Staggered Contour Trench [Afghanistan]
- Creation:
- Update:
- Compiler: Aqila Haidery
- Editor: –
- Reviewer: Alexandra Gavilano
Jerma (Dari)
technologies_1715 - Afghanistan
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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:
SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:
Sirat Aliaver
AKF
Afghanistan
SLM specialist:
Altaf Jalil
AKF
Afghanistan
Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Sustainable Land Management Project, Bhutan (SLMP)Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
HELVETAS (Swiss Intercooperation)Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) - SwitzerlandName of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Sustainable Land Management Institute Organistatio (Sustainable Land Management Institute Organistatio) - Afghanistan1.3 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)
Community-based Natural Resource Management [Afghanistan]
An approach to community participation in the sustainable management of natural resources
- Compiler: Aqila Haidery
2. Description of the SLM Technology
2.1 Short description of the Technology
Definition of the Technology:
Earthen trenches with soil bunds built along contours in staggered design
2.2 Detailed description of the Technology
Description:
The SCTs technology is documented by Sustainable Land Management Project/HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation which is funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), with close support and cooperation of the Agha Khan Foundation (AKF). The staggered Contour Trenches (SCTs) were constructed at a degraded site in Bamyan center (Bamyan province) by Agha Khan Foundation (AKF) project with financial support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
Totally 1470 contour trenches were constructed at the site, which has an area of 24 hectares.
The size of each trench measured 10 m in length, 0.6 m in width and 0.5 m in depth. The trenches had soil bunds on the lower side having a width of 1 m and height of 0.3 m. Contour lines were prepared using an A-frame and lime and the spacing between two contour lines was 8 m considering the slope. All the trenches were dug out manually. Local people were employed for construction works. Along with the SCTs, other measures were applied such as plantation of fodder grass, shrub and non-fruit trees, gully plugs, water harvesting tanks and brushwood plugs. The area is excluded from grazing and shrub cutting.
The land was extensive grazing land before the project implementation and got extremely degraded due to a lack of management by the land users. There was rampant exploitation of natural vegetation for meeting domestic energy needs and for grazing. Droughts, which frequently occur in the region, contributed to the slow degradation of the vegetation.
Purpose of the Technology: The main purpose of the technology is to reduce flash flood risks and improve land productivity (both upstream and downstream) so that more fodder, fuel wood and fruits could be produced and farmers affected by flash floods could grow more crops. The technology, which is part of a watershed technology system, helps in retaining runoff and sediment and improves soil moisture content. It also helps in water infiltration which eventually contributes to improved ground water recharge.
Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: SCTs were established in a step-wise manner; as follows: (1) Site surveying, (2) Site mapping, (3) Planning, (4) Marking contour lines with the help of an A-frame, and (5) Trench excavation and bund construction.
The establishment cost for staggered contour trenches, was about 15,500 USD or 645 USD/ha. Most of the money was spent on labour. There have been no expenses in maintenance of SCTs since their establishment in 2008.
Natural / human environment: The technology is applied in semi-arid condition as the area receives annual rainfall of about 400 mm to address land degradation. The site formally belonged to the state but the local communities have use rights. AKF is still maintaining the site and using it for training and demonstration purpose. Several exposure visits for SLM specialist, land users, students and teachers have been also organized at the site.
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:
Afghanistan
Region/ State/ Province:
Zai Mahmood village, Bamyan center, Afghanistan
Specify the spread of the Technology:
- evenly spread over an area
If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
- 0.1-1 km2
Comments:
Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.24 km2.
2.6 Date of implementation
If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
- less than 10 years ago (recently)
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
- improve production
- reduce risk of disasters
3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied
Grazing land
Forest/ woodlands
- Tree plantation, afforestation
Comments:
Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Flash floods, gully/rill/sheet erosion, loss of natural vegetation and low productivity of the land due to degradation compounded by climatic factors.
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Declining productivity of land resulting in shortages of fodder and fuel wood and loss of fertile land in the downstream areas due to flash floods.
Grazingland comments: The area is closed for livestock.
Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Forests / woodlands: Fp: Plantations, afforestations
Type of grazing system comments: The area is closed for livestock.
Number of growing seasons per year: 1
Longest growing period in days: 180; Longest growing period from month to month: April to September
Livestock density: 1-10 LU /km2
3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?
Grazing land
- Extensive grazing
3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs
- area closure (stop use, support restoration)
- cross-slope measure
- ground water management
3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology
structural measures
- S4: Level ditches, pits
3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology
soil erosion by water
- Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
biological degradation
- Bc: reduction of vegetation cover
water degradation
- Hs: change in quantity of surface water
Comments:
Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use, overgrazing
3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation
Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
- reduce land degradation
4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs
4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology
Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):
A detailed staggered contour trenches layout and its specifications (Fig. 1), and the cross section of soil bunds (Fig. 2)
Location: Bamyan. Bamyan center/Bamyan province
Technical knowledge required for land users: high
Technical knowledge required for SLM specialist: high
Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, increase of infiltration, sediment retention / trapping, sediment harvesting, increase of biomass (quantity), promotion of vegetation species and varieties (quality, eg palatable fodder)
Secondary technical functions: reduction of slope length, improvement of ground cover, increase in organic matter, increase / maintain water stored in soil, improvement of water quality, buffering / filtering water, spatial arrangement and diversification of land use
Retention/infiltration ditch/pit, sediment/sand trap
Spacing between structures (m): 8
Bund/ bank: level
Spacing between structures (m): 8
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.5
Author:
Adapted from Bertran
4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs
Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
- per Technology area
Indicate size and area unit:
1 ha
Specify currency used for cost calculations:
- USD
4.3 Establishment activities
Activity | Timing (season) | |
---|---|---|
1. | Digging of the contour trenches and construction of the soil bunds | |
2. | Marking contour lines (A frame and lime) |
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 of the contour trenches and construction of the soil bunds | persons/day/ha | 100.0 | 6.43 | 643.0 | |
Equipment | A frame and lime | ha | 1.0 | 1.8 | 1.8 | |
Total costs for establishment of the Technology | 644.8 | |||||
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD | 644.8 |
Comments:
Duration of establishment phase: 4 month(s)
4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities
Activity | Timing/ frequency | |
---|---|---|
1. | No maintenance activities have been implemented for staggered contour trenches and soil bunds up to now. |
4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs
Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:
Despite the application of the structural measure of the SCTs AKF is still continuing its financial support for the plantation of the area. Thus irrigation which is a costly activity is still continued by AKF's support. The planted saplings of fruit and non-fruit trees are irrigated for six months/year, i.e. from April to September. Water is carried to the site by tankers. Each month, 75 tankers are used and the cost of one tanker is 12 USD or 600 Afghani. In addition, 16 persons are employed for one time irrigation.
