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)

Kathmandu University (KU) - Nepal

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

17/01/2014

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:

It is a technology where slope, waste land, remains of crop land, marginal lands, rising terraces are protected by fodder cultivation.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

This technology involves the cultivation of various trees, grasses, legumes and shrubs that can be used as livestock feed. The slopes in the hills, rising terraces, waste and barren land and other land types with many limitations that cannot be used for agriculture are used for fodder cultivation. In this way, the land is protected from landslide, erosion by wind and water and the loss of soil fertility due to over-compaction of soil and overgrazing is reduced. In addition, the feed quality and quantity of the livestock is improved and their productivity consequently is also increased.

Purpose of the Technology: This technology is practiced:
-mainly for protection of land from erosion or landslide,to protect from over-compaction and overgrazing leading to soil fertility loss i.e. for land management
-for the purpose of providing food for livestock even during the winter months.
-for increasing the quality of feed for livestock and thus, improve their productivity.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: This technology involves the plantation of trees, legumes, shrubs and grasses in the wastelands and lands deemed unfit for agriculture. The suitable plant seedlings are planted at a particular season i.e during spring mainly in the month of Baisakh. Depending upon the amount of nourishment and the nutritional content requirement and availability of seedlings,the nutrient contents of feeds and fodders on the basis of soil composition, use of manures and fertilizers on the land, irrigation facilities, stage and speed of growth frequency of cutting the variety and strain of feed resources are determined. It needs watering and removal of unwanted weeds for some months and the plant needs no further caring. They grow by themselves. These plants are mostly rain-fed and have no other economical or aesthetic values as such and hence, these can be used only exclusively for fodder cultivation. The tree branches, leaves, twigs, shrubs, legume plant bodies used for feed can either be cut and harvest either from time to time when required or they may also be cut and stored in fodder storages for the winter months when other sources of feed are scarce or during the planting season (Asar) when labor is scarce.

Natural / human environment: We need not to create any human or artificial environment for cultivation. The trees grow naturally and create a pleasant environment in nature. Sometimes, for crop fodder cultivation, agricultural lands may come in use. For example, in maize crop used as fodder supplement, the main plots were sown with maize varieties, and the subplots were cutting of added rows of maize after different days after sowing. Thus, young maize plants were cut before drying out in the sun and may be used as fodder. Tropical grass species and improved grasses and legumes are also introduced in barren terrace landscape during the off season after harvesting.

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 a traditional method. The analysis corresponds to farmers’ preference of fodder tree species to their nutritional values. The traditional and experience-based choice of fodders species by farmers reflects their knowledge on nutritional values, cultivation easiness and seasonal variability of growth in local environments has been the basis of fodder cultivation in Nepal.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Soil erosion, landslide, decreased fertility, over compaction of soil
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Flooding during heavy rainfall, landslides

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Grazing land: Gi: Intensive grazing/ fodder production

Constraints of wastelands / deserts / glaciers / swamps

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

Other: Oo: Other: wastelands, deserts, glaciers, swamps, recreation areas, etc

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

Also rainfed and full irrigation

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 150; Longest growing period from month to month: Kartik to chaitra; Second longest growing period in days: 120; Second longest growing period from month to month: Ahsad to ashwin

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover

• use of wasteland for agriculture

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

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 2 km2.
This technology has been applied in the hole state which covers around 2 sq.km in about 146 houses. A number of fodder trees, ground legumes, shrub legumes, fodder crops and cultivated grasses have been used on the basis of the traditional and experience-based choice of fodders species by farmers which reflects their knowledge on nutritional values, cultivation easiness and seasonal variability of growth in warm temperate environment.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Secondary measures: agronomic measures, management measures
Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -contour, aligned: -along boundary

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (Before fodder cultivation), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts) (Landslide)
Secondary causes of degradation: soil management (People left land unfit for cultivation completely barren and without any vegetation at all causing top soil erosion), deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (Before this technology people depend upon forest), overgrazing (Result in desertification, irreversible loss of to soil, increase in turbidity of surface water and increase in flooding intensity and frequency), change of seasonal rainfall (Many areas that were set aside for rain fed agriculture become waste land due to drastic change in rainfall pattern.), floods (Mass movement landslide), droughts (Affects cultivation), poverty / wealth (The resource poor have to depend upon the natural environment for the fodder requirements and need to take their livestock for grazing in whatever grassland areas available causing soil degradation), education, access to knowledge and support services (most people do not know about conservation measures), governance / institutional (No govermental supports)

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

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high (They can decide which plants may be best on the basis of organic matter content, crude protein, tannin, fiber, lignin, fat, minerals and dry matter.)
Technical knowledge required for land users: high (The land users mostly cultivate plants based on their indigenous knowledge and whatever seedlings are available which give fast and a more quantitative rather than qualitative yeild.)

Main technical functions: improvement of ground cover, improvement of topsoil structure (compaction), stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides), promotion of vegetation species and varieties (quality, eg palatable fodder)
Secondary technical functions: increase of surface roughness, increase in organic matter, increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…), increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, sediment retention / trapping, sediment harvesting, reduction in wind speed, increase of biomass (quantity), spatial arrangement and diversification of land use

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs, G : grass
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 2
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.4
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 2

Aligned: -along boundary
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 2
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.4
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 2

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: G : grass
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 1
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.5
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.5
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.5

