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

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

The Transboundary Agro-ecosystem Management Project for the Kagera River Basin (GEF-FAO / Kagera TAMP )

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

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) - Italy

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

Bukoba district council (Bukoba district council) - Tanzania, United Republic of

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

22/05/2012

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

Yes

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Traditional agroforestry system comprising mixture of banana, coffee, fruit trees, biannual crops, annual crops and timber trees which together optimize the use of soil, moisture and space.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Buhaya agro forest system is a mix of annual and perennial crops together with trees and shrubs are densely planted on a restricted area usually 0.5 -2ha per household to increase crop yield, wood production and conserve soil and water. Buhaya agro forest system is applied on individual owned land specific at home steady. In this technology a plot of 1ha comprises of :
1. Perennial crops (coffee, banana, ) on average (10,000/36 coffee plants can be planted in one hector randomly in the alternating manner with banana, 10,000/25 banana stools) can be planted in 1ha randomly in the alternating manner with coffee.
2. Annual and biannual crops (eg. Maize, beans, cassava, sweet potatoes, yams etc) are planted in the between spaces. Maize and beans are planted twice in the short (Masika) and long rains (Vuli) where tubers are planted at any time throughout the year.
3. Trees and shrubs (eg. Makkhamia spps, Maesopsis and migorora). Trees are planted along the boundaries spaced at an average of 15m to act as wind break and timber production. Shrubs are planted at closed distance in between trees to act as live fence.
Buhaya agro forest system was practiced since early 1900. Application of farmyard manures and crop residue mulch are the supportive measures. The land owners keep small livestock/ few cattle under zero grazing to obtain manure for soil fertility improvem

Purpose of the Technology: The purposes for applying the technology is to control soil erosion and nutrient improvement.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The establishment of Buhaya agro forest system is done on a virgin land starting in the dry season July to September and it normally takes 2-5years by doing the following activities.
1. To prepare the land by cutting, removing/burning shrubs and grasses followed by land tillage. This is the difficult job and sometimes it can force the farmer to plant annual crops before planting perennial crops due to inadequate preparation time.
2. To dig holes of different size according to what crop is meant for in the alternating manner. This activity is done after harvesting annual crops in shot rainfalls (March to June).
3. To plant banana in July and August followed by coffee in September to November and March to May next year.
4. To plant trees along the boundaries followed by planting shrubs between the trees spacing to create a live fence.
5. To plant cassava, yams, pawpaw, avocados and mangoes. These are planted randomly and in a few quantity.
The maintenance of Buhaya agro forest system is the simple but tidies job requires all the year to be working in the garden. The required activities are
1. To weed the field as preparation for planting seasonal crops( i.e maize and beans) twice per year in dry seasons.
2. To remove unwanted banana suckers (desuckering) and harvested banana stems in order to maintain a required number of plants( mother, daughter and grand daughter) per stool. This requires a lot of time for assessing the plant health as well as spacing.
3. To plant and harvest maize and beans twice per year.
4. To prune coffee trees, harvest coffee cherry, dry, and market them once per year.
5. To replace harvested cassava and yams as required.

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:

• 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.):

It is said that in 1939 after second world war there was a hunger in Bukoba which forced people to plant banana instead of the traditional cropping of sorghum and millet. During the British colonial people were forced to cultivate coffee; as well health services introduced by Christian missionaries increased the population growth which revealed pressure on land and forced to opt agro forest.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): The major land use problem was soil erosion and excessive nutrient mining

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Limited suitable land for cropping in the area

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Mixed: Mf: Agroforestry

If land use has changed due to the implementation of the Technology, indicate land use before implementation of the Technology:

Cropland: Cp: Perennial (non-woody) cropping

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:

• 2

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120; Longest growing period from month to month: September to December; Second longest growing period in days: 65; Second longest growing period from month to month: March to May

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• agroforestry

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:

• 1-10 km2

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Secondary measures: agronomic measures

Type of vegetative measures: scattered / dispersed

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: soil management (cultivation along the slopes versus across the slopes.), crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (Routeenly harvests without fertilization implies permanent removal of nutriets.), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts) (average rainfall 1,200mm on slopes), other natural causes (avalanches, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, highly susceptible natural resources, extreme topography, etc.) specify (Sandstone parent material), education, access to knowledge and support services (Inadequate extension services)

Secondary causes of degradation: poverty / wealth (Limited household income to invest in sustainable land management), labour availability (Labour force dominated by the elderly)

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:

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Overview of the Buhaya agroforestry system. Average of 5m spacing between banana plants then alternate with coffee after two stools. Cassava and yams scattered at the space after 6 to 10 stools. beans and maize are planted in the left space to make sure all soil surface is covered. Long trees (Maesopsis spps) spaced at 10m.

Location: Kyema village. Bukoba/Kagera/Tanzania

Date: 22 MAY 2012

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate (The importance of diversification for income stabilization.)

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate (Trees can improve income generating and assure food security in the sense of food accessibility.)

