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)

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

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

1.3 Condiciones referidas al uso de datos documentados mediante WOCAT

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

Comentarios:

Farmers who have implemented the technology have recorded good harvests from their farms. The product of manure has improved their soils.

1.5 Referencia al (los) Cuestionario(s) de Enfoques MST (documentados usando WOCAT)

2.1 Breve descripción de la Tecnología

Definición de la Tecnología:

Composting with on-farm organic solid waste management improves the soil sustainably and raises crop yields.

2.2 Descripción detallada de la Tecnología

Descripción:

Composting is a natural process of converting organic materials such as plant leaves, and food remains into a nutrient-rich soil-enhancing amendment called compost (if mainly from vegetative matter) or manure (if mainly from animal dung). It involves breaking organic matter down into humus/ compost by aerobic microorganisms - with by-products of water, heat, ammonia (NH3), and carbon dioxide (CO2). Humus is a dark and crumbly natural form of fertilizer applied to the soil to improve crop production. Composting is cost-effective since it can be made from locally available materials such as leaves, plant residues, food remains, cow dung, poultry droppings, animal urine, soil, etc. Composting is thus an on-farm solid waste management measure. When made correctly it can improve carbon sequestration in the soil (compost is carbon-rich) and prevent methane emissions (a greenhouse gas) since methane-producing microbes become inactive in aerobic conditions (in the presence of oxygen).

There are many ways of preparing compost. This method involves three key stages; mixing brown organic materials, such as twigs, and green materials, such as fresh leaves that are nitrogen-rich and moist. In the first stage, brown and green materials are layered, beginning with a 30 cm layer of twigs at the bottom, followed by a 30 cm layer of dry matter, such as maize straw chopped to a maximum of 7.5 cm. This is followed by a 30 cm layer of dry grass and dry leaves covered by a 7.5 cm – 15 cm layer of fresh cow dung. The fresh cow dung is covered by a 15 cm layer of fresh tithonia (an exotic plant) that is completely covered by a layer of ash and sprayed uniformly using 10 litres of animal urine and finally completely covered by a layer of soil or manure. All the above inputs except urine are sprayed with 10 – 20 litres of water. The pile is then completely covered with a black polythene sheet to help absorb heat, prevent the entry of rainwater, and prevent volatilization of nitrogen, i.e., the conversion of ammonium into ammonia gas, and left to decompose for 21 to 30 days.
The second stage involves mixing and transferring all the material except the twigs, to another space. The heap is again completely covered with a black polythene sheet to help absorb heat, prevent rainwater entry, and prevent nitrogen volatilization. It is again left to decompose for another 21 to 30 days. The third stage, like the second stage, involves completely mixing and transferring all the material from the second stage to another space and completely covering the heap with a black polythene sheet to help absorb heat and prevent the entry of rainwater. The contents are allowed to decompose for another 21 to 30 days, after which they are ready-to-use compost. The compost is stored under shade and covered with a black polythene sheet again to prevent nitrogen volatilization.

One heap of compost (first stage: 1.5 m by 1.5 m by 1.5 m) produces about 5 tonnes of ready-to-use compost. Composting takes about 90 days; hence, provided that all inputs are available, a farmer can produce compost 4 times each year from the same heaping point, i.e., about 20 tonnes. Normally, a 0.4-hectare farm requires about 20 tonnes of this compost. However, the amount varies from farm to farm depending on the conditions of the soil and the crop(s) to be grown. It is important that soil testing is done to determine the conditions of the soil to ensure that the compost is being used in the most effective manner.

Compost is carried to the farm on wheelbarrows and in buckets and is applied at the farm during planting time where a handful of compost is applied in the planting hole and mixed with soil before planting. It is again applied around the base of the crop and completely covered with soil. Preparation of compost in conservation agriculture situations could pose the problem of competition for plant material since plant material is used in conservation agriculture to cover the soil. To manage this, a farmer implementing both composting and conservation agriculture may have to acquire plant material for composting from other sources such as purchasing stover from other farmer who are not implementing conservation agriculture. In addition, the farmer could also use hedge trimmings as plant material for composting, especially if the farmer has a live fence.

2.3 Fotografías de la Tecnología

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

País:

Kenia

Región/ Estado/ Provincia:

Kakamega County in western Kenya

Especifique más el lugar :

Elang'ata Village, Bulanda Sub-location, Imanga Location, Marama Central Ward, Butere Sub-county

Especifique la difusión de la Tecnología:

• aplicada en puntos específicos/ concentrada en un área pequeña

¿El/los sitio(s) de la Tecnología se ubica(n) en un área de protección permanente?

