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)

Book project: SLM in Practice - Guidelines and Best Practices for Sub-Saharan Africa (SLM in Practice)

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

Book project: Water Harvesting – Guidelines to Good Practice (Water Harvesting)

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

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) - Italy

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

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ethiopia (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) - Ethiopia

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

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:

Runoff/flood farming locally known as Korbe is a practice that involves diversion of water from different sources for growing vegetables, fruit trees and crops of high value on a land prepared known as Korbe.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Runoff and floodwater farming is a traditionally practiced water harvesting system which helps overcome problems of soil moisture and crop failure in a hot, dry area with erratic rainfall and shallow, highly erodible soils: Flood water and runoff from ephemeral rivers, roads and hillsides is captured through temporary stone and earth embankments. A system of hand dug canals – consisting of a main diversion canal and secondary / tertiary canals – conveys and distributes the captured water to the cultivated fields in naturally flat or leveled areas. The total length of the canal system is 200 – 2000 m. The harvested water is used for growing high value crops, vegetables and fruit trees. Irrigated fields are divided into rectangular basins bordered by ridges to maximize water storage and minimize erosion risk.

Runoff and floodwater management requires preparedness for immediate action by the farmers: When a flood is expected in the ephemeral river, farmers rush to the diversion site and start erecting the embankment across the bed of the stream. Similarly, each famer starts to maintain the canal which leads water to his field. A schedule defines the date and time each farmer is allocated his turn to irrigate. When the water reaches the field, it is spread either through flooding or distributed in furrows which are opened and closed using a local tool.

The ratio between catchment area and production area is 10:1 – 100:1 or greater. While the diversion canals / ditches and basins for tree planting are permanent structures, basins for annual crops are seasonal. Soil fertility is improved by additional measures such as composting and mulching. Maintenance, including repairs to breaks along the canal and water conveying ditches, is needed every season before the onset of rains.

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 evolved locally to address water shortages for crop production and reduce the top soil movement by runoff. At present improved techniques of constructing diversion ditches and efficient techniques for preparing Korbe have been included.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• 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): Overgrazing on hillslopes causing severe degradation, human and livestock interferences in area enclosures, use of crop varities of low production.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Low fertility of soils and the associated decline in productionn and erratic rains

Other grazingland: open grazing

Other grazingland: stall-feeding

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: Sorghum - Sweet potato; Chat - Sorgum - Sweet potato

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

Comments:

Water supply: Also post-flooding

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 210 Longest growing period from month to month: Apr - Nov

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• cross-slope measure
• irrigation management (incl. water supply, 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:

• 10-100 km2

Comments:

Runoff or flood water diversion is a very common farming practice in Dire Dawa and the surrounding areas. Runoff and flood water from ephemeral rivers, road discharges and runoff from hillsides is diverted for supplimented irrigation in to cultivated fields. Cultivated fields are prepared in rectangular blocks, which are leveled and shaped such that maximum retention and cupturing of the water is possible. Korbe is very suitable for horticultural, fruit trees and high value crop production.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures, structural measures

Secondary measures: agronomic measures

Type of agronomic measures: early planting, mixed cropping / intercropping, mulching, legume inter-planting, contour ridging

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -contour, aligned: -graded strips *³, in blocks

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wr: riverbank erosion

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: reduction of slope angle, water harvesting / increase water supply

Secondary technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, increase of infiltration, water spreading, increase in soil fertility

Early planting
Material/ species: vegetables
Quantity/ density: 0.20x0.20
Remarks: nearly contour

Mixed cropping / intercropping
Material/ species: cabbage and pepper
Quantity/ density: 0.20x0.15
Remarks: on the ridge

Mulching
Material/ species: Residue

Contour ridging
Remarks: ridge + basin

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs, C : perennial crops
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.20-0.50
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.30-0.50
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1.80-3.80

Aligned: -graded strips
Vegetative material: O : other

In blocks
Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs, O : other
Number of plants per (ha): 400-1000
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.30
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 4x4

Vegetative measure: in blocks
Vegetative material: C : perennial crops
Number of plants per (ha): 1500-3000
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.1
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 2x4

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: C : perennial crops

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: C : perennial crops

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: C : perennial crops

Fruit trees / shrubs species: Guava, papaya and mango

Perennial crops species: Chat and coffee

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 3.00%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is (see figure below): 1.00%

Gradient along the rows / strips: 0.00%

Reshaping surface
Vertical interval between structures (m): 0.3-0.5
Spacing between structures (m): 3-4
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.2-0.3
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.3
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.25
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.5

Structural measure: diversion ditch / cut-off drain
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.3-0.5
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 1-3
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 500-2000
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.30
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 1-2

Construction material (earth): blocks, ridges and furrow

Construction material (stone): the diversion ditch

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 3%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is: 1%

