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

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

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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Combinations; cultivation & vegetative

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The purpose of the rehabilitation includes an increase in production potential, vegetative cover and density, biodiversity, fodder for grazing and palatable grass species.

To establish this technology, cultivation of the denuded areas was done by dyker plough. Oversowing with a grass-seed mixture followed. The seeds (indigenous) were purchased from a seed-company. If woody encroachment species are available, place the branches on the cultivated area. No maintenance is necessary; the area is left as it is for 3 years with no grazing if possible (no grazing for cattle, but for game some grazing-areas are partly covered by branches no grazing).

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

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.):

Land owners & agriculturist - extension

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation

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):

• Silvo-pastoralism

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Bush encroachment, bare denuded land - open spaces

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Not productive for grazing land
Erosion
Low grass cover

Semi-nomadism / pastoralism: Yes

Ranching: Yes

Other grazingland: intensive grazing land

Forest products and services: timber, fuelwood, fruits and nuts, grazing / browsing, nature conservation / protection, recreation / tourism

Constraints of wastelands / deserts / glaciers / swamps

Constraints of recreation

Number of growing seasons per year: 1
Longest growing period in days: 180; Longest growing period from month to month: Oct - Mar

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
• minimal soil disturbance

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures, management measures

Secondary measures: vegetative measures, structural measures

Type of agronomic measures: contour tillage

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wg: gully erosion / gullying

Main causes of degradation: over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use, overgrazing, poverty / wealth (Lack of captial - Not enough money to implement rehabilitation - higher inflation)

Secondary causes of degradation: other natural causes (avalanches, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, highly susceptible natural resources, extreme topography, etc.) specify (Climate), land tenure (Land subdivision - Land properties get smaller & less cost effective), education, access to knowledge and support services (Lack of knowledge)

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

Comments:

Also rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Rand

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

6.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Dyker plough making hollows	Beginning of rainy season
2.	Sowing of perennial grass seeds (in hollows, waiting for rain)	Beginning of rainy season
3.	Fences	At beginning of project

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	Ploughing and sowing	persons/day	60.0	8.0	480.0
Equipment	Machine use	ha	100.0	14.0	1400.0
Plant material	Seeds	ha	100.0	40.0	4000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					5880.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					980.0

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 12 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Dyker plough cultivation on contours	Start of growing season /
2.	Chopping of woody branches of encroaching species	Start of growing season /
3.	Bush packing on cultivated area	Beginning of season /1st season

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

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: Tractor & dyker plough implement

This costs are calculated for 100 ha
No additional fencing material costs.
Old fences used to enclose the treated area.
(+ R 4000 /km fencing costs if new (normal) fence is needed. For game fence R4000 for 300m)

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

No subsidies
Very labour intensive

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility is very low - low

Soil drainage / infiltration is poor

Soil water storage capacity is very low - low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: < 10 persons/km2

Annual population growth: < 0.5%

2% of the land users are rich.
50% of the land users are average wealthy.
17% of the land users are poor.
30% of the land users are poor.

Off-farm income specification: Commercial
10-50% Communal, poor. Commercial - < 10%

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

• commercial

• commercial

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Other socio-economic impacts

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Other ecological impacts

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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%

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

50 percent of the area

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

• 11-50%

Comments:

30% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: estimates

20% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: estimates

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Farmers (land users) are more aware about land degradation and want to do something about it.
More in media

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Increase grazing capacity, more fodder How can they be sustained / enhanced? Good & controlled management
Better & more income: meat, funds How can they be sustained / enhanced? Good & controlled management

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Decrease bush encroachment and invasion of woody species How can they be sustained / enhanced? New growth of species must be controlled
Increase vegetation cover & density How can they be sustained / enhanced? Keep out grazing
Increase soil moisture & infiltration rate How can they be sustained / enhanced? Deep cultivation, cover by twigs/branches
Increase seed bank for whole area How can they be sustained / enhanced? Let the grasses sown - reproductive & make seed so that seed can be distributed by wind or animals

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Low cost/benefit rates in short term	Keep it up and don't get discouraged -see advantages over the long term
Need tractor & implements	Hire implements from Agriculture of other land users
Must have knowledge about the SWC technology	Ask technical & support by Agricultural extension or researches or other land users

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Van der Merwe, JPA. MSc thesis. 1995.Soil conservation booklet

Available from where? Costs?

Potchefstroom University

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Soil conservation booklet