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)

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

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

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

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)

Increasing environmental awareness using comic-style illustrations as a … [Madagascar]

Communicating and transferring scientific results and recommendations about sustainable land management to local people

• Compiler: Tobias Feldt
• 12/23/2015 midnight

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Propagation of “samata” cuttings for long-term provision of supplementary livestock fodder to reduce the pressure on natural vegetation.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The succulent evergreen tree Euphorbia stenoclada (“samata”) is the most important dry season fodder resource on the coastal plains grazing grounds in the Mahafaly Plateau region. To increase production, samata can be vegetatively propagated with cuttings raised in a nursery. The advantages are: (a) protection against livestock, (b) selection of the most appropriate planting stock to propagate and (c) easy watering. Cuttings should only be taken from mature trees 7-10 years old and 3-4 m high. The mother plants should be healthy, with few spines, and no previous cuttings taken. Cuttings are taken at the upper nodes of the branches, approximately 20-25 cm long and 0.5-1.5 cm diameter. Transport of the cuttings to the nursery should be carried out in the morning to avoid heat. For effective rooting, the cutting is planted 5 cm (1-2 nodes) into a humid substrate in a plastic pot or directly into the ground. Best results are achieved using white sea sand mixed with some organic material. Cuttings should be raised in a sunny location. During the first 15 days, the cuttings need to be watered once every morning. For the next 3-4 months, they need watering every second morning. 24 hours before transplantation from the nursery to the final destination, the cuttings should be abundantly watered. Rooted cuttings are transplanted into pits of 10 cm diameter and 15 cm depth, filled with the same substrate as used in the nursery. For 15 days, the transplants are watered on a daily basis, and afterwards every second day. After 30-45 days, the transplants are ready to survive without further care. If the planting location is open to roaming livestock, the cuttings need protection.

Purpose of the Technology: The samata tree naturally reproduces by seeds as well as by vegetative reproduction. However the German funded SULAMA research project has had most success with multiplication of the local variety with cuttings. This form of propagation is preferable as it is much faster and gives higher survival rates of the individuals: neither does it need much planting material, equipment or technical knowledge. Providing the villagers with the know-how, and assisting them to create local samata-nurseries, makes this technology promising. SuLaMa-WWF started this technique in April 2015, establishing 5 nurseries with 2,000 trees each (3 with village communities, 2 with local schools).

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: On the coastal plain of the Mahafaly plateau region, the climatic and edaphic conditions do not support livestock raising based mainly on grasses. For 6-7 months, the herders are dependent on supplementary fodder plants, especially samata. The tree is fed by cutting its branches and slicing them. However pressure on this resource has led to depletion of stocks around many villages: this results from increasing demand and reduced supply. Higher demand is the result of changed herd movements, especially a shorter transhumance period. Lower supply is attributed to decreased precipitation, overuse of trees leading to poor regeneration or even the death of trees, and reduced samata areas due to the expansion of private crop fields. The overuse of trees is triggered by the overall scarcity of this resource as well as an ongoing privatization of the historically common land resources.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

Country:

Madagascar

Region/ State/ Province:

Atsimo-Andrefana, Toliara

Further specification of location:

Toliara II, Beheloka

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

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

• 10-100 km2

Comments:

Application ongoing, the envisaged implementation area might be up to 1,000 km².

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

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:

• during experiments/ research
• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Project started with experimental trials of multiplication by cuttings in February 2014, first capacity development for land users through workshops on propagation technique in May 2015.

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

Cropland

• Annual cropping
• Tree and shrub cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - maize
• root/tuber crops - sweet potatoes, yams, taro/cocoyam, other
• root/tuber crops - cassava

Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:

• fodder trees (Calliandra, Leucaena leucocephala, Prosopis, etc.)

• cactus, Euphorbbia stenoclada, samata trees

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period from month to month: June - September

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:

• Semi-nomadic pastoralism

Intensive grazing/ fodder production:

• Cut-and-carry/ zero grazing

Comments:

Major cash crop annual cropping: Maize
Major food crop annual cropping: Cassava
Other crops annual cropping: Sweet potato
Major cash crop tree/shrub cropping: Samata (Euphorbia stenoclada)
Other crops tree/shrub cropping: Cactus

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): : Climatic constraints (especially low and erratic precipitation), deforestation, forest degradation, soil degradation, overgrazing, loss of arable land, fragmentation, low availability of surface and (very saline) ground water, privatization of common pool resources.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Climatic constraints, loss of arable land, low availability of animal fodder, soil degradation, low availability of surface and (very saline) ground water.

Semi-nomadism / pastoralism: Yes

Cut-and-carry/ zero grazing: Yes

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: samata trees are both found on the grazing area (naturally), as well as on agricultural fields (naturally, transplanted). Main reason for transplanting to fields however not shade/other positive interaction with crops, but for property rights reasons.

