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

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

Good Practices in Soil and Water Conservation - A contribution to adaptation and farmers ́ resilience towards climate change in the Sahel (GIZ)

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

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (GIZ) - Germany

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

01/07/2012

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:

Nardi/Vallerani trenches are microcatchments which are made using a special tractor-pulled plough to restore degraded and encrusted forests and rangelands

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Nardi/Vallerani trenches are microcatchments 4 m long and 0.5 m wide. They are made using a tractor-pulled plough specifically designed for this purpose. The Nardi plough cuts a furrow perpendicular to the slope, throwing up a ridge on the downhill side and thereby creating a barrier on that side of the furrow. The number of trenches varies according to the gradient of the terrain and the type of soil: the recommended number of microcatchments for flat or gently sloping terrain is between 250 and 400 per hectare, with the rows spaced 5 to 7 m apart; and for steeper slopes, the rows should be spaced 3 to 4 m apart, with a density of up to 600 microcatchments per hectare. In each Nardi/Vallerani microcatchment, two or three trees are planted or sown by direct seeding and then separated when they come up. Perennial grasses are sown a year later to allow the trees to become established first. The choice of species largely depends on the use to which the improved land is to be put and the priorities of the beneficiaries. It is recommended that the improved site be protected from grazing animals for at least three years to give the trees time to grow and the grass time to reproduce naturally, although the exact amount of time required will depend on the type of trees planted and how degraded the site is.
Nardi/Vallerani trenches are generally combined with scarification, which is carried out using a tractor-pulled scarifier. The strips between the trenches are scarified a year after they have been dug. These scarified strips are sown with perennial grasses at the same time as the trenches. The trees planted the year before are a year old, and the risk of the saplings being choked by the grass is minimal.

Runoff collects in the Vallerani microcatchments, improving the infiltration of water into the soil and the retention of water for the plants growing in them. They also serve to loosen the soil and improve the plants’ access to nutrients. Windborne seeds are trapped in the microcatchments, which helps to build up the natural grass cover.
This technique is particularly effective when rainfall is low, as the microcatchments retain water and make it available to the plants growing in them.
In the medium term, this technique is effective in protecting the land against water and wind erosion and rehabilitating barren land with no vegetation. In wet years, the microcatchments protect the land downhill from excessive run- off by retaining part of the water.
Implemented on a wide scale, this technique can extend and improve the quality of forest and rangeland and reduce the problems for livestock keepers in years when the quality of pasture is not good. In the medium and long- term, the technique can increase the supply of firewood, timber and other wood products. Even in the short term, it increases the production of straw, which can be used as forage, for making roofing and mats or sold to generate extra income.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: In order to ensure the sustainability of the investment, it is necessary to take the following steps before constructing the trenches: ensure that the communities are motivated to invest in the measure; ensure that the communities have the capacity to do the work and the technical expertise required to implement the measures and develop and manage the sites; ensure that there are sufficiently strong local and regional markets for forest/rangeland products; clearly define the objective (intended uses after improvement); clarify ownership of the land to be improved; jointly define who the beneficiaries will be; formulate an agreement establishing rules governing the protection, use and upkeep of the site.
The right grass species must be chosen to ensure the successful establishment of vegetation cover, taking the following factors into consideration: needs of livestock keepers and/or agro-pastoralists; species suited to environmental conditions, taking into account climate changes; palatability and nutritive value of the species and any secondary uses they may have; availability of seeds; potential for marketing products.

The Sahel is a region where the population has always faced a high degree of climate variability, manifested both in terms of time (unexpected dry spells can occur during the rainy season) and in terms of space (rainfall can vary greatly from one area to another). The population is mainly composed of small farmers and livestock keepers.
Over the last two decades, the effects of climate change have exacerbated the already difficult conditions. Accord¬ing to projections made by climatologists, the Sahel will experience a rise in temperatures combined with highly variable rainfall and an increase in extreme weather events.
The Soil and Water conservation and rehabilitation techniques have helped people in the Sahel to manage their ecosystems more effectively and improve their productive land. As a result, communities are better prepared to cope with environmental changes (changes in the climate, land degradation, etc.) and the im¬pact of shocks, particularly droughts

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 projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

developed, implemented and disseminated as part of projects and programmes undertaken from the 1980s onwards to combat desertification and improve natural resource management. Implemented by GIZ (German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation), PDRT (Projet de développement rural de Tahoua - Tahoua Rural Development Project), PASP (Projet de protection intégrée des ressources agro-sylvo-pastorales Tillabéri-Nord - Project for the Integrated Protection of Agricultural, Forest and Rangeland Resources in Tillabéri-Nord)

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): crusting, surface runoff, water and wind erosion, unadapted land use methods, rapidly growing population increasing pressure on land, reduced or abandoned fallow periods, insecure access to land.
Farmers are mainly agropastoralists with some communities specialised on pure pastoralism

Constraints of forested government-owned land or commons

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120, Longest growing period from month to month: August to October

Livestock density (if relevant):

1-10 LU /km2

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• minimal soil disturbance
• cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: soil management (Unadapted land use methods, reduced or abandoned fallow periods), crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (Neglect of fallow periods and crop rotation), droughts (due to heat waves), population pressure (rapidly growing population increasing pressure on land), land tenure (insecure access to land and collectively managaed commons), poverty / wealth (very poor population)

