Technologies

Planting pits and stone lines [Niger]

Tassa avec cordon pierreux (french)

technologies_1100 - Niger

Completeness: 71%

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:
SLM specialist:

Oudou Noufou Amadou

PDRT

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Projet de développement rural de Tahoua, Niger (PDRT)
Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Book project: where the land is greener - Case Studies and Analysis of Soil and Water Conservation Initiatives Worldwide (where the land is greener)
Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Book project: Water Harvesting – Guidelines to Good Practice (Water Harvesting)
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Université catholique de Louvain (Université catholique de Louvain) - Belgium
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Centre for Agriculture in the Tropics and Subtropics (Centre for Agriculture in the Tropics and Subtropics) - Germany
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
ICRISAT (ICRISAT) - Niger

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

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

Ja

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Rehabilitation of degraded land through manured planting pits, in combination with contour stone lines. The planting pits are used for millet and sorghum production on gentle slopes.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The combination of planting pits (tassa) with stone lines is used for the rehabilitation of degraded, crusted land. This technology is mainly applied in semi-arid areas on sandy/loamy plains, often covered with a hard pan, and with slopes below 5%. These denuded plains are brought into crop cultivation by the combination of tassa and stone lines. Planting pits are holes of 20-30 cm diameter and 20-25 cm depth, spaced about 1 m apart in each direction. The excavated earth is formed into a small ridge downslope of the pit. Manure is added to each pit, but its availability is sometimes a problem. At the start of the rainy season, millet or sorghum is sown in these pits. The overall aim of the system is to capture and hold
rainfall and runoff, and thereby improve water infiltration, while increasing nutrient availability.
Stone lines are small structures, at most three stones wide and sometimes only one stone high. The distance between the lines is a function of the slope and availability of stone. Typically they are sited 25-50 m apart on 2-5% slopes. Stones are usually collected from nearby sites - though sometimes up to 5-10 km away and brought to the fields by donkey carts or lorries (when a project is involved). They are positioned manually, along the contour. Stone lines are intended to slow down runoff. They thereby increase the rate of infiltration, while simultaneously protecting the planting pits from sedimentation.
Often grass establishes between the stones, which helps increase infiltration further and accelerates the accumulation of fertile sediment. Wind-blown particles may also build up along the stone lines due to a local reduction in wind velocity. The accumulation of sediment along the stone lines in turn favours water infiltration on the upslope side. This then improves plant growth, which further enhances the effect of the system. Construction does not require heavy machinery (unless the stones need to be brought from afar by lorry).
The technique is therefore favourable to spontaneous adoption. Stone lines may need to be repaired annually, especially if heavy rains have occurred. Manure is placed every second (or third) year into the previously dug pits and sand is removed annually: normally the highest plant production is during the second year after manure application.

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:

Niger

Region/ State/ Province:

Niger, Tahoua

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, specify area covered (in km2):

40.0

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 40 km2.

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through projects/ external interventions

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
Annual cropping - Specify crops:
  • cereals - millet
  • cereals - sorghum
  • legumes and pulses - peas
Comments:

major food crop: Millet and sorghum

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Soil fertility decline is the basic problem: this is due to degradation and nutrient mining. Loss of limited rainwater by runoff and loss of soil cover result in low crop production and food insufficiency. This occurs in combination with lack of pasture, resulting in shortage of manure.

3.4 Water supply

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

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • water harvesting
  • irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A7: Others
structural measures

structural measures

  • S11: Others
Comments:

Specification of other agronomic measures: Manure application (supplementary)

Specification of other structural measures: stone lines, planting pits

Type of agronomic measures: manure / compost / residues

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
soil erosion by wind

soil erosion by wind

  • Et: loss of topsoil
chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
physical soil deterioration

physical soil deterioration

  • Pc: compaction
  • Pk: slaking and crusting
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Et: loss of topsoil, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Pc: compaction, Pk: sealing and crusting

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Planting pits (tassa) capture rainfall runoff for cultivation of annual crops, and the stone lines - spaced at 25-50 metres apart - help hold back moisture and eroded soil.

