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)

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

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

Valley floor paddey cultivation through traditional system [Bangladesh]

The traditional approach of valley floor terraced rice cultivation at individual household level for their subsistance.

• Compiler: Niaz Ahmed Khan
• 12/31/2008 midnight

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Valley floor cultivation practiced by the rehabilitated tribal farmers through intensifying cultivation.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

This technology is designed to maximize the land utilization through rice cultivation on terraced valley floor. Food production for household consumption is the main purpose of this technology. In additrion to this optimum utilization of underutilized valley floor is other purpose. The earlier vegetations were composed of cane, garjan, jarul and other bushy species. Usually the valley floor is slashed and cleared followed by levelling and modification of the natural terraces. The hill slope edges are cut to widen the cultivable area. The valley floor is opened at one end with a small outlet. The soil of the valley is sandy loam belonging to Brown Hill Soil with moderate fertility receiving high rainfall.

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Bangladesh

Region/ State/ Province:

Chittagong Hill Tracts

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, specify area covered (in km2):

0.4

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• 0.1-1 km2

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.4 km2.

This technology originally started about 1960 then taken up more intensively from 2000.

Map

×

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 origin is debated but one view is that it has come from migrants from the plain of greater Chittagong districts. (Recent - <10years)

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production

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

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• vegetables - other

• Aaus paddy

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120; Longest growing period from month to month: Dec - Mar; Second longest growing period in days: 90; Second longest growing period from month to month: Jun - Aug

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Excessive and unjustified use of productive land; forests clearing, conversion to human habitation and associated soil erosion.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Water erosion, shade effects on crop production, very limited crop land, biotic interferance (illicit logging)

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: Boro - fellow - aman. Ocassionally Aaus paddy or limited vegetables is also tried/cultivated.

3.4 Water supply

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

structural measures

• S1: Terraces

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wg: gully erosion/ gullying

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

taka

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

59.0

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 0 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

Comments:

Area of paddy field/ local land unit is called Khani which equals 100 decimal

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour shortage, animal shortaged, extreme humidity

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 depth on average: Deposited (soil) area

Soil fertility is medium: Generally the valley floor is fertile due to deposition of the nutrients washed from the valley.

Soil drainage / infiltration is medium since it changes between water logged and well drained situations.

Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: < 10 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 1% - 2%

16% of the land users are rich and own 30% of the land (Above 10 acres.).
29% of the land users are average wealthy and own 35% of the land (Between >5 but <10 acres.).
55% of the land users are poor and own 35% of the land (The farmers who enjoy the right over 5 acres of land.).

Off-farm income specification: Basically the technology is concentrated on paddy cultivation and rice straw is the by product, which is used for livestock rearing.

Level of mechanization: Animal traction is required during the cultivation only.

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• individual

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%

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

13 households covering 5 percent of stated area.

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

• 91-100%

Comments:

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

Comments on spontaneous adoption: survey results

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

7.1 Methods/ sources of information