Technologies

Woodlot [Kenya]

Creation: 10/02/2014 9:37 a.m.
Update: 04/23/2019 11:46 a.m.
Compiler: Paul Kahiga
Editor: –
Reviewers: Fabian Ottiger, Alexandra Gavilano

Mutitu (Kiembu and Mbeere)

technologies_1736 - Kenya

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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:

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SLM specialist:

Gathenya John

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Kenya

SLM specialist:

Home Patrick

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Kenya

SLM specialist:

Wamuongo Jane

Kenya Agricultural Research Institute

Kenya

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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?

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

This is a vegetative technology that involves planting of trees in a portion of land for various uses.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Woodlots in both Embu and Mbeere districts and in most parts of rural Kenya are usually small afforested plots of 0.04 to 0.5ha which are usually associated with the local demand for timber and fuel wood. They are mainly established and managed on individual basis. Grevillea Robusta and Eucalyptus trees are the main tree species used for woodlots in Embu District. Fast-growing and coppicing species are best for woodlot establishment.

Purpose of the Technology: Woodlots are mainly used for provision of firewood, timber and building materials. Woodlots also prevent soil erosion through their thick mulch and roots that hold the soil together. Other benefits of woodlots includes provision of cool weather, air purification or windbreakers. They are well protected, especially during the first years after establishment.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Farmers in Embu district normally obtain healthy plants is by using seedlings from their individual or local nurseries. The nurseries should be set 6-10 weeks before the start of the rainy season. The plants must be transferred to the fields in the early rainy season. The trees can be planted after a shallow ploughing (seeds) or in planting pits (seedlings). Spacing changes according to the purpose, 2 x 2 m or 2 x 4 m are common options. Management should be particularly careful in the first years. Weeding should be carried out 2-3 times in the first 2 years in order to avoid competition with weeds and reduce pests’ infestations. The area must be closed to grazing animals for the first few
years. Woodlots need protection from fire.

Natural / human environment: At early stages of establishment, farmers inter-crop the trees with crops. Percieved poor land that cannot be used for anything but trees is primarily recommended for woodlots. While siting the location of planting woodlot, transport requirements must be borne in mind. The site for timber and wood production for domestic use should preferably be near the house to reduce the burden of carrying firewood

2.3 Photos of the Technology

Media Gallery

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 District

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:

Woodlots in thie Embu North District are implemented on small individual farms

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. Classification of the SLM Technology

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

Agroforestry

Cropland

Annual cropping
Tree and shrub cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

cereals - maize

Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:

coffee, shade grown

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 1500, Longest growing period from month to month: five years

Forest/ woodlands

Type of tree:

Eucalyptus species
Grevillea robusta

Products and services:

Timber
Fuelwood

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Soil erosion
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): firewood

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

natural and semi-natural forest management
windbreak/ shelterbelt
improved ground/ vegetation cover

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

V1: Tree and shrub cover

Comments:

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -contour

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

biological degradation

Bc: reduction of vegetation cover

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), population pressure

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

prevent 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):

The technical drawing on the left shows a stand of woodlot with natural vegetation growing underneath. The woodlot mainly comprises of Eucalyptus and Grevillea Robusta trees for fire wood and timber production.

Location: Embu North District. Eastern province
Date: 02.09.2011

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate
Main technical functions: stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides)
Secondary technical functions: control of raindrop splash, improvement of ground cover

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 500
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 2
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 2
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 2
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 2

In blocks
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs

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

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

4.00

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Seeding	before the rainy season
2.	Transplanting	Onset of 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	Transplanting	Mandays	4.0	1.0	4.0	100.0
Equipment	Tools	ha	1.0	5.0	5.0	100.0
Plant material	Seeds	Grams	100.0	0.05	5.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					14.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					0.14

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 2 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Weeding	2-3 times for the first three years
2.	Prunning	once per year

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	Weeding	mandays	10.0	0.4	4.0	100.0
Labour	Prunning	mandays	10.0	0.4	4.0	100.0
Equipment	Tools	ha	1.0	5.0	5.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					13.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					0.13

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labor and the cost of seedlings are the most determinate factors affecting the costs.

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

humid
sub-humid

Thermal climate class: tropics

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.

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)

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

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

good

Water quality (untreated):

good drinking water

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:

medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:

mixed (subsistence/ commercial)

Off-farm income:

less than 10% of all income

Relative level of wealth:

average

Individuals or groups:

individual/ household

Level of mechanization:

manual work

Gender:

women
men

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users
Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 0.5% - 1%

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)?

small-scale

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

health:

poor
moderate
good

education:

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

fodder production

decreased

increased

wood production

decreased

increased

product diversity

decreased

increased

Income and costs

farm income

decreased

increased

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced

improved

Improved livelihoods and human well-being

decreased

increased

Comments/ specify:

Fire wood and timber is used for building houses

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

surface runoff

increased

decreased

groundwater table/ aquifer

lowered

recharge

Climate and disaster risk reduction

wind velocity

increased

decreased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

wind transported sediments

increased

reduced

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

Short-term returns:

positive

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:

positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

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 a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Production of timber and firewood.
Woodlots acts as windbreaks

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?
Occupies land that could otherwise be utilized for food crops	Plant the trees along the boundaries.

7. References and links

Links and modules

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