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

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:

Mulching is done by covering the soil surface between crop rows, around trees (mostly fruit and orchard) or vegetables with cut grass, crop residues, straw or other plant material in order to retain soil moisture, prevent or suppress weed growth and enhance soil structure.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

A layer of crop residues, cut grass, straw or other plant material is spread on the soil surface between crop rows or around the vegetables or orchard trees in order to retain the soil moisture by limiting evaporation, prevents weed growth and enhances soil structure. Farmers in the Upper Tana Catchment mostly uses crop residues as mulch especially after the harvesting season. Banana leaves in Embu county are used as mulch on banana plants.

Purpose of the Technology: Mulching is mostly used in the Upper Tana Catchment to retain soil moisture by limiting evaporation, it also prevents weed growth and enhances soil structure. It is commonly used in areas that are mostly affected by drought and weed infestation. In Embu District, mulch on banana plantations is supplemented with farm yard manure as shown in the photographs above. The most readily available source of mulching materials is banana leaves themselves even though other type of mulch materials are also in use. Some farmers use the these leaves both as mulch and as livestock feeds during the drought seasons.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The mulch layer is rougher than the surface of the soil and thus inhibits runoff. The layer of plant material protects the soil from splash erosion and limits the formation of soil crust. It is worth to note that the choice of mulch depends on locally available materials. In alley-cropping systems, hedgerow biomass is often used as mulch. Another strategy is to leave crop residues, such as maize stalks on the ground after harvesting. Mulch can be spread on a seedbed or around planting holes. Large pieces of crop residues should be cut into smaller pieces before spreading on the soil's surface. There are many advantages of using mulch which include, increase of soil moisture, reduction of excessive evaporation from the soil surface, suppression of weeds which further reduces labour cost of weeding. Mulching reduces high fluctuations in soil temperature, which means improved conditions for microorganisms in the soil. It also increases soil organic matter and thereby improves soil structure. Mulch protects the soil against splash erosion and runoff. The disadvantages of mulch includes the following; unavailability of suitable materials for mulch, some seeds of mulch might germinate and become weed problem. If crop residues are used as mulch it might mean a loss of animal fodder. Especially in the drier parts of Mbeere district, dry mulch has been reported as fire hazard. Sometimes it is difficult to spread mulch on steep slopes and it can also be a possible habitat for pests and diseases.

Natural / human environment: Areas with limited rainfall usually respond very well to mulching. Mulching is not applicable in wet conditions however, the soils should have good drainage.

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:

Kenya

Region/ State/ Province:

Eastern Province

Further specification of location:

Embu North District

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

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

• 1-10 km2

Comments:

Most of the farmers use mulch from their crop residuals

Map

×

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

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• conserve ecosystem
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• create beneficial economic impact

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
• fodder crops - grasses
• vegetables - other

Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:

• banana/plantain/abaca

• coffee

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 180, Longest growing period from month to month: April to October

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Soil erosion, weed infestation and excessive evaporation in the farm lands
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Low soil fertility and excessive evaporation of soil moisture

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

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility

Comments:

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

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)

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub)
Secondary causes of degradation: soil management, deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), overgrazing

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

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

The technical drawing on the left shows banana trees planted on benches. Fodder grass that is used to feed livestock is planted to stabilize the slopes. FYM is first spread at the base and latter covered with mulch made from the banana leaves.

Location: Embu North. Eastern Province
Date: 06/09/2016

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: low
Technical knowledge required for land users: high

Main technical functions: control of raindrop splash, control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, improvement of ground cover, increase of infiltration
Secondary technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard, control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, increase of surface roughness, increase in organic matter, increase of groundwater level / recharge of groundwater, reduction in wind speed

Mulching
Material/ species: Banana leaves
Quantity/ density: 2
Remarks: mulch is spread on the surface surrounding the banana trees

Manure / compost / residues
Material/ species: Farmyard Manure
Quantity/ density: 1
Remarks: Farm yard manure is first applied around the banana tree then the mulch is spread over

Author:

Paul Kahiga, 62000-00200 Nairobi

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Kshs.

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

100.0

4.3 Establishment activities

Comments:

Lifespan of the leaves: 1 year

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 1 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: Pangas to cut the leaves, shovels and wheels barrows to carry the FYM
number of mulched banana plants

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour and availability of mulch determines the cost of the technology

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

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
Difference in the involvement of women and men: no
Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 0.5% - 1%
Off-farm income specification: Few farmers have shops/kiosks that they use to supplement their income other than farming

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, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

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)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

Climatological disasters

Hydrological disasters

Comments:

Addition of FYM before the mulch enhances retaining of moisture

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:

After decomposition, the rich organic matter and nutrients remains in the soil for long time.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

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