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

Name of project 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)

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

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:

Is the embanked soils on the lower side of the furrow, lemon grass and vetiver grass strips along the contour lines combined with Farm yard manures and grass mulch application in banana production.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The slope cross barrier technology in banana production is a 2m deep by 0.6 wide furrow at the less slope combined with lemon grass, vetiver grass contour strips at the greater slopes.. The lemon grasses and vertiver grass are planted in single row spaced 0.3m plant to plant. The distance between strips is about 18m at the slope category of 2%. The technology is applied on the cropland in the tropics, sub humid, dissected plain to flood plains, sandy clay loam over sand clay and deep to moderate deep soils. The land is cultivated manually using hand hoes in a mixed production system. The land ownership is communal and individual not titled. The establishment procedures includes planting of banana suckers, lemon grass, vetiver grass, fruit trees, construction of fanya chini and planting gravelia spps along the boundaries. The maintenance procedures require application of FYM at the rate of 24-36kg per plant. Grass mulch is spread across the slope at the thickness of 0.15m. The average establishment costs is US$ 3,531.42 per hectare while maintenance costs on average is US$ 351.77 per hectare. The technology was introduced fifteen months past ( March 2013) using Demonstration plots methodology. Common agronomic measures such as using improved banana suckers and banana weevils trapping can add extra effectiveness to the main technology.

Purpose of the Technology: The general purpose of the technology is to reduce soil erosion, reduce soil moisture stress and increase soil nutrient cycling and soil organic matters.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The establishment activities includes first, clearing and cultivation of land in May done manually using machete and hand hoes. Second, harrowing in May done manually using fork handhoes. Third is identification and demarcation of contour lines doneusing A-frame. Fourth is spacing and digging of holes for banana and fruit trees done manually done. Fifth is planting of banana suckers and fruit trees done manually. Sixth is planting of vertiver and lemon grasses along the demarcated contour lines done manually, seventh is digging the farrow and excavating soils to be placed at the lower side of the furrow done manually. The maintenance activities include; first, weeding the entire field using hands done in twice April and October. Second is manure application using plastic buskets done. Third is spreading grass mulch done manually, fourth is desuckering using chisel hand hoes done twice in April and October. Fourth is detrushing using machete and local made tools (rwabyo) done twice (May and January). Last but not least is harvesting of banana, lemon grass and fruits done on market demand.

Natural / human environment: The land ownership is communal and individual not entitled while the water use right is open access. The natural environments are 1184mm of rainfall.The technology is tolerant to drought and seasonal rainfall decrease. Soil fertility is low to moderate. Top soil organic matter is medium, Soil drainage is medium. Soil water storage capacity is medium.

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:

Tanzania

Further specification of location:

Bukoba

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

Comments:

A demonstration plot for pupils self-reliance education studies established a plot measured 2 acres where the technology is applied.

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.):

In February 2013 TAMP -Kagera, Tanzania introduced the technology through demonstration sites for cross slope beerier technology at Magereza Rusumo Primary School.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation

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

Cropland

• Annual cropping
• Perennial (non-woody) cropping
• Tree and shrub cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - maize
• cereals - sorghum

• lemon grass, vertiver grass

Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:

• banana/plantain/abaca

Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:

• avocado
• mango, mangosteen, guava

• fruit trees, oranges, Pawpaw

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 90; Longest growing period from month to month: March to May; Second longest growing period in days: 60;Second longest growing period from month to month: November to December

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): The major land use problems were soil erosion, moistture stress, declining soil nutrients and organic matters.
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): The major land use problems were reduced soil fertility.
Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Cropland: Cp: Perennial (non-woody) cropping

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

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A1: Vegetation/ soil cover
• A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
• A6: Residue management

vegetative measures

• V2: Grasses and perennial herbaceous plants

structural measures

• S2: Bunds, banks
• S4: Level ditches, pits

Comments:

Type of agronomic measures: mulching, temporary trashlines, manure / compost / residues, pits
Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -contour, aligned: -along boundary, aligned: -linear, scattered / dispersed, in blocks

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)

biological degradation

• Bl: loss of soil life

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: soil management (Cultivation along the slope), change of seasonal rainfall (decreased rainfall intensity.), droughts (Increased length of dry spell.), population pressure (Increased population density had forced to cultivate slope land to meet the social economical requirements.), poverty / wealth (Land users cant afford to invest in land concervations.), education, access to knowledge and support services (Inadequate staffing limits effective support services for land users to access land concervation knowledge.), governance / institutional (Environment policy implimentation is weak at lower levels.)

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 15 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: 3 adption land users are found in the flat areas and a 1.5 acre is demonstration plot site where thye adoption plots found elsewhere.

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 depth on average: Redish brown/dark brown sandy clay loam over sandy clay
Soil fertilityis low and DP Low to moderate
Soil drainage / infiltration is medium and DP well drained
Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Availability of surface water: Bordering Kagera river.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Earthworms, black ants etc.

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
Market orientation of production system: Fruits intededed for sale and banana are dual purposes.
Level of mechanization: Hand hoes are used.

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

• Institutions

Land use rights:

• individual

• village goverment

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

• village goverment

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

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)

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

Climatological disasters

Comments:

The technology can be modified to become more tolerant by meter drain construction from the contour furrow into drainage ditches to collect excess water during heavy rainfall events. This excess water should be used for small scale irrigation.

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

• > 50%

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

8 households

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

• 11-50%

Comments:

4 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support
Comments on acceptance with external material support: Only the primary school received external materials to establish a 1.5 acre demonstration plots.

4 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support
Comments on spontaneous adoption: Three teachers applied the technology at their own lands bearing their full cost of implimentation.

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology
Comments on adoption trend: A 75% adption rate within a less than two years effective duration implies a strong adoption trend.

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