Technologies

Building Walls's stones to protect lands and building outlet to drain excess water [Yemen]

الجدران الحجرية والمفيضات

technologies_1578 - Yemen

Completeness: 80%

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:
SLM specialist:

Sallam Ahmed

Agricultural Research and Extension Authority

Yemen

SLM specialist:

Alhadrami Yahya

General Directorate for irrigation

Yemen

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
General Directorate of Irrigation - Yemen
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Agricultural Research and Extension Authority (AREA) - Yemen

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

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

use the stones to build walls around agricultural terraces to protect them from erosion and make outlets (Spillway) to discharge excess water and prevent the destruction of the stands

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Is a structural one of the types of measures and that is where build walls around the land of stones available in the area to protect agricultural terraces from erosion as a result of the speed of the water flow.
This process starts of building walls to collect stones available and building walls around the agricultural terraces, which is beside the waterway and then land agricultural away from the stream where are building walls around land terraces threatened drift ranges wall height 2-3 meters and a width of 30 cm and is accompanied by building outlets with the construction of the walls. Different view slot spillway and the number depending on the amount of water entering the agricultural land terraces which is used irrigation number of agricultural terraces about 4 - 5 terraces (pieces) where irrigation start from the top-down system of first come through outlets which works to protect the land from erosion and destruction by water pressure due process flood irrigation .
walls and outlets Were built by hands where the process of building need a long time, the walls are built gradually according to the height of the surface of the soil where you are collecting sediment , which requires him to do to raise the walls and well outlets .
The implementation of this technique in filled valleys on the slope moderate 5% of the irrigation system mixed and used to irrigate crop of grapes , mainly for the purpose of self-sufficiency and to go to the market to trade, is the technology of long-term investments that need to be high costs in the process of starch and because of the natural conditions of flow velocity and the output from a pool of water in the mountain slopes , the process of maintenance necessary to sustain and maintain the technology .

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:

Yemen

Region/ State/ Province:

Sana

Further specification of location:

Bani Hushaish district

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 10-100 km2
Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 20.6 km2.

Alrawanah Bani Hushaish, which is located on the eastern side of the capital Sanaa, and is about 16 km away

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 very old technology but was rehabilitated in 1956 by the community

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

  • Tree and shrub cropping
Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:
  • grapes
  • Qat
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 90

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Erosion of riparian valley resulting from the floods in addition to gully erosion on agricultural land

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Erosion of agricultural terraces

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed
Comments:

Water supply: Also mixed rainfed - irrigated and post-flooding

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • cross-slope measure
  • irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

structural measures

structural measures

  • S1: Terraces

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wg: gully erosion/ gullying
  • Wr: riverbank erosion
physical soil deterioration

physical soil deterioration

  • Ps: subsidence of organic soils, settling of soil
Comments:

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Ps: subsidence of organic soils, settling of soil

Main causes of degradation: floods (As a result of flow velocity and rainwater collected from many places)

Secondary causes of degradation: over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (For domestic use due to lack of alternatives such as gas), poverty / wealth (poverty), education, access to knowledge and support services

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Stone walls with outlets

Location: Bani Hushaish district. Sana'a

Date: 15-3-2013

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: high (The construction process requires skills and experiences)

Technical knowledge required for land users: low (Has enough experience)

Main technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, water spreading, Reduce runoff

Secondary technical functions: increase of groundwater level / recharge of groundwater, water harvesting / increase water supply, sediment retention / trapping, sediment harvesting

Spillway
Vertical interval between structures (m): S
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 2 - 3
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 1– 1.5

Structural measure: Stone walls
Vertical interval between structures (m): S
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 2 - 3
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.3
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 60-100

Construction material (stone): Available stones in the region

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 5%

For water harvesting: the ratio between the area where the harvested water is applied and the total area from which water is collected is: 1:1

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify currency used for cost calculations:
  • USD
Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

7.00

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Collecting stones Before the rainy season
2. Building outlets walls Before the rainy season
3. Packing the soil behind walls and outlets Before the rainy season
4. Settlement of the Earth's surface and filling the grooves Before the rainy season