No

Comentarios:

The farm where the technology is implemented is not in a protected area.

Map

×

2.6 Fecha de la implementación

Indique año de implementación:

2018

2.7 Introducción de la Tecnología

Especifique cómo se introdujo la Tecnología:

• mediante la innovación de usuarios de tierras
• como parte de un sistema tradicional (> 50 años)
• mediante proyectos/ intervenciones externas

Comentarios (tipo de proyecto, etc.):

For years, the farmer has been converting farm wastes into manure. However, the Soil Protection and Rehabilitation of Degraded Soil for Food Security (ProSoil) project came in and taught them an improved method of composting that takes a shorter time compared with the traditional method, and prevents loss of nutrients during composting.

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

• mejorar la producción
• reducir, prevenir, restaurar la degradación del suelo
• adaptarse al cambio climático/ extremos climáticos y sus impactos
• mitigar cambio climático y sus impactos
• crear impacto económico benéfico

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

Mezcla de tipos de uso de tierras dentro de la misma unidad de tierras: :

Sí

Especifique el uso combinado de tierras (cultivos/ pastoreo/ árboles):

• Agro-silvopastoralismo

Tierras cultivadas

• Cosecha anual
• Cultivos perennes (no leñosos)
• Cosecha de árboles y arbustos

Cosechas anuales - Especifique cultivos:

• cereales - maíz
• cultivos para forraje - pastos
• leguminosas y legumbres - frijoles
• cultivos de raíces/ tubérculos - mandioca
• vegetales - otros

Sistema anual de cultivo:

Maíz/sorgo/ mijo en intercultivo con legumbres

Cultivos perennes (no maderables) - Especifique cultivos:

• banana/plátano/abacá

Cultivos de matorrales y arbustos - Especifique cultivos:

• avocado
• frutas, otros
• mango, mangostán, guayaba
• papaya

Número de temporadas de cultivo por año:

• 2

Especifique:

Long and short rain seasons

¿Se practica el intercultivo?

Sí

Si respondió que sí, especifique qué cultivos son intercultivados:

Maize and beans

¿Se practica la rotación de cultivos?

Sí

Si fuera el caso, especifique :

Some sections of the farm are left fallow during the short rains to allow for soil regeneration.

Tierra de pastoreo

Pastoreo intensivo/ producción de forraje:

• Cortar y llevar/ cero pastoreo
• Pastoreo mejorado

Tipo de animal:

• ganado - lechero
• cattle - dairy and beef (e.g. zebu)
• aves de corral

¿Se practica el manejo integrado de cultivos - ganado?

Sí

Si fuera el caso, especifique :

Cattle dung and poultry droppings are used as inputs in composting. Compost is applied on soil where livestock fodder is planted.

Productos y servicios:

• economic security, investment prestige
• huevos
• manure as fertilizer/ energy production
• carne
• leche

Especies:

ganado - lechero

Conteo:

2

Especies:

cattle - dairy and beef (e.g. zebu)

Conteo:

3

Especies:

aves de corral

Conteo:

10

Comentarios:

There are assorted trees on the farm, and these provide litter which is an input in composting.

3.3 ¿Cambió el uso de tierras debido a la implementación de la Tecnología?

¿Cambió el uso de tierras debido a la implementación de la Tecnología?

• No (Continúe con la pregunta 3.4)

3.4 Provisión de agua

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

• de secano

Comentarios:

Crops are planted only during the rainy seasons since there is no irrigation.

3.5 Grupo MST al que pertenece la Tecnología

• manejo de agricultura—ganadería integrada
• manejo integrado de la fertilidad del suelo
• manejo de desperdicios/ manejo de aguas residuales

3.6 Medidas MST que componen la Tecnología

medidas agronómicas

• A2: materia orgánica/ fertilidad del suelo
• A6: Manejo de residuos

A6: Especifique manejo de residuos:

A 6.3: recogido

Comentarios:

Plant residues, especially leaves and soft branches are collected and used as input in composting. However, some plant matter is retained in the farm to naturally decompose and turn into manure at the farm. The farmer does not collect plant residues from protected areas. He has planted tithonia at some sections of the hedges at his farm; this provides the main source of tithonia. However, he sometimes harvests tithonia from his neighbours' hedges upon request.

