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:

Cultivation of tree belts across the direction of wind at appropriate intervals in the deposition zone, with a view to arrest wind erosion and facilitate stabilisation of dunes through interbelt development.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The technology comprises establishment of 5 row shelterbelts at 160 m intervals. 3 row intermediary shelterbelts are introduced in between existing shelterbelts at 80 m interval. Land owners are encouraged to cultivate tree crops in between the belts.

Purpose of the Technology: Shelterbelts are useful in reducing wind velocity, there by arresting shifting of sand dunes, deposition of sand on fields, habitation, wells, roads etc. Cultivation of area between tree belts is made possible leading to increase in productivity from these lands.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The shelterbelts comprise tree species of different heights planted in rows (5 and 3 row deep) in a straight line across the wind direction. Six month old seedlings are planted in pits of volume 1 cuft to 1.5 cuft, which are filled with tank silt. One borewell is provided for one km length for life saving irrigation.

Natural / human environment: The environment is arid and forms the deposition zone wherein sand lifted from the impact zone is deposited. Sand dunes cover the area.

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:

India

Region/ State/ Province:

Tirunelveli district, Tamil nadu state

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 100 km2.

The technology was implemented in the sand dune belt locally known as 'theri', located between the western mountain range and east coast of south India. The technology was initially implemented by the Government of Tamil nadu state in 1978 till 1985. The Danida supported project implemented by the department of Agricultural Engineering began activities to strengthen existing shelter belts, introduce inter belts and mass plantation from 1991 till 1999. The technology was initially implemented in an area much wider than the their lands, but experience showed that the shelterbelts was not the best methodology for low wind agricultural areas, so a shift to agro forestry and mass planting occurred.

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.):

The Department of Agriculture Engineering implemented shelterbelts since 1958 in neighbouring Madurai district. The technology was introduced to Tirunelveli district by the department in 1978 wherein 5 row shelterbelts were established.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• conserve ecosystem

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agro-silvopastoralism

Cropland

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 100 Longest growing period from month to month: Oct - Dec

Grazing land

Forest/ woodlands

• Tree plantation, afforestation

Products and services:

• Protection against natural hazards

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Crops cannot be cultivated due to sand deposition. Grass cover cannot develop due to shifting of dunes. Hence the area is neglected and degrades further. Only hardy species (ef. Palymra) and coarse grasses survive. Predominant land use is open grazing.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Land cannot be cultivated economically due to arid conditions, shifting dunes and open grazing.

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: Cultivation is practiced only in years of good rainfall. Single crop of pulse (black gram ) is taken.

3.4 Water supply

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

• rainfed

Comments:

Water supply: Also mixed rainfed - irrigated (ranked 2)

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• windbreak/ shelterbelt

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by wind

• Ed: deflation and deposition
• Eo: offsite degradation effects

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Eo: offsite degradation effects

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Ed: deflation and deposition

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Indian Rupee

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

48.85

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 60 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The above costs cover an establishment period of 5 years for 1 hectare (250 plants) of shelterbelt; year 1: pitting, planting, watering. Year 2 & 3: periodic watering, watch and ward, prunng, gap filling. Year 4 & 5: watch and ward, pruning. Of the total number of 391 mandays/ha. of shelterbelt, 288 mandays go towards periodic watering over the first 3 years. Watering of plants is essential due to the semi-arid climate and sandy soil. In addition, as supportive technology for provision of water, one borewell with handpump was established per kilometer of shelterbelt.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Landforms: Plateau/plains (undulating terrain)
Slopes on average: Gentle (undulating)

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 depth on average: Very deep (due to deposition by wind)
Soil texture: Coarse/light (sandy soil),
Soil fertility: Very low (low organic matter)
Topsoil organic matter: Low (low vegetative cover)
Soil drainage/infiltration: Good (permeability is high)
Soil water storage capacity: Very low (sandy soil, low organic matter)

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: 1% - 2%
38% of the land users are average wealthy (traders, labor).
42% of the land users are poor (small farmers, without water source).
20% of the land users are poor (small farmers, without water source).
Off-farm income specification: traders, employed in cashew processing plants, small industries, nearby towns, migration.
Level of mechanization: Manual work (in addition bullocks are used for ploughing)

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

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

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?

• 0-10%

Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

5000 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: estimates

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Farmers are in favour of raising orchards to combat wind erosion and increase production in place of shelterbelts..

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Review Reports

Available from where? Costs?

Chief Engineer, Agriculture Engineering Department, Anna Salai-439, Nandanam, Chennai-600035

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Project Implementation Plans, Project documents

Available from where? Costs?

Programme Coordinator, WDCU, 11/1 Sarvapriya Vihar, New Delhi-110016.