Main technical functions: improvement of ground cover, increase in organic matter, increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…)

Secondary technical functions: control of raindrop splash, control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides), increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, reduction in wind speed

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs, F : fruit trees / shrubs, C : perennial crops, O : other

Trees/ shrubs species: Makhamia spp, Maesopsis eminii are planted

Fruit trees / shrubs species: Mangifera indica, Carica papaya, Persia americana are planted

Perennial crops species: Musa spp are planted

Change of land use type: Change from cropland (Annual and biannual crop production eg. millet, sorghum and beans) to Aggro forest.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• US Dollars

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Land preparation	Management	July to August
2.	Digging holes	Management	Jan & Jul
3.	Planting banana and coffee	Management	Jul to Sep
4.	Planting trees and shrubs	Management	Feb & Sep
5.	Planting biannual crops	Management	March, Apr, Oct, Nov &Dec

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	Land preparation	persons/day/ha	333.3	1.25	416.63	100.0
Labour	Digging holes	persons/day/ha	81.63	1.25	102.04	100.0
Labour	Planting banana and coffee	persons/day/ha	33.33	1.25	41.66	100.0
Labour	Planting trees, shrubs and biannual crops	persons/day/ha	158.6	1.25	198.25	100.0
Equipment	Axes	pieces/ha	5.55	3.128	17.36	100.0
Equipment	Machete	pieces/ha	5.55	1.877	10.42	100.0
Equipment	Hand hoes	pieces/ha	5.55	3.128	17.36	100.0
Equipment	Spades	pieces/ha	2.7	3.148	8.5	100.0
Plant material	Banana suckers	pieces/ha	571.0	0.1875	107.06	100.0
Plant material	Coffee seedlings	pieces/ha	357.0	0.3125	111.56	100.0
Plant material	Mysopsis	pieces/ha	33.0	0.125	4.13	100.0
Plant material	Migorora	pieces/ha	80.0	0.125	10.0	100.0
Plant material	Avocado	pieces/ha	11.0	3.167	34.84	100.0
Plant material	Mangoes	pieces/ha	5.0	3.125	15.63	100.0
Plant material	Cassava	pieces/ha	47.0	0.0317	1.49	100.0
Plant material	Yams	pieces/ha	26.0	0.031	0.81
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					1097.74

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 12 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Weeding	Management	Feb & Sep
2.	Desuckering	Management	Jul to Sept
3.	Planting annual crops	Management	March to Jul & Sep to Dec
4.	Punning, harvesting and drying coffee	Management	May to October
5.	Cassava and yams harvesting.	Management	Jan to Dec

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	Weeding	persons/day/ha	200.0	1.25	250.0	100.0
Labour	Desuckering	persons/day/ha	57.0	1.25	71.25	100.0
Labour	Planting annual crops	persons/day/ha	50.0	1.25	62.5	100.0
Labour	Prunning, harvesting and drying coffee	persons/day/ha	285.5	1.25	356.88	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	pieces/ha	10.0	2.5	25.0	100.0
Plant material	Seedlings	pieces/ha	26.0	0.031	0.81	100.0
Plant material	Cassava	pieces/ha	48.0	0.0317	1.52	100.0
Plant material	Beans	pieces/ha	20.0	1.25	25.0	100.0
Other	Labour: Cassava and yams harvesting	persons/day/ha	2.3	1.25	2.88	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					795.84

Comments:

The above cost was calculated as 1manday equivalent to 8 working hours with the following performances; ploughing 30m2, weeding 400m2, land clearing 10m2, de suckering 30 stools, Harvesting and pruning 3 coffee trees.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The most determinate factor affecting the cost is labour. This is because the technology is labour intensive, while labour force is inadequate.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• convex situations

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: 12.8%

Altitudinal zone: 1194m.a.s.l. taken by GPS

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 medium - low

Soil drainage / infiltration is good - medium

Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Availability of surface water: Permanent water stream in plenty

Water quality (untreated): Tap water not found in the whole village

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Butterflies, earthworm and ants readily available

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users

Difference in the involvement of women and men: Men usually plays part in field establishment while women engaged in maintenance. Children participates in maintenance as well.

Population density: 200-500 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 1% - 2%

5% of the land users are rich and own 30% of the land.
75% of the land users are average wealthy and own 60% of the land.
20% of the land users are poor and own 10% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: The one who did not apply the technology depends on more than 85% of his income from off farm activities.

Market orientation of production system: Coffee is 100% for commecial the rest are for home consumption.

Level of mechanization: Land cultivation only at establishement, then weeding is done by bare hands and planting bu small hand hoes (vihosho)

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

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)
• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Comments:

Water sources are mainly permanent streams found in different land ownership, but water uses are free.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

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

	Season	Type of climatic change/ extreme	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	not well
local windstorm	well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	not well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	well

Comments:

use of new adapted varieties.

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):

387 households covering 75 percent of the stated area

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:

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

Comments on spontaneous adoption: Almost 75% of the area is under agroforestry practices.

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: The technique has been in place for centuries

The average farm size is 1 acre per households and all 607 households implemented this technology. Other technologies are practiced in different area within the village. Therefore the SLM technology area is approximately 15% of the total catchment area.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Diversification of production How can they be sustained / enhanced? Improved farmers knowledge and skills in agroforestry systems management
Reliable income from multiple crops. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Knowledge in farming as a business
Technology is traditional and widely accepted How can they be sustained / enhanced? Strengthen linkages to sources of improved technologies
Reduced workload How can they be sustained / enhanced? Ditto
Complimentarity of produced diverse crops How can they be sustained / enhanced? Ditto

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The technology is not complicated in terms of input requirements and application How can they be sustained / enhanced? Improved farmer linkage to sources of improved materials e.g. research
Inputs are locally and readily available How can they be sustained / enhanced? Facilitation of farmer own produced improved inputs
Maintenance costs decreases with increasing production period How can they be sustained / enhanced? Ditto
Markets are readily available How can they be sustained / enhanced? Feeder road maintenance should be given higher priority

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?
High competition of nutrients among different species	Improved farmers knowledge and skills in agroforestry systems management

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Some tree species host pests	Improve farmers knowledge on tree pests prevention and cleaning
Limits farm mechanization	Improved farmers knowledge and skills on improved maintenance without mechanization

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Kagera TAMP project website

Available from where? Costs?

http://www.fao.org/nr/kagera/partners-contacts/tanzania/en/