Trenches [Uganda]
- Creation:
- Update:
- Compiler: Wilson Bamwerinde
- Editor: –
- Reviewers: Fabian Ottiger, Alexandra Gavilano
Emifuregye
technologies_1561 - Uganda
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Expand all Collapse all1. General information
1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology
SLM specialist:
Mugabe Albert
Ntungamo District
Uganda
SLM specialist:
Mazimakwo Kukundakwe
Kabale District
Uganda
SLM specialist:
Pollina Elijah
Rwerazi matooke group association
Uganda
Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
The Transboundary Agro-ecosystem Management Project for the Kagera River Basin (GEF-FAO / Kagera TAMP )Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) - ItalyName of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Rwerazi matooke group association - Uganda1.3 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)
Construction of trenches in cropland. [Uganda]
Farmer field facilitators mobilized and sensitized the land users on the need to control soil erosion in banana plantations and to conserve moisture in the soil.
- Compiler: Wilson Bamwerinde
2. Description of the SLM Technology
2.1 Short description of the Technology
Definition of the Technology:
Digging trenches on a gentle slope in banana plantation in Rwerazi.
2.2 Detailed description of the Technology
Description:
Trenches dug at 2 ft. wide and 20m long in a banana plantation . Twelve trenches at a distance of 10m each in about 7 acres to control water runoff and soil erosion.
Purpose of the Technology: Trenches to contain and collect heavy water runoff. To reduce loss of top soil and increase soil fertility for perennial crops, thus increasing productivity.
Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Kagera TAMP initiative for the use of trenches by land users of Rwerazi matoke association , with hoes, spades, pangas digging trenches of 2ft deep , 2.5 ft wide and 20m long at a space of 10m in a banana planation.
The trenches are of 2 types, Fanya juu and Fanya kin.
Natural / human environment: The area is gentle sloping susceptible to water runoff leading to enough loam sopils in in good banana planation.
2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment
Country:
Uganda
Region/ State/ Province:
Uganda
Further specification of location:
Ntungamo-Rukoni
Specify the spread of the Technology:
- evenly spread over an area
If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
- 1-10 km2
Comments:
Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 2 km2.
The technology is practiced in Rwerazi and Kitwe town council among farmer field school members in those localities.
Map
×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 projects/ external interventions
Comments (type of project, etc.):
-Introduced through UNIFA & FAO Kagera /TAMP projects.
-Training in use of trenches in 1991 and group cohesion in 1995.
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](/static/assets/img/pictos/land_1.png)
Cropland
- Annual cropping
- Perennial (non-woody) cropping
Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:
- banana/plantain/abaca
Number of growing seasons per year:
- 2
Specify:
Longest growing period in days: 150 Longest growing period from month to month: September to December.Second longest growing period in days: 90 Second longest growing period from month to month: March to May.
Comments:
Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Increased runoff and lack of soil and water conservation would lead to loss of productive top soil, desertification leading to soil infertility and climatic change.
Type of cropping system and major crops comments: Technology is effective in banana plantation.
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
- cross-slope measure
3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology
![structural measures](/static/assets/img/pictos/swc_1_struc.png)
structural measures
- S3: Graded ditches, channels, waterways
- S4: Level ditches, pits
Comments:
Main measures: structural measures
3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology
![soil erosion by water](/static/assets/img/pictos/degra_watererosion.png)
soil erosion by water
- Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
![chemical soil deterioration](/static/assets/img/pictos/degra_2_chem.png)
chemical soil deterioration
- Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
![water degradation](/static/assets/img/pictos/degra_waterdegrade.png)
water degradation
- Ha: aridification
Comments:
Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion
Secondary types of degradation addressed: Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Ha: aridification
Main causes of degradation: soil management (To prevent degradation of land & water banana planation.)
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
Comments:
Main goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation
Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation
4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs
4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology
Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):
Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high (Technical person needs to demonstrate the technology.)
Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate
Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard
Secondary technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, increase / maintain water stored in soil
Structural measure: Trenches
Vertical interval between structures (m): N/A
Spacing between structures (m): 10
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.6
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.76
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 6.09
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): N/A
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): N/A
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): N/A
Construction material (earth): Digging a trench on earth surface.
