1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

05/07/1999

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:

Digging of planting beds to increase soil depth for higher moisture retention in the rootzone.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Description: Excavating the planting bed to remove the infertile sub-soil and separate the top soil. The top soi is later mixed with farm yard manure and returned into the excauated are to form the planting bed. Purpose: Improvement of water retention and root zone storage through increased depth of soil. Helps to increase the yields of crops. Maintenance: Involves repairing the shoulders of the raised beds and addition of organic manures to improve fertility. Environment: Suitable for vegetable gardens around the dweling areas but can be adopted for field crops with high value. Areas with rock outcrops and shallow underlying rocks are not suitable due to limited depth.

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.):

Kenya Institute of Organic Farming - Kabete, Nairobi

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): - Poor soil fertility, Shallow soil depth limiting penetration, Striga weed problem.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Poor soil moisture availability - Unavailability of production inputs.

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: Shifting cultivation: major food crop = maize, cotton
fallow cultivation: major food crop = maize / cassava
continuous cropping: major cash crop = cotton, major food crop = sorghum, other = maize / cassava
ley farming: major cash crop = sugarcane

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

Comments:

Water supply: Also full irrigation

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120 Longest growing period from month to month: Mar - JulSecond longest growing period in days: 90 Second longest growing period from month to month: Sep - Nov

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• minimal soil disturbance

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 1.5 m2.

the technology is being practiced in the district. The practice is spatially scattered within the divisions where other technologies are also being practiced.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures

Type of agronomic measures: deep tillage / double digging

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

Main causes of degradation: other natural causes (avalanches, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, highly susceptible natural resources, extreme topography, etc.) specify (soils with poor moisture retention leading to erratic cropping pattern), education, access to knowledge and support services (Lack of knowledge)

Secondary causes of degradation: poverty / wealth (Lack of captial - quite a high number of people are poor.)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: low

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: increase in organic matter, increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, improvement of soil structure

Secondary technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap

Deep tillage / double digging
Remarks: The bed width need to be narrowto allow ease of operations by attendant

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Kenya shilling

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

65.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	layout of seedbeds	Structural
2.	Excavation to remove the top soil	Structural	Dry season
3.	Excavation to remove the subsoil	Structural	Dry season
4.	mixing top soil with manure	Structural	Dry season
5.	returning the mixture to the excavated bed	Structural	Dry season

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	.Layout of planting beds	Agronomic	Dry season / Whenever necessary
2.	Excavation to remove top soil	Agronomic	Dry season /
3.	Excavation to remove subsoil	Agronomic	Dry season / once for all
4.	Mixing top soil with manure	Agronomic	Dry season / As necessary
5.	returning the mixture to the excavated bed	Agronomic	Dry season / once for all
6.	repairing raised edges of tillage beds	Structural	dry season/every season
7.	digging in manure	Structural	dry season/on demand
8.	mulch application	Structural	all year/during cropping

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

Comments:

area of land affected by the technology (beds)

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour is the most important and is abudant, at a cost of KES 50 or U$ 0.8 per man day. Opportunities of group work can be employed to reduce total cost of technology establishment.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: gentle

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 texture: sandy, clay, loam

Soil fertility is low - medium

Soil drainage / infiltration is medium - good

Soil water storage capacity is low - medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: > 500 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 3% - 4%

5% of the land users are rich and own 5% of the land (dwell in towns).
35% of the land users are average wealthy and own 40% of the land (rely on land /off farm employment).
60% of the land users are poor and own 55% of the land (have no other form of income except land).

Off-farm income specification: due to poor soils and low moisture availability for crop production most people rely on off farm employment for survival

Level of mechanization: tsefly problem has reduced oxen population and there are availability and affordability problems for many years for mechanised cultivation.

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

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

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

• 10-50%

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

190 households

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

• 90-100%

Comments:

Comments on spontaneous adoption: estimates

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: for projects and groups as for women, seeking income generating activities

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Water Conservation and harvesting - A minor Field Study.. 2001.

Available from where? Costs?

SWCB, MOARD Nairobi, Kenya