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)

LGU of La Libertad - Philippines

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

Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural Research Center (STIARC) - Philippines

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

Bureau of Soils and Water Management (Bureau of Soils and Water Management) - Philippines

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

Regional Field Office N0. 4A (RFO IV-A ) - Philippines

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

27/05/2015

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

Yes

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Contour farming is a technology practiced in sloping areas in which hedgerows are established along the contours and other annual/cash crops are grown in the alleys between the hedges.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Contour farming is being practiced by the farmers in sloping areas to prevent or control soil erosion. Hedgerows are established along contour lines using napier grass and permanent crops like banana and coconut. In between contour lines, corn is inter-cropped with peanut. It is a traditional practice of farmers and one of the conservation techniques for the Conservation Farming Village Approach (CFV).

Purpose of the Technology: This is practiced by farmers to control surface run-off, erosion and to conserve natural soil fertility. Napier grass is also planted as source of feeds for the livestocks. The technology controls dispersed runoff, reduce slope angle and length.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Contour lines were established using an A-frame to determine the location of the hedgerows to be planted. Napier grasses are planted along the contour at 8x8m and 4X4m distance. Grafted cacao trees are also inserted in between banana at 4X4 distance. The alleys between hedges measuring 4m wide and 30m long are planted with corn and peanut. Napier grass is regularly trimmed to maintain a height of not more than a meter, using the cuttings as livestock fodder.

Natural / human environment: The area is under a humid climate condition with an average annual rainfall of 1000-1500 mm. Its elevation is 500-1000 m above mean sea level.The average cropland size of land users is less than or equal to 0. 5 hectare with a slope ranging from 18-25%. Income of land users are derived from the crops sold. The Local Government Unit (LGU) provides truck to transport the harvested crops of the farmers from the village to the town market twice a week.

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:

• more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The technology is a traditional practice in the Philippines and was integrated as part of the conservation techniques under the Conservation Farming Village approach.

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 soil fertility decline.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Lack of animal grazing areas and limited plain or level areas for crop production.

Livestock is grazing on crop residues

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• cross-slope measure

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:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.0025 m2.

Farmers practice contour farming only in small areas or parcels of land

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures, vegetative measures

Type of agronomic measures: mixed cropping / intercropping, contour planting / strip cropping, legume inter-planting, manure / compost / residues, breaking crust / sealed surface

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -contour

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Bc: reduction of vegetation cover

Main causes of degradation: soil management (Lack of knowledge on fertilizer usage), crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (intensive tillage due to crop production), deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (illegal logging, slash and burn), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (charcoal making for livelihood)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

Comments:

Main goals: rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Crops planted in the contour.

Location: Brgy. Talaon. La Libertad, Negros Oriental

Date: May28, 2015

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: control of raindrop splash, control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, Minimize soil erosion due to runoff, Serve as soil nutrient traps

Secondary technical functions: reduction of slope angle, reduction of slope length, stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides), promotion of vegetation species and varieties (quality, eg palatable fodder)

Mixed cropping / intercropping
Material/ species: corn and peanut
Quantity/ density: 10kg/.25ha
Remarks: in between contour hedges

Contour planting / strip cropping
Material/ species: napier, banana, coconut and cacao
Quantity/ density: 20kg/.25ha

Legume inter-planting
Quantity/ density: 20kg/.25ha

Manure / compost / residues
Material/ species: vermi-compost
Quantity/ density: 500kg

Breaking crust / sealed surface
Material/ species: rotavator
Remarks: plowing two times

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: G : grass
Number of plants per (ha): 500
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.5
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 4
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): drill
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.3

Vegetative measure: contour (banana)
Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 64
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.5
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 4
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 4
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 4

Vegetative measure: contour (cacao)
Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 64
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.5
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 4
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 4

Vegetative measure: contour (cococnut)
Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 32
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.5
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 4
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 8
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 8

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs

Fruit trees / shrubs species: banana, cacao, coconut

Grass species: napier grass

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 8%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is (see figure below): 5%

