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)

Name of the institution(s) 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:

The production and use of agroforestry tree seedlings is a technology that involves growing seedlings in nurseries and then planting them out. The technique used is bare-root seedling production, which involves seeding directly into beds in the ground and subsequently distributing them for sale or use. The species involved in this process is the baobab (Adansonia digitata).

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The propagation of agroforestry trees is based on bare-root seedlings. This method is used wherever climate and site conditions are favourable (i.e. humid regions + nutrient-rich soils). The species selected for propagation is the baobab (Adansonia digitata). The implementation of this technology involves several stages, namely harvesting or purchasing seeds, seed treatment, seedbed preparation, sowing, seedling maintenance, marketing, and seedling preparation before planting.
Seeds are either harvested or obtained from the National Forest Seeds Center (CNSF) in Burkina Faso. They are treated with sulfuric acid at a rate of two (02) litres of sulfuric acid per three (03) kilograms of seed. The purpose of this treatment is to accelerate germination and increase the germination percentage. The work carried out to prepare the beds is as follows:
•tracing the perimeter of the bed with a rope and stakes over a length of 10m and a width of 1m;
•digging (30 to 40 cm deep) and adding manure to enrich the soil. As a guide, two (02) wheelbarrows of manure can be used for a 10 m² bed;
•levelling the bed and watering.
Sowing is conducted in furrows spaced 5 to 10 cm apart and 1 to 2 cm deep. Generally, 4 to 5 furrows are made in each bed. 1 or 2 seeds are placed in the furrow every 1 or 2 cm. Seedlings must be watered thoroughly once in the morning and once in the evening. Four watering cans or buckets of water a required for a 10 m² bed. One hectare requires 1 kg of seed.
The care of the seedlings involves weeding and cultivating the soil around the seedlings. When the seedlings are 30 to 50 cm high, and if they are too dense, they need to be thinned to one plant every 5 to 10 cm. The seedlings are sold directly from the site at CFA F 500 to locals and CFA F 1,000 to non-residents.
Preparing the seedlings before planting involves reducing the frequency of watering to once a day, starting two (02) weeks before the planting date. This process is closely linked to marketing activities. Seedlings that are not sold are retained onsite and contribute to enhancing the nursery's woody potential. The day before planting, the seedbed is thoroughly watered. On the day of planting, the soil is carefully dug up to avoid damaging the stems or roots of the seedlings when removing them from the bed. Roots are pruned, using secateurs or a sharp knife, before transplanting.
The production and use of agroforestry seedlings is aimed at making seedlings available for plant cover restoration activities and improving farmers' incomes. It enables rapid establishment of baobab seedlings. The production costs of bare-root plants are low, since there are no expenses associated with the purchase of pots. The integration of this technology into an agroforestry system has proved to be highly profitable as it does not hinder the development of crops, thereby enhancing farmers' incomes. Farmers assert that the production of forest tree seedlings, especially baobab, contributes to improving their income. They estimate that the revenue generated from one baobab plant surpasses that of one mango seedling.

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:

Burkina Faso

Region/ State/ Province:

Hauts-Bassins region (Tuy province)

Further specification of location:

Makognadougou (Commune of Koumbia)

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

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

No

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

1998

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

Comments (type of project, etc.):

This technology is implemented through a private initiative.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• conserve ecosystem
• 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:

Yes

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

• Agroforestry

Cropland

• Tree and shrub cropping

Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:

• fruits, other

• Baobab

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Is intercropping practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify which crops are intercropped:

Sorghum, maize, groundnuts, and cowpeas

Is crop rotation practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify:

Maize-Sorghum

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:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

The farmer has a borehole to water the seedlings during the dry season.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• agroforestry
• improved ground/ vegetation cover

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A5: Seed management, improved varieties

vegetative measures

• V1: Tree and shrub cover

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

soil erosion by wind

• Et: loss of topsoil

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

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

• Area of the bed: length of 10 m and width of 1 m;
• Marking of 4 to 5 furrows on each bed;
• Digging (30 to 40 cm deep);
• Application of manure (one wheelbarrow load of manure per 10 m² bed);
• Adansonia digitata seeds;
• Planting in furrows spaced 5 to 10 cm apart;
• 1 kg of Adansonia digitata seeds per hectare.

Author:

KIENTEGA Amadou

Date:

2023

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

• Seedbed perimeter: 10 m long and 1 m wide;
• 4 to 5 furrows on each seedbed;
• Digging (30 to 40 cm deep);
• Manure application (one wheelbarrow of manure for a 10 m² bed);
• Adansonia digitata seeds;
• Sowing in furrows 5 to 10 cm apart;
• 1 kg of Adansonia digitata seed per hectare.

Author:

KIENTEGA Amadou

Date:

2023

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

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

608.0

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

The seedbeds used by the farmers are 10m2 seedbeds. The cost estimate was based on an average of 350 beds per hectare, with a manure input of two (02) barrows per bed.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The most important factors affecting costs are seedling maintenance and equipment availability.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

The site under consideration is located at an altitude of 274 m.

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:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

Due to the sacred nature of the land, custom dictates that its management must not be subject to speculation

Comments:

Based on information from both literature and interviews, it appears that land access in the village of Makognadougou is mainly through inheritance and borrowing. Other modes of access (lending, leasing and buying) do not appear to be common practice, nor a perceptible reality.

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

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

No impact

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

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

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:

Recueil des pratiques agro-écologiques éprouvées et mises en œuvre au Burkina Faso, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique, 2020/Compendium of proven agro-ecological practices implemented in Burkina Faso, National Scientific and Technological Research Center, 2020

Available from where? Costs?

Available on the Internet

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Diagnostic sur les sites d’extension de quatre (04) micros bassins versants au profit du ProSol, Projet « Réhabilitation et protection des sols dégradés et renforcement des instances foncières locales dans les zones rurales du Burkina Faso » (ProSol), 2020/A diagnostic assessment of the extension sites of four (04) micro-catchment areas for the ProSol project, "Rehabilitation and protection of degraded soils and strengthening of local land tenure bodies in the rural areas of Burkina Faso" (ProSol), 2020

Available from where? Costs?

Available at ProSol-Burkina Faso

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Module de formation en techniques de production de plants en pépinière, Cabinet d’expertise, DEZLY, 2016/Training module in nursery seedling production techniques, DEZLY, 2016

Available from where? Costs?

Available on the Internet