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)

Missenyi District Council (Missenyi District Council) - Tanzania, United Republic of

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)?

04/06/2014

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

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Enhancement of sustainable land management by capitalizing on the rapid growth, short gestation nature and multiple benefits of small ruminants kept under zero grazing in a banana based farming system.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Multiplier banana fertilization is a system where rapid growing small ruminants (preferably dairy goats) of low gestation period are kept under zero grazing within a banana based (Kibanja) farming system and their excrement are used in complementing other fertilization of the banana fields. Dairy goats also improve diet of the rural poor and diversify their income. The animals were initially supported by SLM projects as quick win income generating motivation/incentives to farmer who spent their valuable time in SLM activities of long term benefit realization. In multiplier fertilization, a farmer starts only with a few numbers of animals (as kick start). Usually 2 female dairy goats and one improved male goat (buck) suffice. Goat dung collected from the shed is used to perform selective and on spot application of manure to banana plants. Because of their rapid growth and short gestation nature, goats multiplies and increase in number within few years and at the same time in multiplier terms farmers spread and apply manure to more banana plants. Farmers begin with a small animal shed of usually carrying capacity of 4 to 6 goats and can expand it as goat increases. Goats feed on products cut and carried outside or within the kibanja farm. Animals also feed on domestic residuals (e.g. banana peels), food supplements and water for their maximum performance. Goat dung is collected weekly from the shed and is piled in layers, covered with grass and kept shaded under banana canopies to allow microbial action and minimize nutrient loss through volatilization. Depending on the growth stage of banana, dry manure is applied on sport and selectively after every three months of microbial decay. The numbers of animal increases year after year at the same time farmer benefit from the use/sale of animal product (milk in the short term and meat in the long term) and in multiplier manner continue expanding manure application to other banana plants. Manure from goats contributes in improved banana productivity. Benefits accrued from goats also motivate and induce farmers’ patience in terms of their participation in SLM interventions of long term benefit realization.

Purpose of the Technology: Purposes: improved banana productivity, livelihood diversification, income of the rural poor and soil ecosystem through fertility and organic matter replenishment.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Establishment activities includes, kick start support of farmers with goats (two dairy goats and an improved buck), construction of the goat shed (100% borne by land user to inculcate self-initiative and ownership) and purchase of working tools (spade, rake, hand hoe).
Recurrent activities largely includes, fetching fodders and feeding the animals (cut and carry products outside or within the kibanja), weekly cleaning of the goat shed and manure collection, manure heaping and grass covering for microbial decay/reducing nutrient volatilization, spreading/cooling, monthly on spot and selective application of manure to banana plants, milking of the animals, disease control/deworming and providing supplements.

Natural / human environment: Multiplier banana manure application is used in kibanja farming system in sub humid tropical highland plateau/plains of 1000 -1500m a.s.l. with annual rainfall between 1000 – 1500mm, moderate soil depth and medium loam textural class.
Is used by small scale land users both men and women individual households. In Kibanja farm, land ownership is largely individual not titled and is acquired through inheritance. Production system is mixed (both for subsistence and commercial).

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.):

Started in December 2012 as part of environmental sound income generating activities promoted and supported by the Trans-boundary Agro-ecosystem Management Project (KAGERA TAMP).

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Without land conservation there will be inadequate/poor soil fertility and organic matter content, low soil moisture holding capacity, poor health of banana and their increased vulnerability to pest and diseases especially the most devastating Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW).

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Banana Xanthomonas Wilt, weak banana plants and low production.

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: 90 Second longest growing period from month to month: March to May

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• integrated soil fertility management

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:

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

Comments:

The technology is implemented in Kibanja cropping land use type by individual farmers who received support of diary goats from the Trans-boundary Agro-ecosystem Management Project (TAMP) as quick win and environmental sound motivation for farmers who spend their valuable time in implementation of SLM intervention of long term benefit realization.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Type of agronomic measures: mixed cropping / intercropping, mulching, green manure, legume inter-planting, manure / compost / residues

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: soil management (Low soil fertilization/manure application), crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (Poor banana husbandry practces), population pressure (High land requirement and continuous utilization without fallowing.), poverty / wealth (low investment capacity), education, access to knowledge and support services (Shortage of staff, inadequate extension services and provision of subsidies.), governance / institutional (Low bylaws/law enforcements (e.g. on BXW control))

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:

and rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate (Involve simple retraining of technologies already taught to staff in school/agricultural collages.)
Technical knowledge required for land users: high (Have some elements of new skills and knowledge. e.g. a farmers must be taught of the principle behind zero grazing and manure preparation (microbial decomposition/control of mineral volatilization))

Main technical functions: increase in organic matter, increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…), increase / maintain water stored in soil
Secondary technical functions: improvement of ground cover

Mixed cropping / intercropping
Material/ species: Banana, castrol oil, yams
Quantity/ density: various
Remarks: scattered

Mulching
Material/ species: Banana thrashes and stems
Quantity/ density: 100m3/ha
Remarks: thinly pread seasonaly twice per year

Green manure
Material/ species: Various types of weeds
Quantity/ density: various
Remarks: scattered

