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

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

09/05/2017

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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Different varieties of mangoes such as Banganapalle, Alphonso, Kesar, Haden, Bombay, Kent, Keitt, oranges such as Washington Navel, Valencies, Tangarine, jack fruits and avacados are grown for purposes of household income and soil fertility improvement.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Home fruit tree groves of grafted mango (mangifera indica) and citrus (citrus aurantium) is a farming practice that farmers practice in Northern Uganda to diversify their economic activity, for soil fertility improvement and household income.

Northern Uganda has tropical savanna climate which receives moderate amount of rainfall ranging from 750-1000mm per annum. The soils are moderately fertile with less organic matters coupled with soil erosion, which leads to low crop productions hence low incomes. The moderate rainfall is also unreliable which makes the region to experience drought. Farmers grow fruits as an alternative source of income.

This land user generates over 90% of his household income from fruit growing. The planted fruit trees increase the organic matter content in the soil when dry leaves decompose, rooting prevents soil erosion, pruned brunches are a source of fuel wood and trees acts as wind breaks. Major fruits grown include jack fruits, grafted mangoes, oranges and avocados.

For all these fruits, seeds are first planted in a nursery bed for a period for about two months with the following required inputs: hoes, pangas, spades, wheelbarrows, and shovels. Afterwards, transplanting into the gardens is done. Selection and clearing of the field is done and the planting holes are marked. Excavation is done in accordance to the slope direction: the top soil is put on the hillward side of the planting hole then the sub-soil is put on the downward side of the planting hole. The planting holes are dug in a square shape at 60*60 cm. Composite manure is mixed with top soil and applied into the hole to speed up the seedling establishment and to enhance growth. When planting, the hole is not fully filled but ends 5 cm below the surface so to enable water harvesting, moisture retentions and infiltration. This ensures ample soil moisture and water supply to plants.

The spacing for avocados is 8 × 8 m (65 seedlings/acre), jack fruits is 10 × 10 m (44 seedlings/acre), mangoes 10 × 10 m (44 seedlings/acre) and oranges 4 × 5 m (200 seedlings/acre). After planting, mulching is done by saw dust, kitchen waste like groundnut husks, vegetables and so on. 75 mangoes, 150 oranges, 20 avocados, 20 jack fruits and 4 grapes trees are spread evenly over the planting area. To realize maximum production, the land user needs to have constant water for irrigation.

On the other side, fruit tree growing has brought negative feelings from neighbors who don't promote this practice. Fruit farmers' lifestyle has changed due to revenues realised from growing fruit trees. To maintain this technology, weeding, pruning and creating fire lines during dry seasons to protect the farm is very critical . The technology is highly susceptible to pests and diseases that may require support from the local extension worker from time to time to be able to obtain high yields.

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:

2013

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Land user needs to generate income.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact

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

If land use has changed due to the implementation of the Technology, indicate land use before implementation of the Technology:

The land was use for brick making

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

Comments:

Drip irrigation is done during dry seasons

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Livestock density (if relevant):

Cows: 5, Goats:7. Improved breeds of goat and cattle which are high yielding

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds
• home gardens

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, indicate approximate area covered:

• < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

Comments:

The fruits gardens covers 2 acres of land.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Fruit growing promotes soil conversation.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Fruit growing conserves the environment by preventing tree cutting.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation

Comments:

The area initially was severly degraded by brick making work but after putting it under fruit growing, it became very fertile.

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The fruit trees are planted on a generally flat average land size of 2 acres of land with following spacing: mangoes 10X10msq, jack fruits 10X10msq because it forms a big canopy, oranges 5X5 msq.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

UGX

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

3500.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Site clearing for nursery bed	Agronomic	dry season
2.	Raising the nursery	Agronomic	dry season
3.	Digging planting holes	Agronomic	dry season
4.	Applying composite manure	Agronomic	dry season
5.	Transplanting at 15 to 30cm seedling high	Agronomic	onset of rain

Comments:

