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Technologies
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Combined herding for planned grazing [Namibia]

Omarisiro wovinamuinjo motjimbumba

technologies_3326 - Namibia

Completeness: 92%

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)

SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:
Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Southern African Science Service Centre for climate change and Adaptive Land management (SASSCAL)
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Namibia University of Science and Technology ( NUST) - Namibia
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Conservation Agriculture Namibia (Conservation Agriculture Namibia) - Namibia

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:

Daily combining of livestock from all households into a single herd to be driven to different designated portions of the communal grazing area. Grass can then recover by replenishing its reserves before being re-grazed some months later.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

This technology is currently being applied in communal areas as well as commercial farms of Namibia. It is particularly effective in areas with no fences, and areas with high incidence of stock theft and predator losses. The technology aims to replace continuous, open grazing with a planned system. This gives grass a chance to recover in the growing season, and prepares the soil and grass for the forthcoming rainy season. In addition, fixed stocking rates based on carrying capacities are replaced by flexible stocking rates which track availability of forage. Two grazing plans are developed for one year; one when perennial grasses are growing and the other when they are dormant. Grazing plans may change, depending on the season and unanticipated events such as fire. A grazing plan is put in place for the growing season, that ensures plants are not re-grazed before they have recovered their root reserves. It is targeted at good animal performance . In the non-growing season, animal numbers are adjusted to ensure that there is sufficient grass to last until the next rains .
The grazing plans must take into account all factors that affect livestock performance as well as capacity of the livestock owner . These factors include occurrence of the first rains, presence of natural water pans, current and projected animal performance, availability of good quality forage for cows prior to bulling, avoiding poisonous plants, and timing of vaccinations, etc. Once the plan has been developed, the animals are moved by herders using low stress handling techniques to various parts of the farm or communal grazing area, according to the plan. Strategic moving of livestock by herding enables fire breaks to be created by deliberate over trampling. Each night the livestock are brought back to a kraal ( Afrikaans for corral) where they are kept overnight. Watering of livestock can take place in the kraal at night, in the morning, or alternatively in the field depending on water availability. This process is repeated day after day by the herders.
At the end of each growing season, the amount of forage available to the current herd is estimated. Animal numbers are adjusted to make sure that there is still sufficient forage to support them before the rains – and to leave enough ground cover to feed the soil organisms and protect the soil from erosion. Deciding when the forage produced will run out needs to be done using a method that livestock owners relate to. Livestock owners may decide to meet and reach consensus on this based on their knowledge and past experience of the effectiveness of rainfall. If it is decided that there is sufficient food to see the animals through until the next rains, then livestock owners will be satisfied; if there is excess forage they may be able to re-stock. If, however, a forage shortage is expected then de-stocking is required: the severity of the forage shortage determines how many livestock can be carried on the land during the off-season. Again, livestock owners can reach consensus on this. Deciding whose animals to sell and how many is always a thorny issue, so livestock owners will always move excess livestock to other areas if possible, or alternatively sell unproductive animals.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

Comments, short description:

Combined herding to manage communal grazing
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNyFkDUH6MQ

Date:

2007

Location:

Erora

Name of videographer:

Andrew Botelle

Comments, short description:

Stress-free herding
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ey5v40KtkI

Date:

2007

Location:

Erora

Name of videographer:

Andrew Botelle

Comments, short description:

Managing water flow to repair gully erosion
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C4V_Cib8ts

Date:

23/04/2015

Location:

Erora

Name of videographer:

Andrew Botelle

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

Country:

Namibia

Region/ State/ Province:

Kunene Region

Further specification of location:

Communal grazing areas of Erora, Outokotorua and Nsindi

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 100-1,000 km2
Comments:

Animals are herded over the entire area – except areas that are too steep for livestock to walk up.

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2004

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through projects/ external interventions
Comments (type of project, etc.):

Community projects facilitated by NGO "Conservation Agriculture Namibia".

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • improve production
  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • conserve ecosystem
  • protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
  • preserve/ improve biodiversity
  • reduce risk of disasters
  • mitigate climate change and its impacts
  • create beneficial economic impact
  • create beneficial social impact
  • Reduce human-wildlife conflict

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

Grazing land

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:
  • Semi-nomadic pastoralism
Comments:

Main animal species and products: Livestock, increased forage production, improved animal performance.

