1.2 Detalles de contacto de las personas de referencia e instituciones involucradas en la evaluación y la documentación de la Tecnología

Nombre del proyecto que financió la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)

Book project: where the land is greener - Case Studies and Analysis of Soil and Water Conservation Initiatives Worldwide (where the land is greener)

Nombre de la(s) institución(es) que facilitaron la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)

Bureau of Soils and Water Management (Bureau of Soils and Water Management) - Filipinas

Nombre de la(s) institución(es) que facilitaron la documentación/ evaluación de la Tecnología (si fuera relevante)

International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) - Kenia

1.3 Condiciones referidas al uso de datos documentados mediante WOCAT

¿Cuándo se compilaron los datos (en el campo)?

26/06/1999

El compilador y la/s persona(s) de referencia claves aceptan las condiciones acerca del uso de los datos documentados mediante WOCAT:

Sí

1.4 Declaración de la sostenibilidad de la Tecnología descrita

¿La Tecnología aquí descrita resulta problemática en relación a la degradación de la tierra, de tal forma que no puede considerársela una tecnología sostenible para el manejo de la tierra?

No

1.5 Referencia al (los) Cuestionario(s) de Enfoques MST

2.1 Breve descripción de la Tecnología

Definición de la Tecnología:

Within individual cropland plots, strips of land are marked out on the contour and left unploughed in order to form permanent, cross-slope barriers of naturally established grasses and herbs.

2.2 Descripción detallada de la Tecnología

Descripción:

Natural vegetative strips (NVS) are narrow live barriers comprising naturally occurring grasses and herbs. Contour lines are laid out with an A-frame or through the ‘cow's back method’ (a cow is used to walk across the slope: it tends to follow the contour and this is confirmed when its back is seen to be level). The contours are then pegged to serve as an initial guide to ploughing. The 0.3-0.5 m wide strips are left unploughed to allow vegetation to establish. Runoff flowing down the slope during intense rain is slowed, and infiltrates when it reaches the vegetative strips. Eroded soil collects on and above the strips and natural terraces form over time. This levelling is assisted by ploughing along the contour between the NVS - through ‘tillage erosion’ - which also moves soil downslope.
The vegetation on the established NVS needs to be cut back to a height of 5-10 cm: once before planting a crop, and once or twice during the cropping period. The cut material can be incorporated during land preparation, applied to the cropping area as mulch, or used as fodder. This depends on whether the farmer has livestock or not, on personal preference, and on the time of cutting. If the grass is applied as mulch or incorporated, the technology can be considered to be an agronomic, as well as a vegetative, measure.
NVS constitutes a low-cost technique because no planting material is required and only minimal labour is necessary for establishment and maintenance. Some farmers had already practiced the technology for several years before the intervention of the ICRAF (The World Agroforestry Centre) in 1993. ICRAF came to realise that farmers here preferred NVS to the recommended ‘contour barrier hedgerows’ of multipurpose trees- which land users viewed as being too labour intensive. When farmers became organised into ‘Landcare’ groups, NVS began to gain wide acceptance.
Land users appreciate the technique because it effectively controls soil erosion and prevents loss (through surface runoff) of fertilizers applied to the crop. As an option, some farmers plant fruit and timber trees, bananas or pineapples on or above the NVS. This may be during establishment of the contour lines, or later. The trees and other cash perennials provide an additional source of income, at the cost of some shading of the adjacent annual crops.

2.3 Fotografías de la Tecnología

2.5 País/ región/ lugares donde la Tecnología fue aplicada y que se hallan comprendidos por esta evaluación

2.6 Fecha de la implementación

Indique año de implementación:

1993

Si no se conoce el año preciso, indique la fecha aproximada:

• hace menos de 10 años (recientemente)

2.7 Introducción de la Tecnología

Especifique cómo se introdujo la Tecnología:

• mediante proyectos/ intervenciones externas

Comentarios (tipo de proyecto, etc.):

It evolved in the area with some adaptations.