Secondary causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (deforestation through overgrazing and fire wood collection), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (firewood collection), overgrazing (cattle, shee and goats), change in temperature (Climate change: heat waves), change of seasonal rainfall (more variable onset of rain), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts) (more variable and intensive rains), wind storms / dust storms (frequent storms), floods (due to intensive rains), labour availability (some migration of men to nearby cities), education, access to knowledge and support services (high level of illiteracy)

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Nardi/Vallerani trenches are microcatchments 4 m long and 0.5 m wide. The Nardi plough cuts a furrow perpendicular to the slope, throwing up a ridge on the downhill side and thereby creating a barrier on that side of the furrow. The recommended number of microcatchments for flat or gently sloping terrain is between 250 and 400 per hectare, with the rows spaced 5 to 7 m apart; and for steeper slopes, the rows should be spaced 3 to 4 m apart, with a density of up to 600 microcatchments per hectare.
Source of drawing: Ministère du Développement Agricole Niger (without date): Recueil des fiches techniques en gestion des ressources naturelles et de productions agro-sylvo-pastorales.

Location: Niger
Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high
Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard, control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, control of concentrated runoff: impede / retard, improvement of ground cover, improvement of surface structure (crusting, sealing), improvement of topsoil structure (compaction), increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, water harvesting / increase water supply
Secondary technical functions: stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides), increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…), sediment retention / trapping, sediment harvesting, reduction in wind speed, promotion of vegetation species and varieties (quality, eg palatable fodder)

Vegetative measure: within each microcatchment 2-3 trees
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs, G : grass
Number of plants per (ha): 700-1250
Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs, G : grass
Retention/infiltration ditch/pit, sediment/sand trap
Spacing between structures (m): 5-7
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.4
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.5
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 4
Vegetation is used for stabilisation of structures.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

CFA Franc

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

521.18

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	The Nardi plough cuts a furrow perpendicular to the slope, throwing up a ridge on the downhill side and thereby creating a barrier on that side of the furrow	Structural
2.	In each Nardi/Vallerani microcatchment, two or three trees are planted or sown by direct seeding	Vegetative

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	16.3	16.3	100.0
Equipment	machine use	ha	1.0	23.6	23.6	100.0
Equipment	transport and planting trees	ha	1.0	12.3	12.3	100.0
Plant material	seedlings	ha	1.0	52.0	52.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					104.2

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Separating trees when they come up	Vegetative
2.	Perennial grasses are sown a year after the trees to allow the trees to become established first.	Vegetative
3.	The strips between the trenches are scarifieda year after they have been dug. These scarified strips are sown with perennial grasses at the same time as the trenches.	Vegetative

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

Comments:

Microcatchments on low-gradient terrain
• 1 Nardi plough (imported from Italy)
• tractor hire.
Labour
• 8.5 man-days per ha.
Other costs
• 800 seedlings and 15 kg of seeds (plus transport and replacement plants).

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The slope determines the costs. The number of trenches varies according to the gradient of the terrain and the type of soil: the recommended number of microcatchments for flat or gently sloping terrain is between 250 and 400 per hectare, with the rows spaced 5 to 7 m apart; and for steeper slopes, the rows should be spaced 3 to 4 m apart, with a density of up to 600 microcatchments per hectare.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

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:

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 3% - 4% (mostly poor households below poverty line).
Off-farm income specification: men migrate temporarily or permanently to cities for off-farm income, women and men seasonally carry out paid farm work

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
• communal/ village

Land use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• communal (organized)

Comments:

traditional land use rights prevail. On fields individual land use rights, communal land on pasture and forest land (collection of wood and other products (fruits, medicinal plants))

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Other socio-economic impacts

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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	not well
local windstorm	well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	not well

Comments:

Physical structures can be biologically stabilized through planting of grass, bushes or trees. Damages are generally small but need to be repaired quickly.

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:

In the short term, this technique increases the production of straw, which can be used as forage, for making roofing and mats or sold to generate extra income. In the medium and long-term, the technique can increase the supply of firewood, timber and other wood products.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

The techniques were implemented with food for work in the 1990s to 2000. At the end, the work provided by land users was not compensated. Only small equipment and transportation were provided for free. Some adoption (without support by the project) has been observed in some places.
There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology. Some adoption (without support by the project) has been observed in some places.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
In the medium term, this technique is effective in protecting the land against water and wind erosion and rehabilitating barren land with no vegetation.
Runoff collects in the Vallerani microcatchments, improving the infiltration of water into the soil and the retention of water for the plants growing in them. They also serve to loosen the soil and improve the plants’ access to nutrients. Windborne seeds are trapped in the microcatchments, which helps to build up the natural grass cover.
In wet years, the micro-catchments protect the land downhill from excessive runoff by retaining part of the water.
This technique is particularly effective when rainfall is low, as the microcatchments retain water and make it available to the plants growing within them.
The average additional output of dry matter in the form of herbaceous biomass was approximately 540 kg/ha, compared with less than 100 kg per hectare on land where the technique was not applied

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?
Animal production is reduced because the improved site should be protected from grazing animals for at least three years to give the trees time to grow and the grass time to reproduce naturally
Vallerani microcatchments are recommended for use on well-structured soils (soils with high clay content and lateritic and stony soils). On poorly structured soils (sandy, silty soils), the furrows tend to close over after the first rains, rendering them ineffective.
The Acacia holosericea species is not considered suitable for reforestation purposes, owing to its limited life span.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Good Practices in Soil and Water Conservation. A contribution to adaptation and farmers´ resilience towards climate change in the Sahel. Published by GIZ in 2012.

Available from where? Costs?

http://agriwaterpedia.info/wiki/Main_Page