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)

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development of Kenya (MoA) - Kenya

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

05/05/1999

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

A ditch across the slope for trapping /retaining runoff to encourage infiltration

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Constructed at zero gradient with closed ends, wide and deep to hold all expected runoff. The purpose is prevent the concentrated runoff from reaching the cultivated land. It is manually constructed and maintenance is seasonal.It is used where soils are deep , stable and well drained. These structures are unsuitable in areas susceptible to land slides . They are also not very suitable in areas with very deep soils that are not stable.

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:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Introduced by Ministry of agriculture extension staff through the elapesd national soil and water conservation programme.

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): Soil erosion and loss of soil fertility

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Soil erosion, high cost of farm inputs, poor infrastructure .

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: maize, potatoes and beans planted at the beginning of the rainy season.

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: 120 Longest growing period from month to month: Mar - Jul Second longest growing period in days: 90 Second longest growing period from month to month: Oct - Dec

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• water diversion and drainage

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:

• 1-10 km2

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 2.5 m2.

The area is agroecological zone UM3 and occupied by about 320 farmers

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

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

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wg: gully erosion / gullying, 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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, increase of infiltration, water harvesting / increase water supply

Construction material (earth): placed on the lower side of the ditch

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):

Kenya shilling

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

78.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	excavation	Structural	dry spell
2.	planting of grass on the embarkment	Structural	on set of rains
3.	None		None
4.	None		None

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 12 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	desilting channel	Structural	dry spell/twice per year
2.	gapping the napier grass	Structural	wet season/twice per year

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

Comments:

length of 1 m structure (retention ditch).

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

labour availability, depth/width of ditch. The cost of labour

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: Also moderate

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 is low - medium

Soil drainage / infiltration is medium - good

Soil water storage capacity is medium - high

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 200-500 persons/km2

Annual population growth: < 0.5%

2% of the land users are rich and own 5% of the land.
80% of the land users are average wealthy and own 70% of the land.
18% of the land users are poor and own 25% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: employment in urban centres. The income is used to suppliment the cost of establishment and maintenance of the SWC structure.

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

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

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

• 1-10%

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

387 households in an area of 2.5 sq km

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:

Comments on acceptance with external material support: estimates

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: estimates

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: more people are adopting the technology

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Murang'a district dev Plan. 2002.

Available from where? Costs?

RPD, Ministry of Finance.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

SWC manual for Kenya. 1997.

Available from where? Costs?

MoA/SWCB Nairobi

Title, author, year, ISBN:

farm management handbook. 1983.

Available from where? Costs?

MoA/FMD Nairobi