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Technologies
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Fanya juu terraces [Kenya]

Fanya Juu

technologies_1336 - Kenya

Completeness: 76%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

State employee:
State employee:
State employee:

Mburu Joseph

Ministry of Agriculture

Kenya

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MoA) - Kenya

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

27/06/1995

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

Yes

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Terrace bund in association with a ditch, along the contour or on a gentle
lateral gradient. Soil is thrown on the upper side of the ditch to form the bund, which is often stabilised by planting a fodder grass.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Fanya juu (‘throw it upwards’ in Kiswahili) terraces comprise embankments (bunds), which are constructed by digging ditches and heaping the soil on the upper sides to form the bunds. A small ledge or ‘berm’ is left between the ditch and the bund to prevent soil sliding back. In semi-arid areas, fanya juu terraces are normally constructed on the contour to hold rainfall where it falls, whereas in subhumid zones they are laterally graded to discharge excess runoff. Spacing is according to slope and soil depth (see technical drawing ). For example, on a 15% slope with a moderately deep soil, the spacing is 12 m between structures and the vertical interval around 1.7 m. The typical dimensions for the ditches are
0.6 m deep and 0.6 m wide. The bund has a height of 0.4 m and a base width of 0.5-1 m. Construction by hand takes around 90 days per hectare on a typical 15% slope, though labour rates increase considerably on steeper hillsides because of closer spacing of structures.

The purpose of the fanya juu is to prevent loss of soil and water, and thereby to improve conditions for plant growth. The bund created is usually stabilised with strips of grass, often napier (Pennisetum purpureum), or makarikari (Panicum coloratum var. makarikariensis) in the drier zones. These grasses serve a further purpose, namely as fodder for livestock. As a supportive and supplementary agroforestry measure, fruit or multipurpose trees may be planted immediately above the embankment (eg citrus or Grevillea robusta), or in the ditch below in drier areas (eg bananas or pawpaws), where runoff tends to concentrate.
As a consequence of water and tillage erosion, sediment accumulates behind the bund, and in this way fanya juu terraces may eventually develop into slightly forward-sloping (or even level) bench terraces. Maintenance is important: the bunds need annual building-up from below, and the grass strips require trimming to keep them dense. Fanya juu terraces are associated with hand construction, and are well suited to small-scale farms where they have been used extensively in Kenya. They first came into prominence in the 1950s, but the period of rapid spread occurred during the 1970s and 1980s with the advent of the National Soil and Water Conservation Programme. Fanya juu terraces are spreading throughout Eastern African, and further afield also.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Kenya

Region/ State/ Province:

Eastern Province

Further specification of location:

Eastern Province

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.):

Fanya juu terracing started around 1937 in Machakos District and was adopted widely from 1950s.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
Main crops (cash and food crops):

Major food crop: Maize, beans

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Low and erratic rainfall, soil erosion, surface sealing, water loss through runoff, low soil fertility as well as shortage of land and thus a need to conserve resources.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Low and erratic rainfall. Soil erosion. Soil sealing. Water losses through runoff. Low fertility and land shortage.

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: 180Longest growing period from month to month: Mar - AugSecond longest growing period in days: 150Second longest growing period from month to month: Oct - Feb

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • cross-slope measure

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:
  • 1,000-10,000 km2
Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 3000 m2.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V2: Grasses and perennial herbaceous plants
structural measures

structural measures

  • S1: Terraces
Comments:

Main measures: structural measures

Secondary measures: vegetative measures

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
water degradation

water degradation

  • Ha: aridification
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Ha: aridification

Main causes of degradation: over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use, other human induced causes (specify) (Agricultural causes), poverty / wealth (Lack of captial)

Secondary causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), overgrazing, other natural causes (avalanches, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, highly susceptible natural resources, extreme topography, etc.) specify, land tenure (Land subdivision), labour availability (Lack of labour), education, access to knowledge and support services (Lack of knowledge), Lack of enforcement of legislat./authority

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • reduce land degradation
Comments:

Main goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Author:

Mats Gurtner

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical drawing: Fanja juu terraces: newly constructed (left) and mature (right) with bananas planted below the bund and fodder grass on the riser: note leveling occurs over time (right).

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, reduction of slope angle, reduction of slope length, increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil

Vegetative measure: aligned trees
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs

Vegetative measure: grass strips
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs

Trees/ shrubs species: eg citrus, Grevillea robusta

Grass species: Napier, Makarikari

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 12.00%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is (see figure below): 3.00%

Structural measure: bunds
Vertical interval between structures (m): 1.7
Spacing between structures (m): 12
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.6
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.6
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.4
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.5-1

Construction material (earth): thrown uphill to build bund

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 15%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is: 3%

Vegetation is used for stabilisation of structures.

