

pito yen

technologies_2708 - Uganda

Completeness: 86%

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)

land user:

Okot Parkston

0782406820

Lamwo district local government

Padibe west Sub county, Ywaya parish

Uganda

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Scaling-up SLM practices by smallholder farmers (IFAD)
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
CDE Centre for Development and Environment (CDE Centre for Development and Environment) - Switzerland

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

12/05/2017

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:

Teak commonly refered to as Tectona grandis is preferred as a timber species in Northern Uganda by both small, medium and large scale farmers. A teak plantation is normally established for purposes of providing timber and income but also sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide and act as wind break.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

To establish this practice, the land-user puts into consideration the following: pitting at a depth of 3.5 inch, trees to be planted and spaced at 3 metres x 3 meters using the following inputs: tree seedlings, wheelbarrow, hoes, pangas and labour.

During the process, the tree stems are cut at 30cm length and planted. The stem is placed upright and later covered with soil. If there is adequate rain then some tip of the stem is left exposed but if rainfall is inadequate then the stem tip is covered in order for the plant to have enough moisture for its growth. It takes two weeks for the tip to get exposed on the surface when fully covered. The plant automatically appears with two leave lets.

The leaves when exposed to excessive sunlight can dry up and this retards its growth. This may require watering by the land user. At the early stage, the teak plantation can be inter cropped with beans and other crops such as sesame since the teak plantation has not yet formed a big canopy. This can be done for two years and later only slashing within the plantation needs to be done to maintain the plantation. The dry fallen leaves also kill weeds hence easing maintenance work. The trees are to be protected from fire outbreaks during dry season. In the month of November, fire lines are to be created and the dry leaves collected to mulch the plantation.

The cost of establishing a Teak plantations is high in the first 2-3 years but reduces significantly after first thinning. The cost of weeding can be reduced by spot-weeding of seedlings up to age 3 years, after which slashing or spraying with herbicides, usually Round-up is used for weed control. Wood from thinning is also sold as firewood or construction poles to recover some the establishment costs.

Shedding of teak leaves is heavy during the dry season and this causes a risk of fire. It’s advisable at this stage that the land user puts in place fire lines, an open space of 6 meters to separate the plantation into compartments in order to restrict fire from spreading from one part to another part.

Teak plantations are good at responding to dry conditions and can provide high-quality timber which in turn provides income. Teak trees provide hardwood timber, poles and modify the micro-climate through evapotranspiration. Fencing is done using bulb wires to avoid damage by wild animals and encroachments. The teak trees occupy land for a long period of time that can be used for other purposes like planting food crops. The piled dry teak leaves may harbour dangerous animals like snakes. Community members also complain about too much rainfall brought about by the plantation.

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:

Uganda

Region/ State/ Province:

Northern Uganda

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2009

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through land users' innovation
Comments (type of project, etc.):

The land user copied the technique of teak planting from his friend in Arua District.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

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

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Perennial (non-woody) cropping
Main crops (cash and food crops):

Beans and sim sim

Forest/ woodlands

Forest/ woodlands

Tree plantation, afforestation:
  • Monoculture exotic variety
Products and services:
  • Timber
  • Fuelwood
  • Other forest products
  • Nature conservation/ protection
If land use has changed due to the implementation of the Technology, indicate land use before implementation of the Technology:

Crop land garden for sesame growing.

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed
Comments:

improved variety drought resistant and fast maturing

Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • forest plantation management

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:
  • < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V1: Tree and shrub cover
structural measures

structural measures

  • S11: Others
Comments:

Firelines to prevent fire out breaks during the dry season.

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
  • Wg: gully erosion/ gullying
soil erosion by wind

soil erosion by wind

  • Et: loss of topsoil
  • Ed: deflation and deposition

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:

Betty Adoch

Date:

12/5/2017

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Teak is planted on a gently sloping natural environment with pitting done at a depth of 3.5 inch Trees are spaced at 3 metres x 3 meters using the following in puts: tree seedlings, wheel barrow hoe, pangas and labour.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
  • per Technology area
Indicate size and area unit:

6acres

other/ national currency (specify):

UGX

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

5000shs

4.4 Establishment activities

Activity Type of measure Timing
1. Site clearing for nursery bed Vegetative dry and wet
2. Ploughing Vegetative wet season
3. Pitting Vegetative wet season
4. Planting Vegetative wet season
Comments:

Constant weeding and slashing is needed.