Different fruit species have different nursery beds

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Site clearing for nursery bed	Meters	2.0	10000.0	20000.0	100.0
Labour	Raising the nursery	Meters	2.0	10000.0	20000.0	100.0
Labour	Transplanting	Acres	2.0	50000.0	100000.0	100.0
Labour	Pitting for fruit tree planting	Acres	2.0	50000.0	100000.0	100.0
Equipment	Pangas	Pieces	10.0	5000.0	50000.0	100.0
Equipment	Hoes	Pieces	15.0	10000.0	150000.0	100.0
Equipment	Axes	Pieces	5.0	10000.0	50000.0	100.0
Equipment	Wheelbarrows	Pieces	4.0	95000.0	380000.0	100.0
Plant material	String	Pieces	4.0	5000.0	20000.0	100.0
Plant material	Dipper	Pieces	4.0	45000.0	180000.0	100.0
Plant material	Watering can	Pieces	2.0	25000.0	50000.0	100.0
Plant material	Spray pump	Pieces	4.0	75000.0	300000.0	100.0
Construction material	Bamboo	Pieces	10.0	10000.0	100000.0	100.0
Construction material	Dry grass	Bundles	5.0	3000.0	15000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					1535000.0

Comments:

The technology is technically easy to maintain once established and can be replicated by other land users.

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Weeding	Agronomic	after every 3 months
2.	Pest control	Agronomic	dry season use cow dung and driny use season pesticide
3.	Stray animal control	Agronomic	dry season
4.	Thieves control	Agronomic	rainy season
5.	Prunning branches	Agronomic	rainy season
6.	Buying pesticides	Agronomic	rainy season
7.	Transportation to market	Agronomic	season of harvest
8.	Buying mulching materials	Agronomic	onset of rain

4.7 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	Hired labour	Man day	4.0	3000.0	12000.0	100.0
Equipment	Spray pump	Piece	4.0	75000.0	300000.0	100.0
Equipment	Irrigation during dry season	Litres	10000.0	200.0	2000000.0	100.0
Equipment	Syringe pipe	Piece	1.0	2500.0	2500.0	100.0
Plant material	Seedings	Pieces	269.0	3500.0	941500.0	100.0
Plant material	Composite manures	Wheelbarrows	1.0	5000.0	5000.0	100.0
Plant material	Stringes for making holes in a stright line	Rolls	4.0	5000.0	20000.0	100.0
Plant material	Peg for setting holes	Boundle	1.0	10000.0	10000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Pesticides (dythen m45)	kg	1.0	40000.0	40000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					3331000.0

Comments:

The land user has knowledge on agronomic practices.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

High costs of labor
High transportation cost
Purchase of pesticides

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

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.

Loamy, silty soil at the top and deep down there is gravel. Soil pH is neutral and less saline.

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:

Very low water table

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The land user is a typical farmer who is contented with his lifestyle as a fruit grower due to the income derived from sale of fruits.

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

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

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Comments:

The land user has fenced his land and put marked stones.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Comments regarding impact assessment:

The technology is rewarding in the short, medium and long term and can be replicated by any farmer in any climatic region especially tropical regions.

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	Type of climatic change/ extreme	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		decrease	very well
seasonal temperature	wet/ rainy season	decrease	very well
annual rainfall		increase	well
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	increase	very well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	very well
forest fire	very well
land fire	moderately

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
landslide	very well

Comments:

This technology is drought resistant and manageable by any farmer who has the interest to practice it.

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 fruits are locally sold expensively at 1000 UGX@ and raise much income to the farmer.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 10-50%

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

20 household

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

• 90-100%

Comments:

The land user uses the little resources he has to establish the technology.

6.6 Adaptation

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

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Constant supply of fruits provides high income to the land user. To realize maximum production, there is need for irrigation to have a constant fruit supply with support from extension workers who are readily available with the extension workers for technical advice.
The fruit trees modify the micro-environment making it conducive.
The technology is very rewarding, cost effective once established and can easily be replicated by other land users.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The technology is good for small , medium and large scale farmers due to its ability to improve soil fertility, increase production and household income.
Can easily be replicated by other land users.

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?
Before establishment the technology requires some knowledge and skills on fruit growing which can be extended by the extension worker who are located far from the land user. Associated with high costs in terms of transport and allowances to the land user.	Training and capacity building of local land users / experts. Training champion farmers. Establishment of learning sites / demonstrations.
Prone to climate change	Irrigation during the dry season
Requires water supply	Irrigation during dry seasons

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
High establishment costs associated with reduced maintenance costs both in the short, medium and long term.	Adapt low cost practices for those starting and integrate with time and for those with low incomes.
Associated with high prevalence of pests and diseases. Risky to spray during flowering season.	Close monitoring of the field all the time. Seek technical advice from the extension worker.
Labour intensive at the time of establishment.	Supplement with family labour.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Do Trees on Farms Improve Household Well-Being? Evidence From National Panel Data in Uganda, Daniel, C.Miller,September 2020.2020.0010

Available from where? Costs?

On-line. Free of cost.