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:

Stone bund is an enbankment of stone constructed acrros the slope following the contour.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

It is a stone wall stablized with grasses and fodder plant species. Its main purpose is moisture harvesting and soil erosion control. Establishment is made first by laying out contour lines, digging foundation and placing of stones in a manner to interlock to each other. Stone bunds placed on contour are known as level stone bunds. The purpose is to arrest runoff and enhance soil moisture to increaseavailability of water to plants. It is also aimed at controlling soil erosion from cultivated fields such that the plants have sufficient soil depth to establish and grow. Maintenance is done every year especially before thev rains. Maintenance continues for several years until the slope of the terraced land forms nearly level bench or slightly sloping outward terrace. The technology is suitable to semi-arid and arid climatic conditions having steep to very steep cultivated lands. It is suitable to major annual cereal crops, perennial crops, fruit trees and cash crops.

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:

Ethiopia

Region/ State/ Province:

Amhara/Dejen

Further specification of location:

Dejen-Inemay

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 10 km2.

The technology is applied mostly on the low land part of the woreda.

Map

×

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.):

Originally it is indiginous and now some improvement techniques have been included.

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
• Tree and shrub cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - other
• cereals - sorghum
• oilseed crops - sunflower, rapeseed, other

• teff,

Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:

• fruits, other

• sugar cane, Sesbania, leucaena

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 210

Is crop rotation practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify:

sorghum-teff-sorghum

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Overgrazing with little vegetation cover and exposed surface, cultivating on very steep slopes.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Low productivity of land, erosion, low soil fertility and surface stoniness.

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: sorghum-teff-sorghum

3.4 Water supply

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

• rainfed

Comments:

Water supply: Also mixed rainfed - irrigated

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)

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

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, rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Amhara

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

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

Secondary technical functions: reduction of slope angle, reduction of slope length, increase of infiltration, water harvesting / increase water supply

Better crop cover
Material/ species: Sorghum, Teff, Suflower
Remarks: broad cast

Contour planting / strip cropping
Material/ species: Sesbania, leucaena
Remarks: by planting across the slope

Agronomic measure: removing less vegetation cover
Material/ species: Crop residue, grasses
Remarks: across the slope

Mineral (inorganic) fertilizers
Material/ species: DAP/Urea
Quantity/ density: 150 Kg/ha
Remarks: Sown by broadcasting

Contour tillage
Remarks: oxen plough

Pits
Remarks: hand pick axe

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 1500
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 1m
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 5 m
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1m
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 2m

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 500
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 5m
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 10m

Trees/ shrubs species: sesbania

Grass species: local

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 15.00%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is (see figure below): 10.00%

Gradient along the rows / strips: 0.00%

Bund/ bank: level
Vertical interval between structures (m): 2m
Spacing between structures (m): 10m
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.45m
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.45m
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 80m

Structural measure: diversion ditch / cut-off drain
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.4m
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.3m
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 58m
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.75m
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 1.0m
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 58m

Construction material (earth): reinforce the stone embankment

Construction material (stone): strengthen/support the terrace wall

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 15%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is: 10%

Lateral gradient along the structure: 0%

Vegetation is used for stabilisation of structures.

Other type of management: change of management / intensity level - from random/open access to controlled system

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 =:

8.6

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 24 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: hoe, sickle, axe, pad, spane

length of structure per ha of land protected

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

slope, soil depth

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: Hilly (mostly terraced by stone bunds). Also rolling (ranked 2) and steep (ranked 3)

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

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 50-100 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 2% - 3%

and own 50% of the land.
and own 40% of the land.
and own 10% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: In the land with proper conservation techniques the productivity increased by about two folds whereas the land with out conservation measures yield is seen to decrease

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

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

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:

320 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

Comments on adoption trend: Farmers in the near by village are gradually adopting good lessons learnet from farmers who have implemented the technology. As a result the technology is expanding in the area.

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

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

monthly, quarterly and annual acheivment report of the woreda

Title, author, year, ISBN:

work norm

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Soil map: assistance for land use planning and regulatory department.