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)

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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

A traditional agroforestry parkland with scattered trees beneficial for soil properties (e.g. Faidherbia albida) or providing food for human beings and cattle (e.g. Sclerocarya birrea)

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Between scattered trees of which some were carefully selected for their positive influence on soil properties, either millet (Pennisetum typhoides), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) or watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) are grown in rotation. The dominant tree species are Faidherbia albida (syn. Acacia albida), Sclerocarya birrea, Sterculia setigera and Combretum glutinosum. Some of the species were introduced from elsewhere and planted by land users when they settled in the area. Other species regenerated naturally in the fields and were protected till they reached mature age. F. albida sheds it's leaves at the beginning of the rainy season increasing soil nutrient stock for the cultivation period and reducing competition with crops for light. Sclerocarya birrea is widely appreciated by cattle for it's nutritious fruits. Cattle resting in the shade of the large trees provide free organic manure. Mulching and manure application are common means to improve soil organic matter and nutrient content in this remote area where access to inorganic fertilizers is very limited due to inaccessibility.

Purpose of the Technology: The main objectives of this parkland system are to enhance crop production through improvement of soil properties with the help of trees, the provision of supplementary food for cattle in the form of fruits and the availability of certain plants (or parts of them) for traditional medicine.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The technology has a long tradition in more southern regions of Sénégal and was brought to the Ferlo by Wolof people that moved to this zone in the search for cultivable area. Knowledge is transferred from parents to their children. Except for the purchase of seeds for cultivation of the fields there is no financial inputs required for this system.

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. Rainfed agriculture under agroforestry parkland in a belt around the main village is the main landuse type in the area. In a second circle, extensive pastoralism is practiced and forest resources are being exploited. Presence of insects and wild animals (monkeys, warthogs) damaging cultures and the lack of sufficient rainfall are main constraints mentioned by landusers in the area. Degradation of vegetation cover is widespread. The bare soils are prone to wind erosion, a common phenomenon in the area, carrying away the arable soil horizon and causing a decline in soil fertility. In general, the local population has signaled a decline of land degradation due to the widely practiced tradition of SLM technologies.

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:

Senegal

Region/ State/ Province:

Louga

Further specification of location:

Linguère / Barkédji

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

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.):

introduced from the more southern parts of Sénégal by Wolof farmers

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - millet
• oilseed crops - groundnuts
• vegetables - melon, pumpkin, squash or gourd

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120 Longest growing period from month to month: Jul-Oct

Comments:

Major cash crop: Millet, groundnut, watermelon
Major food crop: Millet, groundnut, watermelon

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): deforestation, wind erosion causing loss of topsoil

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): rain insufficience and presence of insect pests

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
• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility

vegetative measures

• V1: Tree and shrub cover

Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures

Secondary measures: agronomic measures

Type of agronomic measures: mulching, manure / compost / residues

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by wind

• Et: loss of topsoil

chemical soil deterioration

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

biological degradation

• Bc: reduction of vegetation cover
• Bh: loss of habitats
• Bq: quantity/ biomass decline
• Bs: quality and species composition/ diversity decline

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: Bh: loss of habitats, Bq: quantity / biomass decline

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (due to domestic uses), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use, overgrazing (oversized herds of cattle), droughts, population pressure, poverty / wealth (poverty)

Secondary causes of degradation: 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

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Lifespan of the product: 1 season (120 days)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

Comments:

No cost is involved with organic manure as it can be obtained by giving nomadic Fula herders the right to let their cattle rest in the shade under the trees or feed on plant residues

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
Soil drainage / infiltration: Good
Soil water storage capacity: High

5.4 Water availability and quality

5.5 Biodiversity

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
Population density: < 10 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 2% - 3%
30% of the land users are average wealthy.
70% of the land users are poor.
Off-farm income specification: livestock raising
Level of mechanization: Animal traction (by horse)

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

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

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)

Meteorological disasters

Climatological disasters

Hydrological disasters

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

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

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

16

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

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: the technology is already being practiced by the whole population of this village

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