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Technologies
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Controlling of soil erosion during crop production [South Africa]

technologies_950 - South Africa

Completeness: 65%

1. General information

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

15/04/2004

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The technology that applies contouring, mulching and intercropping in SWC.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Agronomic technology is used to control soil erosion during the crop production period, i.e. method that is employed to improve soil fertility, conserve water and protect from soil erosion while the land is under crop production.

Purpose of the Technology: The purpose is to keep the fertility of the soil stable by protecting the soil from soil erosion and water loss.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The establishment is either done by planting strong root crops in between cultivated areas, or leaving the soil uncultivated, with a mulch cover on the soil surface. This will be maintained by keeping the intercrop strong and healthy while using zero or minimum tillage without removal of left over material on the soil surface.

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:

South Africa

Region/ State/ Province:

Limpopo Province

Further specification of location:

Sekhukuneland

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.):

Western World

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Silting and low infiltration rate.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Injudicious cultivation.

Other grazingland: intensive grazing land

Grazingland comments: Cattle graze in the cropland during winter periods.

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: Maize mixed with groundnuts.
Maize mixed with dry beans

Type of grazing system comments: Cattle graze in the cropland during winter periods.

3.3 Further information about land use

Comments:

Water supply: mixed rainfed - irrigated, rainfed

Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120

Longest growing period from month to month: Nov - Feb

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 1-10 km2
Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 10 m2.

Soil conservation measures were constructed (contour banks), then but was looked after until 1980's.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

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
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion

Main causes of degradation: other human induced causes (specify) (Agricultural causes)

Secondary causes of degradation: other natural causes (avalanches, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, highly susceptible natural resources, extreme topography, etc.) specify

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation
Comments:

Main goals: prevention of land degradation

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

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Author:

Mokgwakgwe Mashatola

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical drawing off slope

Location: Mahlanga. Northern Province

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, control of concentrated runoff: drain / divert

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Rand

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

10.00

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

6.00

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 24 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Type of measure Timing/ frequency
1. Conventional tillage Agronomic early in rainy season / once a year

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

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: tractor/gallion

Grass strips per ha.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The voluntary labour was at minimal, therefore labour affected the cost significantly.

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
Agro-climatic zone
  • semi-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.

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)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • low (<1%)

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
  • very poor
Level of mechanization:
  • mechanized/ motorized
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: > 500 persons/km2

1% of the land users are average wealthy.
66% of the land users are poor.
33% of the land users are poor.

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased 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

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

production area

decreased
increased

land management

hindered
simplified

Socio-cultural impacts

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

surface runoff

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

40

Quantity after SLM:

10

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil cover

reduced
improved

soil loss

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

0.5

Quantity after SLM:

0

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

reliable and stable stream flows in dry season

reduced
increased

downstream flooding

increased
reduced

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

positive

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

slightly negative

Long-term returns:

slightly positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

97% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

350 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: estimates

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Soil protection

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Involve land-users right from the beginning and allow them to run the SWC on their own
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Control soil erosion effectively

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Involve land-users right from the beginning and allow them to run the SWC on their own
Conserve moisture

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Implementation Implement with the land users and allow the land users to own the technology

7. References and links

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Sustainable land use plan for Nebo-district

Available from where? Costs?

Department of Soil Science, University of the North

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