Trees/ shrubs species: Brassiopsis hainla(Chuletro), Alnus nepalensis (Uttis), Garuga pinnata (Dabdabe), Crateva unilocularis (Siplikan), Terminalia bellirica (Barro) planted trees;Desmodium introtum, Desmodium ovalifolium, Tephrosia candida(Mendola) all are planted shrubs
Grass species: Cynodon dactylon(Dubo), Desmostychia bipinnata(Kush), Imperata cylindrica(Siru), Melinis minutifolia (Bandhar Dhapaune Ghash)
Other species: cultivated legumes for fodder Lablab purpureus (Bean), Macroptilium atropurpurum (Atro/Siratro), Trifolium alexandrium, Trifolium pretense (Red Clover), Trifolium repens (White Clover), Vigna anguiculata( Bodi)

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 15%
Change of land use type: Previously the land was unused
Change of land use practices / intensity level: In order to minimise exposure to degradation processes, unused land was changed to controlled acces from barren land to fodder plants cultivated land

Layout change according to natural and human environment: Increased landscape diversity
Control / change of species composition: Previously barren land planted with grasses, legumes, fodder trees and grasses increasing the biomass and productivity of the area so encouragement of desired and introduction of new species was done

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Rupees

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

97.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Plantation of the fodder plants in barren wastelands	Vegetative	Spring(Chaitra-Baisakh)
2.	Cutting of the twigs, branches, legumes, crops and grasses	Vegetative	Throughout the year
3.	Enrichment planting of tree seedling	Management
4.	Introduction of higher quality feed species	Management

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	Plantation of the fodder plants in barren wastelands	persons/day/ha	51.0	500.0	25500.0	100.0
Labour	Cutting of the twigs, branches, legumes, crops and grasses	persons/day	1.0	200.0	200.0	100.0
Labour	Enrichment planting of tree seedling	persons/day/ha	51.0	500.0	25500.0	100.0
Labour	Introduction of higher quality feed species	persons/day/ha	10.0	98.03	980.3
Equipment	Spade	pieces	1.0	1000.0	1000.0	100.0
Equipment	Tools	pieces	1.0	500.0	500.0	100.0
Plant material	Seedlings	pieces/ha	200.0	600.0	120000.0	100.0
Plant material	Seedlings	pieces/ha	200.0	25.0	5000.0	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	pieces/ha	200.0	25.0	5000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Compost / manure	kg/ha	5.0	750.0	3750.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	new Compost/manure	kg/ha	100.0	300.0	30000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					217430.3

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 60 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Watering the seedlings	Vegetative	Till 2 to 3 month after plantation
2.	Manuring	Vegetative	Till 2 to 3 month

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	Watering the seedlings	persons/day/ha	2.0	200.0	400.0	100.0
Equipment	Pipes and buckets	pieces/ha	2.0	200.0	400.0	100.0
Plant material	Manuring	kg/2m	1.0	300.0	300.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					1100.0

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: axe, spade, plough

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Tthe labour and the cost for seeding. The manure requried is prepared naturally

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

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: The local people find the soil moderately deep
Soil fertility is medium, since people use compost manure for croping
Topsoil organic matter: Compost manure are used to increase organic matter
Soil drainage / infiltration is good because of sandy soils
Soil water storage capacity is medium - low, since sandy soils can not store water well. Also no ground water is found.

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Availability of surface water: Flooding occors during monsoon. Normally people depend on surface water for irrigation.
Water quality (untreated): People directly drink

5.5 Biodiversity

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: 50-100 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 6%
5% of the land users are rich and own 35% of the land (Living standred more than average).
90% of the land users are average wealthy and own 60% of the land (Average life standred).
5% of the land users are poor and own 5% of the land (Below average).
Market orientation of production system: There is a market for coffee.
Level of mechanization: Oxes are used for ploughing

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:

• state
• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• communal (organized)

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

6.3 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	well
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 well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

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

Comments:

The plant species to be planted should be chosen according to the environmental condition in different seasons

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:

Fodder plants do not need further maintainence and up keeping after they have been allowed to gow. Most are annual and some grasses are perennial. In the long term, the initial costs are duly covered and yield major economic benifits.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

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

9 percent of 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:

Comments on acceptance with external material support: every one uses their own land and do on their own
100% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support
Comments on spontaneous adoption: as the village lies in hilly region there are many sloppy lands applicable for plantation of fodders.
There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology
Comments on adoption trend: every villagers find it effective as the waste land is also utilized and in addition productivity is also increased.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
decrease in waste as animals fees almost all
increase in number of animal husbandary
Stall-feeding has been encouraged
Availabitlity of fodder even during harsh winter when there is scarcity of forage plants and during harvest season when there is lack of labour

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
This technology has been able to manage and utilize the waste land
the livestock production has increased by which they develop economic status
barren lands and to soil erosion along with increase in turbulence of surface water leading to flooding has decreased which occurred due to over grazing
The biomass and productivity of the ecosystem has improved due to introduction of new species in barren land

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?
The trees do not grow fast enough to reap benefits faster	Trees and other legumes and grasses which have high growth rates should be planted
The fodder species are planted on communal wastelands so there are arguments if somebody takes more forage then others	Communal properties should be equally distributed and a managing body must be present
The production from the fodder plantation is never enough for the whole year	Along with wastelands and marginal uncultivable lands, crop fodder production can be done (like maize) even during the plantation of cash and food crops to ensure a year round supply

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
people may find difficulties in cutting tall trees	use shrubs, and herbs for plantation
Since it a common property, the use and negligence in management of common properties may eventually lead its failure	fodder plants do not need looking after very much but proper management of the forage resource by everyone involved must be done
Traditionally used crops have been used till now which may not have the highest nutrient content and qualitative feed	Proper research needs to be done to identify the plants best suited for that climate and topography and which have the highest nutritional content to improve production of livestock
Barren lands are often used for recreational purposes like for games by kids and hence protection of young plants may be difficult	For the few months of plantation care should be insured for their survival

7.1 Methods/ sources of information