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 Collecting stones persons/day/ha 150.0 7.0 1050.0 100.0
Labour Building outlets walls persons/day/ha 500.0 7.0 3500.0 100.0
Labour Packing the soil behind walls and outlets persons/day/ha 10.0 7.0 70.0 100.0
Labour Settlement of the Earth's surface and filling the grooves persons/day/ha 10.0 7.0 70.0 100.0
Equipment Collecting stones (animal traction) ha 1.0 69.76 69.76 100.0
Equipment Tools ha 1.0 14.0 14.0 100.0
Equipment Settlement of the Earth's surface and filling the grooves (animal traction) ha 1.0 23.25 23.25 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 4797.01
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 4797.01
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 12 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Repair walls and outlets annually after the rainy season

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 Repair walls and outlets persons/day/ha 20.0 7.0 140.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 140.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 140.0
Comments:

Machinery/ tools: A Leveler , shovel and a big hammer

The calculated costs are based on the current situation and a length of the wall of 500 meters and a height of 2 meters and a width of 0.3 meters.
It should be noted that the walls do not work in all agricultural terraces, but they are working in areas threatened by drift but for outlets it is built in each of agricultural land terraces. Construction costs were calculated for walls with outlets including the number of working days per person. In fact most of the activities are at the same time and with the participation of a large number of people.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The most determinate factors affecting the costs are the collection and the transport of stones, and the difficulty of the road

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
Agro-climatic zone
  • semi-arid

Thermal climate class: temperate

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:

Altitudinal zone: 2400 m a.s.l.

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):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
  • fine/ heavy (clay)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)
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: 150 cm

Soil texture: Flood deposits

Topsoil organic matter: After falling grape leaves and weeds developing

Soil fertility is low - medium (output of the flood deposits)

Soil drainage / infiltration is medium - good

Soil water storage capacity is medium - high

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

> 50 m

Availability of surface water:

poor/ none

Water quality (untreated):

poor drinking water (treatment required)

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Ground water table: 400 m

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • groups/ community
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • animal traction
Gender:
  • men
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: Women could not do the hard work, therefore, men do work on the farm and women do the house works.

Population density: > 500 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 3% - 4%

70% of the land users are average wealthy and own 90% of the land.
30% of the land users are poor and own 10% of the land.
100% of the land users are poor and own 100% of the land.

Level of mechanization: Also mechanized, but less common

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
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • medium-scale
Comments:

0.45 – 0.9 fragmentation of tenure is the cause of the small ownership per household

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

Land ownership:
  • individual, titled
Land use rights:
  • leased
  • individual
  • Waqf
Water use rights:
  • communal (organized)
  • Waqf
Comments:

There are three types of land ownership owned, Waqf, and a share at 70%, 20%, 10% respectively.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

risk of production failure

increased
decreased

production area

decreased
increased

land management

hindered
simplified
Water availability and quality

demand for irrigation water

increased
decreased
Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased

diversity of income sources

decreased
increased

workload

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

livelihood and human well-being

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

As a result of reduced labor and increased production, standard of living is improved and children can go to school.

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

surface runoff

increased
decreased

excess water drainage

reduced
improved

groundwater table/ aquifer

lowered
recharge
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

soil loss

increased
decreased
Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

habitat diversity

decreased
increased
Climate and disaster risk reduction

flood impacts

increased
decreased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

downstream siltation

increased
decreased

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
Season increase or decrease How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature increase well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm well
Hydrological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood not well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

neutral/ balanced

Long-term returns:

positive

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

positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

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

537 households covering 100 percent of the stated area

Comments:

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

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: The technology is implemented at the level of the entire region, but due to a lack of capital the adoption is hindered.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Protection of the land from erosion

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Continue the process of maintenance to maintain walls and outlets
Increase in soil moisture

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Maintenance of the outlets to ensure that they are working

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?
The inability of the walls to withstand severe flooding due to the use of only stones in construction The use of stone and cement materials in the construction of walls

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Report of traditional knowledge and customs (sallam, et al, 2008)- General Census of Population, Housing and Establishment (Census, 2004). - 45.Guide of agricultural climate in Yemen (Al Khorasani, 2005).

Available from where? Costs?

Agricultural Research and ExtensionAuthority, AREACentral Bureau of StatisticsAgricultural Research and ExtensionAuthority, AREA

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