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)

Soil protection and rehabilitation for food security (ProSo(i)l)

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

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

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 enriched with Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) are established at regular distances along a slope, ideally following the contour lines. They primarily function as anti-erosion barriers, but also produce food and fodder resources while contributing to soil fertility.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Grass strips enriched with Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) are established at regular distances along a slope, ideally following the contour lines. The technology is designed for use on low- to medium-gradient land, referred to as "tanety". During the dry season or at the start of the rainy season, contour lines are laid out by simple surveying equipment using spirit levels about 20 m apart on low slopes or closer for medium slopes. The contour lines also help to guide ploughing. If there is no surveying equipment the strips can simply be laid out across the slope – as estimated by eye – but a surveyed contour is much preferable.
At the time of ploughing (between October and December), the strips - with a minimum width of 50 cm - should be left unploughed to develop natural grasses. Once the plot has been ploughed, pigeon peas can be sown on the edges of the strip every 50 cm, in staggered rows, at a rate of 2-3 seeds per seed hole. Sowing can be done at the start of the rainy season. Pigeon peas can also be planted up to 1 meter apart, still staggered, for increased seed production.
As the season progresses, the grassy strip will develop, and the pigeon peas will start to grow. If more than two pigeon pea plants are observed in a stand, they should be thinned. In the first year, pigeon pea production is generally modest unless the soil is very fertile. The strip should be left in place during the dry season without burning or weeding, serving as continued protection for the plot in the following season. It is then possible either to leave the pigeon peas in place, or to prune them back to 40 cm above the ground, after the first rains (if there is a fear of competition for light with other crops). In this case, the branches and dead leaves can be spread over the plot between strips as mulch or taken to the yard to feed cattle. The wood can be used as firewood.
After three years, the pigeon pea plants die. The primary benefit of this technique is soil protection from erosion and the preservation of soil fertility. The pigeon pea hedge acts also as a useful windbreak providing food, fodder, and wood. It also ensures a substantial production of biomass beneficial for the soil. Because pigeon pea is a legume, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen. Furthermore, the fallen leaves of pigeon pea fertilize the plot. It is important to note that pigeon pea pods are vulnerable to insect attack.

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:

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.):

GIZ ProSoil Madagascar

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
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

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

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

• Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

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

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• integrated soil fertility management
• cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation
• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

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

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Seeding	November-December

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	Seeding	man-day	2.0	5000.0	10000.0	100.0
Plant material	Pigeon pea seed	kg	3.5	4000.0	14000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					24000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					5.58

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

GIZ ProSoil Madagascar

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Trimming/cutting	Once a year in November or December

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	Trimming/cutting	man-day	4.0	5000.0	20000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					20000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					4.65

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour for implementation.

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?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

The region is home to numerous species of flora and fauna, some of which are native. Nevertheless, this quantity remains moderate compared to other regions of the island. In terms of habitats, approximately 20% of the area can serve as a habitat for this biodiversity (forests, bodies of water, mangroves, etc.), which remains fairly 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:

• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

The individual who takes care of the land owns it.

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

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

These are estimates by the farmers.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

These are estimates by the farmers.

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	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	moderately
annual rainfall		decrease	not well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
tropical storm	moderately

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
forest fire	not well

Biological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
insect/ worm infestation	not well

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?

Yes

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

• climatic change/ extremes

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Reduced water and wind erosion on the soil surface
A source of additional income (sale of seeds). The seeds (green or dried) are also consumed by farmers as a delicacy.
Fodder for livestock or green manure for the soil (leaves). The branches are also used as cooking fuel.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
This technique makes it possible to combine effective soil protection and food production without needing to work the soil or sow seeds for three years.

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?
Pigeon pea is vulnerable to insect attack (especially to its pods).	Treat with biocides.
A fairly substantial amount of work is required if the land is large and uneven, to make sure that the strips follow the contour lines.	Hire labour to carry out the work, but this means drawing on savings.
A lack of commercial openings for pigeon pea grain.	Work on marketing this species to turn it into a source of income.

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?

Madagascar GIZ ProSol

Title, author, year, ISBN:

GIZ ProSol Madagascar, 2022, Poster "Bandes enherbées enrichies de pois d'Angole"

Available from where? Costs?

Madagascar GIZ ProSol

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:

"Bandes végétalisées naturelles garnies de pois d’Angole"

URL:

https://soatany.org/fiches-techniques/

Title/ description:

GSDM, "Rotation de culture sur tanety à base de cajanus"

URL:

https://gsdm-mg.org/wp-content/files/Fiche_technique_Cajanus_GSDM__TFNAC.pdf