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)

GIZ Bénin (GIZ Bénin) - Benin

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

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Mulching is the practice of spreading non-living organic matter - such as crop residues - onto the soil for its protection and improvement while cover cropping is the planting of a legume species such as mucuna which protects the soil surface and fixes nitrogen,

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Mulching and cover cropping are techniques associated with conservation agriculture. With the exception of soils subject to flooding, these techniques find applicability across various types of soil (especially bare and crusted degraded soils). ProSOL-supported producers apply it mainly on flat soils.

(1) Mulch originates from crops whose residues are collected and spread over a specific area. The crop depends on the producer's activity, whether it involves market gardening or annual cropping. In the case of market gardening, palm branches can be used in nurseries, while soybean residues obtained after threshing can be used in market gardening beds.
Producers engaged in annual cropping utilise the biomass generated by their crops for mulching. In this scenario, the mulch is created by accumulating piles of land-clearing residues in the field during the soil preparation phase. Producers also add bulky tree branches and stems and spread them over the soil to form a thick layer. In addition, they sometimes mow areas not intended for cultivation during the season and spread the cuttings as mulch. This practice is what has earned the technique its "crazy work" name.

Mulching offers various advantages, including:
•maintenance of soil moisture;
•proliferation and feeding of living organisms in the soil;
•increased soil porosity;
•reduced erosion effects;
•better development and growth of crops; and
•suppression of weeds and undesirable species competing with crops

To ensure sustainability and scalability, producers establish firebreaks to avert mulch combustion. They also monitor their plots to forestall grazing by wandering or transhumant animals.
Market gardeners employing this technique report a decrease in mineral fertilizer usage (by a third to a half) and an enhancement in the quality of harvested produce. Similarly, farmers utilizing it for annual cropping purposes witnessed a significant boost in yields, especially for cowpeas (an improvement of approximately three times the yield).

(2) Cover cropping is implemented by planting a herbaceous legume, for example mucuna to a specific area. The biomass obtained from this application serves as a living soil cover while it simultaneously fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere.

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:

2016

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

ProSOL/GIZ: Soil Rehabilitation and Restoration Project financed by the German Cooperation Agency

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• 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:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

Rainwater for annual crops and irrigated water for market gardening crops.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• integrated soil fertility management

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

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):

CFA F

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

619.68

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Stalk mowing (when mulch is made from stalks of millet, sorghum, etc.)	January-March
2.	Mulching	February-March
3.	Seedling	April
4.	Maintenance	May
5.	Harvest	June-July

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	Stalk mowing (when mulch is made from stalks of millet, sorghum, etc.)	kanti	1.0	1250.0	1250.0	100.0
Labour	Mulching	kanti	1.0	2500.0	2500.0	100.0
Labour	Seedling	kanti	1.0	700.0	700.0	100.0
Labour	Maintenance	Kanti	1.0	500.0	500.0	100.0
Plant material	Straws	Kanti	1.0	1250.0	1250.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					6200.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					10.01

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Firebreak installation	January
2.	Mulching	May-June

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	Firebreak installation	kanti	1.0	1000.0	1000.0	100.0
Labour	Mulching	kanti	1.0	1500.0	1500.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					2500.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					4.03

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Searching for straw when farmers want to grow vegetables on a large scale

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

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:

• group
• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)
• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

The lands are owned by local authorities.

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

Climate and disaster risk reduction

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	well
seasonal temperature	dry season	increase	moderately
annual rainfall		decrease	moderately
seasonal rainfall	dry season	increase	moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	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

• 11-50%

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

• 0-10%

6.6 Adaptation

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

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Increased crop yields
Water- and wind-induced loss of fine soil particles
Protection of farmlands against wind- and/or water-induced erosion

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
High nitrogen fixation capacity
Conservation of biodiversity in the soil
Slowing down the erosion process
Facilitating the growth of living soil organisms

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?
Termite attraction in the second year	Utilization of insecticides and fungicides as soon as crops are established
Difficulties in finding straw in sufficient quantities	Development of pure mucuna cultivation

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Attraction of reptiles (snakes, scorpions, etc.)	Wear boots and gloves during work
Difficulties in finding labor for spreading activities	Use and incentivize family labor

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, 2018. Compendium de fiches techniques du formateur,

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Resettlement Action Plan

URL:

https://www.afdb.org/sites/default/files/5.-papvs_rapport-par_abomey.pdf

Title/ description:

Monograph of the Commune of Abomey

URL:

https://docplayer.fr/40817641-Monographie-de-la-commune-d-abomey.html

Title/ description:

The climate of the city of Abomey

URL:

https://fr.weatherspark.com/y/45798/M%C3%A9t%C3%A9o-moyenne-%C3%A0-Abomey-B%C3%A9nin-tout-au-long-de-l'ann%C3%A9e

Title/ description:

PAILLAGE, UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre

URL:

https://tech-action.unepccc.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/05/benin-np-adaptation-paillage.pdf

Title/ description:

Promotion des systèmes de semis direct sous couverture végétale au Bénin : état des lieux,, travaux de terrain et perspectives

URL:

http://open-library.cirad.fr/files/2/219__1188720984.pdf