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:
Bamyan receives heavy snow falls and rain falls in winter season
Agro-climatic zone
- semi-arid
Thermal climate class: temperate
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)
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 fertility is very low - low
Soil drainage / infiltration is oor due to sealing
Soil water storage capacity is low
5.4 Water availability and quality
Ground water table:
> 50 m
Availability of surface water:
poor/ none
Water quality (untreated):
for agricultural use only (irrigation)
5.5 Biodiversity
Species diversity:
- low
5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology
Market orientation of production system:
- subsistence (self-supply)
- mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
- 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
- average
Individuals or groups:
- employee (company, government)
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:
Difference in the involvement of women and men: Mainly men were involved in the activities due to cultural reasons.
Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 3% - 4%
100% of the land users are average wealthy.
Off-farm income specification: This is more applicable for poor small landholders or landless families.
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:
- state
Land use rights:
- open access (unorganized)
Water use rights:
- open access (unorganized)
Comments:
Formally, state owned. The site is now protected from open grazing and shrub cutting with support from the local communities.
5.9 Access to services and infrastructure
employment (e.g. off-farm):
- poor
- moderate
- good
markets:
- poor
- moderate
- good
energy:
- poor
- moderate
- good
roads and transport:
- poor
- moderate
- good
6. Impacts and concluding statements
6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown
Socio-economic impacts
Production
fodder production
fodder quality
animal production
risk of production failure
product diversity
production area
Comments/ specify:
Decreased production area
Water availability and quality
water availability for livestock
Income and costs
farm income
Socio-cultural impacts
food security/ self-sufficiency
health situation
cultural opportunities
Comments/ specify:
As the site is greener now
recreational opportunities
national institutions
Comments/ specify:
Especially of DAIL (Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock) and the persons who visit the site
SLM/ land degradation knowledge
livelihood and human well-being
Ecological impacts
Water cycle/ runoff
harvesting/ collection of water
Comments/ specify:
Runoff, dew, snow, etc.
surface runoff
groundwater table/ aquifer
Soil
soil cover
Biodiversity: vegetation, animals
plant diversity
animal diversity
pest/ disease control
Climate and disaster risk reduction
fire risk
6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown
downstream flooding
downstream siltation
wind transported sediments
Comments/ specify:
Due to better vegetation cover
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 | increase or decrease | How does the Technology cope with it? | |
---|---|---|---|
annual temperature | increase | well |
Climate-related extremes (disasters)
Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it? | |
---|---|
local windstorm | well |
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it? | |
---|---|
drought | well |
Hydrological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it? | |
---|---|
general (river) flood | not well |
Other climate-related consequences
Other climate-related consequences
How does the Technology cope with it? | |
---|---|
reduced growing period | well |
Comments:
SCT must be combined with vegetation and management measures
6.4 Cost-benefit analysis
How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:
slightly 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
Comments:
The benefits stated are the combined impacts of all measures-structural, vegetative and management. SCTs have helped in the establishment of vegetative measures by contributing to increased soil moisture, reduced runoff and soil loss.
6.5 Adoption of the Technology
Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
- 0-10%
Comments:
Comments on acceptance with external material support: The whole project activities were implemented by external supports
There is no trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology
Comments on adoption trend: As the implementation of a watershed project requires high costs and investments which can not be affordable for the individual land users.
6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view |
---|
The land users views were not considered. |
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view |
---|
Helps in reducing flash flood risks due to less runoff How can they be sustained / enhanced? Proper institutional mechanisms, involving the government, non-government and community institutions should be developed for sustaining project activities. Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock DAIL; (Bamyan) should take lead |
Conserves soil and enhances soil cover and fertility leading to more on-site production How can they be sustained / enhanced? Vegetative measures should be strengthened |
Complements re-greening efforts by reducing erosion and conserving moisture |
The quality of contour trenches and soil bunds are very good and maintenance costs negligible |
The site is used for demonstration, training and exposure visits |
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? |
---|---|
Establishment costs are very high | Voluntary community contributions, if they have an active stake in the project, would reduce the costs, otherwise, there has to be external support at least for the establishment phase |
Loss of land for production | Planting suitable plants inside the trenches and along soil bunds |
Requires high level of technical knowledge for establishment | Practical training for the target groups |
7. References and links
7.1 Methods/ sources of information
Links and modules
Expand all Collapse allLinks
Community-based Natural Resource Management [Afghanistan]
An approach to community participation in the sustainable management of natural resources
- Compiler: Aqila Haidery
Modules
No modules