Technologies

Graded Soil bund [Ethiopia]

Yafer Erken (Amharic)

technologies_1060 - Ethiopia

Completeness: 69%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:

Tadel Getachew

Office of Agriculture and Rural Development

Ethiopia

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) - Ethiopia

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

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

It is an embankment of soil with no gradient along the contour and stablized with grasses, tree/shrub plant species.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The technology cosists of an embankment of soil accross the slope, cutoff drains constructed at a given interval, water ways for disposing runoff from the bunds and cutoff drains, vegetative measures and agronomic practices on cultivated lands. The structures are laid out at a gradient of 1% in order to safely drain excess water. The immidiate result expected is the control of soil erosion, well drained soils control land degradation, decrease slope length and angle and then sustain productivity. The mantainance is frequently done by removing the silt from the channel and repairing the broken part of the bunds and also stablize the bund by planting. The technology is suitable to high rainfall area where crop fields experience seasonal waterlogging. The surplus water needs to be drained by the help of graded channels of smaller gradients. The channels should be properly constructed in a way no channel scour or sediment deposition takes place. Cutoff drains need to be placed at given interval to reinforce the graded bunds. Waterways are paved with stone to avoid channel scour because of the higher gradients involved in waterway construction.

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Ethiopia

Region/ State/ Province:

Amhara

Further specification of location:

Hulet Ejju Enese

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, specify area covered (in km2):

78.69

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 10-100 km2
Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 78.69 km2.

Soil bund is applied in combination with cutoff drain, water ways and plantations.

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.):

The technology was practiced by land users but not designed properly. It is the result of modifications of traditional technologies and adding some new elements improved techniques.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

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):
  • Agro-silvopastoralism

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
  • Tree and shrub cropping
Annual cropping - Specify crops:
  • cereals - maize
  • fodder crops - grasses
  • fodder crops - other
  • wheat, teff (cereal), vetiver (fodder crop)
Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:
  • mango, mangosteen, guava
  • papaya
  • coffee
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 240 Longest growing period from month to month: Apr - Oct

Grazing land

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:
  • Semi-nomadic pastoralism
Animal type:
  • cattle - dairy
  • cattle - non-dairy beef
Products and services:
  • meat
  • milk
Forest/ woodlands

Forest/ woodlands

Type of tree:
  • Acacia species
  • Eucalyptus saligna
Comments:

Major food crop annual cropping: Teff, maize, wheat
Grass species: local grasses, vetiver, elephant grass
Trees/ shrubs species: acacia, Eucalyptus saligna
Fruit trees / shrubs species: mango, guava, papaya, coffee

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): expansion of gullies, loss of top soil, fertility decline/poor land productivity and free grazing.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): decrease productivity, gullies expansion, unable to practice relay cropping.

Semi-nomadism / pastoralism: on communal grazing lands

Grazingland comments: Livestock production is decreasing because of decreasing grazing land and its productivity.

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: Teff-vetch, teff-wheat-maize-teff

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed
Comments:

Water supply: Also mixed rainfed - irrigated and post-flooding

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
  • Wg: gully erosion/ gullying
chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wg: gully erosion / gullying, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content

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:

Main goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Amhara

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap

Secondary technical functions: improvement of ground cover, increase / maintain water stored in soil, water harvesting / increase water supply

Better crop cover
Material/ species: teff, wheat
Remarks: broad casting

Relay cropping
Material/ species: vetch
Remarks: broad casting

Contour planting / strip cropping
Material/ species: maize
Remarks: 40cm between rows & 20 cm between plants

Agronomic measure: removing less vegetation cover
Material/ species: wheat
Quantity/ density: 40%
Remarks: broad casting

Manure / compost / residues
Material/ species: cow dung, compost

Mineral (inorganic) fertilizers
Material/ species: DAP, UREA
Remarks: 1 qt. DAP & 0.5 qt UREA

Rotations / fallows
Material/ species: on grass lands
Remarks: at least 1 year rotation

Contour ridging
Remarks: using BBM

Aligned: -graded strips
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 4000
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 1
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 20
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.25
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.5

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 10000
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 1
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1

Trees/ shrubs species: acacia, saligna,

Fruit trees / shrubs species: mango, guava, papaya

Perennial crops species: coffee

Grass species: local grasses, vetiver, elephant grass

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 6.00%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is (see figure below): 4.00%

Gradient along the rows / strips: 1.00%

Waterway
Spacing between structures (m): 200
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.7
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 3
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 500
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.8
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 1
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 500

Bund/ bank: graded
Vertical interval between structures (m): 1-2.5
Spacing between structures (m): 20
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.3
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.5
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 150
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.75
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 1
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 150

Structural measure: diversion ditch / cut-off drain
Vertical interval between structures (m): 50
Spacing between structures (m): 500
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.5
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 1
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 250
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.8
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 1
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 250

Construction material (earth): soil dug out from the ditches and piled as embankment

Construction material (stone): stone is used for paving the water ways

Construction material (wood): used for constructing checkdams

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 6%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is: 4%

Lateral gradient along the structure: 1%

Vegetation is used for stabilisation of structures.