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 Hired labours Manday 30.0 3000.0 90000.0 100.0
Equipment Ox-plough pieces 1.0 280000.0 280000.0 100.0
Equipment Pangas pieces 15.0 10000.0 150000.0 100.0
Equipment Axes pieces 7.0 15000.0 105000.0 100.0
Equipment String for lining bundle 2.0 10000.0 20000.0 100.0
Plant material Teak-seedlings Stem 6000.0 1000.0 6000000.0 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 6645000.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Type of measure Timing/ frequency
1. Hiring plantation manager Management dry and wet
2. Weeding for 2years after planting Management wet season
3. Slashing only after 2years Management dry and wet
4. Prunning Management wet season
5. Thining Management wet season
6. Fenching the plantation Management dry and wet
7. Creating firelines during dry seasons Management dry season
8. spraying Management wet and dry 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 Plantation watchman acres 2.0 150000.0 300000.0 100.0
Labour Labour for fenching acres 8.0 100000.0 800000.0 100.0
Equipment Poles for fenching acres 790.0 2000.0 1580000.0 100.0
Equipment Bulb wires bundle 4.0 150000.0 600000.0 100.0
Equipment Fellkin (for termites) bottles 5.0 7000.0 35000.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 3315000.0

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
Specify average annual rainfall (if known), in mm:

850.00

Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

Moderate rains during wet season

Indicate the name of the reference meteorological station considered:

Kitgum weather station

Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid

Savanna climate

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.
Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:
  • not relevant
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Flat landscape supports mechanisation

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)
Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

good

Water quality (untreated):

good drinking water

Is water salinity a problem?

Nee

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Nee

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

The community uses borehole water which is suitable for consumption.

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • high
Habitat diversity:
  • high
Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Variety of wild species exists

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial
Off-farm income:
  • 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • animal traction
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Age of land users:
  • youth
  • middle-aged

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)?
  • medium-scale
Comments:

More land can be used for teak growing.

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

Land ownership:
  • individual, not titled
Land use rights:
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • communal (organized)
Comments:

Land user has to acquire land title for security purposes.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

wood production

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Fuel wood obtained from teak pruned branches

forest/ woodland quality

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Shrub vegetation maintained with no cultivation taking place at the technology site

product diversity

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

Low

Quantity after SLM:

High

Comments/ specify:

Hard wood timber provided for construction purposes

energy generation

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Woodfuel provided from the pruned branches

Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

From the sale of branches, poles and timbers sold to generate income

diversity of income sources

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Income from poles and timber production other than only crop

workload

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

high

Quantity after SLM:

low

Comments/ specify:

Teak forests are easy to maintain since the dense canopy kills weed underneath

Socio-cultural impacts

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

trees conserve soil and biodiversity

Ecological impacts

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

High water retention in the soil

soil cover

reduced
improved
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

soil loss

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

High

Quantity after SLM:

low

Comments/ specify:

Forest cover reduces the loss by binding the soil partials together

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Vegetation cover

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Dense vegetation cover

biomass/ above ground C

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Teak plantation acts as carbon sink

plant diversity

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Different plant species like grass, shrubs exist inside the forest

habitat diversity

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

Low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Snakes, rabbits and other creators survive within the plantation

Climate and disaster risk reduction

drought impacts

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Improved trees variety fast maturing and drought resistant

emission of carbon and greenhouse gases

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

high

Quantity after SLM:

low

Comments/ specify:

Forest act as carbon sink

wind velocity

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

high

Quantity after SLM:

low

Comments/ specify:

Trees acts as wind breaks

micro-climate

worsened
improved
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Forest modify the micro climate through evapotranspiration

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 moderately
seasonal temperature dry season increase moderately
annual rainfall decrease moderately
seasonal rainfall wet/ rainy season decrease moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm moderately
local windstorm moderately
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought moderately
forest fire not well
land fire not well
Biological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
epidemic diseases moderately
insect/ worm infestation moderately

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

slightly negative

Long-term returns:

very positive

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

slightly negative

Long-term returns:

very positive

Comments:

After five years the poles can be harvested for construction and income purposes

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • 1-10%
If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

02

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 90-100%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Nee

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The technology is good at providing income from sale of branches, timber and poles.
The technology is good at creating good neighborhood since it marks boundaries clearly.
The technology is good at modifying micro climate.
Very good at improving biodiversity.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The technology prevents land conflict since firelines are established to reduce fire out breaks.
Dry leaves provided by teak as litter is good for mulching hence increasing productivity.
The technology is good at providing cool and pleasant environment.
Initial costs of implementation high

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?
Fire outbreak during the dry season Creating fire lines during dry season
Negative attitude from other community members Encouraging tree plantation among community members.
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Teak takes long to mature At least poles can be sold after five years

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys

01

  • interviews with land users

01

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Forest plantations and woodlots in Kenya

URL:

https://www.sifi.se/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Forest-plantations-and-woodlots-in-Kenya.pdf

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