Technologies

Haraghie Stone Bund [Ethiopia]

Duagu ghagaa (Oromiya)

technologies_1076 - Ethiopia

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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:

Tadesse Getnet

Rural Land and Natural Resources Administration Authority.

Ethiopia

SLM specialist:

Mekonnen Daniel

Rural Land and Natural Resources Administration Authority.

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 constructed along the contour to minimize soil erosion and prevent runoff damage from down stream fields.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The technology is widely used by farmers in the area and also widely practiced. The structure is built from stone and/or soil. On the average 1m vertical interval is used on a slope of 20-40%.

Purpose of the Technology: The technology is used to increase and maintain crop productivity by promoting activities which improve production and conserve soil and water.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The embankment is constructed from stone/soil and a ditch is dug at the upper side of the bund and bund stablization technique is used and frequent maintenance made.

Natural / human environment: The technology is suitable to areas with gentle to undulating slope and in cultivated areas with moderate soil depth.

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

Country:

Ethiopia

Region/ State/ Province:

Oromiya

Further specification of location:

Awash/Jalela

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 239.5 km2.

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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:
  • as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)
Comments (type of project, etc.):

Originated locally-farmers developed it from years of experiences.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
  • Perennial (non-woody) cropping
  • Tree and shrub cropping
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 2
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 150 Longest growing period from month to month: Jul - Dec Second longest growing period in days: 105 Second longest growing period from month to month: Apr - Jun

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Population pressure, deforestation, land degradation

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

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
water degradation

water degradation

  • Ha: aridification
Comments:

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

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Ha: aridification

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (clearing forests and bushes for agricultural purpose), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (no vegetation cover/complete denudation), other human induced causes (specify) (agricultural causes - continous farming with out apllying SWC), education, access to knowledge and support services (lack of soil management skill), governance / institutional

Secondary causes of degradation: overgrazing (high population/cattle pressure on the resources), poverty / wealth (lack of captial - unable to use improved technologies), land subdivision (small in size & fragmented), lack of enforcement of legislat./authority (legislation is not inplace)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation
Comments:

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation, 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):

Oromia

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high

Technical knowledge required for land users: high

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

Secondary technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, reduction of slope angle, reduction of slope length, increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, water harvesting / increase water supply

Better crop cover
Material/ species: farm implements
Remarks: plough along the contour

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs, F : fruit trees / shrubs
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 1

Terrace: bench level
Vertical interval between structures (m): 1
Spacing between structures (m): 5-10
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.75
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 1

Construction material (earth): the excavated soil is used for making the embankment

Construction material (stone): used to construct stone/stone faced bunds

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

Lateral gradient along the structure: 0%

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:

0.78

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Surveying dry season
2. Collection of bund construction materilas dry season
3. Excavation dry season
4. Bund construction dry season

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 1.0 169.0 169.0
Equipment Tools ha 1.0 69.0 69.0 100.0
Plant material Seeds ha 1.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 238.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 27.67
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 36 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Contour plough dry season & on set of rains / 3-5 times
2. Sowing during rains / each cropping season
3. Weeding during rains / each cropping season
4. Bund stablization dry season/annual
5. Repair the breaks dry 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 82.8 82.8
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 82.8
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 9.63
Comments:

The cost is culculated for the stone/soil bund and trench per hectare of land.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour is the most important factor affecting the cost.

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
  • humid

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:

Landforms: Hill slopes (ranked 1), plateau/plains (ranked 2) and foot slopes (ranked 3)
Slopes on average: Also rolling (ranked 2) and steep (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 fertility: Medium (ranked 1), low (ranked 2) and high (ranked 3)
Soil drainage/infiltration is medium
Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • very poor
  • poor
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • animal traction
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 100-200 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 3% - 4%
20% of the land users are average wealthy and own 35% of the land.
50% of the land users are poor and own 45% of the land.
30% of the land users are poor and own 20% of the land.
Off-farm income specification: Farmers who have implemented SWC technologies on their farms have got better crop yields compared to those who have not implement SWC technologies.

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:

1-2 ha: Only few households

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

Land ownership:
  • state

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

production area

decreased
increased

land management

hindered
simplified
Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased

workload

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

national institutions

weakened
strengthened

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

Ecological impacts

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil loss

increased
decreased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

reliable and stable stream flows in dry season

reduced
increased

downstream flooding

increased
reduced

downstream siltation

increased
decreased

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

neutral/ balanced

Long-term returns:

slightly positive

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

neutral/ balanced

Long-term returns:

slightly positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

1049

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 11-50%
Comments:

70% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

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

Comments on acceptance with external material support: survey results

30% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

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

Comments on spontaneous adoption: survey results

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Reduce erosion and runoff

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Regular maintenance
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Reduction of soil erosion

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Regular maintenance
Increase infiltration rate

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

Links and modules

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