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)

Book project: where people and their land are safer - A Compendium of Good Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) (where people and their land are safer)

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

HEKS (Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz) (HEKS (Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz)) - 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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The rehabilitation of a rangeland consists of fencing and subsequently seeding with herbaceous plants adapted to arid zones and to degraded soils.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The demographic pressure combined with the increase of livestock has lead to the uncontrolled use of corridors, rangeland and of the surroundings of watering points, which were implemented in the past. The occupation of these areas, dedicated to livestock production, has generated harmful socio-economic impacts:
- a deficiency of pasture resources,
- a multiplication of conflicts between farmers and stock breeders.

In this context of degrading natural resources, the population of Guidan Issa has requested - through the departmental and municipal authorities - for methodological and financial support of the project Zamtapo. The envisaged rehabilitation does not only include fencing, but also seeding of some herbaceous plants like the Cencrus biflorus (a thorny herbaceous plant of the grass (Poaceae) family, the seeds of which get caught on clothing), and the Adropogon gayanus. These are adapted to arid and semi-arid zones, are generally found on sandy soils, and are much liked by grazing animals.

For the fencing, which constitutes the first stage of the technology, the operation consists of establishing fence posts reinforced with concrete at 50 m intervals. The fencing itself is set-up after the demarcation, and is meant to formalise the operation. A total of 200 fence posts have been
established in the area, which covers 29,5 ha.

For seeding the rangeland, the selected structures are semi-circular bunds (half-moons), basins in a semicircular shape, which are a soil and water conservation measure (SWC). The excavated earth is deposited on the boundary of the basin in a semi-circular bund, which is flattened at the top. The half-moons are dug in by pivoting with help of a compass with a radius of 2 m. The dimensions commonly applied are: a diameter of 4 m and a depth of 0,15 to 0,25 m. The objective of seeding in half-moons is to restore degraded soils, to conserve rainwater and to improve the soil fertility.

The necessary inputs to implement and maintain the technology are: equipment for constructing soil and water conservation structures, fence posts of reinforced concrete to demarcate the boundaries of the area, and forage seed to sow the bare area.

The advantages of this technology are that it reduces conflicts over land, and promotes excellent livestock farming.

2.3 Photos 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

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 projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Project to support the secure mobility of livestock in the region of Maradi/Niger (ZAMTAPO with funding from HEKS)

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• create beneficial economic impact
• create beneficial social impact

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

Comments:

Main animal species and products: Sheep, cattle, camelid, goat

The area is only used for grazing.

Number of growing seasons per year: 1

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)

3.4 Water supply

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

• rainfed

Comments:

The main growing season is from July to September (rainy season).

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• pastoralism and grazing land management
• improved ground/ vegetation cover

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

CFA francs

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

550.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Fencing	March
2.	Registration in the rural land register	March
3.	Laying-out (construction of the half-moons)	June (before the rainy season)
4.	Seeding	July (during the rainy season)
5.	Training in techniques for seed collection	October

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	person-days	138.0	1500.0	207000.0	25.0
Equipment	Shovels		138.0	1000.0	138000.0
Equipment	Hoes		138.0	1000.0	138000.0
Equipment	Fence posts		200.0	16000.0	3200000.0
Plant material	Chencrus biflorus	kg	87.0	5000.0	435000.0	25.0
Plant material	Adropogon gayanus	kg	120.0	5000.0	600000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					4718000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					8578.18

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

The Zamtapo project has financed the remaining costs.

Comments:

The grazing area of Guidan Issa has a surface area of 29,5 ha. 138 producers (men/women) with 138 shovels and hoes worked in the area during 10 days. There is no need for fertiliser, and the fencing is included.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

- The fencing
- The purchase of seeds

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 water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

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:

• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Other ecological impacts

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

The fodder collected in the area was used as hay for the animals and to provide seed for other bare areas.

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

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

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

There were no land users who implemented the technology in other places than the rangeland.

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
Production of fodder, reduced risks of conflicts

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Regeneration of the area, reduction of conflicts, production of fodder

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?
Risk of conflicts following non-compliance with established rules.	Awareness raising

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The risk that the technology is abandoned after the project.	Awareness raising

7.1 Methods/ sources of information