Local compost making [Tanzania, United Republic of]
- Creation:
- Update:
- Compiler: Patrick Gervas Mbanguka Lameck
- Editor: –
- Reviewer: David Streiff
Mapambano (Kiswahili)
technologies_992 - Tanzania, United Republic of
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Expand all Collapse all1. General information
1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology
SLM specialist:
Dumea Hamidu
007-022-2866907
Ministry of Agriculture and cooperatives
Tanzania, United Republic of
SLM specialist:
1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT
When were the data compiled (in the field)?
29/12/1999
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:
Traditional compost making using locally available materials
2.2 Detailed description of the Technology
Description:
compost is made in a pit. A pit is dug of 3m diameter and 3m deep.Ashi is pread at the bottom followed by a 4" layer of smooth pasture grass thten all crop remaining, slashed grass, tree leaves, sisal leaves, farm yard manure, animal urine and ash are filled into the pit at laternate layers. 3 people can dig the pit in one day waste domestic water ( washings and cleanings) are daily poured into the mixture. It takes 3 1/2 months to fill up into a heap of 1/2 above the ground level smooth grass is then covered at the top while pouring urine and waste water continues. The final product is a greysh powder like material the compost is spot applied to planting hole at 1/4 litre per hole once after every three years she grows maize, sorghum, finger millet and millet. She intercrop with beans, pigeon peas, cowpeas and groundnuts. The compost is not applied to legumes. The compost increased yield from 3 bags/acre to 20-24 bag/acre of maize. The compost increase soil fertility and soil structure and texture. The emptied pits are usually filled again. Seeds can be mixed with the compost on sowing as it has no side effect. She sells to others the compost at 100/= Tshs ( 0.125 USD) per tin. Maintenance is pouring of waste soap water and cattle urine to catalyse decomposition.
2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment
Country:
Tanzania, United Republic of
Region/ State/ Province:
Dodoma
Further specification of location:
Dodoma/Kondoa
Map
×2.6 Date of implementation
If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
- more than 50 years ago (traditional)
2.7 Introduction of the Technology
Specify how the Technology was introduced:
- as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)
3. Classification of the SLM Technology
3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology
- improve production
- create beneficial economic impact
3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied
Cropland
- Annual cropping
Comments:
Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): declining soil fertility
3.3 Further information about land use
Number of growing seasons per year:
- 1
Specify:
Longest growing period in days: 120; Second longest growing period in days: 60
3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs
- integrated soil fertility management
3.5 Spread of the Technology
Specify the spread of the Technology:
- applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area
Comments:
about 150 people are practicing the system
3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology
agronomic measures
- A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
Comments:
Type of agronomic measures: manure / compost / residues
3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology
soil erosion by water
- Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
chemical soil deterioration
- Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
water degradation
- Ha: aridification
Comments:
Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Ha: aridification
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:
Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation
4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs
4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing
Main technical functions: increase in organic matter, increase in soil fertility
Secondary technical functions: improvement of ground cover, increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, improvement of soil structure
Manure / compost / residues
Material/ species: crop residue
Quantity/ density: 5t/acre
4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs
Specify currency used for cost calculations:
- US Dollars
Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:
1.90
4.5 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 | persons/day/ha | 335.5 | 1.9 | 637.45 | 100.0 |
Equipment | Tools | ha | 1.0 | 8.9 | 8.9 | 100.0 |
Total costs for establishment of the Technology | 646.35 |
Comments:
Duration of establishment phase: 84 month(s)
4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities
Activity | Type of measure | Timing/ frequency | |
---|---|---|---|
1. | compost making | Agronomic | 3 timesyear / continously |
2. | application of compost | Agronomic | planting time / once/3 years |
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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Labour | Compost making and application | persons/day/ha | 131.0 | 1.9 | 248.9 | 100.0 |
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology | 248.9 |
Comments:
Machinery/ tools: hoes,machet spade, bucket
4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs
Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:
Labour for pits, labour for ferrying compost
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.
Comments and further specifications on topography:
Slopes on average: Also steep
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):
- medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
- low (<1%)
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 low and high
Soil drainage / infiltration is good
Soil water storage capacity is medium
5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology
Relative level of wealth:
- average
- rich
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:
Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
3% of the land users are very rich and own 40% of the land.
7% of the land users are rich and own 15% of the land.
70% of the land users are average wealthy and own 35% of the land.
26% of the land users are poor and own 6% of the land.
4% of the land users are poor and own 4% of the land.
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
Comments:
Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology: Also 2-5 ha
5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights
Land ownership:
- group
- individual, not titled
6. Impacts and concluding statements
6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown
Socio-economic impacts
Production
crop production
fodder production
wood production
land management
Income and costs
farm income
economic disparities
workload
Other socio-economic impacts
input contstraints
Socio-cultural impacts
community institutions
national institutions
conflict mitigation
Ecological impacts
Water cycle/ runoff
excess water drainage
Soil
soil moisture
soil cover
soil loss
Climate and disaster risk reduction
wind velocity
Other ecological impacts
soil fertility
biodiversity
organic matter delay to decompose
6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown
reliable and stable stream flows in dry season
downstream flooding
downstream siltation
wind transported sediments
6.4 Cost-benefit analysis
How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:
very positive
Long-term returns:
very positive
How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:
very positive
Long-term returns:
very positive
6.5 Adoption of the Technology
- 10-50%
If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):
60 households (20 percent of land users)
Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
- 90-100%
Comments:
60 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support
Comments on spontaneous adoption: estimates
There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology
Comments on adoption trend: 60 farmers have adopted
6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view |
---|
use local material How can they be sustained / enhanced? SWC to sustain vegetation |
compost transferable to other areas How can they be sustained / enhanced? packing in bags and sell to others |
increased crop yield How can they be sustained / enhanced? dissemination of the technology |
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? |
---|---|
transport of the compost to the farm | use ox-cart |
7. References and links
7.2 References to available publications
Title, author, year, ISBN:
1st Farmer innovators Workshop
Available from where? Costs?
INADES, Tanzania.
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