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

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

1.4 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

Comments:

Rainwater harvesting using furrow micro-catchments created by ox-driven plough is a common practice among agropastoral communities in semi-arid southeastern Kenya. It is an important component of seedbed preparation prior to the planting season. This technology is aimed at harvesting rainwater to prolong water availability and soil moisture content for seed germination and subsequent growth and development of the emerging seedlings.

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

water harvesting [Kenya]

Water harvesting for agricultural production in ASALS.

• Compiler: Philippe Zahner
• 01/19/2009 middernag

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Ox-ploughed furrow micro-catchments are intentionally built as part of seedbed preparation to harvest rainwater. Commonly used in dryland environments, the micro-catchment prolong water availability for seed germination and growth and development of the emerging seedlings.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Creation of furrow micro-catchments using an ox-driven plough is a traditional seedbed preparation practice among agropastoral communities inhabiting arid and semi-arid environments in Kenya. The process involves minimal soil disturbance by intentionally creating shallow furrows (about 20 cm depth) using an ox-driven plough. Oxen commonly used predominantly have a light and bright skin coat. This is aimed at reflecting away excess heat from the sun. Consequently, the oxen are less fatigued and can therefore plough for a longer period of time. The furrow microcatchments are intentionally created across the slope to harvest rainwater to prolong water availability for seed germnination and subsequent growth and development of emerging seedlings. Furthermore, the ox-plough breaks the soil hard-pan common in dryland environments. Therefore, the microcatchments also facilitate seedling root penetration to the lower horizons. Prolonged water availability, especially in dryland environments, promotes growth and development of fast growing and early maturing drought tolerant crops and indigenous pasture production, consequently better crop yields and pasture production.

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:

Kibwezi, Eastern Kenya

Further specification of location:

Kibwezi, Makueni County, Kenya

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• > 10,000 km2

Comments:

Locations i.e. Kibwezi (Makueni County) and Kitui (Kitui County) are typical semi-arid environments in southeastern Kenya, where creation of micro-catchments using ox-driven plough is a traditional practice.
Common practice in southeastern Kenya counties of Kitui (24,000 km2), Machakos (5900 km2), and Makueni (8000 km2)

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation

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

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Two rainy seasons in Kenya; long rains (March-April-May), short rains (October-November-December)

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:

• Nomadism
• Semi-nomadic pastoralism
• Ranching

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

• minimal soil disturbance
• integrated soil fertility management
• water harvesting

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A3: Soil surface treatment

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

physical soil deterioration

• Pc: compaction
• Pi: soil sealing

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• reduce land degradation
• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Ox-ploughed furrow micro-catchments 15-20 cm deep and 10-15 cm wide. This is a typical traditional method of seedbed preparation in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) in southeastern Kenya. The micro-cathcments are intentionally made prior to the rainy season. Thereafter, the seeds are then sown along the micro-catchments to harvest rainwater. This prolongs water availability and maintains sufficient soil moisture content to facilitate germination and subsequent growth and development of the seedlings. Moreover, the ox-driven plough breaks the soil hard-pan common in dryland environments. This minimal soil disturbance promotes root penetration.

Seeds are covered with light amount of soil to facilitate seedling emergence.

Generally, the micro-catchments are created across the slope. Slope should be generally flat or very gentle (<5%) to reduce the speed of run-off, thus prevent soil erosion.

Author:

Kevin Z Mganga

Date:

04/07/2017

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Cost of hiring ox-plough - before the onset of the rains, there is a high demand for ox-ploughs for seedbed preparation and creation of micro-catchments. This increased demand (i.e. hiring the ox-plough) greatly influences the costs.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• convex situations

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Luvisol, %C 0.75-1.56%; %N 0.3-0.4%; P 13-15 ppm; CEC 6-19 me/100 g soil; K 1-2 me/100 g soil; Bulk density 1.2-1.3 g cm3; soil pH 8

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

Nee

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Nee

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Water quantity and quality is highly dependant on rainfall

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

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

Land ownership:

• communal/ village
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)
• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)
• individual

Comments:

Land use rights - both communal and individual
Water use rights - both communal and individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Ecological impacts

Soil

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• > 50%

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

• 51-90%

6.6 Adaptation

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

Nee

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

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

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

KZ Mganga, NKR Musimba, MM Nyangito, DM Nyariki, AW Mwang’ombe. 2015. The choice of grass species to combat desertification in semi-arid Kenyan rangelands is greatly influenced by their forage value for livestock. Grass and Forage Science 70: 161-167.

Available from where? Costs?

Grass and Forage Science Journal; USD 38

Title, author, year, ISBN:

3.KZ Mganga, NKR Musimba, DM Nyariki. 2015. Combining sustainable land management technologies to combat land degradation and improve rural livelihoods in semi-arid lands in Kenya. Environmental Management 56: 1538-1548

Available from where? Costs?

Environmental Management Journal, USD 43.34

Title, author, year, ISBN:

2.KZ Mganga, NKR Musimba, DM Nyariki. 2015. Competition indices of three perennial grasses used to rehabilitate degraded semi-arid rangelands in Kenya. The Rangelands Journal 37: 489-495

Available from where? Costs?

The Rangelands Journal, USD 25

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

The choice of grass species to combat desertification in semi-arid Kenyan rangelands is greatly influenced by their forage value for livestock

URL:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gfs.12089/abstract

Title/ description:

Combining Sustainable Land Management Technologies to Combat Land Degradation and Improve Rural Livelihoods in Semi-arid Lands in Kenya

URL:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00267-015-0579-9

Title/ description:

Competition indices of three perennial grasses used to rehabilitate degraded semi-arid rangelands in Kenya

URL:

http://www.publish.csiro.au/RJ/RJ15023