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)

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:

Grass strips are spaced at regular intervals along contour lines. These strips are not ploughed during soil preparation, and Brachiaria grass is used to form barriers to reduce water-induced erosion. Over time, the plots evolve naturally into terraces.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Grass strips formed from Barachiaria sp. are spaced at regular intervals along contour lines. This system is applied on gently to moderately sloping land (tanety) and is not suitable for steeply sloping plots. It can be used by all farmers, especially those with cattle, as it provides good quality forage. To ensure successful implementation, plots must be protected from livestock.
Ploughing is typically carried out in the dry season or at the onset of the rainy season. Land is either ploughed approximately across the slope, or by following contours where these have been marked out. In the latter case, contour lines should be surveyed at intervals of around 20 metres (or less), using stakes as landmarks during ploughing. Where grass strips have been established, ploughing is carried out parallel with these.
Brachiaria splits are planted in staggered lines along the contours. Alternatively seeds are used. This step is carried out at the start of the rainy season (December). The strips need to be protected against livestock throughout. These strips are left in place during the dry season, without burning or weeding. Over time, the plots evolve naturally into terraces.
This technology protects the soil against erosion by reducing runoff and increasing infiltration. It also helps maintain soil fertility, resulting in higher crop yields. Brachiaria provides excellent fodder for cattle and the strips become biodiverse. These plants are also relatively resilient to fire, maintaining their greenery even in the dry season. They can be a source of high-quality green matter for the manufacture of compost (especially “basket compost”). From a practical standpoint, they have a high cost/benefit ratio, requiring minimal maintenance. After the initial year, no resowing is necessary; the grass strips can endure for several years. Despite their merits, these strips have not been widely adopted, possibly due to limited awareness or a lack of Brachiaria cuttings among some farmers.

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:

Madagascar

Region/ State/ Province:

Boeny

Further specification of location:

Tsaramandroso, Belobaka

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

No

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2020

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.):

Prosoil Project

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• 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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

Cropland

• Annual cropping
• Perennial (non-woody) cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - sorghum
• legumes and pulses - beans
• legumes and pulses - other
• legumes and pulses - soya
• root/tuber crops - cassava

• Cowpea (lojy), Vigna radiata

Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:

• fodder crops - grasses

• Brachiaria

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Is intercropping practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify which crops are intercropped:

Intercropping of cereals (maize or sorghum) and legumes (cowpea, Vigna radiata) or cassava with legumes

Is crop rotation practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify:

Maize and legumes/ Sorghum and legumes/ Cassava and legumes

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

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

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

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

• integrated crop-livestock management
• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

• V2: Grasses and perennial herbaceous plants

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

A grass strip should have a minimum width of 50 cm. The recommended distances between these strips vary based on the slope:
-For gentle slopes, a distance of around 20 m is advised.
-On steeper slopes, it is recommended to reduce the distance between strips. Maintain a minimum distance of 5 m to facilitate cultivation between the strips.
-On highly steep slopes, it is recommended to use fencing instead of creating grassed strips separated by crops.
The distance between two rows of Brachiaria in the same strip must not exceed 50 cm.
The space between Brachiaria seedlings or plants is 20 cm, staggered.

Author:

GIZ ProSoil Madagascar

Date:

01/02/2023

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

Ariary

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

4300.0

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

The Brachiaria seeds were procured by the Prosol project.

Comments:

Most of the farmers interviewed practiced direct seeding, which is why the costs applied are specific to this technical pathway. However, Brachiaria can also be transplanted using splits.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Comments:

Brachiaria is cut to provide cattle fodder or for composting.

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

Comments:

Cutting Brachiaria here is a form of harvesting, but also contributes to maintaining the grass strip.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

This region boasts a diverse array of plant and animal species, with some being native. However, this biodiversity is relatively moderate when compared to other parts of the island. In terms of habitats, approximately 20% of the region comprises suitable environments for supporting this biodiversity, including forests, water bodies, mangroves, and more, although this percentage remains relatively low.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

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:

• individual, not titled
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• leased
• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

Most villagers can identify the cultivated lands of each their fellow village residents.

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

Soil

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

These are estimates provided by the farmers interviewed.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

These are the estimates provided by the farmers interviewed.

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

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

• single cases/ experimental

6.6 Adaptation

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

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

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

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Région Boeny, 2016, "Schéma Régional d’Aménagement du Territoire de la Région Boeny"

Available from where? Costs?

Boeny Region Hotel

Title, author, year, ISBN:

GIZ ProSol Madagascar, 2022, "Livret des Paysans Relais"

Available from where? Costs?

GIZ ProSol Madagascar

Title, author, year, ISBN:

GIZ ProSol Madagascar, 2022, Poster "Culture de Brachiaria"

Available from where? Costs?

GIZ ProSol Madagascar

Title, author, year, ISBN:

O Husan et Al, 2008, "Brachiaria sp. B. ruziziensis, B. brizantha, B. decumbens, B. humidicola"

Available from where? Costs?

http://open-library.cirad.fr/files/2/139__1221575727.pdf

Title, author, year, ISBN:

GRET, 2015, "Pratiques agroécologiques et agroforestières en zone tropicale humide", Fiche N°15 Bandes enherbées en courbe de niveau

Available from where? Costs?

https://gret.org/publication/pratiques-agroecologiques-et-agroforestieres-en-zone-tropicale-humide/

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Fambolena Brachiaria ho sakafon’omby no hanarenana ny tsiron’ny tany

URL:

gsdm-mg.org