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)

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:

Erosion control by use of physical barriers and vegetative materials

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The innovation comprises control of gully erosion by use of constructed barriers (check dams) combined with vegetative materials. The end result is a stabilized gully that is prevented from advancing further. The system also involves fruit trees/banana establishment and fodder grass planting for structure stabilization. Establishment of the technology involves excavation of pits, planting fruit trees/bananas and grass cuttings.

Purpose of the Technology: This is a structural measure that is vegetated for stabilization. Its purpose is to rehabilitate a gully bed, through control of concentrated runoff by reduction of slope length and both trapping of runoff and sediment harvesting. The productive use of the innovation is mainly for perennial crops (fruit trees and
bananas) and for fodder production.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Earth check dams are constructed in the gully, using borrow spoil from square pits in the walls of the gully (see diagram). The earth embankment of the dams are then stabilized with grass. Pawpaws are planted on the original gully floor. Initially the innovator left the pits empty: now she plants bananas in them.The 5 check dams, each 1 m or more in height, are spaced at about 10 m apart in the gully. The excavated pits are about 1 m x 1 m wide and 1 m deep. Four pits are dug separately on each side of each check dam. Makarikari grass (Panicum coloratum var. makarikariensis) is used for stabilization, while bananas and pawpaws are planted within the rehabilitated area. When it rains, runoff generated from the neighbouring plots upstream flows down and is slowed by the check dams. The runoff passes around both wings of each embankment, filling and flowing through the pits. Sediment is trapped in the pits. Excess runoff flows on to the second embankment, then through the second set of pits and so on. Only during heavy rains does water pass through and out of the system, though its velocity is reduced. Thus the gully heals slowly with time and vegetation becomes established. Regular maintenance work is required, involving repair of broken sections from time to time, using manual labour with a panga, shovel and jembe. Also of importance is manure application every season to the planted areas before the rains to sustain fertility and thus productivity.

Natural / human environment: Kalekye Mutua is a single household head in her mid thirties. Although she has no partner to help support her three children, she manages quite well through farming her 6 hectares of land - where she grows various crops and keeps a few local cattle. She had a small trading venture but has recently abandoned
this. Kalekye is not amongst the poorest in Mwingi, but represents a number of female-headed households who prosper through hard work and enterprise. In fact she even employs labourers part-time to help with the farming activities.

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

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 very small portion of the individual farm is covered by the technology

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.):

farmers own intiative

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

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

Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:

• banana/plantain/abaca

Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:

• pome fruits (apples, pears, quinces, etc.)

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 60 Longest growing period from month to month: Oct - Dec Second longest growing period in days: 75 Second longest growing period from month to month: Mar - May

Comments:

Fruit trees / shrubs species: pawpaws (Asimina triloba)
Perennial crops species: bananas

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): soil erosion, overgrazing, declining soil fertility

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): low yields

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
• water harvesting
• water diversion and drainage

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

structural measures

• S3: Graded ditches, channels, waterways

Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures

Secondary measures: structural measures

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wg: gully erosion/ gullying

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Gully under reclamation: note flow of runoff

Kenya

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: low

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, control of concentrated runoff: impede / retard

Secondary technical functions: reduction of slope angle, improvement of ground cover, increase of infiltration, water harvesting / increase water supply, sediment retention / trapping, sediment harvesting

Fruit trees / shrubs species: pawpaws

Perennial crops species: bananas

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 10.00%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is (see figure below): 5.00%

Construction material (earth): Local soil excavated from pits on the side of the gully

Construction material (other): Grass for stabilization Makarikari grass prefeered

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 10%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is: 8%

Vegetation is used for stabilisation of structures.

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

kenya shillings

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

70.0

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 24 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

Comments:

1100 banana/ fruit trees holes/ha

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

slope, soil type, timeliness of operation

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 is low

Soil drainage / infiltration is good

Soil water storage capacity is low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: < 10 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 2% - 3%

1% of the land users are very rich and own 10% of the land.
4% of the land users are rich and own 20% of the land.
25% of the land users are average wealthy and own 40% of the land.
30% of the land users are poor and own 20% of the land.
40% of the land users are poor and own 10% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: the are few members of the household who are in formal employment

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

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• individual

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

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

• single cases/ experimental

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

1 household

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 no trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Kalekye only started the innovation two years ago, and while there has been a policy of taking women’s groups to visit Kalekye, this is a relatively recent occurrence (starting approximately a year ago). Despite the visitors obviously being inspired, there have been no reports as yet of direct 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

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Farm Management handbook of Kenya Vol II

Available from where? Costs?

Ministry of Agiculture, Nairobi

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