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: increase in organic matter, increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, water harvesting / increase water supply, increase in soil fertility, increases natural regeneration of trees

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

Manure / compost / residues
Quantity/ density: 2.5 t/ha

Structural measure: stone lines
Spacing between structures (m): 25-50planting pits

Structural measure: planting pits
Vertical interval between structures (m): 1
Spacing between structures (m): 1
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.2-0.25
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.2-0.3

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): <5%

Author:

Mats Gurtner

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify currency used for cost calculations:
  • USD

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Digging pits (tassa): the excavated earth dry season (November to May)
2. Digging out stones from nearby sites dry season (November to May)
3. Transporting stones dry season (November to May)
4. Aligning the stones along the contour with the help of a ‘water tube dry season (November to May)

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Digging tassa persons/day/ha 100.0 1.5 150.0 100.0
Labour Building stone lines persons/day/ha 26.666 1.5 40.0 100.0
Equipment Tools for tassa ha 1.0 5.0 5.0 100.0
Equipment Tools for stone lines ha 1.0 5.0 5.0 75.0
Fertilizers and biocides Compost/manure ha 1.0 5.0 5.0 100.0
Other Transporting stones with lorri ha 1.0 40.0 40.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 245.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 245.0
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 12 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Manuring the pits with approx 250 g per pit dry season (November to May) / initial establishment
2. Manuring the pits with about 250 g per pit (2.5 t/ha) October/November or March-May / every second year
3. Removing sand from the tassa March-May/annual
4. Check and repair stone lines annually and after heavy rains.

4.6 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 persons/day/ha 21.0 1.5 31.5 100.0
Equipment Tools for tassa ha 1.0 1.0 1.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides Compost/manure ha 1.0 2.5 2.5 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 35.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 35.0
Comments:

Machinery/ tools: hoe, pick-axe, shovel, donkey cart, (lorries)

The costs are based on 300 m of stone lines per hectare (on a 3-4% slope). Maintenance costs refer to removing sand from the pits from the second year onwards, and to the application of manure every second year (costs are spread on an annual basis). If applicable, costs for transporting the manure need to be added. The general assumption in these calculations is that adequate manure is readily available close by. The availability of stones is the main factor in determining costs - though labour availability can affect prices also. If stones are not available in the field or nearby (from where they can be transported by donkey cart), they have to be carried by lorries, which is much more expensive. The costs here refer to fuel costs only, paid by a project: they do not include depreciation of lorries.

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:

390.00

Agro-climatic zone
  • semi-arid

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):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • low (<1%)
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 depth on average: Also deep

Soil fertility is low - very low

Soil drainage / infiltration is good, though infiltration is low where there is a crust

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • > 50% of all income
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • animal traction
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Off-farm income specification: remittances from out-migration of labour, commerce and crafts

5.7 Average area of land used 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

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

Land ownership:
  • individual, titled
Land use rights:
  • individual

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased
Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased

workload

increased
decreased
Other socio-economic impacts

input contstraints

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

community institutions

weakened
strengthened
Comments/ specify:

Through mutual aid in technology implementation

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

conflict mitigation

worsened
improved
Comments/ specify:

Land use rights conflicts of rehabilitated land and conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, because pasture land is being turned into cultivated fields

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

excess water drainage

reduced
improved
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil loss

increased
decreased

soil organic matter/ below ground C

decreased
increased
Other ecological impacts

soil fertility

decreased
increased

long-term soil cover

reduced
improved

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

downstream flooding

increased
reduced

downstream siltation

increased
decreased

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:

very positive

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

positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: There is moderate growing spontaneous adoption (for rehabilitation of the plains), but there are no estimates available regarding the extent.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Simple technology, individually applicable in the dry season, requiring
only very little training/knowledge and no special equipment.
Making best use of manure, which is a limiting resource.
Increase in agricultural production.
Rehabilitation of degraded and denuded land: bringing back into production formerly uncultivated land; extension of farm land to the plateaus.

