Technologies

Conservation Tillage with Magoye Ripper [Zambia]

Minimum tillage

technologies_1139 - Zambia

Completeness: 80%

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:
SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:

Katoweji Alfred

Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust

Zambia

SLM specialist:

Ndandula Sharon

Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust

Zambia

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Golden Valley agricultural research trust (Golden Valley agricultural research trust) - Zambia

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

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

Participatory Research and Development
approaches

Participatory Research and Development [Zambia]

This is a collaborative process between researchers and farmers for developing and adapting new technologies that focus on incorporating the perspectives and inputs from the farmers into the development process.

  • Compiler: Arthur Chomba

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Conservation Tillage with the Magoye Ripper is an animal draft reduced tillage method that involves the use of the Magoye Ripper to loosen the soil by shattering with a tine instead of ploughing.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The Magoye Ripper is an animal drawn implement used for conservation tillage. The Ripper consists of a frame that is attached to a common plough beam and on this frame is fixed a tine at an angle that penetrates and breaks up the soil when pulled. Only the region where the crop furrow will be is loosened by the tine and by so doing reducing the amount of tillage and disruption of soil structure while preserving the crop residue cover. The frame has some ‘wings’ attached to it that throw the soil out of the ripped furrow to leave it open for planting and collecting of water. Ripping is done in one pass up to a depth of 15cm depending on the strength of the oxen, soil type, hitch assembly settings and the sharpness of the tine.

Purpose of the Technology: Reducing tillage first of all reduces tillage costs and tillage time allowing more time for the farmer to plant early and/or a bigger area. Reducing tillage also reduces the loss of soil organic matter and the destructive effects to the soil structure ultimately improving soil fertility and soil water conservation. Ripping does not invert the soil, hence it does not bury crop residues which further enhance organic matter levels and protect the soil from excessive evaporation and erosion. The open furrow left by the ripper collects water from the adjacent untilled soil much in the same way basins (zai system) are used for water harvesting. This together with the increased rooting depth resulting from the breaking of compacted soil, enhanced infiltration and early planting improves water conservation and hence the resilience of crop to extended dry spells.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The establishment of ripping based conservation tillage mainly involves the purchase of the ripper frame and the
replaceable tines. Liming acidic soils (low pH soils) followed by a final ploughing will be required to correct the soil pH which otherwise will be difficult to correct once conservation tillage has been established. The main establishment activity involves adopting a new mindset and increasing the knowledge base to apply the technology correctly. Knowledge about alternative weed control practices and herbicide use is particularly cardinal as the farmer will have to adopt new weeding practices and routines in the absence of ploughing. Maintenance activities are more or less the same as conventional tillage except for replacing the tillage tines which wear every now and then. The same applies for the inputs except for the increase in use of herbicides.

Natural / human environment: Ripping is best performed in dry season when the soil is dry although this may not be possible with some of the smaller and/or weak oxen when the soil is too dry. It is therefore recommended for farmers in regions that experience long dry seasons to rip at the end of harvest before the soils get too dry and hard and when the oxen are in good condition before they lose weight and strength due to less feed and water, excessive heat as the dry season progresses.
The ripper is mostly suited to small-scale farmers just adopting Conservation Agriculture (CA) since the tool can be easily adapted to the existing plough beam which most of the farmers already have. The small capital outlay for establishing the system makes it suited to resource poor and risk-averse farmers.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

Country:

Zambia

Region/ State/ Province:

Zambia/Southern Province

Further specification of location:

Mazabuka/Magoye

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 0.1-1 km2

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:
  • during experiments/ research
Comments (type of project, etc.):

The Magoye Ripper was introduced in 1995 after a period of adaptive research by government research branch under a project supported by the Netherlands government.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 135 Longest growing period from month to month: Mid November to end of March

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Loss of soil structure and loss of soil fertility

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Droughts and dry dpells

Livestock is grazing on crop residues

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

  • minimal soil disturbance

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
  • A3: Soil surface treatment
  • A7: Others
A3: Differentiate tillage systems:

A 3.2: Reduced tillage (> 30% soil cover)

Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures

Specification of other agronomic measures: Reduced Tillage, Crop Residues

Type of agronomic measures: early planting, mulching, manure / compost / residues, mineral (inorganic) fertilizers, soil conditioners (lime, gypsum), rotations / fallows, breaking compacted topsoil, minimum tillage, non-inversion tillage, furrows (drainage, irrigation), breaking compacted subsoil

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
chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

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

physical soil deterioration

  • Pc: compaction
biological degradation

biological degradation

  • Bl: loss of soil life
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Pc: compaction, Bl: loss of soil life

