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)

Scaling-up SLM practices by smallholder farmers (IFAD)

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

National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) - Lao People's Democratic Republic

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

16/05/2017

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:

Mai Sangphai (Bambusa oldhamii) planting technique for soil erosion control along river bank due to soil fixation by deep and widespread roots during rainy season when there are high water levels and increased flow velocity

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

During the rainy season when the rivers’ water levels are high and there is an increase in the velocity of the water flow, the Bambusa oldhamii (giant timber bamboo) has been especially selected to be grown along river banks because of its deep root system which effectively binds the soil thereby controlling soil erosion along river banks.
During the annual rainy season between July – October in Vangyang village (Phouvong district, Attapue province) the region experiences intense rainfall ranging from 2,500-3,000 mm/year (source: The Phouvong District Hydrology and Meteorology Office). Soil erosion occurs along riverbanks, with the end effect of gradually widening the river bed. It can be noted that the river banks in Vangyang village have already eroded by two meters which has resulted in the loss of agricultural land that was previously used to cultivate bananas and sugarcane. In order to counteract this development some of the land users initiated the planting Bambusa oldhamii on riverbanks in 2007. This strain of bamboo was selected because people could observe that the natural bamboo forest growing on opposite side of the river to their land experienced minimal soil erosion as the deep root system was able to successfully secure the soil along these stream banks. On top, Bambuse oldhamii has delicious shoots (which are consumed by land users) and less thorns compared to other wild bamboo species.
The application of this technology involves the following:
• The site should be selected along the stream banks especially where the risk of erosion is occurring. Bamboo should be planted approximately 3 meters from the edge of the bank. Bamboo is grown to protect the bank on one side of the stream from soil erosion whilst the other side of the stream is protected by natural bamboo species.
• Land preparation involves the clearance of bush around the planting pits.
• Bamboo rhizomes (Bambusa oldhamii) should be gathered locally from the parent plants. This should amount to approximately 120 healthy one-year old rhizomes each having a considerable number of feeder roots with a length of 60 to 70cm.
Forty holes measuring 50cm x 50cm and 50 cm depth should be dug in a row leaving a gap of 5 meters between each hole along the stream bank when the bamboo’s rhizome grow up it will be cover the gap for few meters from pits ( it will take about 4-5 years). After the land has been prepared 2-3 bamboo rhizomes should be replanted in each of the holes. The refilling of the holes with soil and watering should take about one day. Planting can be undertaken in January (dry season) because soil texture in dry season is less sensitive to erosion. This is a suitable time for bamboo as the roots will propagate faster. In the dry season watering needs to be done twice a week until the rhizomes establish new roots and stems. Generally, the bamboo will grow 4-5 new stems during the first year after having been replanted, but at this stage it is still unable to protect the banks from erosion. Some vegetation around the pits has been cleared before replanting and leave some vegetation on the edge to minimize erosion when the bamboo trees still young. When the bamboo is about 2-3 years old, it will be able to grow up to three times the amount of additional stems compared to its output in the first year. At this time the bamboo’s root system is able to expand more widely and deeply which helps to bind the soil and thereby it protects the stream banks from erosion during high water levels. (They left the bush and some vegetation on the edge of the stream, clearance of bush around the planting pits only) . Bamboo has multiple benefits: In fact, the older bamboo is able to provide a greater amount of protection and the bamboo shoots can either be consumed or sold by the land owners. Furthermore the bamboo culms can be used or sold for the manufacture of a variety of handicrafts. Bamboo enhances the micro-organisms habitat living in Rhizosphere (high biological activity and high nutrient availability) of the roots system and maintains the soil moisture throughout the year. The decaying bamboo leaves become a natural compost. The land owners are therefore very content and are willing to recommend the technology to their neighbors who also own land along the stream banks. The weaknesses: (1) Once the bamboo expands and grows into clumps it becomes the habitat of mosquitoes and snakes and thus weeding is required. (2) Bamboo leaves that have fallen into the water decay afterwards and deteriorate the water quality, and therefore it is recommended to cut back old branches before the leaves have the opportunity to fall into the stream.

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

Indicate year of implementation:

2007

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 land users' innovation

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• reduce risk of disasters
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts

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

3.3 Further information about land use

other (e.g. post-flooding):

• Not require water

Comments:

Because it use water from river where they has planted

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• surface water management (spring, river, lakes, sea)
• ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

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

Bamboo is planted between the agricultural land (near the house) along the riverbank and on the other side of the river is natural bamboo and forest
Spacing between bamboo trees is 5 m
The planting holes a diameter of 50 cm and a depth of 50 cm. Distance from river edge is about 3 m
This technique is conducted in flat areas along river side
Species used is Bambusa oldhamii (Mai Sangphai )

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

other/ national currency (specify):

kip

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

8000.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Collect Bamboo rhizomes (Bambusa oldhamii) from the parent plants (120 healthy one-year old rhizomes each)	Management	December
2.	preparing the planting area: clear bushes	Structural	December
3.	Dig the planting pits	Agronomic	January
4.	planting Bamboo rhizomes, refill pits with earth	Agronomic	January
5.	Water the plants (twice a week until the rhizomes establish new roots and stems).	Management

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	Labor	person-day	5.0	50000.0	250000.0	100.0
Equipment	Hoe	piece	3.0	50000.0	150000.0	100.0
Equipment	Knife	piece	3.0	35000.0	105000.0	100.0
Equipment	shovel	piece	2.0	25000.0	50000.0	100.0
Plant material	Rhizome variety	Rhizome	120.0	3000.0	360000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					915000.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Weeding around planting area (between bamboo stems)	Management	Once a month
2.	Replace the dead rhizome	Management	Once a 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	Labor	person-day	1.0	50000.0	50000.0	100.0
Plant material	Rhizome variety	Rhizome	5.0	3000.0	15000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					65000.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labor for maintenance is the most important effect to the cost

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

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:

• open access (unorganized)

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

Climate and disaster risk reduction

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?
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	decrease	moderately

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%

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

• 90-100%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Helps to protect the soil from erosion
The bamboo shoots can be consumed as well as sold, and the bamboo culms can also be sold for the manufacture of handicrafts
Enhances the micro-organisms habitat living in Rhizoshere (high biological activity and high nutrient availability) of the roots system

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Bamboo has a considerable number of roots which help to effectively bind the soil

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?
Once the bamboo expands and grows into clumps it becomes the habitat of mosquitoes and snakes	thus weeding is required;
the falling leaves in water decay and deteriorate water quality,	thus it is recommended to trip old branches before its leaves fall down into streams.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information