Other type of management: change of management / intensity level - protect the structure from breaching.

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Birr

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

8.6

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

0.56

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. cultivation/weeding
2. collecting seedlings/seed onset of rain
3. transplanting/sowing on bunds rainy season
4. survey the line of embankment dry season
5. construct bunds, cutoff drai and waterways dry season
6. planting the structures rainy season

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 Labour ha 1.0 99.0 99.0 100.0
Equipment Animal traction ha 1.0 37.0 37.0 100.0
Plant material Seeds ha 1.0 12.0 12.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides Fertilizer ha 1.0 55.0 55.0 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 203.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 23.6
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 24 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. minimum tillage during planting / each cropping season
2. contour tillage dry season / each cropping season
3. relay cropping after 1st harvest / each cropping season
4. manuring after 1st plough / each cropping season
5. mineral fertilizer during sowing / each cropping season
6. fencing during harvesting /once
7. replanting rainy season /
8. pollarding before raining /
9. clearing the ditches onset of rain/as required
10. strengthning (maintain) the embankment onset of rain/as required
11. improve vegetative cover rainy season/

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

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Labour ha 1.0 54.0 54.0 100.0
Equipment Animal traction ha 1.0 34.0 34.0 100.0
Plant material Seeds ha 1.0 12.0 12.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides Fertilizer ha 1.0 55.0 55.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 155.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 18.02
Comments:

The calculation is for 1 ha land in SWC area, where the first year construction of SWC technology with normal cropping (Teff) production and recurrent cost is calculated for the second year for the same plot of land and production system.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

labour, slope

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

1001-1500 mm (ranked 1, around 1100 mm)
751-1000 mm (ranked 2, low areas)

Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid

some crops have LGP >270

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zone: 2001-2500 m a.s.l. (The SWC area is within this range)
Slopes on average: Also moderate (ranked 2) and hilly (ranked 3)

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
  • fine/ heavy (clay)
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 depth on average: Also deep (ranked 2) and shallow (ranked 3)
Soil texture: Medium (ranked 1, major component is clay loam) and fine/heavy (ranked 2)
Soil fertility: Medium (ranked 1, use of chemical fertilizer is increasing every year), low (ranked 2) and very low (ranked 3)
Soil drainage/infiltration: Medium (ranked 1), poor (ranked 2) and good (ranked 3)
Soil water storage capacity: High (ranked 1), low (ranked 2, ground water level is decreasing every year) and very low (ranked 3)

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
  • average
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • animal traction
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 200-500 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 2% - 3%
35% of the land users are average wealthy and own 40% of the land (they take care of their land).
40% of the land users are poor and own 35% of the land (they construct SWC but no follow up).
25% of the land users are poor and own 25% of the land (some times they rent out their land for others).
Off-farm income specification: Farmers have so far not been engaged in any type off-farm activites in the area.
Level of mechanization: Animal traction (ranked 1, local plough) and manual work (ranked 2)
Marekt orientation: Subsistence (ranked 1) and mixed (ranked 2, some crops and livestock products)

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Comments:

0.5-1 ha: Most of the young generation are classified under this category. Also grazing land is converted to cultivation

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • state
Land use rights:
  • individual

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

fodder production

decreased
increased

fodder quality

decreased
increased

wood production

decreased
increased

production area

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

especially for the first 1-2 years

land management

hindered
simplified
Comments/ specify:

lack of consulting the farmer

Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased

Socio-cultural impacts

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

Land border security

Comments/ specify:

Bunds are baundary of farm plots

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

surface runoff

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

50

Quantity after SLM:

30

excess water drainage

reduced
improved
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil cover

reduced
improved

soil loss

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Unless improper design

soil organic matter/ below ground C

decreased
increased
Other ecological impacts

Soil fertility

decreased
increased

Biodiversity

decreased
increased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

downstream flooding

increased
reduced

groundwater/ river pollution

increased
reduced

wind transported sediments

increased
reduced

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

Comments on acceptance with external material support: estimates

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: survey results

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: In the SWC area more than 75% of the households adopted the technology. They include stone walls to reinforce soil bunds. Stone walls have the disadvantage of harbouring rodents and hence soil bunds are preferred.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
protect the land from soil erosion
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
control loss of top soil and water and enhances sustainable production.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? proper layout, integrated with other techniques and modification based on farmers intersts.
suficient soil moisture retention in the lower altitudes.

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
closer bunds are obstacle for farm operation modify based on farming system local conditions
loss of land make the bund productive
rodent and pest provision of approprate measures
runner grass proper management of the land
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
area occupied by bund increase the productivity of land per unit area by planting fruit tree, forage plants on the bund

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

Links and modules

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