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)

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 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

A forest management system whereby trees are inter-cropped with annual crops until when the crops below can no longer flourish due to the dense canopy of trees.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The overall purpose is to establish and manage forest in a sustainable manner. Land preparation is done during the dry season. Prepared seedling is planted at the beginning of the rainy season at recommended spacing. The area between trees is intercropped with selected annual crops. The crops can continue to be grown until the tree canopy covers the ground (3 to 4 years period). At this stage the system does not support intercropping and the trees are left to grow on their own. The Taungya technology is applied on degraded forest or a new established forest. Recomended supportive technologies are contours for erosion control and manure application for soil quality improvement.

Purpose of the Technology: A well established and managed forest/woodlot ensured in the degraded forest by:
-Intercropping with selected annual crops to improve soil cover, water infiltration, soil organic matter, reduce soil erosion and water evaporation.
-To conduct multiple tending operations for the tree plots and crops (weeding,firebreaks,pruning and thinning)thus minimizing the costs and maximizing returns
-Increased productivity and production through diversification strategies.
-Enhance food security and income.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: -Land preparation during dry season (June to Sept).
-(Allignment,marking and pitting for tree seedlings (Oct-Nov)
-Planting of trees(Nov-Dec)
-Planting of crops (Oct-Nov)
-Weeding
-Harvesting crops

Natural / human environment: Fire threats during dry season, Termite attacks to trees, High costs for labour to perform tending activities in large forest plots

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:

Tanzania, United Republic of

Region/ State/ Province:

Kagera

Further specification of location:

Ngara

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

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is <0.1 km2.

The plantation is planted mainly with Pinus caribaea and few compartments Maesopsis eminii of 3 years and intercropped with cassava,gnuts and beans,well weeded and firebreaks established. The plantation covers 32 hectares.

Map

×

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.):

Various projects of afforestation have been active in the area before and during the Refugee influx from Rwanda and Burundi 1994-2007

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• conserve ecosystem
• preserve/ improve biodiversity

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

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• legumes and pulses - beans
• root/tuber crops - cassava

• gnuts

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120; Longest growing period from month to month: Oct to Dec; Second longest growing period in days: 90; Second longest growing period from month to month: March to May

Forest/ woodlands

• Tree plantation, afforestation

Tree plantation, afforestation: Specify origin and composition of species:

• Mixed varieties

• timber trees

Products and services:

• Timber
• Fuelwood
• Grazing/ browsing

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): High fire incidences during dry seasons, Red clay loam soils harden and dry easily during dry spells, Forest are usually long term investments,thus high costs of inputs before harvests

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): High fire incidences during dry seasons, High costs for weeding and slashing

Problems / comments regarding forest use: Softwood plantation

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Forests / woodlands: Fp: Plantations, afforestations

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

• natural and semi-natural forest management
• agroforestry

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A3: Soil surface treatment

vegetative measures

• V3: Clearing of vegetation

management measures

• M2: Change of management/ intensity level

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

physical soil deterioration

• Pk: slaking and crusting
• Pi: soil sealing

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), change in temperature (Fires become more aggresive in hot dry season)

Secondary causes of degradation: soil management (To enhance infiltration of water to hard subsoil), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (Acute shortage of fuelwood in the area)

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

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Diagram of Taungya system in forest management -seasonal crop inter planted in woodlots/tree plots.

Location: Rusumo village. Ngara District Council/Kagera/ Tanzania
Date: 15 May 2013

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate (Experience in agroforestry extension is usually enough to assist farmers)
Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate (A number of manuals provide guidance on afforestation projects)

Main technical functions: reduction of dry material (fuel for wildfires)
Secondary technical functions: improvement of surface structure (crusting, sealing), control of fires

Mixed cropping / intercropping
Material/ species: cassava cuttings
Quantity/ density: 500/ha
Remarks: between tree rows

Cover cropping
Material/ species: beans
Remarks: between tree rows

Retaining more vegetation cover
Material/ species: Plant tree seedlings
Quantity/ density: 1700/ha
Remarks: Line planting 2.5mx2.5m

Manure / compost / residues
Material/ species: crop residues in repeated seasond
Remarks: remain to decay in tree plots

Breaking crust / sealed surface
Material/ species: thorough land cultivation using hand hoes
Remarks: during initial land preparation

Breaking compacted topsoil
Material/ species: continuous cultivation and weeding -hoes
Remarks: enhance water infiltration

Aligned: -linear
Number of plants per (ha): 1700
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 2.5
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 2.5
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 2.5
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 2.5

Trees/ shrubs species: Pinus caribaea
Perennial crops species: cassava
Gradient along the rows / strips: 8%

Change of land use type: convertion of rweya(uncultivated grassland) to woodlot/forest plantation
Change of land use practices / intensity level: Perform agronomy practices for crops,sivicultural practices for trees
Layout change according to natural and human environment: increseased soil cover due to many planted trees and agricultural crops

Major change in timing of activities: plant trees at the start of long rains to maximise survival rates
Control / change of species composition: indigineous trees highly deforested, replaced with planted forest of high cormecial value
Other type of management: Establishing firelines/roads each year enables easy prevention/controll of wild fires.

Author:

Ileta Philip, P.O BOX 30 Ngara

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Tanzania shilling

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

1600.0

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: hoes, matchets, axes, slashers, handsaws, per hectare year (2012)

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

high labour especially during establishment and repeated tending of crops and trees

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 is medium - high

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Ground water table: The plot is on top of the plateau/ridge
Availability of surface water: Is good when further away, because the permanent rivers Kagera and Ruvuvu are 2km below the plateau.
Water quality (untreated): Good because a gravity scheme supplies water to nearby areas 2kms, but for agriculture only because seasonal agriculture in the dry season in wetlands along the rivers.

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: labour works performed well by both men and women
Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 2% - 3%
10% of the land users are rich and own 30% of the land.
20% of the land users are average wealthy and own 40% of the land.
Off-farm income specification: The land user is a businessman and have good number of cattle,however there are many other tree plots in the village owned by other farmers

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:

• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

Comments:

water free for agricultural use,minimum payments for domestic use

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Other socio-economic impacts

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

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

Comments:

The control of fires can be improved by boundary planting of fire tolerant plant species e.g sisal(Agaves sisalana),euphobia spp etc

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:

Benefits from timber harvest from18 yrs and above,but can harvest for pulp at 8yrs,short term benefits from trees include thinnings for firewood short term from crop sales, decreased input costs due to multiple tending

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• > 50%

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

24 households covering 100 percent of stated area

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

• 51-90%

Comments:

4 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support
20 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support
Comments on spontaneous adoption: The planting of pine and intercropping with cassava,gnuts and beans has been adopted by many farmers due to the anticipation of carbon trading in future and expansion of cormecial forestry

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology
Comments on adoption trend: Large ares of land in Rusumo are still uncultivated/no settlements and many farmers have opted to establish woodlots of pines-as highly paying project in future with posibilities for accessing bank loans

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

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

7.1 Methods/ sources of information