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

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Scaling-up SLM practices by smallholder farmers (IFAD)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

CDE Centre for Development and Environment (CDE Centre for Development and Environment) - Switzerland

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

26/05/2017

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:

Fish farming, commonly referred to as aquaculture, is one of the common practices promoted by small, medium and large scale farmers in Amuru District, Northern Uganda. Labour, hoes, wheelbarrows, spades and slashers are used for establishment. The technology is established on a gently sloping physical environment located mainly at the valley bottom for purposes of obtaining food security and household income.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Fish farming requires initial consultation with the extension agents or experts to access knowledge and skills on establishment as well as proper procedures including testing the water suitability and the reliabilty of water sources to constantly provide water to the fish pond.

The farmer has seven big fish ponds of various sizes ranging from 30m*40m, 40m*50m, 20m*25m, 20m*26m, 15m*15m, 20m*18m and 18m *16m, which serve different purposes including the bigger ones are for breeding fish of different sizes, another for production, one is meant for cat fish (omel), another pond has mixed species of tilapia (lapok) and cat fish, another pond is meant for a rare species known as singida. The farmer has established another pond meant for only male tilapia ready for sale and the last one inhabits mixed mature species ready for sale.

Usually, the fish ponds are restocked by bringing young species from another fish pond. To ensure hygine and survival, fish ponds are maintained by clearing the bushes around the ponds weekly. Feeds are provided to the fish at a specific time interval that is regularly 10:00 am, 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

At the end of the day; once the technology is established the pond system requires only maintenance costs for removing weeds, feeding, restocking and slashing around the pond. What is not liked about this technology is that it relies on a natural spring. In case of drought survival of the fish is not guaranteed.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2012

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The land user once had a fish pond at a young age.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce risk of disasters
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact

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

If land use has changed due to the implementation of the Technology, indicate land use before implementation of the Technology:

Crop production.

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

Specify:

Throughout the year.

Livestock density (if relevant):

Not applicable.

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• water harvesting
• surface water management (spring, river, lakes, sea)
• ground water management

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Surface water is used to fill water ponds for aqualuture. This has also a beneficial effect on the the groundwater level and water security in the immediate area.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• not applicable

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The farmer has seven big fish ponds of various sizes ranging from 30m*40m, 40m*50m, 20m*25m, 20m*26m, 15m*15m, 20m*18m and 18m*16m established in the valley bottom.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

UGX

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

3500.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Digging of ponds	Structural	dry and wet
2.	Water is drained out of the dam during constructions	Structural	dry and wet
3.	The dam gets filled by water from underneath	Structural	dry and wet
4.	Fish introduction into the pond	Management	dry and wet

4.5 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 on monthly basis	workers	5.0	150000.0	750000.0	100.0
Equipment	Spades	pieces	5.0	7000.0	35000.0	100.0
Equipment	Slasher	pieces	5.0	7000.0	35000.0	100.0
Equipment	Wheelbarrow	pieces	1.0	8000.0	8000.0	100.0
Other	Fish fry	pieces	200.0	1000.0	200000.0	100.0
Other	Feeds per week	kgs	100.0	1000.0	100000.0	100.0
Other	Fish nets	pieces	5.0	4000.0	20000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					1148000.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Removing water weed	Management	dry and wet
2.	Fertilizer application(lime), chicken waste, cow dung to promote growth of plankton	Management	dry and wet
3.	Replacement of water	Management	dry and wet
4.	Feeding the fish	Management	dry and wet
5.	Slashing the dam sides	Management	dry and wet

4.7 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 on monthly basis	workers	1.0	150000.0	150000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					150000.0

Comments:

1 worker in a monthly basis carries out all recurrent works listed above.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour is the important factor that influences costs. The farmer used own money to hire labour.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• concave situations

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

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

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	Type of climatic change/ extreme	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	moderately
annual rainfall		decrease	moderately

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

• 10-50%

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

60

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 90-100%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Yes

If yes, indicate to which changing conditions it was adapted:

• changing markets

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The technology is a good source of food.
Easy to maintain.
Provides income from the sale of the fish.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Does not require high maintenance costs once established.
Requires technical advice which is available with extension workers.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Easily affected by drought especially during the dry season.	Water harvesting.
Easily destructed by wild birds.	Tide security through watchman.
Flooding can lead to overflow hence fishes may escape.	Channel created to drain away excess water from the pond.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Presence of water weeds may affect fish growth and feeding.	Constant removal of weeds which might be an extra cost.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Aquaculture production and its contribution to development in the Rwenzori region Uganda, Ronald Rulijwa, June 2018

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326059904_Aquaculture_production_and_its_contribution_to_development_in_the_Rwenzori_region_Uganda

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

The Effect of Water Quality on Aquaculture Productivity in Ibanda District, Uganda ,Received: 8 November 2021 / Revised: 16 December 2021 / Accepted: 21 February 2022 / Published: 4 March 2022

URL:

https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9496/2/1/3