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 =:

60.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

3.00

4.4 Establishment activities

Activity Type of measure Timing
1. Digging planting holes for grass. Vegetative beginning of rainy season
2. Layout (alignment and spacing) of terraces either on the contour Structural dry season
3. Fumer et planter l’herbe début de la saison des pluies
4. Planifier (alignement et espacement) des terrasses : (a) selon les courbes de niveau en zone sèche ; (b) avec une légère pente en zone plus humide, en utilisant des « niveaux à corde » saison sèche
5. Ameublir la terre pour l’extraction (pioche à dents, charrue à bœufs) saison sèche
6. Creuser une tranchée et jeter la terre en amont pour former une butte, en laissant une berme de 15-30 cm entre les deux (à la pioche et pelle) saison sèche
7. Niveler et compacter la butte saison sèche

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 Digging holes Persons/day 90.0 3.0 270.0 100.0
Equipment Tools ha 1.0 20.0 20.0 100.0
Plant material Grass splits ha 1.0 10.0 10.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides Compost/manure ha 1.0 20.0 20.0 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 320.0
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 12 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Type of measure Timing/ frequency
1. Burning of Makarikari Vegetative end of dry season /annual
2. Filling up low places on the bund and repairing breaches Structural after heavy rain/as needed
3. Désherber les bandes enherbées et les maintenir denses début de la saison des pluies / après des sècheresses exceptionelles
4. Recreuser la tranchée en jetant les sédiments vers l’amont après des fortes pluies
5. Réparer les brèches dans les talus si nécessaire après des fortes pluies
6. Renforcer le talus tous les ans après des fortes pluies

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 Filling up low places Persons/day 10.0 3.0 30.0 100.0
Equipment Tools ha 1.0 5.0 5.0 100.0
Plant material Compost/manure ha 1.0 3.0 3.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 38.0
Comments:

These calculations are based on a 15% slope (with 830 running metres of terraces per hectare) with typical dimensions
and spacing: according to table and drawing above. In some areas tools are supplied free - but this is normally just for
demonstration plots and is not included in this calculation.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Stoniness, slope, labour cost

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid
  • semi-arid

Thermal climate class: tropics

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: Also hilly, steep and very steep.

Soil fertility is low-medium

Soil drainage / infiltration is medium-good

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)
  • low (<1%)

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial
Off-farm income:
  • 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • animal traction
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 100-200 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 2% - 3%

3% of the land users are very rich and own 5% of the land.
7% of the land users are rich and own 10% of the land.
50% of the land users are average wealthy and own 60% of the land.
30% of the land users are poor and own 20% of the land.
10% of the land users are poor and own 5% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: from local employment, trade and remittances -this depends very much on the location: the nearer a large town, the greater the importance of off-farm income

Level of mechanization: Manual work with hoes and animal traction mainly with ox.

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • small-scale
Comments:

Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology: Also 2-5 ha

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

Land ownership:
  • individual, not titled
  • individual, titled
Land use rights:
  • individual

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

fodder production

decreased
increased

wood production

decreased
increased

production area

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

cropping area

Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased

workload

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

national institutions

weakened
strengthened

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

Awkward to walk/carry burdens through the field

improved
reduced

Inputs constrains

increased
decreased

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

surface runoff

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

50

Quantity after SLM:

20

excess water drainage

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

subhumid

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

semi-arid

soil loss

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

11

Quantity after SLM:

2

Climate and disaster risk reduction

wind velocity

increased
decreased
Quantity after SLM:

50

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

reliable and stable stream flows in dry season

reduced
increased

downstream flooding

increased
reduced

downstream siltation

increased
decreased

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 well
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought well
Comments:

La conservation de l’eau augmente la résilience au stress hydrique

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly negative

Long-term returns:

positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • more than 50%
If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

150'000 households in an area of 3000 sq km

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 50-90%
Comments:

30% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

50000 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: estimates

70% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

100000 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: There is some growing spontaneous adoption outside the area due to recognition of the benefits by farmers. This is especially so through women’s groups. Within the area specified, Machakos District, almost all cropland is terraced.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Control runoff and soil loss

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Ensure good design, maintenance of
structures and adapt design to local conditions.
Storage of water in soil for crops

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Ensure good design, maintenance of
structures and adapt design to local conditions.
Maintenance of soil fertility

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Ensure good design, maintenance of
structures and adapt design to local conditions.
Increased value of land

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Ensure good design, maintenance of
structures and adapt design to local conditions.

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?
Loss of cropping area for terrace bund Site-specific implementation: only where fanya juu terraces are absolutely needed, ie agronomic (eg mulching, contour ploughing) and vegetative measures are not sufficient in retaining/diverting runoff.
High amounts of labour involved for initial construction Spread labour over several years and work in groups.
Risk of breakages and therefore increased erosion Accurate layout and good compaction of bund.
Competition between fodder grass and crop Keep grass trimmed and harvest for livestock feed.

7. References and links

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Thomas D. 1997. Soil and water conservation manual for Kenya. Soil and Water Conservation Branch, Nairobi

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