Legume inter-planting
Quantity/ density: various
Remarks: random

Manure / compost / residues
Material/ species: Goat dung, grass and domestc residues
Quantity/ density: 222 m3/ha
Remarks: Assuming got dung is applied once per hactere

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Tanzanian shillings

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

1700.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Purchase goats (dairy goats)	Management
2.	Build animal shed	Structural
3.	Purchase tools	Management

Comments:

Lifespan of the goats and tools: 5 years
Lifespan of the shed: 3 years

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
Equipment	Tools	piece	5.0	2.8	14.0	100.0
Construction material	Goat shed	piece§	1.0	29.0	29.0	100.0
Other	Goats	piece	3.0	70.33333	211.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					254.0

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 1 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Fetching fodder (cut and carry) and use of domestic residuals.	Agronomic	Daily/annually
2.	Cleaning shed and collecting manure	Agronomic	weekly/annually
3.	Heaping manure and compost	Agronomic	weekly/annually
4.	Tilling on sport and selective application around banana	Agronomic	March, June, Sept and Decemb
5.	Disease control/de-worming	Agronomic	weekly/annally

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	Fetching fodder (cut and carry) and use of domestic residuals.	person/days	120.0	1.175	141.0	100.0
Labour	Cleaning shed and collecting manure	person/days	26.0	0.8848	23.0	100.0
Labour	Heaping manure and compost	person/days	26.0	0.8848	23.0	100.0
Labour	Tilling on sport and selective application around banana	person/days	16.0	1.1875	19.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Biocides	litres	12.0	3.91666	47.0	100.0
Other	Labour: Disease control/de-worming	person/days	26.0	1.1925	31.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					284.0

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: Spade, rake, hand hoe, machete and bucket.
The costs were calculated per unit of kick start animal flock (three dairy goats) needed annually per individual farmer household.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour is the most determinant factor affecting the costs.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

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: Moderately deep (about 60cm)
Soil texture: Medium (highly clay loam)
Soil fertility: Low (due to excessive nutrient uptake without replenishment)
Top soil organic matter: Low (low crop remains)
Soil drainage/infiltration: Good (no water logging)
Soil water storagce capacity: Very high (nature of soil is loamy)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Availability of surface water: Medium (water is available in nearby natural water spring. There is reduction of water flow during the dry season)
Water quality (untreated): Good drinking water as it comes from a natural spring

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Soil microorganisms e.g earthworms and ants.

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
Population density: 200-500 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 1% - 2%; 1%

6% of the land users are rich and own 30% of the land.
64% of the land users are average wealthy and own 64% of the land.
30% of the land users are poor and own 6% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: Some have established small kiosk at the village center and most have additional income items of regular support, assistance and cash transference from children or family members who work or have big business in cities, town and in some cases in diaspora.
Market orientation: Mixed (Banana and goats/milk are produced for both sell and home consumption)
Level of mechanization: Manual work (land form and agroecological nature of the kibanja farm cause hand hoe to be the best means of cultivation)

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:

Land is largely acquired by inheritance. Traditionally water is open accessed for public use through customary law.

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

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

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 known
local windstorm	not known

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	not well

Hydrological disasters

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

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	not well

Comments:

Storage of crop remains, hay making for animal to have enough food and produce more meat, milk as well as manure.

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)?

Comments:

goats give quick win benefits because have short gestation period, usually gives twin kidding twice per year. Their average lactation period is 250 days and a single goat can produce average of 750 litres of milk per year worthy about 441 American dollars.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

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

317 households and 23% of the area covered

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

• 10-50%

Comments:

4% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support
317 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support
Comments on acceptance with external material support: The project supported procurement of goats.

31% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support
317 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support
Comments on spontaneous adoption: goat keeping is part of tradition and culture.

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology
Comments on adoption trend: Some neighboring farmers have started adoption.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The technology is simple and easy to learn and have a short establishment time due to the short gestation nature of the goats themselves (only two female goats and an improved buck, a goat shed and some concentrates suffice for initial investment).
In the long term has synergistic effect and complements other existing land fertilization, moisture conservation and erosion control methods e.g. the quality of compost is improved.
Improves livelihood (goats act as moving banks and contributes in farmer income assurance during the sensitive time e.g. sending children to school or wives to maternal/birth services) and nutrition to farmers (farmers attain a balanced diet from milk protein).
Increased banana production and continuous returns in multiplier terms. Goats also convert domestic residuals (e.g. banana peels) into useful products .
Maintenance activities can be covered by land users and this help in ensuring self-initiative and ownership

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 workload in looking for fodder	Introduce fodder within kibanja farm
Shortage of genetically improved dairy goats	Introduce genetically improved dairy goats.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Shortage in the number of field extension workers needed for effective extension service delivery	Government employ more extension worker
Limited reach ability of extension staff due to shortage of transport facilities.	Provision of reliable transport facilities to extension workers.
Agro-vert/input dealers services are not available in the rural premises.	Introduce agro-vert/input dealers in rural premises.
Goat provision and distribution to farmers done at a small pace	Expand goat provision and distribution to more farmers.
Rural urban migration of the youth searching for greener pasture leaving behind the less energetic elders.	Introduce attractive and decent income generating activities for youth in the rural areas.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information