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

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

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Microcatchments and ponds are water harvesting measures used to collect stored and spread over an area to increase soil moisture and ground water level.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Microcatchments for crop fields involve the construction of physical measures which trap rain water and help in increasing infiltration. Soil and stone funds, microbasics, ridges and tied ridges are some of the sWC pracices known as microcatchment. They are designed taking into account the amount of rain received the infiltration capacity of soils and the runoff produced from the field.

Water harvesting techniques described here are the most widely practiced techniques in Alaba woreda, which is characterised by erratic rains, soils having very low water holding capacity and farming systems dominated by seasonal cereal crops such as maize, teff and pepper. Maize is the dominant food and cash crop grown in the wereda. It is a crop requiring more rainfall than teff and sorghum. Water harvesting techniques are more suitable to maize because these structures make more water available to the crop. Bunds are establised by digging channel and embanking the soil either on the upper side or on down ward direction. Wherever stone is abailable it is supported by stone lines at the down slope direction. The purpose is to collect, stone and enhance infiltration of rain water in the soil for increasing survival and productivity of crops planted on the field. The technology is suitable to areas with erratic and low rainfalls, soils with low soil moisture holding capacity and for crops which require more water. The annual rainfall is not small but is not well distributed over the growing period and hence it becomes essential to have structures that could trap and store as much rainfall as possible in the soil.

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

Country:

Ethiopia

Region/ State/ Province:

SNNPR

Further specification of location:

Bilate watershed

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 60 km2.
Microcatchments and ponds are practiced in all of the kebeles mentioned above (SWC area)

Map

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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.):

From international expriences.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts

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 - beans
• vegetables - leafy vegetables (salads, cabbage, spinach, other)

• haricot bean

Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:

• medicinal, aromatic, pesticidal plants - perennial

• pepper, Teff

• Coffee

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:

• Semi-nomadic pastoralism

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Shortage of rainfall, land degradation, low soil fertility.
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Moisture stress, poor harvest, unreliable rainfalls.

Grazingland comments: There is serious shortage of fodder in the woreda and to minimize this problem fodder trees are planted and grown using rainwater harvesting structures such as microbasins and trenches on grazing lands which are closed for some time.

Problems / comments regarding forest use: Rainwater should be stored/collected in trenches and soil bunds to support seedling plantation, forage and crop production.

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: maize, haricot bean and cabbage

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

• water harvesting
• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)
• water diversion and drainage

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A3: Soil surface treatment

Comments:

Type of agronomic measures: contour tillage, contour ridging

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

water degradation

• 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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

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

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Availability of construction materials.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zone: 1700-2200 m a.s.l.

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 (ranked 1) and high (ranked 2)
Soil drainage/infiltration: Good
Soil water storage capacity: very low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 200-500 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 3% - 4%

10% of the land users are very rich and own 18% of the land.
20% of the land users are rich and own 25% of the land.
40% of the land users are average wealthy and own 40% of the land.
25% of the land users are poor and own 15% of the land.
5% of the land users are poor and own 2% 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

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

Comments:

90% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support
46800 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support
Comments on acceptance with external material support: survey results

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology
Comments on adoption trend: The technology is implemented by community participation with out incentive paid.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Guideline for watershed development