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)

Strengthening national-level institutional and professional capacities of country Parties towards enhanced UNCCD monitoring and reporting – GEF 7 EA Umbrella II (GEF 7 UNCCD Enabling Activities_Umbrella II)

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

National Soil Services Centre, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock (NSSC) - Bhutan

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:

The technology is not problematic with regard to land degradation. Indeed, the terraces helps in avoiding and reversing land degradation by reducing surface erosion, retaining soil moisture and improve soil fertility.

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Soil erosion by water is one of the major problems in hilly or mountainous countries like Bhutan. In such areas, effective erosion control measures are required to reduce the slope gradient and minimize surface runoff. Among many SLM interventions, mechanical bench terracing is one of the most widely promoted and popular technologies in Bhutan.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Bhutan is one of the most mountainous countries in the world and agricultural activities are carried out on slopes up to 35 degrees (70 percent). Erosion by water is one of the major causes of land degradation. In such areas, effective erosion control measures include reducing slope gradients to minimize runoff by creating a series of level platforms or “bench terraces” along the contour. Current bench terracing is made using small to medium-sized earthmoving machines called excavators, and thus the technology is called Mechanical Bench Terracing. This is one of the main SLM measures promoted widely and most preferred by landowners who claim that it reduces soil erosion, improves soil fertility, conserves soil moisture, and eases field operations. Bench terraces create impact by 1) helping minimize the risk of soil erosion caused by surface runoff, 2) effectively regulating water flow, and 3) preventing soil saturation by allowing better drainage. Additionally, bench terracing transforms previously unusable or less productive land into cultivable areas, maximizing the utilization of limited land resources. A typical bench terrace on a 20-25 degree slope has a terrace bed of 2-5 m meters and a riser of 0.75 to 1 metre high. The risers are made of earth and the terrace is made flat most of the time to prevent runoff of rainwater.
Establishing and maintaining bench terracing involves a feasibility study of the sites, participatory planning, hands-on training of the landowners, and surveying of contour lines using A-frames. There is also procurement of construction materials, arranging labour and machines and training machine operators. Once constructed, proper water management, soil fertility, and nutrient management practices are crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability and productivity of the terraced land. Furthermore, knowledge and training on crop cultivation techniques, field management, and maintenance are vital to optimize the benefits.
In summary, bench terracing offers numerous benefits. These include:
1) Overall reduction in land degradation
2) Soil conservation by prevention of erosion by runoff
3) Conservation of soil fertility
3) Increase arable land available for cultivation
4) Ease of mechanized field operations with level terrace beds
5) Water conservation and drainage6) Improved crop production

Land users like the fact that bench terracing provides land that is easier to work. The land is better utilized for cultivation, resulting in improved productivity. Land users generally appreciate its numerous benefits in terms of land productivity, soil conservation, and water management. What they dislike are the expense and labour input if expenditure has to be borne by the land owners and neither machine operators nor small to medium-sized machines are readily available in the market for hire.

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

Indicate year of implementation:

2019

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Mechanical bench terracing in Bemji Village was implemented by Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector with technical support from the National Soil Services Center and funded by GEF-LDCF, UNDP

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
• create beneficial economic impact

• Improve farm mechanization

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

Comments:

The crops are grown mostly for self consumption, however, the surplus productions are sold at the weekly local market in Trongsa Dzongkhag (District).

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)

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

Comments:

In the past when terracing was not done only flat land was used to grow cereals but sloppy ones were left as grazing land or kept uncultivated. After terracing land user were able to use most of their land for cropping.

3.4 Water supply

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

According to the land user, the water supply is mostly rainfed; however, water for irrigation is also readily available.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• cross-slope measure

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:

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

Comments:

Bench terracing is generally constructed to prevent and reduce land degradation due to surface runoff caused by water/rainfall.

