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

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 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Optimising rainwater use, reduce runoff by use of basins and reduce evaporation losses by applying a mulch (stone/reeds) on the runoff strip and in the basins.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: Given the marginal soils of a clayey nature and/or slope terrain, coupled with erratic rainfall events, the technology aims to harvest available rain water and prevent runoff and soil loss. At present, PRAs are conducted in target areas and so far, people are eager to adopt the technology. The aim is to train them and assist in constructing the basins so that after a year they will be able to take over the project entirely even though the team will still be around to provide advice should the need arise.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The Approach focused on SLM only (n/a)

*To make optimal use of pre-plant water that collects in basins from summer rains that fall during the fallow period. Saved water very beneficial during the reproductive growth of plants which often occurs when there is no rain.
*Prevention of soil and water loss through water erosion and runoff by the use of basins.
*Restriction of evaporation by the use of mulch. Straw is mostly preferred for its biodegradability although stone in comparative percentage cover is more effective.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: The target areas are marginal for crop production because of relatively low and erratic rainfall and dominantly clay soils on which the precipitation use efficiency is low because of high losses due to runoff and evaporation form the soul surface.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	none	rapid/participatory rural appraisal
planning	none
implementation	passive	casual labour
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive
Research	none	on-farm; On-station experiments are conducted at Glen to evaluate different SWC techniques. The new technology is transferred by means of on-farm demonstration plots and information days.

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• SLM specialists alone

Explain:

land user driven (bottom-up). Realisation of poverty.

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by mainly by land users supported by SLM specialists. land user driven (bottom-up). The need of land users to alleviate poverty.

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users

• extensionists/trainers

Form of training:

• demonstration areas
• public meetings

Subjects covered:

Construction of basins; better understanding of the system in simple terms; the concept of infiltration, evapotranspiration; erosion and runoff.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• at permanent centres

Describe/ comments:

NDA Extension; Key elements: Assistance in technology transfer, Organising public meetings, Establishing & link between specialists and land users;
1) Advisory service was carried out through: government's existing extension system. Extension staff: mainly government employees
2) Target groups for extension: land users; Activities: Technology transfer

Advisory service is quite adequate to ensure the continuation of land conservation activities; With a little persuasion, they assist completely.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, a little

Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:

• local

Specify type of support:

• capacity building/ training

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

bio-physical aspects were regular monitored through measurements
socio-cultural aspects were None monitored through measurements
economic / production aspects were None monitored through measurements
There were few changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: An organic mulch can be placed in the basins and on the runoff strip to stop evaporation losses. However cattle are allowed to graze in the land after the crop has been harvested. There after there is almost no organic mulch left to cover the soil surface. Stones were then suggested as an alternative mulch.

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:

• sociology
• economics / marketing
• technology

Give further details and indicate who did the research:

Research was carried out both on station and on-farm

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 100,000-1,000,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Approach costs were met by the following donors: national non-government (Water Research Commission): 100.0%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• equipment

• agricultural

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• paid in cash

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Produced higher yields.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Success of the WHB technique depends on suppressing water losses by runoff (R) and evaporation from the soil surface (Es). Measurements show that R has been reduced to zero and that Es has been reduced considerable, but still remains a serious avenue for water loss. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Future experimentation needs to focus on suppressing Es by any possible means.)
The WHB treatment gives considerably better yields than the conventional treatment. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Results from more seasons are needed to quantify the extent of this difference in a reliable way.)
Save on cultivation costs since no-till is employed.
The WHB technique is ell suited for use on very small pots, and even in townships. Many people in semi-arid areas could be usefully employed if this technique was widely adapted, and food security could be increased at the same time. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Extension work in this connection by the PSDA needs to be encourage.)
Soil loss from the land as a whole is zero. This is an important advantage over the conventional tillage in terms of sustainability.

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
It is labour intensive to initially construct the basins, by hand.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
There is some soil movement form the runoff area into the basins, ad basins may silt up over time.
Huge storms may overflow and break basin walls; and basins may need some maintenance.
In the case of small rainfall events all the water may not reach the basins.
Organic mulch may act as a sponge and absorb some of the rainwater.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Optimising rainfall use efficiency for developing farmers with limited access to irrigation water, WRC Report No 878/1/00. Hensley, M; Botha, JJ; Anderson, JJ; Van Staden, PP & Du Toit, A. 2000Video 'In field Rainwater harvesting (1) Basic concepts to ensure agronomic and conservation sustainability in small scale farming'.The video illustrates the existing results obtained to enhance agronomic and conservation sustainability.

Available from where? Costs?

R120. Leon van Rensburg, P/B X01, Glen, 9360. Debruint@glen.agric.za

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Optimising rainfall use efficiency for developing farmers with limited access to irrigation water, WRC Report No 878/1/00. Hensley, M; Botha, JJ; Anderson, JJ; Van Staden, PP & Du Toit, A. 2000

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Video 'In field Rainwater harvesting (1) Basic concepts to ensure agronomic and conservation sustainability in small scale farming'.