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)

KARI Headquarters (KARI Headquarters) - Kenya

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

Jomo Kenyatta University (Jomo Kenyatta University) - Kenya

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

06/03/2012

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:

This is a vegetative technology that involves planting of trees in a portion of land for various uses.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Woodlots in both Embu and Mbeere districts and in most parts of rural Kenya are usually small afforested plots of 0.04 to 0.5ha which are usually associated with the local demand for timber and fuel wood. They are mainly established and managed on individual basis. Grevillea Robusta and Eucalyptus trees are the main tree species used for woodlots in Embu District. Fast-growing and coppicing species are best for woodlot establishment.

Purpose of the Technology: Woodlots are mainly used for provision of firewood, timber and building materials. Woodlots also prevent soil erosion through their thick mulch and roots that hold the soil together. Other benefits of woodlots includes provision of cool weather, air purification or windbreakers. They are well protected, especially during the first years after establishment.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Farmers in Embu district normally obtain healthy plants is by using seedlings from their individual or local nurseries. The nurseries should be set 6-10 weeks before the start of the rainy season. The plants must be transferred to the fields in the early rainy season. The trees can be planted after a shallow ploughing (seeds) or in planting pits (seedlings). Spacing changes according to the purpose, 2 x 2 m or 2 x 4 m are common options. Management should be particularly careful in the first years. Weeding should be carried out 2-3 times in the first 2 years in order to avoid competition with weeds and reduce pests’ infestations. The area must be closed to grazing animals for the first few
years. Woodlots need protection from fire.

Natural / human environment: At early stages of establishment, farmers inter-crop the trees with crops. Percieved poor land that cannot be used for anything but trees is primarily recommended for woodlots. While siting the location of planting woodlot, transport requirements must be borne in mind. The site for timber and wood production for domestic use should preferably be near the house to reduce the burden of carrying firewood

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

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Soil erosion
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): firewood

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 1500, Longest growing period from month to month: five years

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• natural and semi-natural forest management
• windbreak/ shelterbelt
• 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)

Comments:

Woodlots in thie Embu North District are implemented on small individual farms

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -contour

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), population pressure

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The technical drawing on the left shows a stand of woodlot with natural vegetation growing underneath. The woodlot mainly comprises of Eucalyptus and Grevillea Robusta trees for fire wood and timber production.

Location: Embu North District. Eastern province
Date: 02.09.2011

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate
Main technical functions: stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides)
Secondary technical functions: control of raindrop splash, improvement of ground cover

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 500
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 2
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 2
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 2
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 2

In blocks
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Kshs

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

100.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Seeding	Vegetative	before the rainy season
2.	Transplanting	Vegetative	Onset of the rainy season

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	Transplanting	Mandays	4.0	1.0	4.0	100.0
Equipment	Tools	ha	1.0	5.0	5.0	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	Grams	100.0	0.05	5.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					14.0

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 2 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Weeding	Vegetative	2-3 times for the first three years
2.	Prunning	Vegetative	once per year

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	Weeding	mandays	10.0	0.4	4.0	100.0
Labour	Prunning	mandays	10.0	0.4	4.0	100.0
Equipment	Tools	ha	1.0	5.0	5.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					13.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labor and the cost of seedlings are the most determinate factors affecting the costs.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

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: Medium
Soil drainage/infiltration: Good
Soil water storage capacity: Medium

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: 0.5% - 1%

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

Water use rights:

• individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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
There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Production of timber and firewood.
Woodlots acts as windbreaks

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?
Occupies land that could otherwise be utilized for food crops	Plant the trees along the boundaries.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information