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Technologies
Inactive

Gully Rehabilitation [Ethiopia]

Kitir (Amharic)

technologies_1469 - Ethiopia

Completeness: 73%

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:

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

10/12/2005

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:

It is a barrier of stone/wood/earth placed across a gully to control runoff and sediment passing through.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

A checkdam constructed from stone, wood or branches of trees. It has an average height of 1m and is spaced at 1m vertical interval. The purpose is to reclaim gully lands to productive lands by controllong the rate of runoff and trapping the soil. By plugging the gully using different checkdams the gully gradient is brought to a gentle slope and flow rates and soil movment is regulated. Constructing of checkdam in a gully starts with smaller checkdams which are regularly maintained and up graded of their heights. Gully plugging by checkdams and vegetative material is suitable to all agro-climatic conditions but the choice of material for establishment depends on the availability of material in the nearby and rate of flow. For a high rate and volume of flows stone checkdams are prefered to wooden or earth chekdams.

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:

South Gonder

Further specification of location:

Meher, Gurara, Melo, Rib, Sebat Wodel, Hamus Wonz

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.):

Introduced to the country about 30 years ago from other countries exprience.

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: Barley, wheat

Mixed (crops/ grazing/ trees), incl. agroforestry

Mixed (crops/ grazing/ trees), incl. agroforestry

  • Agro-silvopastoralism
Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Open grazing, bare land, high erosion risk

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): land slide, erosion

Nomadism: Yes

Grazingland comments: grazing lands are replaced by other land use system or degraded irreversibly and also the number and productivity of livestock is reduced due to shortage of feed and fodder.

Other type of forest: selective felling of natural forests: charcoal

Problems / comments regarding forest use: The communities assigned guards for area closures in order to protect them from illegal cutting and conversion to other land uses. Government or projects used to employ site guards for protecting the enclosures at the initial stage. When the communities started to get benefit from enclosures then decided to take responsibility to protecting them.

Forest products and services: fuelwood, grazing / browsing, protection against natural hazards

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: Barley-teff

Constraints of settlement / urban

Constraints of infrastructure network (roads, railways, pipe lines, power lines)

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:
  • 1
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 210 Longest growing period from month to month: May - Dec

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • cross-slope measure
  • surface water management (spring, river, lakes, sea)

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.42 km2.

The area is calculated based on gully size.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

vegetative measures

structural measures

structural measures

  • S5: Dams, pans, ponds
Comments:

Main measures: structural measures

Secondary measures: vegetative measures

Type of vegetative measures: scattered / dispersed

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)
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

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Amhara

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

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

Secondary technical functions: increase of infiltration, water harvesting / increase water supply

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 400
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 1m
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 5m
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1m
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 5m

Vegetative measure: plantation
Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs, G : grass
Number of plants per (ha): 2500
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 1m
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 1m
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1m
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1m

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs, G : grass

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs, G : grass

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs, G : grass

Trees/ shrubs species: saligna, dicurense

Grass species: Bana, vetiver, serdo

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): 10.00%

Gradient along the rows / strips: 0.00%

Structural measure: checkdam
Vertical interval between structures (m): 1
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 1
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 1
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 1

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 =:

8.6

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

0.80

4.4 Establishment activities

Activity Type of measure Timing
1. collect planting materials Vegetative onset of rain
2. planting Vegetative during rain
3. construction Structural dry season/after crop harvest
4. fencing Structural dry season/after crop harvest
5. Stone collection Structural January-March
6. gully reshaping Structural January-March
7. dig foundation Structural dry season/after crop harvest
8. Fencing (live or wood) Management dry season

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Type of measure Timing/ frequency
1. replanting Vegetative rainy season /as required
2. fencing Vegetative dry season /once
3. stone collection Structural as required
4. construction Structural as required
5. maintaining breaks in fence Management dry season / as required

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Comments:

Length and width of the structure.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

slope, labour, time of cost recovery payment (period), width (length) of the gully, availability of construction materials.

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
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

It ranges from 1250-1599 mm

Agro-climatic zone
  • humid
  • sub-humid

Subhumid: It is woina dega and dega

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:

Altitudinal zone: It ranges between 1500-4033 m a.s.l.
Landforms: Mountain slopes (ranked 1), ridges (ranked 2) and plateau/plains as well as hill slopes (both ranked 3)
Slopes on average: Hilly (ranked 1), steep (ranked 2) and rolling (ranked 3)

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):
  • fine/ heavy (clay)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • 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: Very shallow (More in hilly slopes/steep slopes, ranked 1) and shallow (on rolling areas, ranked 2)
Soil texture: Fine/heavy (At gentle slopes, ranked 1), medium (rolling slopes, ranked 2) and coarse/ light (at the bottom of the gully)
Soil fertility: Medium (ranked 1), low (ranked 2) and high (ranked 3)
Topsoil organic matter is low (continuous cropping and erosion)
Soil drainage/infiltration is medium (steep slopes , ranked 1) and good (ranked 2)
Soil water storage capacity is medium (ranked 1) and high (clay soils, ranked 2)

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • very poor
  • poor
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • animal traction
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 200-500 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 2% - 3%
60% of the land users are poor and own 30% of the land.
40% of the land users are poor and own 20% of the land.
Off-farm income specification: No apparent differences could be observed.
Level of mechanization is aniaml traction (ploughing using oxen, horses and cow, ranked 1) and human labour (digging by hoe, ranked 2)
Market orientation of production system: Also mixed (subsistence/ commercial), subsistence in agro-silvopastoralism (farm implements, feul, charcoal)

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 by land users applying the Technology: Mostly from 0.5-0.75 ha

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

Land ownership:
  • state
  • individual, not 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
Comments/ specify:

no annual crop grown

fodder production

decreased
increased

fodder quality

decreased
increased

wood production

decreased
increased
Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased

workload

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

More labour needed for the technology means shortage of labour for farm activities.

Socio-cultural impacts

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

national institutions

weakened
strengthened

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

conflict mitigation

worsened
improved
Comments/ specify:

At the boundray of two holdings and questions as to who will have to ues the gully.

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

harvesting/ collection of water

reduced
improved

excess water drainage

reduced
improved
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Due to more water retention.

soil cover

reduced
improved

soil loss

increased
decreased
Other ecological impacts

Biodiversity enhancement

decreased
increased

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

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

positive

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

positive

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:

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

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Soil erosion control and prevention of gully expansion.
sources of fodder

How can they be sustained / enhanced? plant more forage trees
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Fodder production and soil formation rate enhanced

How can they be sustained / enhanced? make frequent maintenance
Moisture and water harvesting enhanced

How can they be sustained / enhanced? plant useful trees/ nitrogen fixing trees

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?
rodents

7. References and links

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Ethiopia Federal RDS, Rural Rural Development policy Strategy and Methods. 2001.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Soil and water management manual, Alemaya. 2003.

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