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

Main causes of degradation: soil management (Over-ploughing), crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (Monocropping), overgrazing (Crop residues overgrazed leaving land exposed), poverty / wealth (under application of fertilizer leading to nutrient mining, charcoal burning)

Secondary causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (Charcoal burning), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts) (high intensity storms leading to erosion), droughts (resulting in inadequate soil cover), land tenure (communal land over-exploited), governance / institutional (lack of credit facilities)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • reduce land degradation
Comments:

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation, rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Author:

Silenga Wamunyima, Box 670577, Mazabuka, Zambia

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Kwacha

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

5.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

2.40

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Purchase magoye ripper
2. Purchase knapsack sprayer
Comments:

Lifespan of the magoye ripper: 7 years
Lifespan of the Knapsack sprayer: 5 years

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
Equipment Magoye ripper Tool 1.0 50.0 50.0 100.0
Equipment Knapsack sprayer Tool 1.0 80.0 80.0 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 130.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 26.0
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 5 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. slashing and spreading residues May-June yearly after harvest
2. Ripping May-June after harvest
3. Liming Nov-Dec before planting
4. Planting and fertilizing Nov-Dec at onset of rains
5. chemical weeding 3 times
6. harvesting April-May

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 Slashing and spreading residues ha 1.0 20.0 20.0 100.0
Labour Ripping ha 1.0 50.0 50.0 100.0
Labour Liming ha 1.0 42.0 42.0 100.0
Labour Planting and fertilizing ha 1.0 40.0 40.0 100.0
Plant material Seeds kg 20.0 2.5 50.0 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides Fertilizer kg 400.0 0.8 320.0 100.0
Other Herbicides liters 5.0 6.0 30.0 100.0
Other Labour: Chemical weeding ha 1.0 24.0 24.0 100.0
Other Labour: Harvesting ha 1.0 20.0 20.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 596.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 119.2
Comments:

Machinery/ tools: Magoye Ripper

Calculation are for a 1ha of maize under magoye ripper based conservation tillage and costs are for the Zambia situation in Magoye as of August 2012.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The weed control method employed is the main determinate factor depending on whether the farmer uses hand hoe or herbicides. Abandoning ploughing leads to higher weed densities leading to increased labour requirements/recurrent costs if hand weeding is used. However, with herbicides the weeding labour demand and costs cost are much lower by a factor of about 5. Another major cost is that of fertilizer which makes up about half the cost hence the total cost will vary significantly depending on fertilizer cost.

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:

Average rainfall 700mm, summer rains from November to March.

Agro-climatic zone
  • semi-arid

Thermal climate class: subtropics. 3 distinct seasons – summer, winter and one rainy season

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:

Slopes on average: Also flat and moderate (classed 2) and rolling (classed 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)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)
  • low (<1%)
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: Low (classed 1) and medium (classed 2, low fertility caused mainly by poor soil management practices, otherwise soil are inherently fertile)
Topsoil organic matter: Low (classed 1) and medium (classed 2, due to excessive ploughing and nutrient mining)
Soil drainage/infiltration: Good (classed 1, soils naturally are well drained except were soil have bee compacted by poor management practices) and medium (classed 2)
Soil water storage capacity: Medium (classed 1, soils mostly loam to sandy loam with medium storage capacity) and low (ranked 2)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

> 50 m

Availability of surface water:

medium

Water quality (untreated):

good drinking water

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Ground water table: <50m (ranked 1, hand wells are <20m but reliable boreholes are > 50m) and 5-50m (ranked 2)
Availability of surface water: Medium (mostly seasonal streams and dams)
Water quality (untreated): Good drinking water (ranked 1, from hand pumps (both communal and private)) and poor drinking water (treatment required, from hand dug wells, ranked 1 also)

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • medium
Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Human population densities are relatively low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Off-farm income:
  • 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • very poor
  • poor
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Gender:
  • men
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: The technology is applied mostly by men since most households are male headed and animal traction operation are reserved for men. Planting and weeding operations are the domain of women and children

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 3% - 4%

8% of the land users are rich and own 15% of the land (own more than 10 cattle).
8% of the land users are average wealthy and own 15% of the land (own between 5 and 10 cattle).
16% of the land users are poor and own 20% of the land (own less than 5).
68% of the land users are poor and own 40% of the land (do not own cattle).

