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

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Land Development Department (Land Development Department) - Thailand

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

World Association of Soil and Water Conservation (WASWC) - China

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

16/09/1997

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

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

A conservation cropping system utilizing vegetative method for controlling erosion

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

To make the contour hedgerow by grass and legunminous plants across the slope together with integrated cropping system, comprising of field crop, vegetables and bush-type crops and fruit trees. Other components include contour cultivation, incorporation of crop residues, soil amendments, reduced tillage, stressing on cropping more than once a year.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

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

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Alley cropping with leguminous hedgerow was introduced from IITA, Nigeria. Grass strip was introduced from Australia.

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): 1. Farmers lack of technology about SWC and soil improvement. Farmers need support in credits and marketing. 3. Poveerty.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): 1. Weed problems. 2. Soil fertility decline resulting in decreased crop yield. 3. Soil erosion. 4. Lack of labour.

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 180 Longest growing period from month to month: May - Oct

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• minimal soil disturbance
• cross-slope measure

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:

• 100-1,000 km2

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 1000 m2.

This technology is being implemented in several areas. The extent of mplemented areas is not exactly known at the this time but can be known in the future.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

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

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

General dimension of the technology

Upper North

Date: 8/6/00

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high

Technical knowledge required for land users: high

Main technical functions: control of raindrop splash, control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard, reduction of slope length, improvement of ground cover, increase in organic matter, increase of infiltration, increase in soil fertility

Secondary technical functions: increase of surface roughness, increase / maintain water stored in soil, water harvesting / increase water supply, water spreading

Green manure
Material/ species: Leucaena leucocephala, Cajanus cajan
Remarks: From lopping branches of legumes

Vegetative measure: Contour
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 3
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 5-12

Vegetative measure: Grass strip
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 3
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 5-12

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs

Trees/ shrubs species: Leucaena, cajanus, flemingo, tephrosia, glyricidia

Fruit trees / shrubs species: Mango, Jack fruit, Longan, Lychee, etc.

Grass species: Vetiver, ruzi, setaria, bahia, napier

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 30.00%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is (see figure below): 20.00%

Gradient along the rows / strips: 0.00%

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Baht

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

37.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Contour establishment	Vegetative	beforginning of rainy season
2.	Establishing hedgerow area	Vegetative	beforginning of rainy season
3.	Planting hedgerow plants	Vegetative	beforginning of rainy season

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	Labour	ha	1.0	54.0	54.0
Equipment	Equipment - hour	ha	1.0	5.4	5.4
Plant material	Seeds	ha	1.0	6.0	6.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					65.4

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 12 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Weeding	Agronomic	Before rainy season / Two times per crop
2.	Land preparation	Agronomic	Before rainy season / Once a year
3.	Crop planting	Agronomic	Before rainy season / Once a year
4.	Fertilizer application	Agronomic	Before rainy season / Once per crop
5.	Loppinging /mulching	Vegetative	as required /2-3 times per year

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	Labour	ha	1.0	64.8	64.8
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					64.8

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: Tractor, hand hoe, macheter

Calculation of the cost will involve only those related to SWC. The hedgerow area per ha is 1000 m2 which requires approximately one hour of tractor's work, the rental charge of which is 200 Baht per hour.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The cost depends very much on the degree of slope, which determines the number of hedgerows per specific area.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zone: Also 501-1000 m a.s.l. (ranked 2) and 1001-1500 m a.s.l. (ranked 3)

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.

Soil depth on average: Also deep (ranked 2)
Soil fertility: Medium
Soil drainage/infiltration: Good
Soil water storage capacity: Medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 2% - 3%

10% of the land users are average wealthy and own 10% of the land.
10% of the land users are poor and own 10% of the land.
80% of the land users are poor and own 80% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: Poor land users used to work as labourers to earn extra income.

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

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

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• individual

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Other socio-economic impacts

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

15100, 100% area covered

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

• 0-10%

Comments:

99% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

15000 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: estimates

1% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

100 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: estimates

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Number of participating farmers increases according to the government's budget and work plan. The technology has been widely accepted all over the country and in many parts of the world.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The technology can: 1. Improve soil fertility and productivity.
2. Increase income
3. Attain sustainable land use.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The technology can: 1. Reduce soil loss/runoff How can they be sustained / enhanced? Try to integrate annual cash crops and fruit trees.
2. Improve soil fertility
3. Conserve soil moisture
4. Increase yield/income 5. Preserve the environment
6. Easily implemented by farmers 7. Requires low cost.

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?
1. Require more labour to create and maintain.	1. Grow fast-growing tree species.
2. Certain part of the land especially that occupied by the hedgerows cannot be used to grow crop.	2. Hire more labourers from the increased income.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
It is more labour intensive than normal farming practices.	Good labour management

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Sajjapongse, A., C. Anecksamphant and S. Boonchee, ASALAND management of Sloping Lands Network. Special Lecture, LDD Technical Meeting, February 15-18, 2000, Chiang Mai.. 2000.

Available from where? Costs?

Department of Land Development, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Other documents from IBSRAM and other development projects assisted by foreign countries. 1990-1999.