Number of growing seasons per year: 1
Livestock density: Livestock density is high as a result of herding, but stocking rate varies.

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

  • pastoralism and grazing land management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

management measures

management measures

  • M4: Major change in timing of activities
Comments:

The technology does not involve a change in land use. The grazing plan means that livestock will only be on a particular piece of land twice in any given year (once in the growing season and once in the non growing season). The animal density is however high, leading to increased impact for a very short period.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
  • Wg: gully erosion/ gullying
  • Wo: offsite degradation effects
soil erosion by wind

soil erosion by wind

  • Et: loss of topsoil
physical soil deterioration

physical soil deterioration

  • Pk: slaking and crusting
biological degradation

biological degradation

  • Bc: reduction of vegetation cover
  • Bq: quantity/ biomass decline
  • Bs: quality and species composition/ diversity decline
  • Bl: loss of soil life
water degradation

water degradation

  • Ha: aridification
  • Hs: change in quantity of surface water
  • Hg: change in groundwater/aquifer level
Comments:

The control of over-trampling which otherwise leads to rill and gulley erosion.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land
Comments:

Land is severely degraded but can be restored by change in management.

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Schematic of planned growing season grazing. In this diagram grazing started in the bottom left hand camp (plot), marked d1, and the livestock were grazed in this area for one day. The next day the herd of livestock were taken to the area marked d2 and grazed there. This continued until day 41 where the livestock are currently. If deviations from the plan occur then the grazing map is marked according to what actually happened. This is the map that helps inform next year's grazing plan - to avoid using certain camps at the same time of year. The degree of greenness in the diagram indicates the recovery of grass. It is lightest in the area just grazed, marked d40. By the time the herd reaches day 120, which has the darkest green indicating readiness to be re-grazed, then the grass in the area marked d1 was calculated to have recovered sufficiently to be re-grazed. This plan has a built-in recovery period of 120 days. It is possible that growth rates are slower than expected and it may be necessary to reduce numbers of cattle in the herd to slow down movement to ensure an adequate recovery period.

Author:

Colin Nott

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:

5000 ha

Specify currency used for cost calculations:
  • USD
Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

USD 4

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Three meetings for mobilisation of communities Month 1
2. Exchange visit to local livestock owners using this practise Month 4
3. Assess water infrastructure, site and drill and install additional water point Month 6
4. Grazing planning meeting with stakeholders After adequate grass growth to enable planned grazing
5. Appoint, equip and train herders After 4
6. Planning meeting and determination of starting date After 5
7. Build overnight kraals at new water points When needed
8. Build temporary kraals for improved grass growth When needed

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 Six herders (four on duty per day) for 400 cattle Month 6.0 77.0 462.0 100.0
Labour One manager Month 1.0 115.0 115.0 100.0
Equipment Overalls, boots and hat that may need replacement after one year Set 7.0 100.0 700.0 100.0
Construction material Housing for herders built from mud and dung Shelter 3.0 100.0 300.0 100.0
Other Laminated grazing chart and map per year Document 2.0 10.0 20.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 1597.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 1597.0
If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

Grazing maps and charts prodcuded by CAN (support NGO), but will be taken over soon by farmers.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Daily herding, watering of livestock and health checks and treatment Daily
2. Maintenance of kraals and water points Quartery

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 Six herders (four on duty per day) for 400 cattle Month 6.0 77.0 462.0 100.0
Labour One manager Month 1.0 115.0 115.0 100.0
Equipment Overalls, boots and hat, replaced annually Set 7.0 100.0 700.0 100.0
Construction material Maintenance of clay and dung housing for herders Shelters 3.0 100.0 300.0 100.0
Other Diesel for pumping water per month Litres 100.0 1.0 100.0 100.0
Other Laminated grazing chart and map per year Documents 2.0 10.0 20.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 1697.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 1697.0

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Appreciation by land users that investment in herders will pay back, especially from the second year onwards.

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
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

Summer rainfall December-March.

