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

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

Comments:

Improves biodiversity in the grazing fields and improvement of soil fertility through rotational grazing where the goats wastes enhances soil fertility which enables the regeneration of natural pastures in the different paddocks.

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Rotational grazing by improved goats variety enhances/ increases soil fertility, biodiversity and production of pastures and generates farmyard manure applied on cropland.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Rotational grazing is the shifting of livestock to different units of a pasture or range in regular sequence to permit the recovery and regrowth of the pasture plants after grazing, which increased forage production. Forage that are over-grazed or are less healthy from being grazed every few days have smaller root mass, which leads to less soil organic matter. Northern Uganda has tropical savannah climate characterized by moderate rainfall of 750-1000mm per annum. This region also experiences prolonged dry spells from June to July and also November to March characterised by wild fire outbreaks which retards pasture growth. Because of this, land user has to conserve pastures through rotational grazing in a paddock system. The land is gently sloping with moderate soil humus that has also supported the growth of pastures. The land user is a subsistence farmer who graze goat in a paddock system for pasture conservations, manure generation for cropland, and goats for home consumptions and sale. About 90% of his income is from on farm activities.
A well-managed controlled grazing program can increase quality forage production by 30-70% each year. Much of this increase in forage production is accomplished by minimizing overgrazing. In this technology, six paddocks were created measuring 40x50meters on a five acres’ piece of land. Goats are shifted from one paddock to another in an interval of one month and later shifted to another section. The water tank is also moved as the goats are shifted to another paddocks. The shifting is to reduce on overgrazing. The land user has 40 goats. Two paddocks are grazed at the same time with each having a carrying capacity of 20goats to minimize on overcrowding and congestion at the water point. controlled grazing is practiced in order to protect the area from the damages of grazing that is digging up roots and everything in the field since this will de-grass an area and make it susceptible for erosion. By limiting graze time, fields can produce all year round instead of being a one-time harvest. Goats are not allowed to graze a paddock until it is at least 10 to 12 inches in height. If grazed any shorter, this compromises root recovery, energy storage in the roots, and grass' ability to depend on photosynthesis alone. This is why the land user preferred rotational grazing to prevent overgrazing, and allow the forage plenty of time to recover.
The inputs needed for the establishment of this technology are pangas, hand hoes, slashers, poles, and labour force to carry out the work of paddock constructions. To main the technology, the over grown grass is slashed to a height of 10 to 12 inches in height which is consumable by goats, water point is cleaned every two weeks to avoid contamination, paddocks repaired and goats constantly checked for treatment
The technology provides beneficial impacts like improvement of organic matter content and pasture soil fertility as a result of spreading manure around the whole pasture while grazing and browsing. Grazing goats typically return to the water tanks or a single favourite shade tree. The manure deposited around water tanks/tree shade is collected and used as farmyard manure for the seasonal crop production like cereals, vegetables, and legumes.
The technology is disliked because it is tedious to look after so many goats, wild animal attacks and drought affects water supply and pasture growth for the goats.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

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

Country:

Uganda

Region/ State/ Province:

Northern Uganda.

Further specification of location:

Omoro District.

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

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

• 0.1-1 km2

Comments:

The GPS point shows the land user grazing ground. Rotational grazing.

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2003

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Diversify source of income, improve on nutrition and improve soil fertility.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• mitigate climate change and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact
• create beneficial social impact

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

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - maize
• cereals - sorghum

• simsim

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Rainfall is moderate which sustains pasture growth.

Grazing land

Intensive grazing/ fodder production:

• Improved pastures

• Rotational grazing

Animal type:

• cattle - non-dairy beef
• goats
• poultry

• The goats graze the paddocks twice a year.

Species:

cattle - non-dairy beef

Count:

8

Species:

goats

Count:

40

Species:

poultry

Count:

50

Comments:

conservation of pastures

3.4 Water supply

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

• rainfed

Comments:

Rainfall is moderate which sustains pasture growth.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
• integrated crop-livestock management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A1: Vegetation/ soil cover
• A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility

management measures

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

other measures

Comments:

The mixed cropland is easily managed with livestock which provides manures to the cropland leading to high crop yields and pasture conservation.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

physical soil deterioration

• Pc: compaction

biological degradation

• Bc: reduction of vegetation cover
• Bs: quality and species composition/ diversity decline

Comments:

high risks of fire outbreaks and prolonged dry spells.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

Comments:

To promote diversification and prevent land degradation.

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):

UGX

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

3718.0

4.3 Establishment activities

Comments:

Easy to eastablish rotational grazing.

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

The cost is manageable by the land user.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Comments:

The land user protects his farm from the danger of fire outbreaks and pests.

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

Comments:

Record keeping is not done by the farmer.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The labour costs for fencing the paddocks, and the high costs of fencing materials.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• convex situations

Comments and further specifications on topography:

The landscape is generally gentle easy to practice rotational grazing.

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

suitable for human consuptions and animals .

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Different species of plants and animals coexist in the environment.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

He totally depends on farming for livelihood.

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, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Comments:

The technologies secure the land from land grabbers within the community. The land user has full right over his land.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

The technology is highly sustainable.

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Comments:

The technology is sustainable.

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)?

Comments:

The farmer has been able to generate income to improve his standard of living.

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%

Comments:

The technology has inspired many community members to engage in sustainable land management practices.

6.6 Adaptation

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

Yes

If yes, indicate to which changing conditions it was adapted:

• climatic change/ extremes

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

indegineous pastures are conserved for the goats.

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:

Mixed crop-livestock farming - FAO

Available from where? Costs?

www.fao.org/docrep/004/Y0501E/y0501e03.htm

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Mixed farming | ClimateTechWiki

URL:

www.climatetechwiki.org/content/mixed-farming