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

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

CDE Centre for Development and Environment (CDE Centre for Development and Environment) - Switzerland

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

CSE (CSE) - Senegal

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:

An agroforestry system, dominated by Acacia senegal, developed through protection of all naturally regenerating trees with improvement of soil properties through presence of trees, application of manure and a fallow rotation.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Acacia senegal is the dominating woody species in this agroforestry system. To improve soil properties and crop production, organic manure is applied and a fallow system practiced. One part of the field is being cultivated with either millet (Pennisetum typhoides), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) or maïz (Zea mais] whereas the other part is left fallow for two years before rotation.

Purpose of the Technology: Initially, the main objective of the land user applying the technology was to improve soil properties and crop production in his fields by maintaining any tree and protecting natural regeneration when preparing his land for cultivation. With the start of exploiting Acacia senegal for the exudates, gum arabic, the potential of revenue increase through gum exploitation became evident and the objective shifted from soil protection to gum exploitation.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Because of knowledge his father passed on to him, the land user applying this agroforestry practice believes that any tree in his fields is useful and should be protected.Through the technique of assisted natural regeneration, trees naturally growing in the field are protected to reach mature age instead of being cut to clear area for cultivation. The only inputs related to this technology are those for seeds for crop cultivation. During the 3-4 months of gum Arabic exploitation, the land user is obliged to survey his fields day and night, as intruders try to tap the Acacia senegal trees illegally. However, this task is fulfilled by the landuser himself and does not involve expenses for payed manpower.

Natural / human environment: This SLM technology site is located in the sylvopastoral region of the Ferlo in the north of Sénégal. The agro-climatic zone is classified as semi-arid with mean annual precipitation of 300-400 mm. The main land use type in the area is extensive pastoralism followed by rainfed agriculture. Pastoralism is primarily practiced by transhumant Fula (Peulh) herders and further by Mauritanian Moor herders with herds of dromedaries. Vegetation cover in the area has been largely degraded due to cutting for domestic uses and cattle feeding, bushfires and overgrazing. The soil is exposed to wind erosion which carries away nutrients in the topsoil and therefore declines soil fertility. During intense rains in the rainy season, surface runoff is accelerated and leads to the formation of gullies and ravines.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

Comments (type of project, etc.):

family tradition: the father taught the sons not to cut any trees in their fields, as they have beneficial properties

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• create beneficial economic impact

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):

• Agroforestry

Comments:

Major cash crop: Acacia senegal
Major food crop: Millet, groundnut, cowpea

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): degradation of vegetation cover, wind erosion, increased surface runoff, formation of gullies and ravines, management of natural water sources (people doing laundry and personal hygiene in temporal ponds used as sources of drinking water)

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): wind erosion, water erosion, reduction of vegetation cover

3.4 Water supply

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

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• agroforestry
• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures, vegetative measures

Type of agronomic measures: manure / compost / residues

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Et: loss of topsoil, Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Bc: reduction of vegetation cover, Bs: quality and species composition /diversity decline

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Bq: quantity / biomass decline

Main causes of degradation: soil management (absence of inorganic fertilizers, reduction of fallow period), deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (domestic uses), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use, overgrazing (oversized herds of cattle and dromadaires), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts) (during rainy season), population pressure (need for pasture and cultivable land), poverty / wealth, education, access to knowledge and support services

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Get all the seeds

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
Plant material	Seeds for millet	ha	1.0	1.68	1.68
Plant material	Seeds for groundnut	ha	1.0	5.25	5.25
Plant material	Seeds for cowpeas	ha	1.0	7.85	7.85
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					14.78
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					14.78

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Sowing of crops	beginning of growing season once a year
2.	Application of manure	several times during growing season

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

Comments:

The landuser has to spend 90-120 person days for surveillance of his Acacia senegal trees every year during the exploitation of gum arabic. No costs incur to the landuser because of this activity, as he or somebody from his family is undertaking the task.The protection of natural regeneration in the fields does not have any costs, as the young trees are not enclosured.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

seeds for crop planting

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

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: High (ranked 1) and medium (ranked 2)
Soil drainage/infiltration: Medium
Soil water storage capacity: Medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Water quality (untreated): Poor drinking water (treatement required, ranked 1, groundwater from borehole during dry season) and for agricultural use only (irrigation, ranked 2, water from temporary ponds during the rainy season)

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Compared to the sudano-guinean zones of the country, this zone is not very species rich

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users

Difference in the involvement of women and men: women do not have the right to ask for land to cultivate, it can only been attributed to them by their husbands

Population density: < 10 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 2% - 3%

22% of the land users are average wealthy.

Off-farm income specification: no off-farm income (if income generated through gum exploitation is seen as farm income)

Market orientation: Subsistence (ranked 1) and Mixed (ranked 2, only gum from Acacia senegal is sold)

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

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

Land ownership:

• state
• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	not known
local windstorm	not known

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	not known

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	not well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	not well

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)?

Comments:

the landuser is expecting a rise in income through increased gum production

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

1

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

• 91-100%

Comments:

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

1 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
increase of crop production How can they be sustained / enhanced? maintain or increase number of trees in fields
increase of income How can they be sustained / enhanced? assist natural regeneration of Acacia senegal
provision of shade for cattle and increased availability of manure as consequence How can they be sustained / enhanced? maintain or increase number of trees in fields

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
increase of soil fertility increase of soil organic matter How can they be sustained / enhanced? increase the number of trees with positive impact on soil fertility improve manure application and increase number of trees in cultivated part
reduction of wind erosion How can they be sustained / enhanced? increase tree abundance
maintenance of woody species diversity
improvement of soil cover How can they be sustained / enhanced? increase tree abundance
little to no costs of establishment

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?
surveillance of Acacia senegal trees during exploitation season required	establish a fence
crop damaging birds find a habitat to build nests in trees	put scarecrows

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
tendency towards a monoculture of Acacia senegal (in the part of the field left fallow)	encourage natural regeneration of other local species as well

7.1 Methods/ sources of information