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 Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) - Uganda

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

22/01/2018

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:

Small scale irrigation system for pasture production. This is practiced by a farmer who effectively utilized a swamp by constructing a relatively small water reservoir for watering pastures during dry season to ensure continuous pasture production all year around.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Small scale irrigation system for pasture production is the artificial supply of water to areas for agricultural use; in this case water is supplied to pasture land. It’s practiced by a cattle farmer in Kyegwemera Village Kyegegwa District in western Uganda who effectively utilized the swamp by constructing a relatively small water reservoir for watering pastures during the dry season to ensure continuous pasture production all year round.
This irrigation project was initiated and partially financed by the local government and is used as training ground for the various farmer groups interested in adoption of the technology; as technical guidance in popularizing farmer-managed smallholder irrigation systems. Also training of district staff members and other stakeholders in irrigation technology, the sustainable utilization and management of wetlands. More so, the monitoring and evaluation progress in irrigation activities in liaison with district specialists also increases development of this technology and its adoption in the district.
With support from local government, the farmer was able to construct the irrigation site to boost pasture production for his 9 dairy cattle grazed on the farm. The irrigation water reservoir has a size of 25 feet long by 10 feet wide of his total land area of 22 acres. The water reservoir has a holding capacity of approx. 25.000 liters.
This system has a small pump with the capacity of 25000 litres/h and is able to irrigate up to 5 hectares. The motorized pump is used to pump water from the swamp into an open water reservoir which is later pumped or supplied to the pastures. The water is also used for drinking for the animals.
From the irrigated fields, fodder yields are stable and reliable to meet production targets hence reduced fluctuations in year-to-year yields and reduced pasture failure during drought. With this system yields from irrigated pastures are expected to increase up to two to three (2-3) time’s higher hence increased pasture yield. In addition, irrigation enhances continuous cultivation due to available irrigation equipment like pumps and other ancillary equipment.
Establishment of the irrigation system cost two million seven hundred seventy thousand shillings only (2,770,000=); for reservoir construction labor, spade, bricks, sand, clay, fuel, servicing frequent pump breakdown, construction cement, water proof cement and generator. The system is simple to install and easy to use. The small-scale irrigation project addresses problems that have been caused by both severe and recurring drought and increasing desertification. However, majority of farmers are illiterate and lack basic knowledge of water requirements, irrigation scheduling, skills in maintaining and operating the pumps. This affects yields, as crops are either over or under-irrigated, leading to wastage of the little available water. Erosion is also a serious problem during the rainy season in addition to continuous cultivation and reduced fertility issues.

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

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The district local government partially funded the construction of the system to serve as a demo site for the other farmers in the area.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies

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:

Grazing land

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

• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)
• wetland protection/ management

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

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• not applicable

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Reservoir size is length 25 feet, width 10 feet.
Depth can be between 3 feet and 9 feet, depending on the water requirement.
Lateral gradient of structure is flat.
Space between structure and plants is 2 meters.
Capacity of the dam is approximately 25.000 liters (at 3 feet depth).

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):

Uganda shillings

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

3650.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Clearing the area	Management	Once
2.	Pumping the water	Management	Once
3.	Constructing the reservior	Structural	Once
4.	Acquiring a motorized pump	Management	Once

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:

2770000.0

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Labor	Person-days	5.0	200000.0	1000000.0	50.0
Equipment	Hoes	Piece	2.0	10000.0	20000.0	100.0
Equipment	Spade	Piece	2.0	10000.0	20000.0	100.0
Equipment	Motorized pump	Piece	1.0	350000.0	350000.0	50.0
Construction material	Bricks	Pieces	3000.0	150.0	450000.0	50.0
Construction material	Sand	Tone	1.0	160000.0	160000.0	50.0
Construction material	Clay	Tone	1.0	50000.0	50000.0	100.0
Construction material	Construction cement	bags	10.0	32000.0	320000.0	50.0
Construction material	Water proof cement	bags	10.0	40000.0	400000.0	50.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					2770000.0

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

Kyegegwa District local government

Comments:

The system was partially financed by the local government

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Cleaning the reservoir	Management	Daily
2.	Treating the water	Management	Daily
3.	Servicing the motorized pump	Management	Monthly
4.	Buying fuel	Management	Daily

Comments:

The water is cleaned to prevent blockage of the water pipes and because sometimes the farmer gives it to the cows to drink.

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:

1246000.0

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Labor	Person-days	1.0	1000000.0	1000000.0	100.0
Equipment	Servicing motorized pump	Piece	3.0	50000.0	150000.0	100.0
Equipment	Fuel	Liters	32.0	3000.0	96000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					1246000.0

Comments:

Maintenance cost estimated on yearly basis

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour

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 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:

• individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	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)?

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?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Continuous pasture production
Steady water supply all through the seasons
Increase in pasture yields

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Quite a good innovation
Natural resource utilisation

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?
Establishment is quite expensive	Government Agricultural bodies should take part in supporting farmers to help farmers establish such systems even for other crops other than pastures
Maintenance is relatively expensive

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Apart from the environmental risks; large-scale irrigation projects are also costly, not only in terms of capital expenditure, but also in terms of recurrent expenditures for the operation and maintenance of such systems. Such costs pose tremendous difficulties for the sustainability of irrigation schemes. Furthermore, the introduction of irrigation can also lead to inequities in the social context.
Irrigation tends to increase land prices, which may lead to marginal farmers being bought out and landless tenants displaced.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Irrigation Techniques for Small-scale Farmers, Martin Smith, Giovanni Muñoz and Javier Sanz Alvarez, FAO 2014, ISBN 978-92-5-108326

Available from where? Costs?

Internet

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

The Advantages of Small Scale Irrigation Schemes

URL:

http://publications.iwmi.org/pdf/H010663.pdf