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?
Labour demanding technology for implementation and maintenance Mechanisation of tasks: transportation of stones and manure. However, this would raise the cost.
Instability of planting pits in loose soil, increased erosion on steeper slopes and with heavier rains Avoid loose sandy soils and steep
slopes.
The effectiveness can be compromised if the various geo-morphological
units (plateaus, slopes) are not treated simultaneously
Catchment area approach if downstream flooding is an issue.
Possibility of land use conflicts concerning rehabilitated land, in particular
with pastoralists
Better coordination/consultation before implementing the technology in an area.
Implementation constraint: availability of manure and/or stones and transporting manure/stones to the plateaus and slopes Subsidise transport means (or supply donkey carts) or/and apply stone lines only in areas where there are stones available close to the fields.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Bety A, Boubacar A, Frölich W, Garba A, Kriegl M, Mabrouk A, Noufou O, Thienel M and Wincker H: Gestion durable desressources naturelles. Leçons tirées du savoir des paysans de l’Adar. Ministère de l’agriculture et de l’élevage, Niamey, 142 pp.. 19

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Hassane A, Martin Pand Reij C:Water harvesting, land rehabilitation and household food security in Niger: IFAD’s Soil and Water Conservation Project in IllelaDistrict. IFAD, Rome, 51 pp.. 2000.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Mabrouk A, Tielkes E and Kriegl M: Conservation des eaux et des sols: Leçons des connaissances traditionnelles de la région de Tahoua, Niger. In: Renard, G., Neef, A,. Becker, K. and Von Oppen, M. (eds). de la région de Tahoua, Niger. 1998.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Mabrouk A, Tielkes E and Kriegl M: Conservation des eaux et des sols: Leçons des connaissances traditionnelles de la région de Tahoua, Niger. In: Renard, G., Neef, A,. Becker, K. and Von Oppen, M. (eds). de la région de Tahoua, Niger. 1998.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Mabrouk A, Tielkes E and Kriegl M: Conservation des eaux et des sols: Leçons des connaissances traditionnelles de la région de Tahoua, Niger. In: Renard, G., Neef, A,. Becker, K. and Von Oppen, M. (eds). de la région de Tahoua, Niger. 1998.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Mabrouk A, Tielkes E and Kriegl M: Conservation des eaux et des sols: Leçons des connaissances traditionnelles de la région de Tahoua, Niger. In: Renard, G., Neef, A,. Becker, K. and Von Oppen, M. (eds). de la région de Tahoua, Niger. 1998.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Mabrouk A, Tielkes E and Kriegl M: Conservation des eaux et des sols: Leçons des connaissances traditionnelles de la région de Tahoua, Niger. In: Renard, G., Neef, A,. Becker, K. and Von Oppen, M. (eds). de la région de Tahoua, Niger. 1998.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Mabrouk A, Tielkes E and Kriegl M: Conservation des eaux et des sols: Leçons des connaissances traditionnelles de la région de Tahoua, Niger. In: Renard, G., Neef, A,. Becker, K. and Von Oppen, M. (eds). de la région de Tahoua, Niger. 1998.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Mabrouk A, Tielkes E and Kriegl M: Conservation des eaux et des sols: Leçons des connaissances traditionnelles de la région de Tahoua, Niger. In: Renard, G., Neef, A,. Becker, K. and Von Oppen, M. (eds). de la région de Tahoua, Niger. 1998.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Mabrouk A, Tielkes E and Kriegl M: Conservation des eaux et des sols: Leçons des connaissances traditionnelles de la région de Tahoua, Niger. In: Renard, G., Neef, A,. Becker, K. and Von Oppen, M. (eds). de la région de Tahoua, Niger. 1998.

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