Lateral gradient along the structure: 0%

For water harvesting: the ratio between the area where the harvested water is applied and the total area from which water is collected is: 1:100

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

ETH Birr

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

8.5

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Land preparation/tillage/harrowing	Vegetative	Dry season
2.	Planting	Vegetative	Onset of rains
3.	Weeding and cultivation	Vegetative	During rains
4.	Manuring	Vegetative	Retrait des pluies
5.	Mulching	Vegetative	Withdrawal of rains
6.	Clearing	Structural	Dry season
7.	Ploughing and harrowing	Structural	Dry season
8.	Construction of field ditches	Structural	Before the on set of rains
9.	Constructing temporary head work for diversion	Structural	Dry season
10.	Construction of blocks, ridge and basins	Structural	Onset of rains

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	253.0	253.0	100.0
Equipment	Tools	ha	1.0	24.0	24.0	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	ha	1.0	106.0	106.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					383.0

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 30 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	First tillage	Agronomic	Dry season / each cropping season
2.	Second tillage	Agronomic	Dry season / each cropping season
3.	Ridge basin formation	Agronomic	Onset of rains / each cropping season
4.	Planting	Agronomic	Early rains / annual
5.	Weeding & cultivation	Agronomic	During rains / growimg period
6.	Land fertilizing	Vegetative	During rains / before sowing
7.	Repair of blocks	Vegetative	Dry season /1-2
8.	Repair of diversion canals	Vegetative	Dry season /1-2
9.	Planting and replanting	Vegetative	After rain /1-2
10.	Maintaining of fence	Vegetative	Dry season /1
11.	Repair breaks in diversion canal	Structural	Before onset of rain/as needed
12.	Maintain diversion head works		Before onset of rain/1-2
13.	Repair breaks on ridges and blocks		Before onset of rain/1-2

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	Labour	ha	1.0	450.0	450.0	100.0
Equipment	Tools	ha	1.0	64.0	64.0	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	ha	1.0	300.0	300.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					814.0

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: Oxen plough, Dengora, Shovel

length of the diversion ditch and considering 0.5 ha of the land is planted by fruit trees and 0.5 ha planted with vegetables

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

labour required for the diversion ditch, block making and irrigation channels is high

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: Low (ranked 1), medium and very low (both ranked 2)
Soil drainage/infiltration: Good
Soil water storage capacity: Low (ranked 1), very low and medium (both ranked 2)

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 50-100 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 2% - 3%
40% of the land users are average wealthy.
40% of the land users are poor.
10% of the land users are poor.
Off-farm income specification: no big difference is observed between the average/better of and the poor in this regard.
Level of mechanization: Animal traction (gentle slopes are cultivated by animal traction, ranked 1) and manual work (steep slopes and land between narrow terraces are cultivated manual, ranked 2)
Market orientation: Subsistence (Sorgum for domestic use, ranked 1) and mixed (ranked 2)

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

Land use rights:

• individual

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Other ecological impacts

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

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	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:

Le bénéfice net est positif à cause de l’augmentation rapide de la production

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 land user’s view
Increase the income of farmers (vegetables + fruits) How can they be sustained / enhanced? more diversified fruit and vegetable varieties to be introduced.
Increase in productivity of land How can they be sustained / enhanced? access to credit services

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Enhancing of the rainfall multiplier effect How can they be sustained / enhanced? frequent maintenance of the diversion ditches and field canals, blocks.
Good seed bed preparation enhancing germination and growth How can they be sustained / enhanced? levelling of land to be further continued and enhanced.
Reduction of water losses by means of mulching How can they be sustained / enhanced? effective mulching to reduce evapotranspiration should be strengthened
Facilitate formation of cooperatives and group work How can they be sustained / enhanced? more coopratives established and strengthen their management systems
Performing timely activities in the appropriate time

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?
Lack of market	Organize marketing outlets
Earily perishable	Arrange proper storage system
Perte de terres (à cause des structures de conservation)	compensée par le bénéfice de la production augmentée
Inaccessibilité des marchés

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Increased labour constraints: construction of diversion ditches, preparation of irrigation basin and spreading the runoff water and regular maintenance / reconstruction of structures is very labour intensive	providing improved farm tools could improve efficiency of operation, organising farmers in groups for sharing labor would curtail labor problems; Placing permanent structures at the iversion head (concrete) and paving ditches to improve channel stability would reduce maintenance activities.
Social inequity: mainly better-off farmers apply the technology (due to high costs)	providing credit solves financial problems and facilitating market would motivate land users to get more engaged in the business.
Loss of land (through conservation structures	is outweighed by the high production benefits.

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Danano D. 2008 (unpublished): Soil and Water Conservation Practices for Sustainable Land Management in Ethiopia. Ethiocat.