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):

Ngultrum

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

80.62

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Feasibility study	Based on land user and extension agents convenience
2.	Participatory SLM Action planning	Based on land user and extension agent convenience
3.	Hands on training for land owners and machine operator	Prior to actual implementation of the activity
4.	Bench terracing by machine	When the land is fallow (Nov-Feb)
5.	Leveling and removal of stones	Based on land user convenience

Comments:

It take about three weeks to implement all the activities in 2.40 acres of land

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	98.0	500.0	49000.0	100.0
Equipment	Excavator	nos	1.0	40916.0	40916.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					89916.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					1115.31

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

The land owner bore about 32% of the total cost while the remaining cost was covered by the GEF-LDCF Project

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Maintenance of terrace bunds	When ever necessary

Comments:

According to the land users, maintenance of the technology involved very little expense because once the terrace was formed the land became more stable.

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

Comments:

Once the terraces are well established the maintenance costs are minimal.

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

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

However, excess rain can cause flooding in the terrace but instances like this has never happened.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

As most of the terraced fields are properly fenced with electric fencing, the incidences of wild animal crop damage are minimal.

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, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

The traditional legal system in our country is as per the Land Act and the Land Rules and Regulations of the Kingdom of Bhutan, which dictate the overall land use in the country.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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	well
annual rainfall		increase	very well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	well
local thunderstorm	very well
local hailstorm	not well
local snowstorm	not well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
landslide	well

Biological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
epidemic diseases	not well
insect/ worm infestation	not well

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 land users were not able to explain very clearly the benefits of the technology. This is because land users were supported by the government for the establishment of the terrace. They didn't have any idea how much would it cost if they had to do everything by themselves.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• > 50%

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

16 hhs covering 19.50 acres of vulnerable land were brought under bench terracing in Bemje village

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
Agronomic management and working have become relatively easier: with bench terracing working with animals or machinery for tillage activities becomes very easy unlike in slopes.
Land can be better utilized, despite decreased total cultivated land: Terrace provides land users the option to fully utilize the available land. If it was a slope, even if they have more land they cannot use them for farming.
Prevents the degradation of the land by rain: The main purpose of terracing is to reduce and prevent land degradation caused by surface runoff.
Irrigation water is better utilized and conserved: When the surface is properly leveled irrigation water is well distributed.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Prevents landslide: Since the surveyed area was located on the mountain slopes, there are chances of slides if measures were not taken and bench terraces were not made.

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?
It is a very expensive affair: If machinery and laborers have to be managed by individual land users it would be very expensive.	However, in Bhutan, the technology is mostly funded by the project and Government of Bhutan
Land users could not convert all available land into the terrace.	More support from the government so that they can convert all slopy areas into terraces.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Since bench terracing required huge expenditure it is difficult for the owners to bear the full cost	To implement the intervention through donars fund on cost sharing basis

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Bizoza, A. R. (2011). Institutional Economic Analysis of Bench Terraces in The Highlands of Rwanda. Farmers, Institution and Land Conservation. Wageningen University

Available from where? Costs?

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/29235864.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Mesfin, A. (2016). A Field Guideline on Bench Terrace Design and Construction. Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Available from where? Costs?

https://nrmdblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/bench-terrace-manual.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Dorji, S. (2017). Soil Conservation in Serthi Gewog: A Case Study. Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative.

Available from where? Costs?

http://www.sji.bt/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Soil-Conservation-Pilot-Impact-Area.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

BTFEC. (2019). Evaluation of Sustainable Land and Management and Innovative Financing to Enhance Climate Resilience and Food Security in Bhutan. BTFEC.

Available from where? Costs?

http://www.bhutantrustfund.bt/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/CIF-Report1.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Sustainable Land Management: Guidelines and Best Practices 2021

Available from where? Costs?

http://www.nssc.gov.bt

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Turning slopes, dry land into viable agricultural land in Trongsa

URL:

https://www.undp.org/bhutan/stories/turning-slopes-dry-land-viable-agricultural-land-trongsa

Title/ description:

Bench Terraces: Classification and Maintenance | Soil Management

URL:

https://www.soilmanagementindia.com/soil-erosion/terracing/bench-terraces-classification-and-maintenance-soil-management/15307