3.1 Propósito(s) principal(es) de la Tecnología MST

• reducir, prevenir, restaurar la degradación del suelo

3.2 Tipo(s) actuales de uso de la tierra donde se aplica la Tecnología

Comentarios:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Loss of topsoil through sheet erosion and rills, leading to rapid soil fertility decline. In turn soil fertility decline results in the need for increasing levels of fertilizer inputs to maintain crop yield. However, these fertilizers are often washed away by surface runoff - a vicious circle.
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Soil productivity decline; need more inputs to maintain crop yield.

3.3 Información adicional sobre el uso de tierras

Provisión de agua para la tierra donde se aplica la Tecnología:

• de secano

Número de temporadas de cultivo por año:

• 2

Especifique:

Longest growing period: 240 days (Mar - Dec)

3.4 Grupo MST al que pertenece la Tecnología

• medida de pendiente transversal

3.5 Difusión de la Tecnología

Especifique la difusión de la Tecnología:

• distribuida parejamente sobre un área

Si la tecnología se halla difundida homogéneamente en un área, indique el área aproximada que cubre:

• 100-1,000 km2

Comentarios:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 110 m2. The technology has been practiced by a few farmers for the past several years. With the entry of the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) in 1993; farmers became organized and the technology gained wide adherence.

3.6 Medidas MST que componen la Tecnología

Comentarios:

Type of agronomic measures: mixed cropping / intercropping, mulching, legume inter-planting, manure / compost / residues, contour tillage
Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -contour

3.7 Principales tipos de degradación del suelo encarados con la Tecnología

Comentarios:

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (caused massive erosion and loss of productivity), Lack of enforcement of legislat./authority (no clear cut policy and support from LGU). Secondary causes of degradation: overgrazing (over population of livestock, low land ratio), education, access to knowledge and support services (farmers are not fully aware of simple SWC approach), Agricultural causes (unsustainable practice in farming)

3.8 Prevención, reducción o restauración de la degradación del suelo

Especifique la meta de la Tecnología con relación a la degradación de la tierra:

• reducir la degradación del suelo

Comentarios:

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation, rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

4.1 Dibujo técnico de la Tecnología

4.2 Especificaciones técnicas/ explicaciones del dibujo técnico

A - Spacing of natural vegetative strips depends on the slope.
B - The insert shows the evolution of terraces over time through tillage and soil erosion, leading to accumulation of sediment behind the strips (steps 1-3).

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate. Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate.

Main technical functions: reduction of slope angle, reduction of slope length, control of dispersed runoff. Secondary technical functions: improvement of ground cover, increase of infiltration, increase in soil fertility

Agronomic measures:
Mixed cropping / intercropping - Material/ species: annuals/perennials; Remarks: laid out alternately.
Mulching - Material/ species: crop residues; spread on the surface
Legume inter-planting - purpose: for nitrogen fixation
Manure / compost / residues - Material/ species: animal, crop residues
Contour tillage - Material/ species: Contour strips are laid into 6-10 meters apart depending on slope gradient.

Vegetative measures:
Aligned, along contour
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs, F : fruit trees / shrubs, C : perennial crops, G : grass, O : other
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 1
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 5
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 8
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.5

Narrow grass barriers
Vegetative material: grass
Number of plants per (ha): dense grass
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.5-0.7

Trees/ shrubs species: Acacia mangium, Eucalyptus deglupta, Gmelina arbarea
Fruit trees / shrubs species: Mango, Durian, Rambutan, Jackfruit
Perennial crops species: Coffee, rubber, pineappe
Grass species: Bamboo, setara, napier, Panicum spp.
Other species: Legumes

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 30%
If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is (see figure below): 2%
Gradient along the rows / strips: 20%

4.3 Información general sobre el cálculo de insumos y costos

Especifique cómo se calcularon los costos e insumos:

• por área de Tecnología

Especifique la moneda usada para calcular costos:

• dólares americanos

4.4 Actividades de establecimiento

	Actividad	Tipo de medida	Momento
1.	Layout of contours with the use of an A-frame (or cow’s back method, see Annexe T3)) placing wooden pegs along the contours.	Vegetativas	dry season/before land preparation
2.	Seeding (T, F, C)	Vegetativas	dry season
3.	Transplanting	Vegetativas	onset of rainy season
4.	Land preparation	Vegetativas	dry season/before planting