3.7 Principales tipos de degradación del suelo encarados con la Tecnología

deterioro químico del suelo

• Cn: reducción de la fertilidad y contenido reducido de la materia orgánica del suelo (no ocasionados por la erosión)
• Ca: acidificación
• Cp: contaminación del suelo

Comentarios:

Covering of compost-making materials and the final compost reduces loss of nitrogen through volatilization of ammonium into ammonia gas. Compost raises the pH of soils when applied at the farm. Compost contains living organisms (bacteria and fungi) that degrade soil pollutants into non-toxic substances.

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:

• prevenir la degradación del suelo
• restaurar/ rehabilitar tierra severamente degradada

Comentarios:

Compost improves soil structure and porosity. Compost balances soil pH.

4.1 Dibujo técnico de la Tecnología

Especificaciones técnicas (relacionadas al dibujo técnico):

Stage 1: about 30 cm deep under the ground, 1.5 m long by 1.5 m wide by 1.5 m high, including the 30 cm below the ground. Constructed using timber off-cuts (locally known as magogo) supported on posts at corners using nails. From bottom: 30 cm of twigs to extend some few inches above the ground to allow air circulation, 30 cm of dry matter e.g., maize straw chopped to 7.5 cm maximum, 30 cm dry grass and leaves, 7.5 cm - 15 cm layer of fresh cow dung, 15 cm layer of fresh tithonia, layer of ash, layer of soil or manure, black polythene sheet cover.
Stages 2 and 3: about 1-ft deep under the ground, 1.5 m long by 1.5 m wide, height depends on the volume of the material.
Allow space of no more than 1 m from one stage to the other for easy of mixing and transfer of materials from one stage to the next.

Autor:

William Onura

Fecha:

26/01/2023

4.2 Información general sobre el cálculo de insumos y costos

Especifique cómo se calcularon los costos e insumos:

• por unidad de Tecnología

otra / moneda nacional (especifique):

KES

Si fuera relevante, indique la tasa de cambio de dólares americanos a la moneda local (ej. 1 U$ = 79.9 Reales Brasileros): 1 U$ =:

122,95

4.3 Actividades de establecimiento

Comentarios:

Composting takes about 3 months; hence, the farmer should have the structures for composting at least 3 months before the planting time. A farmer can produce 20 tonnes of compost from 1 heap (1.5 m by 1.5 m by 1.5 m).

4.4 Costos e insumos necesarios para el establecimiento

Si el usuario de la tierra no cubrió el 100% de los costos, indique quién financió el resto del costo:

ProSoil project

Comentarios:

The ProSoil project through Welthungerhilfe provided hoes, fork hoes, wheelbarrows, and spades to the farmers. The costs of these implements are KES 400/- for a hoe, KES 350/- for a fork hoe, KES 4,000/- for a wheelbarrow, KES 450/- for a spade, KES 500/- for a hummer, and KES 1,000/- for a handsaw. It is assumed that the farmer will be able to use the hoe, fork hoe, spade, hummer, and handsaw over a period of 5 years, and a wheelbarrow over a period of 10 years before these implements will have depreciated to a point where they will not be useable. The cost is thus spread over the years when the farmer will be able to use the implement.

4.5 Actividades de establecimiento/ recurrentes

Comentarios:

Turning involves complete mixing and transfer of the inputs from one stage to the next. Compost is applied at the farm during planting time where a handful of compost is applied in the planting hole and mixed with soil before planting. It is again applied around the base of the crop and completely covered with soil.

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

Si el usuario de la tierra no cubrió el 100% de los costos, indique quién financió el resto del costo:

ProSoil project

Comentarios:

The hoes, fork hoes, wheelbarrows, and spades provided by the ProSoil project through Welthungerhilfe are fixed assets and are used for years by the farmer before they can wear out. The farmer can use these implements for other work at the farm. The costs of these implements are KES 400/- for a hoe, KES 350/- for a fork hoe, KES 4,000/- for a wheelbarrow, and KES 450/- for a spade. It is assumed that the farmer will be able to use the hoe, fork hoe, and spade over a period of 5 years, and a wheelbarrow over a period of 10 years before these implements will have depreciated to a point where they will not be useable. The cost is thus spread over the years when the farmer will be able to use the implement. The twigs are reused during the refilling process since they take long to decompose.

4.7 Factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

Describa los factores más determinantes que afectan los costos:

Rate of man-days vary from one place to another. It is not easy to attach monetary value to some of the input e.g., animal urine, cow dung, and water.