Livestock density: 1-10 LU /km2

3.4 Water supply

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

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds

• Propagation of fodder plants

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

• V1: Tree and shrub cover

Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures

Type of vegetative measures: in blocks

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

biological degradation

• Bc: reduction of vegetation cover
• Bh: loss of habitats
• Bq: quantity/ biomass decline

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Bc: reduction of vegetation cover, Bq: quantity / biomass decline

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Bh: loss of habitats

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (Slash&burn, charcoal production, overgrazing and grazing in forests), overgrazing (overexploitation of samata-trees), change of seasonal rainfall, droughts, other natural causes (avalanches, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, highly susceptible natural resources, extreme topography, etc.) specify (cyclones), population pressure (ca. 3% / year), poverty / wealth (Extreme poverty, subsistence and low economic development), education, access to knowledge and support services (limited access to improved tecniques for agriculture and livestock keeping)

Secondary causes of degradation: crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (Non-optimized crops), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (Overexploitation of wild plants), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts), wind storms / dust storms, land tenure (privatization of formerly open access rangeland leading to increased pressure on still open access samata-trees), inputs and infrastructure: (roads, markets, distribution of water points, other, …), war and conflicts (armed cattle rustling on neighboring plateau let to new transhumance pattern towards implementation region, thus higher pressure on fodder resources), governance / institutional (limited access to improved tecniques for agriculture and livestock keeping)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Comments:

Main goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation, rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Multiplication of samata trees through cuttings preferably in the cold season from June to August: (1) Selection of suitable mother plants: adult trees 7-10 years old, 3-4 m high, good phytosanitary condition, low in spines, without previous cuttings taken (2) Taking cuttings with a sharp knife at the upper nodes of the branches, approximately 20-25 cm long and 0.5-1.5 cm in diameter. To ensure the survival of the mother tree, at least 10 branches should remain uncut. Transportation of the cuttings to the nursery takes place preferably in the early morning to avoid heat. (3) Daily care of cuttings in nurseries till the roots are well-established. The cuttings are planted 5 cm deep (1-2 nodes) into a humid substrate in a plastic bag or pot, filled with a substrate of white ocean sand mixed with some organic material, for example dung (75% sand, 25% dung). During the first 15 days, the cuttings need to be watered once every morning. For the next 3-4 months, they need watering every second morning. Shade has to be avoided. (4) Transplanting cuttings: 24 hours before transplanting, the cuttings need to be abundantly watered. The rooted cuttings are transplanted into holes of 10 cm diameter and 15 cm depth, filled with the same substrate used in
the nursery. For 15 days, the transplants are watered on a daily basis, and afterwards every second day. After 30-45 days, the transplants will be ready to survive without any further human attention.

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: low

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: increase of biomass (quantity)

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs

In blocks
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 300
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 5
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 5
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.3

Trees/ shrubs species: Euphorbbia stenoclada, planted cuttings (artificial vegetative multiplication)

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 0%

Gradient along the rows / strips: 0%

Author:

RATOVONAMANA R. Yeddiya, UNIVERSITE D’ANTANANARIVO FACULTE DES SCIENCES DEPARTEMENT DE BIOLOGIE ET ECOLOGIE VEGETALES

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Madagascar-Ariary

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

3227.0

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 4.5 month(s)

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

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: knives, scissors, shovels, watering cans

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The multiplication of samata trees comprise labour costs mainly. The time spent watering the cuttings is the most significant.
There are no maintenance costs, as after transplantation to final destination and watering for some month, there are no yearly recurring activities.

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 fertility is very low
Soil drainage/infiltration is good
Soil water storage capacity is very low

5.4 Water availability and quality

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users
Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 3% - 4%
1% of the land users are rich.
9% of the land users are average wealthy.
20% of the land users are poor.
70% of the land users are poor.
Off-farm income specification: business, trade, temporary labour migration, charcoal making
Market orientation cropland production system: Subistence (self-supply) (agriculture with annual food shortages and some off-farm income) and mixed (subsistence and commercial) (livestock mainly used for selling and thus getting some cash in order to buy food or other aims)
Market orientation grazing land production system: Mixed (subsistence and commercial) (samata has become an importan local cash crop, selling of annual harvesting rights to livestock owners )

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

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

Land ownership:

• state

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Comments:

Land devoted by the communities for crop production belong to clans/lineages and their members (individual, untitled), while land devoted to grazing is an open access common pool resource, but currently undergoing an unregulated privatization process.

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

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Other ecological impacts

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

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

Climatological disasters

Hydrological disasters

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

Comments on acceptance with external material support: Knowledge transfer of new technology has just started recently

Comments on spontaneous adoption: Knowledge transfer of new technology has just started recently

There is no trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Knowledge transfer of new technology has just started recently

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Johanna Goetter and Regina Neudert (2016) New rules are not rules: Privatization of pastoral commons and local attempts at curtailment in southwest Madagascar

Available from where? Costs?

International Journal of the Commons (10:2). DOI: 10.18352/ijc.743

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Johanna Goetter et al. (2015) Degradation of the Important Fodder Tree Euphorbia stenoclada

Available from where? Costs?

Southwest Madagascar and Approaches for Improved Management. Poster presented at the conference Tropentag 2015, September 16 - 18, Berlin, Germany. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.3734.7445

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Antsonantenainarivony O. Goum (2015) Guide pratique pour la bouture de samata (Euphorbia stenoclada Baill.) dans la partie littorale de la région Sud-Ouest de Madagascar.

Available from where? Costs?

http://www.sulama.de/index.php/en/literature/reports-english.html

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Antsonantenainarivony O. Goum (2015) Guide pratique pour la bouture de samata (Euphorbia stenoclada Baill.) dans la partie littorale de la région Sud-Ouest de Madagascar.

URL:

http://www.sulama.de/index.php/en/literature/reports-english.html