Technologies

Gully healing for growing bananas [Tanzania, United Republic of]

technologies_1392 - Tanzania, United Republic of

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Completeness: 63%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
{'additional_translations': {}, 'value': 'Patrick Gervas Mbanguka Lameck', 'user_id': '641', 'unknown_user': False, 'template': 'raw'}
{'additional_translations': {}, 'value': 286, 'label': 'Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)', 'text': 'Inades Formation Tanzania (Inades Formation Tanzania)', 'template': 'raw'}

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. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Gully healing using bananas as barriers

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Gully pits (2'*2'*2') are dug across the gully. Smaller pits are dug in the bigger ones. Manure is filled in the smaller ones. Bananas are planted in the pits. Trash is filled in the bigger pits. A trash line is dug and supported by pegs. The speed of the runoff is lowered by the pits and trashline. The plants regenerate in the gully.

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Tanzania, United Republic of

Further specification of location:

Dodoma/Kongwa

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)
Map preview

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.):

farmer innovation

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

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

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
  • Perennial (non-woody) cropping
  • Tree and shrub cropping
Annual cropping - Specify crops:
  • cereals - maize
  • fruits
Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:
  • banana/plantain/abaca
  • sugar cane
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120; Second longest growing period in days: 60

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): gully erosion due to the steep slopes

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • improved ground/ vegetation cover
  • cross-slope measure

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

structural measures

structural measures

  • S4: Level ditches, pits

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wg: gully erosion/ gullying
chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

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

water degradation

  • Ha: aridification
Comments:

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content, Ha: aridification

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land
Comments:

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation, mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

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Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: high

Main technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: impede / retard

Secondary technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, sediment harvesting

Structural measure: diversion ditch/cut-off drain
Vertical interval between structures (m): 1
Spacing between structures (m): 6
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.6
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.6
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.6
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.6
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.6

Structural measure: bunds/banks: contour
Vertical interval between structures (m): 1
Spacing between structures (m): 6

Structural measure: trash
Vertical interval between structures (m): 1
Spacing between structures (m): 6
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.5
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 1

Construction material (earth): top soil

Construction material (other): crop remain, farmyard manure

Lateral gradient along the structure: 5.00%

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Tanzanian shillings

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

800.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

1.90

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Labour persons/day/ha 336.0 1.9 638.4 90.0
Equipment Tools ha 1.0 11.25 11.25 100.0
Fertilizers and biocides Seedlings ha 1.0 1250.0 1250.0 100.0
Construction material Trash ha 1.0 960.0 960.0 30.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 2859.65
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 3.57
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 36 month(s)

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

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Labour persons/day/ha 9.5 1.9 18.05 100.0
Construction material Trash ha 1.0 320.0 320.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 338.05
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 0.42

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

cost of farmyard manure, labour, steep slopes

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

Also 751-1000 mm

Agro-climatic zone
  • semi-arid
  • arid

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: Also steep

Landforms: Also footslopes

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)
  • low (<1%)
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: Also shallow

Soil fertility is medium

Soil drainage / infiltration is medium

Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
  • rich
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • animal traction
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

2% of the land users are very rich and own 30% of the land.
5% of the land users are rich and own 10% of the land.
43% of the land users are average wealthy and own 40% of the land.
30% of the land users are poor and own 15% of the land.
20% of the land users are poor and own 5% of the land.

Level of mechanization: Manual labour with hand hoes and animal traction used for transport

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Comments:

Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology: Also 0.5-1 ha

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • individual, not titled

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

fodder production

decreased
increased

Socio-cultural impacts

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

national institutions

weakened
strengthened

Ecological impacts

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil cover

reduced
improved

soil loss

increased
decreased
Other ecological impacts

soil fertility

decreased
increased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

downstream flooding

increased
reduced

downstream siltation

increased
decreased

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

very positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

very positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • 1-10%
If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

10 household covering 5 percent of the area (5 percent of all land users)

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 91-100%
Comments:

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

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: because of the badly eroded gullies and heavy earth work

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
heals the gully

How can they be sustained / enhanced? make use of live barrier
grow crops in the gully

How can they be sustained / enhanced? increased crop production
reduce floods downstream

How can they be sustained / enhanced? downstream users can make use of the floods

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
if upstreamusers have no innovation floods are not easy to control if upstreamusers have no innovation floods are not easy to control

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

Links and modules

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