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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

it is an embankment of soil constructed along the contour on crop lands

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Ridge bund is an earth enbankment constructed along the contour inorder to control runoff. The technique can be stablize using suitable plant species, forage and fruit trees.

Purpose of the Technology: To obtain maximum sustained level of production from a given area of land by reducing runoff and soil loss below thrushold level and maintain soil moisture.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: it involves massive movment of earth and it requires substantial inputs of labour during establishment, while during maintenance relatively lower input is required but it requires frequent maintenance.

Natural / human environment: enhance vegetation growth, increases ground water recharging, reduce dawn slope damage

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Ethiopia

Region/ State/ Province:

West Hararghe, Oromia

Further specification of location:

Habro

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 39.37 km2.

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)

Comments (type of project, etc.):

they learn from their ancestors

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation

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

Cropland

• Annual cropping
• Perennial (non-woody) cropping
• Tree and shrub cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - maize
• cereals - sorghum
• legumes and pulses - peas

• chickpea

Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:

• coffee, open grown

• catha.edulis, cordia africana, erythrina abyssinica, chat

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120 Longest growing period from month to month: May - AugSecond longest growing period in days: 60Second longest growing period from month to month: Mar - Apr

Is intercropping practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify which crops are intercropped:

maize

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): soil erosion, gully formation, losses of soil fertility

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): soil erosion, water scarcity, decreasing of productivity

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: perenial crops are planted between the structures and the annual crops are grown on the structures

3.4 Water supply

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

• rainfed

Comments:

Water supply: post-flooding

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

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
• Wg: gully erosion/ gullying

chemical soil deterioration

• Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)

water degradation

• Ha: aridification

Comments:

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

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wg: gully erosion / gullying, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Ha: aridification

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation

Comments:

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Oromia

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: low

Technical knowledge required for land users: high

Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap

Secondary technical functions: reduction of slope length, increase of infiltration

Mixed cropping / intercropping
Material/ species: maize
Quantity/ density: 7000
Remarks: 0.5m x 3m

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: C : perennial crops
Number of plants per (ha): 1400
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 1
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 3
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 2
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.75

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 50

Trees/ shrubs species: cordia africana, erythrina abyssinica

Perennial crops species: coffee, catha edulis/chat

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 9.00%

Bund/ bank: level
Spacing between structures (m): 3m
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.5m
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 1.5m
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 40m
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.35m
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.7m
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 40m

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 9%

Vegetation is used for stabilisation of structures.

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Birr

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

8.0

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 12 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: shovel, hoe

the cost depends on the specification of the structure (length, width and height) and it was assumed that 3km ridge bund is constructed on a hectar of cultivated land.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

high labour requirment affects the cost of the technique

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 medium-low
Soil drainage/infiltration is good
Soil water storage capacity is high-medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 100-200 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 2% - 3%
10% of the land users are very rich and own 25% of the land.
50% of the land users are average wealthy and own 50% of the land.
30% of the land users are poor and own 20% of the land.
10% of the land users are poor and own 5% of the land.

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:

• state

Land use rights:

• individual

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Other socio-economic impacts

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

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

• 91-100%

Comments:

9458 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: survey results

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: better production is only possible if one can practice the technique on her/his field, therefore the adoption of the technique is one of the strategy for survival

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

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

7.1 Methods/ sources of information