Technologies

Soil Bund with Contour Cultivation [Ethiopia]

Ditchira, Kab (Amharic)

technologies_1073 - Ethiopia

Completeness: 67%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:

Tafese Berhanu

Hadiya zone

Ethiopia

SLM specialist:

Watchiso Adibacho

Hadiya zone

Ethiopia

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. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

It is a structural measure with an embankment of soil or stones or soil and stones, constructed along the contour and stablized with vegetative measures (grass and fodder trees).

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Applied on different land uses on slope of more than 3%. This practice is widely used by farmers in the area. Stone and stone faced bunds height depends on the availability of stones. On the average the width is 1-1.2m and hieght is 0.6-0.7m.

Purpose of the Technology: Bunds reduce the velocity of runoff and soil erosion, retains water behind the bund and let it infiltrate. It further helps in ground water recharging.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Planning is made by community/group and individual discussion and reach a consensus on layout, spacing, implementation modalities and management requirments is reached before implementation.

Natural / human environment: The technology is applicable in areas where soil is moderately deep and stones are available

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:

SNNPR/Hadiya/Lemo

Further specification of location:

Lemo

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 173 km2.

Nowadays communities have developed positive attitudes towards SWC technologies implemented and the results obtained by practicing measures, which have reduced runoff and soil erosion reduced and land increased productivity.

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:
  • through projects/ external interventions
Comments (type of project, etc.):

Other countries and also other woredas in the country.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
  • Perennial (non-woody) cropping
  • Tree and shrub cropping
Annual cropping - Specify crops:
  • cereals - maize
  • cereals - other
  • cereals - sorghum
  • legumes and pulses - other
  • root/tuber crops - potatoes
  • vegetables - leafy vegetables (salads, cabbage, spinach, other)
  • wheat, haricot beans
Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:
  • sugar cane
  • Enset, Desho, Phalaris
Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:
  • avocado
  • coffee, open grown
  • mango, mangosteen, guava
  • papaya
  • Cordia, Croton, Ficus, Casmir
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 2
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 180 Longest growing period from month to month: Apr - Nov Second longest growing period in days: 150

Is intercropping practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify which crops are intercropped:

maize + haricot beans
coffee + cabbage

Forest/ woodlands

Forest/ woodlands

  • Tree plantation, afforestation
Products and services:
  • Timber
  • Fuelwood
  • Grazing/ browsing
Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Absence of land use policy, low level of awarness, shortage of farm lands.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Continous cultivation, poor soil fertility, poverty, shortage of cultivated lands.

Plantation forestry: Yes

Problems / comments regarding forest use: Many peasant kebeles have earned money by selling eucalyptus grown on plantation areas of the community. Some have built schools from the proceeds. Some kebeles have shared sizable money from the sales of trees.

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: Cereals - legumes - cereals

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Grazing land

Grazing land

Intensive grazing/ fodder production:
  • Cut-and-carry/ zero grazing

3.4 Water supply

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

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
  • A3: Soil surface treatment
Comments:

Main measures: structural measures

Secondary measures: agronomic measures, vegetative measures, management measures

Type of agronomic measures: early planting, mixed cropping / intercropping, legume inter-planting, manure / compost / residues, breaking compacted topsoil, contour tillage

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -contour, scattered / dispersed

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

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

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:
  • prevent land degradation
  • reduce land degradation
Comments:

Secondary goals: Rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

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Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

SNNPR

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard, increase of infiltration

Secondary technical functions: reduction of slope angle, reduction of slope length, increase / maintain water stored in soil

Early planting
Material/ species: maize, potato
Remarks: row and broad casting

Mixed cropping / intercropping
Material/ species: sorghum + haricot beans
Remarks: row planting

Agronomic measure: mixed cropping / intercropping
Material/ species: maize + haricot beans
Remarks: row planting

Agronomic measure: mixed cropping / intercropping
Material/ species: coffee + cabbage
Remarks: row planting

Legume inter-planting
Remarks: row and broad casting

Manure / compost / residues
Material/ species: animal dung
Remarks: broad casting

Breaking compacted topsoil
Remarks: once, along the contour

Contour tillage
Remarks: 3-6 times, along the contour

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: G : grass
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 1m
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.3
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 10-15

Vegetative measure: scattered/dispersed
Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 40-60

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs

Trees/ shrubs species: Cordia, Croton, Ficus

Fruit trees / shrubs species: Casmir, Avocado, Mango

Perennial crops species: Chat, Coffee, Sugar cane, Papaya

Grass species: Desho, Phalaris

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%

Terrace: bench level
Vertical interval between structures (m): 1
Spacing between structures (m): 10
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.5
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.3
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 1
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.6-0.7
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 1-1.2
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 60-80

Construction material (earth): Soils excavated from the ditches is used to make the embankment.

Construction material (stone): Stones collected to construct stone/stone faced bunds.

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.

