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Technologies
Inactive

Stone bund of Tigray [Ethiopia]

Emni Zala (Tigrigna)

technologies_1397 - Ethiopia

Completeness: 71%

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)

SLM specialist:

Woldu Kebede

+251-4-420270

Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Enderta Woreda office of Agriculture and Natural resources,

Ethiopia

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MoA) - Ethiopia

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

01/08/2003

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

Mass mobilization
approaches

Mass mobilization [Ethiopia]

Mass Mobilization is an approach pursued to implement SLM technologies by organizing land users to undertake SLM activities without incentives being involved.

  • Compiler: Unknown User

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

an allignment of stone along the contour line which stabilzes with grass species

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Description: construction of stone bunds along the contour to reduce soil erosion, conserve moisture, decrease slope length, and to decrease down stream siltation. It is integrated with biological SWC measures and maintenance is made where ever necessary. The technique enhances the growth of natural grasses and improves the micro climate.

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:

Ethiopia

Region/ State/ Province:

Tigray

Further specification of location:

Enderta Woreda/District

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:
  • through projects/ external interventions
Comments (type of project, etc.):

the introduced methods come from other areas

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 cash crop: Beans, chick pea
Major food crop: Barley, wheat, teff

Grazing land

Grazing land

Intensive grazing/ fodder production:
  • Cut-and-carry/ zero grazing
Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): soil erosion, overgrazing and trampling, deforestation, decline of fertility and productivity, aridity, low soil moisture, free grazing

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): shortage of drinking water, shortage of forage and fuel wood, drought

Grazingland comments: cut and carry is allowed

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed
Comments:

Water supply: Also mixed rainfed - irrigated

Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120Longest growing period from month to month: Jul - Oct

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • cross-slope measure

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 33.15 m2.

The spacing is wider. Unproper foundation and excavation is observed in some places

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

vegetative measures

structural measures

structural measures

  • S2: Bunds, banks
Comments:

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -contour

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
  • Wg: gully erosion/ gullying
chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
water degradation

water degradation

  • Ha: aridification
Comments:

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

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wg: gully erosion / gullying, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Ha: aridification

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation, rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

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

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap

Secondary technical functions: reduction of slope length, increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, water harvesting / increase water supply, sediment retention / trapping, sediment harvesting

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 100
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.8-1.5
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 15-20
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.3
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 4

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): 5.00%

Gradient along the rows / strips: 1.00%

Bund/ bank: level
Vertical interval between structures (m): 0.8-1.5m
Spacing between structures (m): 15-20m
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.70m
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 1.2m
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 50-60m

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 12%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is: 5%

Lateral gradient along the structure: 0%

Vegetation is used for stabilisation of structures.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Birr

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

8.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

0.88

4.4 Establishment activities

Activity Type of measure Timing
1. area closure (leave for natural regeneration) Vegetative June-October
2. survey and layout Structural December
3. stone collection Structural January
4. foundation excavation Structural Jan.-March
5. construction Structural Jan.-March

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 Labour ha 1.0 110.0 110.0 83.0
Equipment Animal traction ha 1.0 15.0 15.0 83.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 125.0
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 60 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Type of measure Timing/ frequency
1. contour cultivation Agronomic January-June / 3-4 times
2. repairing broken bund by placing more stones Structural Dec-Jan/annual

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 11.25 11.25 83.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 11.25
Comments:

Machinery/ tools: crowbar, hammer, hoe, spade, shovel, sprit level

length of structure (600m long soil bund is constructed per hectar)

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

construction materials (stone availabilty) and excavation of foundation could be difficult

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
Specify average annual rainfall (if known), in mm:

550.00

Agro-climatic zone
  • semi-arid

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: Hilly and moderate. Also: Gentle

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%)
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. Also: Shallow and deep
Soil texture is medium. Also: Fine/heavy and coarse/light
Soil fertility is medium-low
Soil drainage/infiltration is medium. Also: poor and good
Soil water storage capacity is medium. Also: high and low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
  • average
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • animal traction
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 3% - 4%

5% of the land users are rich and own 5% of the land.
30% of the land users are average wealthy and own 30% of the land.
55% of the land users are poor and own 55% of the land.
10% of the land users are poor and own 10% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: daily labourer

Market orientation of production system: subsistence (self-supply), subsistence (self-supply), mixed (subsistence/ commercial

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
Comments:

Average area of land owned or leased cropland: 0.5-1 ha
Average area of land owned or leased grazing land: 0.5-1 ha, 1-2 ha

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

Land ownership:
  • state

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

fodder quality

decreased
increased

production area

decreased
increased

land management

hindered
simplified
Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased

economic disparities

increased
decreased

workload

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

national institutions

weakened
strengthened

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

conflict mitigation

worsened
improved

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

excess water drainage

reduced
improved
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Can lead to waterlogging

soil cover

reduced
improved

soil loss

increased
decreased
Other ecological impacts

Biodiversity

decreased
increased

Soil fertility

decreased
increased

Input constraints

increased
decreased

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

groundwater/ river pollution

increased
reduced

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

positive

Long-term returns:

negative

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

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

negative

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

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

25000

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:

83% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

20750 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: estimates

4250 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: estimates

There is no trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: they need some incentive

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
increase production

How can they be sustained / enhanced? maintenance, stablize with biological SWC measures
enhancing spring development
increase animal feed
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
erosion control, moisture harvesting

How can they be sustained / enhanced? maintenance, stablize with biological SWC measures
yield and forage production increased

How can they be sustained / enhanced? maintenance, stablize with biological SWC measures, area closure and introduction of cut and carry system

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?
reduce cultivated land widen the spacing between bunds
harbour rodants integrate with biological SWC measures and take rodent control measures
labour intensive incentives
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
labour intensive provision of incentives
shortage of construction materials and hand tools provision of hand tools
shortage of skilled man power capacity building through training and field visit

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