4.5 Costos e insumos necesarios para el establecimiento

	Especifique insumo	Unidad	Cantidad	Costos por unidad	Costos totales por insumo	% de los costos cubiertos por los usuarios de las tierras
Mano de obra	labour		1,0	15,0	15,0	100,0
Equipo	animal traction		1,0	40,0	40,0	100,0
Equipo	tools		1,0	25,0	25,0	100,0
Equipo	stakes (pegs)		1,0	4,0	4,0	100,0
Costos totales para establecer la Tecnología					84,0

Comentarios:

Duration of establishment phase: 12 month(s)

4.6 Actividades de establecimiento/ recurrentes

	Actividad	Tipo de medida	Momento/ frequencia
1.	Initial ploughing along the contour: leaving unploughed strips.	Agronómicas	onset of rainy season / before each season
2.	Planting	Agronómicas	onset of rainy season / each cropping season
3.	Mulching	Agronómicas	dry season / only whensufficient crop residues
4.	Fertilization	Agronómicas	early vegetative stage / each cropping season
5.	Interim cultivation/weeding	Agronómicas	vegetative stage / each cropping season
6.	Ploughing mulch into the soil during normal land cultivation.	Agronómicas
7.	Weeding (T, F, C), Slashing grass	Vegetativas	rainy season /2 times
8.	Spreading the cut materials evenly in the alleys (between strips) as	Vegetativas	rainy season /2 times (weeded materials)
9.	Pruning	Vegetativas	before and during cropping /2 times per cropping

4.7 Costos e insumos necesarios para actividades de mantenimiento/ recurrentes (por año)

	Especifique insumo	Unidad	Cantidad	Costos por unidad	Costos totales por insumo	% de los costos cubiertos por los usuarios de las tierras
Mano de obra	labour		1,0	36,0	36,0	100,0
Equipo	animal traction		1,0	40,0	40,0	100,0
Equipo	tools		1,0	2,0	2,0	100,0
Indique los costos totales para mantenecer la Tecnología					78,0

Comentarios:

Machinery/ tools: plough, harrow

Costs of establishing contours and maintenance by slashing are calculated by total length of NVS. This example is from a typical field with an 18% slope: at an NVS spacing of 5 m, the approximate total linear distance for one hectare is 2,000 m. In this example, the farmer has paid for everything him/herself (see section on acceptance/adoption). Note that the establishment cost is more or less equivalent to the cost of standard land preparation by ploughing. When 'enrichment planting’ of the strips is carried out, extra cost for seedlings (of fruit trees for example) and associated labour for planting are incurred.

4.8 Factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

Describa los factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

Slope is the dominant factor in cost calculation. The steeper the slope, the more difficult the mobility is and the more closely-spaced the contours are .

5.1 Clima

5.2 Topografía

5.3 Suelos

Si se halla disponible, adjunte una descripción completa de los suelos o especifique la información disponible, por ej., tipo de suelo, pH/ acidez de suelo, capacidad de intercambio catiónico, nitrógeno, salinidad, etc. :

Soils are developed from fine-grained igeneous rocks. Soil fertility: strongly acid and with high P fixing capacity. Rapid organic matter mineralisation due to high temperature. Soil drainage is generally good except in isolated depressions.

5.6 Las características de los usuarios de la tierra que aplican la Tecnología

Indique otras características relevantes de los usuarios de las tierras:

Population density: 50-100 persons/km2; Annual population growth: > 4%

and own 20% of the land (5).
and own 40% of the land (30).
and own 30% of the land (65).

Off-farm income specification: Carpentry, trade, business, labour for neighbouring farms and other labour intensive agricultural activities (e.g. vegetable production)
Market orientation of production system: Upland rice is grown as subsistence. Maize is sold to feed millers.
Level of mechanization: The terrain limits the extensive use of machineries.

