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

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

Agricultural Research Council (ARC) - South Africa

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

04/12/2001

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

Yes

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

In-field water harvesting technique

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The technique consists of the construction of a 1 m wide basin with a 2 m wide runoff area. They are mulched with either straw or stones and, for the sake of comparison, the runoff area should be left bare. The soil is not tilled to encourage development of a crust, over which water runs off into the basin.

The basins collect the maximum amount of water during rain and because it accumulates in the basin, it is allowed more infiltration time. Mulch minimises evaporation and the efficiency varies with the type of mulch used.

The construction of basin and runoff areas and mulching maintenance involves keeping basins open and mulch intact.

This technique is used under semi-arid conditions on soils with very high clay contents. The depth of the profile must be greater or equal to 900 mm and the A-horizon must also be 250 mm or more.

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.):

Other methods of water harvesting is used elsewhere in Africa.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): The area is marginal for crop production because of relatively low and erratic rainfall and dominantly clay soils with high water losses due to runoff and evaporation from the soil surface.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Lack of good fertile soils and to little rain to produce a good crop.

If land use has changed due to the implementation of the Technology, indicate land use before implementation of the Technology:

Cropland: Ca: Annual cropping

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120; Longest growing period from month to month: Jan - April

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• water harvesting

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:

• 10-100 km2

Comments:

An area of approximately 750 000 ha east of Bloemfontein has been earmarked for developing farmers. The Water harvesting and Basin tillage technique has been employed in the scattered villages and two towns Thaba Nchu & Botshabelo.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures

Type of agronomic measures: mulching, mineral (inorganic) fertilizers, zero tillage / no-till

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content

Main causes of degradation: other human induced causes (specify) (Agricultural causes - Traditional, conventional cultivation methods not feasible), inputs and infrastructure: (roads, markets, distribution of water points, other, …) (Lack of knowledge)

Secondary causes of degradation: other natural causes (avalanches, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, highly susceptible natural resources, extreme topography, etc.) specify (Low and erratic rainfall events), poverty / wealth (Lack of captial - No resources to cultivate)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical specifications

Location: Glen. Free State

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: reduction of slope angle, increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, water harvesting / increase water supply

Mulching
Material/ species: Stone/straw
Remarks: <80 % stone; straw varies

Mineral (inorganic) fertilizers
Material/ species: N, P, K
Remarks: Basins/runoff areas

Zero tillage / no-till
Material/ species: Basins/runoff areas

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Preparation of basins	Agronomic	Before planting / Once in 10 years7
2.	Preparing seed bed	Agronomic	At planting / annual

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility is low

Soil drainage / infiltration is poor

Soil water storage capacity is high

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

100% of the land users are poor and own 100% of the land.

Market orientation of production system: Also commercial/ market but less common

Level of mechanization: Also mechanized, but less common

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

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

Comments:

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Can obtain higher crop yields in dry seasons.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Minimize runoff and evaporation losses.
More water available for plant growth that leads to higher yields.
Save on input costs (Use no-till).
Unemployed people in rural semi-arid areas can produce food for themselves.

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?
Initially labour intensive to construct basins.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Some soil movement into the basins.
Organic mulch may absorb some rainwater.