Gradient along the rows / strips: 3-5%

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• US Dollars

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

49.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Laying out and establishment of contour lines/hedgerows	Vegetative	before onset of rainy season
2.	Planting of hedgerows (Napier grass)	Vegetative	Rainy season. one week after laying out
3.	Planting of perennial crops along contour	Vegetative	Rainy season. 1 week after laying out

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

If possible, break down the costs of establishment according to the following table, specifying inputs and costs per input. If you are unable to break down the costs, give an estimation of the total costs of establishing the Technology:

122.77

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Laying out and establishment of contour	Person/day	3.0	2.22	6.66	40.0
Labour	Planting of crops and hedgerows	Person/day	10.0	2.22	22.2	100.0
Plant material	napier seeds	kg	300.0	0.0133	3.99	100.0
Plant material	banana seeds	plants	64.0	0.11093	7.1	100.0
Plant material	cacao seeds	plants	64.0	0.55565	35.56	100.0
Plant material	coconut seeds	plants	32.0	0.88875	28.44	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	herbicide	liter	1.0	17.78	17.78	40.0
Construction material	bamboosticks	picks	50.0	0.012	0.6	40.0
Construction material	A-frame	unit	1.0	0.44	0.44	40.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					122.77

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Land clearing/ preparation (plowing, rotavating, harrowing) of alleys between contours	Agronomic	Before onset of rainy season
2.	Furrowing	Agronomic
3.	Planting of corn (first cropping)	Agronomic	Raining season
4.	Weeding, insect control	Agronomic
5.	Harvesting of first crop	Agronomic
6.	Land Preparation for the second cropping (plowing, harrowing/rotavating, furrowing)	Agronomic
7.	Planting of corn + Planting of peanut (second cropping- corn + peanut)	Agronomic
8.	Weeding / Insect control	Agronomic
9.	Harvesting of corn and peanut	Agronomic

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

If possible, break down the costs of maintenance according to the following table, specifying inputs and costs per input. If you are unable to break down the costs, give an estimation of the total costs of maintaining the Technology:

146.63

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Land Preparation with machine / furrowing	Person/day	3.0	7.11	21.33	100.0
Labour	Animal Labour	Person/day	2.0	2.67	5.34	100.0
Equipment	Other Labour: Weeding, harvesting	Person/day	14.0	2.22	31.08	100.0
Plant material	Corn seeds	kg	10.0	0.444	4.44
Plant material	Peanut seeds	kg	20.0	2.0	40.0	100.0
Plant material	Seeds undefined	kg	10.0	0.444	4.44	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fertilizer	kg	500.0	0.08	40.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					146.63

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: rotavator

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The slope of the area contributes to the additional labor cost in the establishment of contours.The steeper the slope, the higher labor cost will be incurred.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zones: 720 m

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:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly disadvantaged land users

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 1% - 2%; 2%

70% of the land users are poor and own 70% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: Hired laborers for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Project on National Greening Program

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, not titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

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

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

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	not well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	not well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	not well

Hydrological disasters

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

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:

More income added from Napier grass

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

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

18 land user families have adopted the Technology

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 10-50%

Comments:

Comments on acceptance with external material support: Single farmer focused on napier production and used as hedgerows

28% of land user families (4) who have adopted the Technology did it spontaneously.

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

Comments on spontaneous adoption: Practiced contouring but some are partial adoption (rock wall)

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Additional barangays will be adopting the technology.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Availability of labor force in the community. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Encourage more farmers to adopt the technology and utilize available labor force.
The technology generated jobs and increase the income of the landusers practicing the technology. How can they be sustained / enhanced? To conduct continuous capacity building to land users and their children to ensure sustainability.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Soil erosion was reduced because of the presence of the hedge rows that traps eroded soil. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Include other structural measures such as silt traps and brush dams to trap silts.
The kind of hedgerows planted depends on the need of the landusers. Farmers with livestock used napier and forage grasses as hedges while others planted perennial and cash crop to supplement their food requirement. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Conduct crop suitability evaluation and market study.

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?
Poor road network from the center of the town to the barangay.	Construction of farm-to-market road to improve the accessibility of the barangay.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Lack of irrigation system in the cropping area	Provision of irrigation system such as solar pump and small farm reservoir.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information