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)?

26/11/2001

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:

Conservation agriculture included aspects such as crop rotation, mulching and no-tillage.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The goal of conservation agriculture is to maintain and improve crop yields and at the same time protect and stimulate the biological binding functioning of the soil. The essential features of conservation agriculture are no-tillage, maintenance of cover (live or dead vegetal material) and crop rotation. Crops are planted through the cover with special equipment or (in the case of Mlondozi) by making holes in the ground with a hand hoe.

Soil cover inhibits erosion and the germination of weed seeds; it improves soil and water retention and reduces compaction.

Crop-seeds are planted without prior ploughing. If a plough sole exists, soil has to be ripped, if not, crop seeds can be planted. It is advisable to move gradually from tillage to no-tillage over a period of 4-5 years, starting with a crop that produces enough organic material (2-3 ton dry material annually).

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.):

Technology was implemented in several countries in the world e.g. Brasilia/Argentina/Australia/North America and African countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, e.g.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): - Soil compaction (plough layer) . - Reduced soil fertility. - Soil acidity. - Overgrazing. - Lack of implements. - Lack of land tenure.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): - Lack of land tenure. - Lack of money.

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: 170; Longest growing period from month to month: Nov - Apr

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• minimal soil disturbance
• integrated soil fertility management

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 5.2 km2.

Total technology area is approximately 300 ha.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures, vegetative measures, management measures

Secondary measures: structural measures

Type of agronomic measures: better crop cover, mulching, mineral (inorganic) fertilizers, rotations / fallows, breaking compacted topsoil, zero tillage / no-till, breaking compacted subsoil

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Wg: gully erosion / gullying

Main causes of degradation: other human induced causes (specify) (Agricultural causes), other natural causes (avalanches, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, highly susceptible natural resources, extreme topography, etc.) specify, education, access to knowledge and support services (Lack of knowledge)

Secondary causes of degradation: over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use, overgrazing, land tenure (No land deeds), poverty / wealth (Lack of captial)

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Technical drawing

Location: Mlondozi. Mpumalanga

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: improvement of ground cover, increase in organic matter, increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, improvement of soil structure

Secondary technical functions: control of raindrop splash, control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard, control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, control of concentrated runoff: impede / retard, control of concentrated runoff: drain / divert, increase of surface roughness, water harvesting / increase water supply, sediment retention / trapping, sediment harvesting, reduction in wind speed, increase in soil fertility

Better crop cover
Material/ species: maize/grass

Mulching
Material/ species: maize/legume

Agronomic measure: removing less vegetation cover
Material/ species: maize

Mineral (inorganic) fertilizers
Material/ species: 2:3:2 (22)

Soil conditioners (lime, gypsum)
Material/ species: lime

Rotations / fallows
Material/ species: soya/any beans

Major change in timing of activities: systems approach

Other type of management: change of management / intensity level

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 =:

10.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Exclude animals from field	Management	Feb - April
2.	Fencing	Management	Once
3.	Spraying of weeds	Management	October

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 48 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	No-tillage	Agronomic	Oct/Nov / Once with ploughing
2.	Crop rotation	Agronomic	Oct/Nov / Every second year rotation
3.	Keep lands weed free	Management	Dec - Jan / Once - 3 times

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

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Fertilizers and biocides	Pesticide	ha	1.0	20.0	20.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Save - ploughing	ha	1.0	40.0	40.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					60.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

High weed population

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 - medium

Soil drainage / infiltration is medium

Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

65% of the land users are very rich.
5% of the land users are average wealthy.
30% of the land users are poor.

Off-farm income specification: Pensions to by inputs.

Level of mechanization: Animal traction is possible, but less common

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased 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:

• leased

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Other ecological impacts

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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

• more than 50%

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

220 households

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 10-50%

Comments:

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

Comments on acceptance with external material support: survey results

20 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: estimates

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
Increase yields How can they be sustained / enhanced? Training
Cheaper way of planting
Improve water infiltration How can they be sustained / enhanced? Mulch
Reduce erosion How can they be sustained / enhanced? Mulch
Time saving

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Early planting - not dependant on tractors and ploughs How can they be sustained / enhanced? Training
Soil - reduce soil erosion How can they be sustained / enhanced? Increase in organic material in soil
Weed control - reduce weed population How can they be sustained / enhanced? Use of herbicides
Improve water retention - lower risk of draught periods How can they be sustained / enhanced? Mulch
Reduction in input cost (R500/ha) Increase yields

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?
Lack of no-till implements

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Lack of mechanisation of no-till implements	Exposure to implements

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Demonstration & Assessment of sustainable land management practices in the Mlondozi district of Mpumalanga. Du Preez, Kidson, Beukes & Smith. 1998/1999/2000.

Available from where? Costs?

ARC - ISCW