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)

Centre Ecologique Albert Schweitzer (CEAS) - Switzerland

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

12/05/2017

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:

Under groundwater is abstracted by excavating water abstraction points for livestock production.
Waterhole is excavated for abstracting underground water for watering livestock as well as irrigating crops during the dry season.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Farming in rural Northern Uganda is vulnerable to climate variability and drought in particular since it overwhelmingly depends on rainfall. Thus, innovative small scale farmers there resort to underground water resources to further their agricultural and water resources are sustained naturally through recharge. The mechanism used is in accessing underground water resources is termed underground water obstruction and involves excavation of structures such as open wells, soak pits, and recharge shaft/ trenches of 2-6 m deep hole, which is manually dug from the ground to allow water to come up (see Figure below).
Underground water abstraction is done by excavating a hole in the ground to reach water underground . A 2-6 m deep hole is manually dug in the ground/ soil to allow water to collect and come up. The hole is shaped in such a way that water does not flow out, and the top is covered to keep the water in the hole protected from contamination. The opening is covered with local materials like poles, bamboo stems (Bamboo aridinarifolia), etc. Water flows into the hole through various methods of groundwater recharge such as open wells, soak pits, and recharge shaft/ trench.
The activities involved in establishing such a underground water hole include (1) identifying suitable site for digging the hole, (2) looking for trainer or expert to advise on how to dig and cover the hole, (3) looking for labor, and tools (e.g. hoes, spades, poles, etc.), (4) digging the hole to a depth of about 2-6 m, depending on the level of water table, (5) protect the hole with bamboo or wood to ensure hygiene and from people falling in.
The returns derived from this technology include: an effective alternative water source during the dry season which is used for crop irrigation (e.g. maize – Zea mays; cabbage - Brassica oleracea) and for livestock production/ watering.
This technology is most preferred because it is cheap, affordable and easy to maintain. The only costs are at the establishment phase. Its main challenge is that it can be contaminated when managed poorly. To ensure this, the farmer needs to keep in contact with the land user to ensure maximum proper management of the hole to minimise contamination.
In terms of impacts, the technology provides an effective alternative water source during the dry season, which is used majorly for livestock and irrigating crops.
Because the technology is promoted as a supplementary water source for the dry season, during the wet season grass may grow on top of the protected hole. Before its use in the dry season the land user removes the grass before abstracting the well water for livestock or crop production.
The resources required for establishing and maintaining this technology include knowledge of suitable sites for the technology, expert advice on construction of the structure, labour, and tools (e.g. hoes, spades, poles, etc.).
This technology is liked by farmers because it is fairly inexpensive and easy to maintain. It may be considered costly are at the establishment level but in the long run, the returns are worth the investment. The other concern is that it can be contaminated when managed poorly.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos 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:

2016

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

• improve production
• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
• reduce risk of disasters
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• mitigate climate change and its impacts

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

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

crop land

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

Irrigated with the harvested water.

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

During the dry season because this is the appropriate time whe there are no rains.

Livestock density (if relevant):

Not relevant

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• integrated crop-livestock management
• water harvesting
• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

Comments:

Established far distant from the homes and near the streams.

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:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

Comments:

Through water erosion

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Sinking the hole should be at least between 2-6m deep depending on the level of the water table established on a gentle sloping.

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Identification of suitable site for establishing the hole	Management	Once /before establishment
2.	Look for the expert to train how toLook for the expert to train how to make the hole and cover make	Management	Once before establishment
3.	look for labour to dig the hole	Management	Before establishment
4.	buy inputs required ( hoes, spades, poles / bamboo	Agronomic	During establishment
5.	sinking of the pit hole at least 2-6m deep depending on the level of the water table	Structural	During establishment
6.	protect the hole with Bamboo and poles but ensure you leave some space for water scooping.	Management	After estabiishment

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	Persons	5.0	5000.0	25000.0
Equipment	Hoe	Pieces	1.0	10000.0	10000.0
Equipment	Spade	Pieces	1.0	10000.0	10000.0
Equipment	Poles	Pieces	100.0	200.0	20000.0
Plant material	Bamboo	Pieces	1.0	10000.0	10000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					75000.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Fencing	Structural	After establishment
2.	Slashing	Management	After establishment
3.	Hygiene inspection	Management	Routine / Daily - before and after establishment

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 for fencing	Persons	2.0	5000.0	10000.0
Labour	Labour for slashing	Persons	2.0	5000.0	10000.0
Labour	Labour for Hygiene inspection (monthly)	Persons	3.0	2000.0	6000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					26000.0

Comments:

The costs of maintenance are higher than establishment due to the daily routine costs.Hygiene inspection does not require alot of labour.It only requires more routine inspection.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Hygiene inspection.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• concave situations

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

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:

• communal/ village

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Comments:

Have community management rules

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

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	not well at all
seasonal temperature	winter	increase	not well at all

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:

The difference is only with the hygiene inspection costs. low at establishment but high at hygiene inspection which is routine

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

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

• 0-10%

6.6 Adaptation

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

Yes

If yes, indicate to which changing conditions it was adapted:

• climatic change/ extremes

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

Adding Bamboo to cover the top in addition to poles.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The technology provides Constant water supply for livestock production during the dry season.
Its cost effective and affordable by the local communities. Once established the costs of maintenance just slightly goes high due to routine inspection.
It can be replicated and used by other farmers in other areas.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The technology is effective in minimising water wastage and enhancing water access during the dry season but is established over along distance 3-5 km from the land user.

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?
The technology requires routine labour for inspection and technical know how.	Training on hygiene inspection.
Dangerous to roaming animals and people when they fall in.	Protection using a berbed wire fence or using local local materials (wood).

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Not fenced. The fence was removed.	Fencing to protect animals .
Need strong bylaw on under groundwater management.	Facilitate formulation and implementation of bylaw on under groundwater management.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information