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

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:

Run off water from a hill is harnessed and concentrated in a banana plantation using diversion and retention ditches respectively.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Runoff water is diverted from the road running by the farm, using diversion ditches, 0.3 m deep and 0.3 m wide. Water is led first into semi-circular infiltration ditches that are 0.3 m deep, and 2 m in diameter. From these ditches, water flows through the banana plantation and is held by infiltration basins around which are groups of banana stools. Setaria grass is planted to stabilize the edges of the basins and is also used to stabilize a bund which runs through the plantation. Mulching is practised throughout the plantation,
primarily to reduce the loss of valuable moisture.

Purpose of the Technology: The technology is used to control soil erosion by runnig water from the hill top and also to harvest water and retain soil moisture for the banana palms which need adequate soil moisture for proper production. Dry vegetation and stover are used as mulch to reinforce moisture conservation.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The ditches are maintained by removing silt regularly. The grass is cut to avoid over growing.

Natural / human environment: The technology is applied on perennial crop land located in a semi arid area. The soil is predominantly sandy loam and shallow. Florence is a farmer and a married housewife. She is 40 years old and has a family of 12 to support
despite the fact the family is poorer than average. They own less than one hectare of land, but borrow an extra area to cultivate. Her main technical initiative is water harvesting, together with soil fertility improvement, in a matooke (cooking banana) plantation. She started in 1990. She practices harvesting of water from the road into her plantation, and has a system of trenches through which water circulates and is then held by basins around which are banana stools. She also mulches and plants grass barriers within
the plantation. There is some doubt whether the water harvesting can really be claimed as her own innovation, as there are variations of this practice in several nearby farms. Nevertheless her holistic management system is probably unique to the area.

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:

Uganda

Region/ State/ Province:

Kumi

Further specification of location:

Kumi

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:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 10 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.):

it is a farmer own intiative

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• create beneficial economic impact

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

Cropland

• Annual cropping
• Perennial (non-woody) cropping

• Setaria grass

Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:

• banana/plantain/abaca

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 90Longest growing period from month to month: Mar - JunSecond longest growing period in days: 90Second longest growing period from month to month: Sep - Nov

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): adequate soil moisture, soil erosion by wind and running water, and declining soil fertility

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): unreliable rainfall, soil erosion, pest and diseases and inadequate capital

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

water harvesting
irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)
water diversion and drainage

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• water harvesting
• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)
• water diversion and drainage

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

water degradation

• Ha: aridification

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Ha: aridification

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:

Duration of establishment phase: 12 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

Comments:

labour, length of structure

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

labour, soil depth, tools

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: Low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: > 4%
10% of the land users are rich and own 20% of the land.
25% of the land users are average wealthy and own 30% of the land.
60% of the land users are poor and own 50% of the land.
5% of the land users are poor.
Off-farm income specification: most of the income is derived from the farm, however some members are employed outside.
Level of mechanization: Manual work (only family labour)
Market orientation: Mixed and subsistence (bananas produced for home consumption and surplus for sell)

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

• customary

Land use rights:

• individual

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

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Other ecological impacts

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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):

50% of area covered

Comments:

60% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

100 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: estimates

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Water harvesting in bananas is becoming an increasingly common practice in Kumi District. It is not possible to say currently how many families have taken up this technology – or indeed how many of these can be directly attributed to Florence’s example.

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

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Kithinji M., Critchley W. 2001. Farmers' initiatives in land husbandry: Promising technologies for the drier areas of East Africa. RELMA Technical Report series no. 27

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Atlas of Uganda (1967) Dept of land and survey

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Entebbe Ministry of Agriculture, animal industry and fisheries, progress report on promoting farmers innovatio project (1997-2000) (Draft)

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Entebbe FAO - UNESCO (1990) Soil map of the world food and Agriculture org.

Title, author, year, ISBN:

ROMR The soil of Eastern Region of Uganda(1964) Dept of land and survey Entebbe