1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

20/10/2005

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:

It is a mechanical conservation measure where a basin and a ridge are formed for planting chat along a contour

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

A contour line is maked and a pit (trench) is dug and the soil embanked on about 75x50 cm. Chat cuttings are planted on the trench. The purpose of the technology is to collect as much water as possible. The embankment protects soil from erosion. Water is collected in the trench. Households using family labour make the ridge bund. During cultivation the ridge is strengthend. Maintenance is done in case of breaks on the ridge.The technology is suitable to semi-arid with rainfall 500-700 mm/annum. Farmers grow chat as the main means of finance/capital generation. Cultivation is done twice or three times.

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:

• 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)

Comments (type of project, etc.):

locally originated

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): land shortage, continuous cropping, land degradation, open grazing.

Other grazingland: Tethered/stall feed: grazing land shortage forced to tethered feeding and stall keeping.

Other grazingland: free grazing

Grazingland comments: Livestock (cows, goat) are mostly stallfed. In lower parts of the technology area livestock are let to graze openly. This part is a very dry area and there is large area for grazing. Goats browseon open woodlands that have acacia trees.

Problems / comments regarding forest use: The woodlands are getting extremely denuded as a result of heavy exploitation such as charchoal making, cutting trees for fuel wood and overbrowsing.

Forest products and services: timber, fuelwood, grazing / browsing

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: sorghum, ground nut

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

Comments:

Water supply: Also mixed rainfed - irrigated

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 210

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• cross-slope measure

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Comments:

60% of the total cultivated area in the region is under this technology

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Ha: aridification

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content

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: prevention of land degradation

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Harari

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, water harvesting / increase water supply

Secondary technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, reduction of slope length

Early planting
Material/ species: sorghum

Relay cropping
Material/ species: legume/sorghum

Mixed cropping / intercropping
Material/ species: beans sorghum

Contour planting / strip cropping
Material/ species: Chat, sorghum, onion

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: C : perennial crops

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs

Trees/ shrubs species: Cordia, Acacia, Mango

Perennial crops species: Chat

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 10.00%

Gradient along the rows / strips: 0.00%

Bund/ bank: level
Spacing between structures (m): 1-5
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.3-0.4
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 2-3
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 3-4
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.3
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.5
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 70-80

Construction material (earth): earth bunds

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 8%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is: 4%

Lateral gradient along the structure: 1%

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Birr

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

8.6

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	seed bed preparation	Vegetative	Dry season
2.	preparing cutting	Vegetative	rainy season
3.	cutting plantation	Vegetative	rainy season
4.	cultivation	Vegetative	after rain
5.	Protect from free grazing animals	Management	especially after crop harvest.

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 24 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Digging	Agronomic	before rains / each cropping season
2.	Cultivation and weeding	Agronomic	mid of rains / twice a year
3.	replanting of dead cuttings	Vegetative	May, June /during rain
4.	cultivation	Vegetative	July /during rain
5.	reridging of breaks	Vegetative	September /after rain

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

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: hand tools

Volume of earth excavated and moved.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Landforms: Also hill slopes (ranked 2) and ridges (ranked 3)
Slopes on average: Also hilly (ranked 2) and steep and gentle (both 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 fertility is low (ranked 1), medium (ranked 2), very low (ranked 3)
Soil drainage/infiltration is good
Soil water storage capacity is low (ranked 1) and medium (ranked 2)

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 100-200 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 2% - 3%
5% of the land users are rich.
70% of the land users are average wealthy.
25% of the land users are poor.
Off-farm income specification: Land users who have SWC measures on their land have lower off-farm income compared to those who have no SWC measures on their land.
Market orientation of production system: mixed (Sorghum: mostly used at home and partly sold) and commercial/ market ( Livestock (cows, goat) are mostly stallfed. In lower parts of the technology area livestock are let to graze openly. This part is a very dry area and there is large area for grazing. Goats browsing open)

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

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

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:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: estimates

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: more and more land users are getting engaged with the technology.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Efficient in rainwater harvesting
Laid out by farmers with little technical support

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Highly flexible How can they be sustained / enhanced? change of structures (size, position) possible
Material needed is locally available How can they be sustained / enhanced? soil and stone are found everywhere
Low cost How can they be sustained / enhanced? tools available at local markets