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

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

13/04/2012

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:

A special tractor-pulled plow that automatically constructs water-harvesting catchments, ideally suited for large-scale reclamation work.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The Vallerani implement is a modified plow, pulled by a heavy-duty tractor. First, contour lines are marked on the slope. The tractor follows a contour line, and the plow makes a furrow about 50 cm deep. A normal plow on flat land excavates a symmetrical furrow, and earth piles up equally on both sides of the furrow. The Vallerani plow creates an angled furrow and piles up the excavated soil only on the lower (downhill) side. This soil forms a ridge that stops or slows down runoff water as it flows downhill.

The plow can dig a long continuous furrow. Alternatively, as it moves forward, the plow blade can also move up and down (i.e. in and out of the soil), creating a series of small basins, each with a ridge. The size and spacing of basins will depend on the frequency of the up-and-down movement of the plow, which can be adjusted.

When a furrow or pit fills up, the overflow enters the next microcatchment, flows into the next furrow or pit, and so on. Shrubs are planted in pits along the ridges. With moisture readily available, they grow rapidly, providing livestock fodder and helping to conserve the soil. The furrows/basins also slow down runoff flows, preventing erosion.

The Vallerani plow can ‘treat’ 30 ha in a single day, building scores of micro-catchments. For example, the 100-ha Qaryatein site, a highly degraded area at the center of the Syrian traditional grazing ground with 120 mm rainfall per year, was developed in 4 days. Preparation of pits and transplantation of shrubs took another 15 days. Once the project had invested in the tractor and the plow, the remaining cost of implementation – layout, planting shrubs, training farmers to build and maintain the system – was about US$1250, i.e. about $13 per hectare.

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.):

Projects utilizing the Vallerani system up to July 2010:
- Niger (1988)
- Niger (1989-2003)
- Marocco (1989)
- Egypt, Sinai (1988-91)
- Niger (1996)
- Senegal (1997-98)
- Tunisia (1997-98)
- Syria (from 1997)
- Burkina Faso (1997-98)
- Chad (1998)
- Burkina Faso (1999), different areas
- Burkina Faso (2001)
- Burkina Faso (2003-13)
- Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Kenya, Senegal (2004-2006)
- Syria and Jordan (2004-06)
- China (2005)
- Burkina Faso (2004-11), 15 projects

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem

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

Comments:

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Cropland: Ct: Tree and shrub cropping

If land use has changed due to the implementation of the Technology, indicate land use before implementation of the Technology:

Grazing land: Ge: Extensive grazing land

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

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures, structural measures, management measures
Secondary measures: agronomic measures

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: overgrazing (increasing number of sheeps (Jordan, Syria))
Secondary causes of degradation: crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (barley cultivation (Jordan))

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

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 topsoil structure (compaction), water harvesting / increase water supply, promotion of vegetation species and varieties (quality, eg palatable fodder)

Secondary technical functions: improvement of surface structure (crusting, sealing), improvement of subsoil structure (hardpan), stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides), increase in organic matter, increase / maintain water stored in soil, increase of biomass (quantity)

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	layout, planting shrubs, training farmers to build and maintain the system

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	layout, planting shrubs, training farmers to build and maintain the system	ha	1.0	13.0	13.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					13.0

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

7.1 Methods/ sources of information