5.7 Área promedio de la tierra que pertenece a o es arrendada por usuarios de tierra que aplican la Tecnología

5.8 Tenencia de tierra, uso de tierra y derechos de uso de agua

Tenencia de tierra:

• individual, sin título
• individual, con título

Derechos de uso de tierra:

• arrendamiento
• individual

6.1 Impactos in situ demostrados por la Tecnología

Impactos socioeconómicos

Producción

Ingreso y costos

Otros impactos socioeconómicos

Impactos socioculturales

Impactos ecológicos

Ciclo de agua/ escurrimiento de sedimento

Suelo

Biodiversidad: vegetación, animales

Reducción de riesgos de desastres y riesgos climáticos

Otros impactos ecológicos

6.2 Impactos fuera del sitio demostrados por la Tecnología

6.4 Análisis costo-beneficio

¿Cómo se comparan los beneficios con los costos de establecimiento (desde la perspectiva de los usuarios de tierra)?

¿Cómo se comparan los beneficios con los costos de mantenimiento/ recurrentes (desde la perspectiva de los usuarios de tierra)?

6.5 Adopción de la Tecnología

De todos quienes adoptaron la Tecnología, ¿cuántos lo hicieron espontáneamente, es decir, sin recibir incentivos/ pagos materiales?

• 50-90%

Comentarios:

50% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support (2000 families)
50% of land user families have adopted the Technology spontaneously (without external material support) (2000 families)

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology. Factor that helped was the formation of Landcare associations which have benefited their members in various ways. There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption, especially where Landcare associations are in operation.

6.7 Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades de la Tecnología

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra
Easy to establish and maintain
Improve soil fertility
Prevent soil erosion

Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave
Easy to establish and maintain (How to sustain: Transform farmers associations into cooperative which serve as conduits in marketing. Intensify information and education campaign.)
Less competition for space, sunlight, moisture and nutrient. (How to sustain: Ensure continued regular trimming of vegetative strips and use of these as fodder or mulch.)
Low labor and external inputs requirement
Effective in reducing soil erosion (by 90%) (How to sustain: Adopt other supportive technologies like mulching, zero tillage/minimum tillage, etc.)

6.8 Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos de la Tecnología y formas de sobreponerse a ellos

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del usuario de la tierra	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
High initial establishment cost	Subsidy/assistance from government
Effect of technology is not readily seen	Education about what long term sustainability means
High gestation period for some component of the system	Proper mix of annual and perennial crops

Debilidades/ desventajas/ riesgos desde la perspectiva del compilador o de otra persona de referencia clave	¿Cómo sobreponerse a ellas?
Effect on yield and income is not readily felt, since reduced erosion is not easily translated into increased income or yield	Farmers should have supplementary sources of income (eg livestock). Education about what long-term sustainability means.
Reduction of productive area by approx 10%	Optimum fertilization to offset production loss. Nutrients are conserved under NVS and this will result in the reduction of fertilizer requirement after some years.
Creation of a fertility gradient within the alley (soil is lost from the top of the alley and accumulates above the NVS where fertility then concentrates)	Increased application of fertilizer on the upper part of alley.
Overall increase of production value is low	Land users could ask for subsidy/assistance from Government: eg for fertilizers, establishment of nurseries, free seedlings (for higher value fruit trees).

7.2 Vínculos a las publicaciones disponibles

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

Managing soil fertility on terraces forming behind vegetative filter strips: An assessment of farmer strategies

¿Dónde se halla disponible? ¿Costo?

ICRAF, P.O. Box 161, Bogor, INDONESIA

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

Crop productivity using forage legumes and grasses as contour hedgerows species in an acid upland soils

¿Dónde se halla disponible? ¿Costo?

ICRAF, P.O. Box 161, Bogor, INDONESIA

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

Garrity DP, Stark M and Mercado Jr A: Natural Vegetative Strips: a bioengineering innovation to help transform smallholderconservation. pp 263–270. 2004.

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

in Barker DH, Watson AJ, Sombatpanit S, Northcutt B and Maglinao AR Ground and Water Bioengineering for ErosionControl and Slope Stabilisation.

¿Dónde se halla disponible? ¿Costo?

Science Publishers inc. Enfield, USA

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

Stark M, Itumay J and Nulla S Assessment of Natural VegetativeContour Strips for Soil Conservation on Shallow Calcareous Soil in the Central Philippines.. 2003.

¿Dónde se halla disponible? ¿Costo?

World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya