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)

Bureau of Soils and Water Management (Bureau of Soils and Water Management) - Philippines

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

18/10/2006

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:

Leaving the trunk of a newly harvested banana standing beside a follower plant to provide nutrients and moisture especially during period of drought.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Traditionally, banana is cut at the base (ground level) during harvesting and the stem is used as mulch. This has been the practice of the banana plantations for many years. Lately however, it was found out by research that by leaving the trunk standing beside a follower plant, yield could be improved because the trunk contains nutrients and moisture which could be used by the succeeding plants. The banana crown is cut just below the fruit and the leaves used as mulch. After a few months the trunk disintegrates and decomposes and the follower plants grow unimpeded utilizing the nutrients and moisture contained in the decomposing trunk..

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• during experiments/ research

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Large requirement of banana for nutrients and moisture which is insufficient during period of drought.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Decreasing yield due to nutrient depletion and the frequent occurrence of drought

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• full irrigation

Comments:

Water supply: mixed rainfed - irrigated, full irrigation

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 270 Longest growing period from month to month: May - Feb

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• agroforestry
• water harvesting

• Improoving yield by leaving the trunk of a harvested plant stand beside a follower plant

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 14 m2.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type 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:

• reduce land degradation
• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

Comments:

Main goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation, rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Date: 9-15-2006

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: low

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: increase / maintain water stored in soil, increase in soil fertility

Manure / compost / residues
Material/ species: trunk of harvested banana
Quantity/ density: 2,200 plan
Remarks: In rows

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Cutting of crown of newly harvested plant	Agronomic	harvest time / annual

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		person-days	1.0	50.0	50.0	100.0
Equipment	Tools		1.0	10.0	10.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					60.0

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: 5 big knives

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Based on the plant population per hectare.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zone: 0-100 m a.s.l. (Banana plantations are in the lowland)
Landforms: plateau/plains (Mostly coastal and alluvial plains)
Slopes: flat and gentle (All commercial banana plantations are on level land)

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: very deep >120cm ( Soils are alluvium-derived, hence, very deep )
Soil texture: medium (loamy, silty) and fine/heavy (clay) (loamy because of the influence of river alluvium )
Soil fertility is low: Natural fertility is depleted due to continuous cropping
Topsoil organic matter: medium (1-3%) and high (>3%) (Depleted due to long period of intensive use )
Soil drainage/ infiltration is good to medium (Loamy soils with good permeability)
Soil water storage is medium to low (Not much clay and organic matter)

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 50-100 persons/km2

60% of the land users are rich and own 60% of the land (Multi-national company).
40% of the land users are average wealthy and own 40% of the land (Land owners/growers).

Off-farm income specification: For small time growers, they work in the banana processing plant. For some, their children have other employment, either locally or abroad.
Level of mechanization: Land preparation

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:

• company
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• leased
• individual

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Ecological impacts

Soil

Other ecological impacts

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

• more than 50%

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

100 land user families/households

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

• 50-90%

Comments:

70% 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: The beneficial effect has been proven in increasing yield and in input cost reduction.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Easy to apply and practically no added cost How can they be sustained / enhanced? Sustained IEC

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Easy to apply How can they be sustained / enhanced? Sustained IEC

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?
Perpetuation of disease for affected plants.	Plant eradication.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
It could be a way by which pests and diseases multipl.	Burning or proper disposal of plants affected by disease.