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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

It is a mechanical conservation measure where a basin and a ridge are formed for planting chat along a contour

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

A contour line is maked and a pit (trench) is dug and the soil embanked on about 75x50 cm. Chat cuttings are planted on the trench. The purpose of the technology is to collect as much water as possible. The embankment protects soil from erosion. Water is collected in the trench. Households using family labour make the ridge bund. During cultivation the ridge is strengthend. Maintenance is done in case of breaks on the ridge.The technology is suitable to semi-arid with rainfall 500-700 mm/annum. Farmers grow chat as the main means of finance/capital generation. Cultivation is done twice or three times.

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

Country:

Ethiopia

Region/ State/ Province:

Harari

Further specification of location:

Hamaressa/Bisidimo/Errer

Comments:

60% of the total cultivated area in the region is under this technology

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

Comments (type of project, etc.):

locally originated

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem

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

• Annual cropping
• Tree and shrub cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - sorghum
• legumes and pulses - beans
• vegetables - root vegetables (carrots, onions, beet, other)

• chat, legume

Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:

• mango, mangosteen, guava

• ground nut, Cordia, Acacia

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 210

Is intercropping practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify which crops are intercropped:

beans

Grazing land

Animal type:

• cattle - dairy
• goats

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): land shortage, continuous cropping, land degradation, open grazing.

Other grazingland: Tethered/stall feed: grazing land shortage forced to tethered feeding and stall keeping.

Other grazingland: free grazing

Grazingland comments: Livestock (cows, goat) are mostly stallfed. In lower parts of the technology area livestock are let to graze openly. This part is a very dry area and there is large area for grazing. Goats browseon open woodlands that have acacia trees.

Problems / comments regarding forest use: The woodlands are getting extremely denuded as a result of heavy exploitation such as charchoal making, cutting trees for fuel wood and overbrowsing.

Forest products and services: timber, fuelwood, grazing / browsing

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: sorghum, ground nut

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

Comments:

Water supply: Also mixed rainfed - irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• 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

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

chemical soil deterioration

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

water degradation

• Ha: aridification

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Ha: aridification

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, 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: prevention of land degradation

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Harari

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, water harvesting / increase water supply

Secondary technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, reduction of slope length

Early planting
Material/ species: sorghum

Relay cropping
Material/ species: legume/sorghum

Mixed cropping / intercropping
Material/ species: beans sorghum

Contour planting / strip cropping
Material/ species: Chat, sorghum, onion

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: C : perennial crops

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs

Trees/ shrubs species: Cordia, Acacia, Mango

Perennial crops species: Chat

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 10.00%

Gradient along the rows / strips: 0.00%

Bund/ bank: level
Spacing between structures (m): 1-5
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.3-0.4
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 2-3
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 3-4
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.3
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.5
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 70-80

Construction material (earth): earth bunds

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 8%

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

Lateral gradient along the structure: 1%

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

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 24 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: hand tools

Volume of earth excavated and moved.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Landforms: Also hill slopes (ranked 2) and ridges (ranked 3)
Slopes on average: Also hilly (ranked 2) and steep and gentle (both ranked 3)

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 low (ranked 1), medium (ranked 2), very low (ranked 3)
Soil drainage/infiltration is good
Soil water storage capacity is low (ranked 1) and medium (ranked 2)

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 100-200 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 2% - 3%
5% of the land users are rich.
70% of the land users are average wealthy.
25% of the land users are poor.
Off-farm income specification: Land users who have SWC measures on their land have lower off-farm income compared to those who have no SWC measures on their land.
Market orientation of production system: mixed (Sorghum: mostly used at home and partly sold) and commercial/ market ( Livestock (cows, goat) are mostly stallfed. In lower parts of the technology area livestock are let to graze openly. This part is a very dry area and there is large area for grazing. Goats browsing open)

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

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

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

• 0-10%

Comments:

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: estimates

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: more and more land users are getting engaged with the technology.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

7.1 Methods/ sources of information