Indicate the name of the reference meteorological station considered:

Opuwo

Agro-climatic zone
  • arid

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:
  • not relevant

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):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • low (<1%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

> 50 m

Availability of surface water:

medium

Water quality (untreated):

good drinking water

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • medium
Habitat diversity:
  • medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
  • Semi-nomadic
Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • groups/ community
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Age of land users:
  • middle-aged
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

In dry years all livestock may move to another cattle post. But they return to the sedentary site as their main grazing area. A significant number of land users take up employment in the nearest town.

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)?
  • medium-scale
Comments:

Communal land is not owned or leased, but the community has rights to use it for agricultural purposes.

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

Land ownership:
  • state
Land use rights:
  • communal (organized)
Water use rights:
  • communal (organized)
Comments:

Land is communal and organised but no rights to enforce management are yet in place through formal structures.

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

fodder production

decreased
increased

animal production

decreased
increased

risk of production failure

increased
decreased

land management

hindered
simplified
Comments/ specify:

Improved, not simplified

Water availability and quality

water availability for livestock

decreased
increased
Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased
decreased

farm income

decreased
increased

economic disparities

increased
decreased

workload

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved

land use/ water rights

worsened
improved

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

conflict mitigation

worsened
improved

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

surface runoff

increased
decreased

evaporation

increased
decreased
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil cover

reduced
improved

soil loss

increased
decreased

soil crusting/ sealing

increased
reduced

nutrient cycling/ recharge

decreased
increased
Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Vegetation cover

decreased
increased

plant diversity

decreased
increased

animal diversity

decreased
increased
Climate and disaster risk reduction

drought impacts

increased
decreased

fire risk

increased
decreased

micro-climate

worsened
improved

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Community's cattle no longer graze on land of neighbouring communities.

improved

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
annual rainfall decrease moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local thunderstorm well
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought moderately
land fire well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

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

very positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

Comments:

The ability to bring back perennial grasses into the system allows higher stocking rates, less drought risk and better quality animals, therefore higher income over time and consequently a better cost-benefit analysis.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • 1-10%
If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

20,000 ha

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 0-10%
Comments:

This is a key issue undergoing lobbying of government and the communal farmers union to establish through a consultative process legislation that enables grazing plans to be enforced from within and from outside. This is lacking at the moment.

6.6 Adaptation

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

Yes

other (specify):

Adaptive management

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

Addition of erosion control and overnight kraaling to assist with gully control. Refining re-planning in response to monitored results that deviate from aims.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
It is cost-effective; genuine improvement is seen in grass production, while livestock losses to predators are significantly reduced.
For absentee owners they can leave a manager and herders in place to get on with the work and this can be easily evaluated after time since animals wondering around leave evidence.
Livestock are better cared for than they used to be, and a sense of community has been restored.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
This is a viable and upscaleable technology for both communal and commercial farmland in Namibia and beyond.
It addresses the root cause of livestock related degradation and on a larger scale could have a significant impact on mitigating climate change if all the degraded rangelands of the dry climates of the world were restored by using the principles embodied in this approach – one which has been adopted in the National Rangeland Management Policy and Strategy. Moreover it can improve the quality of lives of millions of people who live in areas where livestock is the only viable land use.
This is a true “triple bottom line” technology that improves the resource base whilst increasing profits and enables improved quality of life for residents.

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?
Herders are difficult to find, train and keep. National level vocational training of herders is required.
Water infrastructure tends to result in overtrampling of the same routes. The Directorate of Rural Water Supply should change its water specifications to include the provision of water for livestock – which can be cheap and effective.
Grass poaching takes place by neighbours and the majority will of people in an area is sometimes overrun by a small minority. Farmers Unions must address these issues and get enforceable mechanisms in place for improved rangeland management.
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
There is insufficient national buy-in from line ministries in terms of implementation to address many of the issues that have been raised. Line ministries should support implementation to address these problems. Joint implementation, joint review and adaptation by government, unions, livestock owners and support providers will assist in solving many issues for resource-base improvement.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • interviews with SLM specialists/ experts
When were the data compiled (in the field)?

20/06/2017

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Holistic mangement, Savory, A. & Butterfield, J., 1991

Available from where? Costs?

Island Press

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Volkmann, W. (2011). Community based rangeland and livestock management. Windhoek: GOPA-CBRLM.

URL:

https://rmportal.net/groups/cbrlm/cbrlm-for-review/namibia-community-based-rangeland-livestock-management-cbrlm-2nd-edition/view

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