Change of land use type: cut and carry system practiced

Other type of management: change of management / intensity level - Follow up and evaluating the performance

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

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

0.70

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Production of planting materials beginning of rains
2. Planting on the bund during rains
3. Survey dry season
4. Excavating the ditches and constructing the enbankment dry season
5. desho grass transportation during rains
6. Planting Desho grass on the bund during rains
7. Group formation dry season
8. Follow up and evaluating the activities throughout the year

4.4 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 ha 1.0 156.0 156.0 5.0
Equipment Machine use ha 1.0 27.8 27.8
Equipment Tools ha 1.0 32.1 32.1 70.0
Plant material Seeds ha 1.0 27.0 27.0 100.0
Plant material Seedlings ha 1.0 29.0 29.0 100.0
Other Grass ha 1.0 306.0 306.0 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 577.9
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 67.2
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 24 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Contour tillage dry season / annual
2. Contour tillage dry season / two to three times
3. Sawing during rains / annual
4. Weeding during rains / one or twice a year
5. Harvesting dry season / annual
6. Replanting during rains /once
7. Reconstruction dry season/annual
8. Replanting rainy season/annual

4.6 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 Labour ha 1.0 18.84 18.84 100.0
Equipment Machine use ha 1.0 81.39 81.39 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 100.23
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 11.65
Comments:

Machinery/ tools: Shovel, hoe, water level, string

The cost is culculated per length of structure and other agricultural activities undertaken and the cost is in a hectare of land.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Type of hand tools, Slope of the land and soil depth.

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
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

1001-1500 mm (Ranked 1): 900-1400 mm, rains are tremendously variable.
751-1000 mm (Ranked 2): 900 mm, Parts of the SWC area receives on an average 900 mm.

Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid

Very suitable to agricultural activities with variety crops grown.

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:

Altitudinal zone: 2001-2500 m a.s.l. (Ranked 1, below 2400m asl, very suitable to wheat, barley and horse beans.) and 1501-2000 m a.s.l. (ranked 2, over 1900m asl, very suitable to cereal crops including maize)
Landforms: Hill slopes (ranked 1, dominant land forms with flatter village areas at the top) also, ridges (ranked 2) and plateau/plains (ranked 3)
Slopes on average: Rolling (Ranked 1, the technology is mostly implemented here), moderate (ranked 2, dominantly cultivated) and hilly (ranked 3, area enclosures) as well as gentle and steep (both ranked 3)

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)
  • fine/ heavy (clay)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)
  • 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 depth on average: Also moderately deep (ranked 2, dominant soil depth in the SWC area) and shallow (ranked 3, degraded hillsides)
Soil texture: Fine/heavy (ranked 1, clay loam nitisols and vertisols) and medium (ranked 2, soils with high productivity)
Soil fertility: medium (ranked 1, most of the cereal cropped areas) and high (ranked 2, soils in the homestead)
Topsoil organic matter: Low (ranked 1, for all cereal cropped lands) and medium (ranked 2, land with perennial crops and homestead areas)
Soil drainage/infiltration: good (ranked 1, croplands on hillslopes ) and medium (ranked 2)
Soil water storage capacity: High (vertisols and soils on flat slopes)

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
  • average
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • animal traction
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 200-500 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 2% - 3%
6% of the land users are rich and own 19% of the land.
35% of the land users are average wealthy and own 45% of the land.
45% of the land users are poor and own 15% of the land.
12% of the land users are poor and own 7% of the land.
Off-farm income specification: Land users who have SWC measures on their land have better income compared to others who do not have and they have better scope to get engaged in small trade.
Market orientation of production system: subsistence (cultivation and weeding of perennial crops done by hoe and weeding manual) and mixed (tillage is done by oxen)

5.7 Average area of land used 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:

Most land users have 0.50-0.25 ha of land.

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • state
Land use rights:
  • individual

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

soil loss reduced, fertilizers loss controlled

fodder production

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

bund stablization increased feed availability

fodder quality

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

bund stablization increased feed availability

wood production

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

tree plantation

production area

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

area occupied by the bund

Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

production per unit area increased

Socio-cultural impacts

community institutions

weakened
strengthened
Comments/ specify:

SWC activities organized and planned by communities

national institutions

weakened
strengthened
Comments/ specify:

government & NGOs involvement increased

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

more land users acquired knowledge on SWC

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

excess water drainage

reduced
improved
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil cover

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

uphills planted with forest trees

soil loss

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

82

Quantity after SLM:

8

Comments/ specify:

integrated measures

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

positive

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?
  • 0-10%
Comments:

10% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

25600 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: estimates

5% of 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 have acquired some technical skills that enables them implement SWC measures by themselves on their own land with little external support.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
increased crop production

How can they be sustained / enhanced? use high yielding varities and better farming systems.
soil erosion reduced
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
soils protected from erosion

How can they be sustained / enhanced? more awarness creation and strengthening maintenance
sources of income diversified

How can they be sustained / enhanced? introduce more productive multipurposive activities

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

Links and modules

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