Technologies

Pine Woodlot [Uganda]

Pito Yen pine

technologies_2825 - Uganda

Completeness: 84%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Key resource person(s)

land user:

Okecokon Alex

Farmer

Uganda

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)
CDE Centre for Development and Environment (CDE Centre for Development and Environment) - Switzerland

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

1.4 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

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

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

A Woodlot of Pine (Pinus caribaea) is a fast growing, tolerant tree based plantation established to address land cover depletion, soil fertility loss and soil erosion control.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

To establish this technology, the farmer excavates a hole and wait for 4-6 days to allow air that can burn the seedlings first get out and then plant the seedlings. If the planting is done during the dry season, it is important that the farmer water the seedlings regularly to avoid drying.
The activities involved in establishing this technology include: (1) Looking for suitable land to establish the technology (2) Looking for labor, and appropriate seedlings and tools to use, (3) Identifying the expert/ trainer to train on how to plant and the right spacing (4) Digging the holes (30cm deep) and waiting for 4-6 days before planting. It is important that the farmer weeds the plantation if weeds develop.
Pinus caribaea is an important forest plantation tree that is fast growing, tolerant to poor soils which don’t retain water and nutrients and often drains too well that may cause the roots to rot or fail to develop and its wood can be milled into timber, pulped or used as poles. The common inputs required for establishing such a technology include a hoe, a panga, a planting string, seedlings, and a trainer.
This technology is easy and cheap to maintain once established. It is good for timber, firewood and environmental conservation with the costs of buying seedlings and payment for labor being high at the time of establishment compared to the costs of recurrent maintenance activities.
What is not liked about this technology is that the benefits are realized after a long time. Secondly, pine is not a source of food until when it is sold and cash is used to buy food unlike fruit trees such as mangoes and oranges.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

Comments, short description:

Video on woodlot plantation in Amuru District, Northern Uganda.

Date:

25/06/2017

Location:

Amuru District, Northern Uganda

Name of videographer:

Issa

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

Country:

Uganda

Region/ State/ Province:

Northern Region,Uganda

Further specification of location:

Amuru District

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)
Comments:

Map showing technology site in Northern Uganda.

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2015

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. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • improve production
  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • conserve ecosystem
  • adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
  • create beneficial economic impact
  • create beneficial social impact

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

Forest/ woodlands

Forest/ woodlands

Products and services:
  • Timber
  • Fuelwood

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • mixed rainfed-irrigated
Comments:

When its dry.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • forest plantation management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A1: Vegetation/ soil cover
  • A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
  • A3: Soil surface treatment
  • A4: Subsurface treatment
  • A5: Seed management, improved varieties
vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V1: Tree and shrub cover
management measures

management measures

  • M1: Change of land use type
  • M2: Change of management/ intensity level
  • M3: Layout according to natural and human environment

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by wind

soil erosion by wind

  • Et: loss of topsoil
  • Ed: deflation and deposition
chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
biological degradation

biological degradation

  • Bs: quality and species composition/ diversity decline
water degradation

water degradation

  • Hp: decline of surface water quality

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation
  • adapt to land degradation
Comments:

Pine is more of timber and firewood.

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

2.5 metres within raws
3 metres between raws
10 metres between blocks
5-6 metres wide.

Author:

Kaheru

Date:

25/05/2017

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
  • per Technology area
Indicate size and area unit:

0.5 acres

other/ national currency (specify):

UGX

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

3400.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

5000 per person per day

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. lookIing for suitable land Before planting
2. Looking for tools, labour and seedlings Before planting
3. Looking for expert/trainer Before planting
4. Preparing land for planting At the time of planting
5. Digging the holes (30-60cm) During planting
6. Planting with spacing of 3m x3m During planting
7. Watering: Dry season After planting
8. Monitoring and security provision. After planting

4.4 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 10.0 5000.0 50000.0 100.0
Equipment Panga Pieces 1.0 7000.0 7000.0 100.0
Equipment Hoe Pieces 10.0 10000.0 100000.0 100.0
Equipment Panga Pieces 3.0 7000.0 21000.0 100.0
Plant material Seedlings Kgs 4000.0 2500.0 10000000.0
Construction material Bamboo- bundles Bundles 1.0 15000.0 15000.0
Other watering can Pieces 3.0 25000.0 75000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 10268000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 3020.0

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. weeding/slashing Twice a year: when still young
2. Watering During dry season: trees still young
3. Prunning Twice a year
4. Security and moniroring Daily

4.6 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 on monthly basis Persons 10.0 150000.0 1500000.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 1500000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 441.18

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Seedlings and labour takes most of the costs.

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specify average annual rainfall (if known), in mm:

1500.00

Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:
  • concave situations

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):
  • fine/ heavy (clay)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

< 5 m

Availability of surface water:

medium

Water quality (untreated):

poor drinking water (treatment required)

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • medium
Habitat diversity:
  • low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
Individuals or groups:
  • groups/ community
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
Gender:
  • women
Age of land users:
  • youth
  • middle-aged

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • small-scale

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

Land ownership:
  • group
  • individual, not titled
Land use rights:
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

wood production

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

from the planted pine trees.

forest/ woodland quality

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Due to prunning.

land management

hindered
simplified
Comments/ specify:

Slashing and weeding.

Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

for labours.

farm income

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

From the sale of timber and fuel wood.

diversity of income sources

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Timber and fuel wood.

workload

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Planting, watering, thinning and pruning and harvesting.

Ecological impacts

Soil

soil cover

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Where the pine trees are planted.

soil loss

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Due to planted trees.

soil organic matter/ below ground C

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Especially where the trees are planted and was originally degraded.

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

invasive alien species

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

Causing serious problems to natural habitat.

habitat diversity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Due to Invasive species.

Climate and disaster risk reduction

fire risk

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

If not protected with fireline.

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 increase or decrease How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature increase moderately
seasonal temperature wet/ rainy season increase moderately

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly negative

Long-term returns:

slightly positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly negative

Long-term returns:

positive

Comments:

Benefits are low in the short run and high in the long run.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • 1-10%
Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many 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
Good at providing fire wood in the short run after prunning.
The costs are low after establishment (prunning, monitoring).
Easy to establish once the seedlings are available and can easily be replicated by other farmers.
Suitable for both small scale and large farmers with similar or different land sizes.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The land user is managing the technology well and is likely to reap long term benefits (income and Timber).
The technology is easy to manage after establishment. Maintenance is not laborious.

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 is not very much appropriate for soil fertility improvement as compared to other agroforestry trees (callindra, Grivellea and Alnus). The land user need to integrate other agroforestry and fruit trees in the technology.
The technology is costly in terms of securing seedlings. The land user has to travel long distances 15km to buy the seedlings. The land user can be trained on how to raise her own seedlings.
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
The benefits of the technology are long term and may not help the land user to meet urgent needs (school fees, medical care etc) The land user need to look at other alternative sources of income which are short term and multi-purpose e.g integrate tree planting with livestock for milk, manure and other benefits.
The benefits of the technology are long term from 5 to 10 years. Explore alternatives and integrate other sources of income which are short term and multi-purpose but also good at addressing land degradation problems e.g poultry keeping.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys

1

  • interviews with land users

2

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

25/05/2017

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