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

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Scaling-up SLM practices by smallholder farmers (IFAD)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

CDE Centre for Development and Environment (CDE Centre for Development and Environment) - Switzerland

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?

No

Comments:

A highly successful example intensive zero-grazing of dairy cattle. The hybrid stock is progressively adopted to the climatic conditions of northern Uganda using selective gene replication technologies. Only female calves are produced on this farm through artificial insemination using sexed semen. Between February and April 2017, the herd increased from 54 to 63.

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Intensive zero-grazing of hybrid dairy Hybrid (Holstein Friesian) cattle to produce a constant high yield of milk all-year around.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The productivity of modern intensive livestock management systems in northern Uganda is highly constrained by increasing household land shortage, poor quality pastures and rampant spread of livestock pests and diseases. Thus a large number of improved cattle are reared in closed systems where they are fed, treated and supervised. Some bulk feeds are grown on the same farm and the manure from the livestock housing units is used to improve soil fertility and crop yields of the same farm.

Improved breeds of cattle (75% Friesian and 25% local) are reared in paddocked land area of an average in 8 hectares, within which the animals are fed, watered and managed with medication. Approximately 25% of this land area is devoted to livestock structures, in which up to 64 Friesians are kept. The rest of the land is planted with improved pastures as well as other crops such as maize (Zea mays), cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata), fruit trees and vegetables. Manure is collected daily from an assembly point and applied to the crops. Improved pastures are also used for silage. The system further provides manure, which is valuable for soil fertility improvement in crop fields. Moreover, the confinement of the livestock system helps to reduce conflicts experienced in traditional free range grazing areas.

The approach and materials used in this intensive dairy cattle rearing system in northern Uganda closely follows specification for dairy cattle barns in New Zealand (www.simpleshelter.co.nz/). When properly implemented, the financial returns are substantial in the long term. However, establishment costs are relatively high for most average smallholder farmers in northern Uganda. The sustainable land management (SLM) benefits from this system justify its adoption, although carbon balance needs to be independently assessed.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

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

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2007

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
• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Started this innitiative after retiring from Heifer International Project as a Veterinary doctor.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

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

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

Comments:

Several overlapping technologies have been designed to create a sustainable mixed crop and livestock agricultural system.

3.4 Water supply

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

• rainfed

Comments:

Three cropping seasons are managed from two seasons of rainfall through an innovative early planting philosophy referred to as "dry-planting", which splits the long rainy season into two. The three-season crop production system is necessary to ensure the production of enough fodder for the animals. 63 cows may be managed on the limited acreage using this system.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• integrated crop-livestock management
• integrated soil fertility management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

The intricate combination of agronomic, vegetative and management measures is necessary for sustaining the farm.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Use of disc harrowing reduces soil disturbance that could lead to destruction of soil structure and induce water erosion during heavy rainfall episodes.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

Comments:

Use of Animal manure.

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

other/ national currency (specify):

UGX

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

3400.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Find and buy land	Anytime, before establishment
2.	Survey land to get map especially for gradient and soils	Anytime, before harvesting
3.	Remove all tree cover and stumps	Dry season
4.	Disc Ploughing	Dry season
5.	Plant Maize	Rainy season
6.	Build silage bunker	Anytime
7.	Construct Animal Barns	Anytime
8.	Identify water source	anytime
9.	Construct and fill water storage tanks	Just before stocking
10.	Procure and stock in-calf cows	After harvest of first crop of maize

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	Procure stock	Pieces	10.0	200000.0	2000000.0	100.0
Labour	Survey and map land	Pieces	1.0	23000000.0	23000000.0	100.0
Labour	Slash, cut trees, remove stumps	Person-days	60.0	5000.0	300000.0	100.0
Equipment	Plant maize	Person-days	10.0	5000.0	50000.0	100.0
Equipment	Weed maize	Person-days	20.0	5000.0	100000.0	100.0
Equipment	Cut maize to make silage	Person-days	20.0	500.0	10000.0	100.0
Equipment	Tractor, pump, water tank, piping	Pieces	1.0	7500000.0	7500000.0	100.0
Plant material	Maize seed	Kg	325.0	5000.0	1625000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	NPK fertilizers	Kg	1500.0	3000.0	4500000.0	100.0
Construction material	Prefabs, roofing, bricks, sand, cement and construction costs	Pieces	1.0	5000.0	5000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					39090000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					11497.06

If you are unable to break down the costs in the table above, give an estimation of the total costs of establishing the Technology:

58000.0

Comments:

After retiring from active service, he acquired a huge loan from bank. The project has paid back the loan.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Harrowing	Dry season
2.	Planting	Dry season (dry planting) and wet season
3.	Harvesting (cutting stalks for silage)	Wet season
4.	Silage making	Wet season
5.	Vaccination	Continuous
6.	Deworming	Continuous
7.	Milking and milk selling	Continuous
8.	Maintenance of machinery	Continuous
9.	Maintenance of barns	Continuous

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	persons days paid monthly	persons	50.0	150000.0	7500000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Vaccines monthly	1	30.0
Other	Servicing and mainting equipemnt monthly	1	30.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					7500000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					2205.88

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour and equipment takes most of the costs. Labour and equipment maintenance is routine monthly.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Water is pumped from underground for domestic use and for the animals.

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

He is a trainer in diary production and management in Gulu district facilitated by Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF).

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

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

Comments:

Enclosed area with strict management.
Land ownership is individual but not titled because the land user has not started on the process of acquiring the title.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Other socio-economic impacts

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

Generally, the economic and social benefits far outweigh the environmental costs. The technology is a good SLM practice.

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	very well
seasonal temperature	dry season	increase	very well
annual rainfall		decrease	well
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	decrease	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	very well
local thunderstorm	very well
local hailstorm	well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
heatwave	moderately
drought	well

Biological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
epidemic diseases	very well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	well

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)?

Comments:

The technology is highly productive in the medium to longer term.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

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

1

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

Comments:

Technology is quite expensive and requires external support to establish.

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Yes

If yes, indicate to which changing conditions it was adapted:

• climatic change/ extremes

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

Hybrids which combine high milk yield and tolerance for local weather conditions are being bred in preference to original 75 percent parent stock.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Environment is controlled to create microclimate suitable to technology.
Technology creates an isolated complete ecosystem.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Once established, the technology is extremely profitable.
Opportunities established for training extension delivery personnel through demonstration of good practices.

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Inputs make technology quite expensive.	Calculate economic profitability carefully to maintain efficient production.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Combining intensive productivity with training carries the risk of introducing animal diseases from the high flux of visitors.	Disinfection basins have been placed at various points on the farm.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

None

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

None