Off-farm income specification: sale of rainfed crops makes up about half of their income, the remainder coming from sale of livestock, petty trading, hiring out labour and remittances

Market orientation of production system: Mixed (subsistence/ commercial, sale of excess maize and cotton, dairy, ranked 1) and subsistence (self-supply, livestock, maize and legumes for home consumption, ranked 2),
Level of mechanization: Animal traction (ranked 1, families without cattle borrow or hire), mechanised (ranked 2) and manual labour (ranked 2, only for small backyard fields)

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
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • small-scale
Comments:

Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology: Also: 5-15 ha, 15-50 ha, 50-100 ha

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

Land ownership:
  • individual, not titled
Land use rights:
  • open access (unorganized)
  • individual
  • Land is apportioned by traditional leaders
Water use rights:
  • open access (unorganized)
  • Land is apportioned by traditional leaders

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

1.8ton/ha

Quantity after SLM:

2ton/ha

Comments/ specify:

mostly due to early planting

fodder production

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

crop residues needed for soil cover

risk of production failure

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Better tolerance to dry spells

production area

decreased
increased
Quantity after SLM:

20%

Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

purchase of herbicides

farm income

decreased
increased
Quantity after SLM:

15%

Comments/ specify:

due to lower tillage cost, better yield

workload

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

only if herbicicdes are used for weeding

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

due to improved yields and more time and labour to diversify

recreational opportunities

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Less time spent preparing land

conflict mitigation

worsened
improved
Comments/ specify:

competition for crop residues with neighbours cattle

Improved livelihoods and human well-being

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Technology not yet been applied on a large enough area to make significant impact at community level but increased farm incomes among farmers has led to better education and health among household members.

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

water quality

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

due to improved good drainage

harvesting/ collection of water

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

open furows collect water

surface runoff

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

due to better soil cover

excess water drainage

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

due to improved soil structure

groundwater table/ aquifer

lowered
recharge
Comments/ specify:

not applied extensively

evaporation

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

due to better soil cover

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

due to resulting improved soil srtucture

soil cover

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Due to non-inversion tillage

soil loss

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Due to less soil disturbance and better soil cover

soil crusting/ sealing

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

Due to less soil disturbance

soil compaction

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

Due to less soil disturbance

nutrient cycling/ recharge

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Due to less soil disturbance

salinity

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

due to resulting good drainage

soil organic matter/ below ground C

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Due to less soil disturbance

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

biomass/ above ground C

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Due to less soil disturbance

animal diversity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

due to increased soil organic matter (SOM)

Other ecological impacts

Waterlogging

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Open furrow collect water in times of excess rainfal

Soil erosion locally

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

If furrow are made along the slope

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

water availability

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

only if applied on a large scale

reliable and stable stream flows in dry season

reduced
increased
Comments/ specify:

only if applied on a large scale

downstream flooding

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

only if applied on a large scale

downstream siltation

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

only if applied on a large scale

groundwater/ river pollution

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

only if applied on a large scale

damage on neighbours' fields

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

only if applied on a large scale

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 not known

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm not well
local windstorm not known
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought well
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 well
Comments:

Magoye ripper based conservation tillage should be applied in well drained fields to avoid water-logging in the ripped furrows during seasons of excess rainfall or events of heavy downpours.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

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

Comments:

Timely planting enables larger areas to be planted and better yields. In the long term, improved soil fertility and soil structure results in sustained improved yields. However, if herbicides are not used, the costs and labour requirements of weeding can result in negative benefits.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

250 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: The farmers bought the Magoye Rippers at half price and over half of them abandoned the technology after the first or second year of use.

Comments on spontaneous adoption: Information on spontaneous adoption is not documented although there have been reports of this in other districts.

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Availability of replacement tines and the increased weed challenge have been a major hindrances to widespread adoption.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Enables early planting

How can they be sustained / enhanced? planting with the first heavy rainfall in November
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
necessitates early planting

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Plant in November or early December with the onset of rainfall
fewer operations hence lower costs

How can they be sustained / enhanced? continuous emphasis on early land preparation (May to July/August)
conserves water and soil

How can they be sustained / enhanced? encourage crop diversification and crop rotation legumes

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?
weeding is difficult when herbicides are not used train land users on how to use herbicides
ripping is hardly attained in heavy soils in October rip between May and July
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
weed pressure encourage land users to use herbicides and continuous weeding

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Impact study on the acceptance of the Magoye Ripper, Piet Stevens, David Samazaka, Ab Wanders, Douglas Moono, 2002

Available from where? Costs?

GART/free

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Social-economic analysis of conservation agriculture in southern Africa, FAO, 2011

Available from where? Costs?

FAO/free online

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Conservation farming in Zambia, Steven Haggblade, Gelson Tembo, October 2003

Available from where? Costs?

INDABA Project, Michigan State University/free online.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Conservation farming in Zambia, Conservation farming unit (CFU), 2011

Available from where? Costs?

cfu@zamnet.zm

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