4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs
other/ national currency (specify):
Ugshs
If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:
2600.0
Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:
1.15
4.3 Establishment activities
Activity | Timing (season) | |
---|---|---|
1. | Digging trenches | 2012 September |
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 | Labour | ha | 1.0 | 92.3 | 92.3 | 100.0 |
Equipment | Tools | ha | 1.0 | 9.4 | 9.4 | |
Total costs for establishment of the Technology | 101.7 | |||||
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD | 0.04 |
Comments:
Duration of establishment phase: 1 month(s)
4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities
Activity | Timing/ frequency | |
---|---|---|
1. | Digging trenches | April 2012 |
Comments:
The land user does not meet the maintenance costs of old existing trenches but establishes /digs new trenches after every 2 years when the old trenches are filled with silt. He believes that old filled trenches should not be worked upon as they are filled with manure and nutrients. By digging new trenches ,the land user meets the new establishment and construction costs.
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 | ha | 1.0 | 15.3 | 15.3 | |
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology | 15.3 | |||||
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD | 0.01 |
Comments:
Machinery/ tools: Hoes,spades, pick axe are used to construct and maintain the trenches.
The costs are the total costs for construction and maintenance of the technology for each land user for area of about 1 ha and were estimated as of 19/04/2013.
4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs
Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:
-Human labor is scarce.
-High cost of labor.
-Land users require constant monitoring & mobilization.
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
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:
Rainy season . September to December & March to May.
Agro-climatic zone
- sub-humid
Thermal climate class: tropics. Tropics (Temperature mean annual of 18°C to 24°C)
Bi-modal rainfall. 180-269 days.
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:
- concave situations
Comments and further specifications on topography:
Altitudinal zone: The technology is carried out in areas of 1000 to 1500 m.a.s.l.
Slopes on average: Gentle (The technology is appropriate in gentle sloping areas)
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:
- poor
- average
Individuals or groups:
- individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
- manual work
Gender:
- women
- men
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:
Population density: 100-200 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 2% - 3%
30% of the land users are rich (Income records 1,750,000 shs monthly.).
40% of the land users are average wealthy (average monthly income of less than 1,000,000shs).
30% of the land users are poor.
Off-farm income specification: most land users' income is from farm.
Level of mechanization: Manual work (family and hired casual labour depending on season)
Market orientation: Mixed (300 bunches sold, 30 eaten monthly on average)
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
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
- small-scale
Comments:
On average households have medium sized banana plantation.
5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights
Land ownership:
- individual, not titled
Land use rights:
- individual
Water use rights:
- individual
Comments:
Land inherited untitled land from his father and others have individual and freehold.
5.9 Access to services and infrastructure
health:
- poor
- moderate
- good
education:
- poor
- moderate
- good
technical assistance:
- poor
- moderate
- good
markets:
- 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
crop production
Quantity before SLM:
20kg
Comments/ specify:
30 to 50kg/bunch of banana.
Income and costs
expenses on agricultural inputs
workload
Socio-cultural impacts
food security/ self-sufficiency
Quantity before SLM:
20kg+
Comments/ specify:
increase in banana bunch size.
conflict mitigation
Improved livelihoods and human well-being
Comments/ specify:
The land users have permanent houses and a car as the technology has improved household through improved production and income.
Ecological impacts
Water cycle/ runoff
surface runoff
excess water drainage
groundwater table/ aquifer
Soil
soil moisture
soil loss
6.4 Cost-benefit analysis
How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Long-term returns:
positive
How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:
positive
Comments:
Land users have had increased banana bunch size and improved quality
6.5 Adoption of the Technology
Comments:
Comments on acceptance with external material support: Some land users got external assistance ,others individually implemented the activity.
20% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support
Comments on spontaneous adoption: 20% of land users in Rwerazi matooke group voluntarily implement the technology . 66.7% are not implementing the technology.
There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology
Comments on adoption trend: As most of land users still lack some of the inputs and material support.
6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view |
---|
It increases productivity. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Regulates maintenance of trenches. |
It maintains manure in the banana plantation. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Regular maintenance of trenches. |
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view |
---|
It control water runoff. How can they be sustained / enhanced? By digging and repairing the trenches regularly. |
Stores water which slowly seeps in the soil. How can they be sustained / enhanced? By digging and repairing the trenches regularly. |
7. References and links
7.1 Methods/ sources of information
Links and modules
Expand all Collapse allLinks
Construction of trenches in cropland. [Uganda]
Farmer field facilitators mobilized and sensitized the land users on the need to control soil erosion in banana plantations and to conserve moisture in the soil.
- Compiler: Wilson Bamwerinde
Modules
No modules