Exchange rate for January 2023, source: European Commission/ InfoEuro online at https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/procedures-guidelines-tenders/information-contractors-and-beneficiaries/exchange-rate-inforeuro_en

5.1 Clima

5.2 Topografía

Indique si la Tecnología se aplica específicamente en:

• no relevante

Comentarios y especificaciones adicionales sobre topografía :

The farm is located at an area that is higher in altitude compared to other areas in the larger area. The average altitude for the area is 1,350m above sea level but the farm is at 1,401m above sea level.

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. :

Soil pH of most farms in the area ranges from moderately acid (5.50) to moderately alkaline (7.80).

5.4 Disponibilidad y calidad de agua

¿La salinidad del agua es un problema?

No

¿Se está llevando a cabo la inundación del área? :

No

Comentarios y especificaciones adicionales sobre calidad y cantidad de agua:

There are several boreholes in the area and according to interviews with some borehole owners, the depts are not more than 50 metres.

5.5 Biodiversidad

Comentarios y especificaciones adicionales sobre biodiversidad:

The area has high agrobiodiversity since most farms are under crops and trees.

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

Indique otras características relevantes de los usuarios de las tierras:

The farmer uses the land together with his other family members.

5.7 Área promedio de la tierra usada 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

Derechos de uso de agua:

• acceso abierto (no organizado)
• individual

¿Los derechos del uso de la tierra se basan en un sistema legal tradicional?

No

Especifique:

Each landowner has full control of the way he/ she wants to use his/ her land.

Comentarios:

The farmer has an official ownership title for his piece of land. He also leases other people's pieces of land for farming. Water in the streams and springs is freely accessed without restrictions. There is a borehole in the neighbourhood, and the managers of this borehole have set rules for accessing the water thereat.

5.9 Acceso a servicios e infraestructura

Comentarios:

The above rating varies from one village to the other.

6.1 Impactos in situ demostrados por la Tecnología

Impactos socioeconómicos

Producción

Ingreso y costos

Impactos socioculturales

Impactos ecológicos

Suelo

Biodiversidad: vegetación, animales

Especifique la evaluación de los impactos en el sitio (mediciones):

No recorded data is available for reference. All are estimates based on the farmer's explanation or as given by him.

6.2 Impactos fuera del sitio demostrados por la Tecnología

Especifique la evaluación de los impactos fuera del emplazamiento (medidas):

No recorded data is available for reference. All are estimates based on the farmer's explanation or as given by him.

6.3 Exposición y sensibilidad de la Tecnología al cambio climático gradual y a extremos relacionados al clima/ desastres (desde la percepción de los usuarios de tierras)

Cambio climático gradual

Cambio climático gradual

Extremos (desastres) relacionados al clima

Desastres climatológicos

Comentarios:

Flammable plant residues are used as inputs in composting and, thus, the risk of fire is reduced.

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)?

Comentarios:

Use of compost reduces the dependence on inorganic fertilizers.

6.5 Adopción de la Tecnología

• 11-50%

Si tiene la información disponible, cuantifique (número de hogares y/o área cubierta):

The project was implemented in the entire ward. Most farmers are preparing compost as advised in the ProSoil project.

De todos quienes adoptaron la Tecnología, ¿cuántos lo hicieron espontáneamente, por ej. sin recibir nada de incentivos/ materiales:

• 91-100%

Comentarios:

Most farmers are able to implement since the investment cost is not very high.

6.6 Adaptación

¿La tecnología fue modificada recientemente para adaptarse a las condiciones cambiantes?

No

6.7 Fuerzas/ ventajas/ oportunidades de la Tecnología

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

7.1 Métodos/ fuentes de información

7.2 Vínculos a las publicaciones disponibles

Título, autor, año, ISBN:

Comparative effectiveness of different composting methods on the stabilization, maturation and sanitization of municipal organic solid wastes and dried faecal sludge mixtures, Mengistu, T., Gebrekidan, H., Kibret, K. et al., 2018, Environ Syst Res 6, 5 (2018)

¿Dónde se halla disponible? ¿Costo?

Free download at https://doi.org/10.1186/s40068-017-0079-4

7.3 Vínculos a la información relevante disponible en línea

Título/ descripción:

Composting Recycling Naturally: Simple Steps for Starting at Home

URL:

https://scdhec.gov/sites/default/files/Library/OR-1705.pdf

7.4 Comentarios generales

1. Provide a function to be able to link the documented SLM to similar work that has been documented in other databases e.g., LandPortal, UNCCD, etc.
2. Some of the impacts (section 6) cannot be quantified.