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)

Bureau of Soils and Water Management (Bureau of Soils and Water Management) - Philippines

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

The Master's Garden - Philippines

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

15/09/2013

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:

Organic mulching is a practice of applying thin layer of organic materials on the soil surface that decompose over time for the purpose of conserving soil moisture, reducing soil erosion, improving soil fertility, and reducing weed growth.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

It is a farm residue management technique of utilizing organic materials, such as locally available grasses and weeds, into useful purposes. These grasses and weeds are cut or chop into smaller sizes then applied and spread in layers over the ground or soil surface. It will then be served as cover to the soil.

Purpose of the Technology: The purposes of this technology are the following: to conserve soil moisture; to reduce soil erosion; to improve soil fertility; and to reduce weed growth.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: In practicing this type of mulching, these are the following steps and activities: (1) Hauling of grass and weeds available in the farm; (2) Shredding of grass and weeds using the shredder; (3) Spraying of Indigenous microorganism (IMO) solution to the shredded grass and weeds; and (4) Spreading of the shredded materials (about 1 inch thick) in the vegetable beds after transplanting the crops.

Natural / human environment: Master’s Garden of Mr. Ambrocio Acosta is located at Barangay Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet. The province is Type I climate under the Coronas system of classification with distinct wet and dry seasons with an average annual rainfall of 3,879 mm. The dry season is from November to April while the wet season is from May to October. The farm has an elevation of 1,342 meters above sea level with less than 40% slope. The farm was manually terraced with UV treated plastic shed. The production system is manually managed and cultivated by Mr. Acosta and his two farm laborers.

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:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation
• during experiments/ research

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): soil fertility, soil erosion

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): vulnerable to soil erosion, soil fertility

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Cropland: Ca: Annual cropping

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

Grazing land: Ge: Extensive grazing land

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• full irrigation

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover

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)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures

Type of agronomic measures: mulching

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, Bc: reduction of vegetation cover, Bl: loss of soil life

Main causes of degradation: other natural causes (avalanches, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, highly susceptible natural resources, extreme topography, etc.) specify (extreme topography)

Secondary causes of degradation: Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts)

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

Vegetables covered with shredded weeds and grasses.

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: low

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: control of raindrop splash, improvement of ground cover, increase in organic matter, increase / maintain water stored in soil

Secondary technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, improvement of topsoil structure (compaction), increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…)

Mulching
Material/ species: Grass and weeds available in the farm (Ageratum houstonianum, Dentella repens, Setaria palmifolia, I
Quantity/ density: 875kg
Remarks: shredded and applied on the soil surface

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Philippine pesos

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

45.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Buying a shredder	Agronomic
2.	buying a sprayer	Agronomic

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	Shredder	ha	1.0	2222.22	2222.22	100.0
Equipment	Sprayer	ha	1.0	22.22	22.22	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					2244.44

Comments:

Lifespan of the shredder is more than 15 years

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Hauling of grasses and weeds available in the farm	Agronomic
2.	Shredding of grasses and weeds	Agronomic
3.	Spraying of IMO to the shredded grasses and weeds	Agronomic
4.	Spreading of shredded grasses and weeds to the soil surface	Agronomic

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	Labour	ha	1.0	61.12	61.12	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					61.12

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: shredder

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

purchase of shredding machine

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: Steep (31-60&) (Average slope is 40%)

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
Soil drainage/infiltration is medium
Soil water storage is low

5.4 Water availability and quality

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: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 3% - 4%
100% of the land users are average wealthy and own 100% of the land.
Level of mechanization: Vegetables and herbs were planted at beds which were cultivated manually.
Market orientation: mixed (subsistence and commercial) (Harvested vegetables and herbs were for the subsistence of his family and were sold commercially at leading groceries and supermarket through a private marketing corporation known as KIAS Organic Gree)

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, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

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	well
local windstorm	not well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

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

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?

• 90-100%

Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

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

Comments on spontaneous adoption: Voluntary adoption of the technology was been observed since the land owner, Mr. Ambrosio Acosta, was a member and a previous officer of a small group of organic farmers, the La Trinidad Organic Producers (Latop) and was also an accredited resource speaker /trainer for Organic Agriculture-related events/forum.

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Organic mulch conserves soil moisture therefore reduces the need for frequent irrigation.
Prevent soil erosion by protecting the soil surface.
Organic mulch contributes nutrients and organic matter to the soil when decomposed.
Organic mulch encourages earthworm activity and other beneficial soil microorganisms.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Organic mulching lessens the frequency of irrigation, weed control and fertilizer application; It hereby eliminates the use of chemical herbicide and fertilizer. Moreover, it prevents surface runoff by providing soil cover and also reduces soil water evaporation by modifying or keeping the soil temperature constant. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Increase awareness towards organic farming.
Increase the ability of the land users to become resourceful. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Possible incorporation of other organic materials.
Turning farm residue or waste into useful material. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Impose proper waste segregation to ease the collection and hauling residue/waste to be used.
Simplicity of the procedure. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Keep the procedure simple or if there are some modification, it should be practical and can be easily adopted by the land users.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
High cost of investment for the shredding machine.	Look for an alternative method of shredding or reducing the size of raw materials to be used such as manual chopping when farm operation is small scale.Otherwise, invest on shredder when farm operation is at large.