Technologies

CROP ROTATION OF CASSAVA AND SOY BEAN [Uganda]

leno cam i poto

technologies_2699 - Uganda

Completeness: 90%

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)

land user:

Olal Levi

Agago District Local Government

Kazikazi parish, Arum village.

Uganda

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)?

10/05/2017

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

Comments:

Crop rotation enhance soil fertility since different plant consume different plant nutrients.

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The improved variety of cassava known as Nafe14 is grown on a gentle slope. Animal traction was used to plough 43 acres of land. The land was initially used for growing soya beans. The cassava garden has some trenches dug across so to control flooding and soil erosion. By this a high moisture content is retained in the soil. This cassava species is drought resistant.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Crop rotation is the growing of different crops in the same piece of land year after year. This land user grows Cassava (Manihota esculenta) and Soy beans (Glycine max). in the field. The improved cassava variety (Nafe 14) was planted in 2015 on 43 acres during rainy season. The planting hole was dug 6 inches (square) in length and 6 to 10 inches depth, spaced at one meter distance.

The cassava stem is cut at 6 inch length and the planting may be done immediately as the holes are dug. If the area has termites then it should rain into the planting hole and later should stay for two days after which planting should be done. This is because the rain should seal the termites traces in order to protect the cassava stem from being destroyed by termites. Cassava growing protects the soil from erosion, is a source of income and protects land from wrangles.

Weeding is constantly done to control weed and to promote high yields.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

Date:

10/05/2017

Location:

Agago District

Name of videographer:

Betty Adoch

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

Country:

Uganda

Region/ State/ Province:

Northern Uganda

Further specification of location:

Agago Town council

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2015

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through land users' innovation
Comments (type of project, etc.):

The land user obtained the cassava stems from Agago District Local Government which, again was being supplied by Operation Wealth Creation.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • improve production
  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • preserve/ improve biodiversity
  • reduce risk of disasters
  • adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
  • create beneficial economic impact
  • create beneficial social impact

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
Main crops (cash and food crops):

Cassava

3.3 Further information about land use

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

There is need for irrigation during dry season.

Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)

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:

cassava growing is sustainable in terms of soil conservation.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A1: Vegetation/ soil cover
  • A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
  • A5: Seed management, improved varieties

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
  • Wo: offsite degradation effects
soil erosion by wind

soil erosion by wind

  • Et: loss of topsoil
  • Eo: offsite degradation effects
biological degradation

biological degradation

  • Bc: reduction of vegetation cover
  • Bh: loss of habitats
  • Bs: quality and species composition/ diversity decline
  • Bl: loss of soil life
Comments:

The methods protects the soil from both human-induced- and natural causes of degradation.

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:

The mentods conserves soil moisture and nutrients.

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Author:

Betty Adoch.

Date:

10/05/2017

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The improved cassava variety (Nafe 14) was planted in 2015 on 43 acres during rainy season. The planting hole was dug 6 inches (square) in length and 6 to 10 inches depth, spaced at one meter distance.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
  • per Technology area
Indicate size and area unit:

43 acres

other/ national currency (specify):

UGX

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

3500.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

3000shs

4.4 Establishment activities

Activity Type of measure Timing
1. Acquiring cassava stems from Operation Wealth Creation Agronomic dry season
2. Clearing the land by tractor Agronomic onset of rainy season
3. Planting using hired labour Agronomic rainy season

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 Hired labour acres 43.0 48000.0 2064000.0 100.0
Equipment Tractor for ploughing hours 48.0 20000.0 960000.0 100.0
Equipment Ox-plough hours 48.0 20000.0 960000.0 100.0
Equipment Axes piece 10.0 7000.0 70000.0 100.0
Equipment Hoes piece 20.0 12000.0 240000.0 100.0
Plant material Cassava cuttings acres 43.0 20000.0 860000.0 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 5154000.0
Comments:

Cassava cuttings were provided free of charge by the local government.

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Type of measure Timing/ frequency
1. Weeding Agronomic wet season
2. Fire line Agronomic dry season
Comments:

Fire out breaks during dry season may destroy cassava gardens

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 Weeding acre 43.0 2500.0 107500.0 100.0
Equipment Hoes piece 60.0 12000.0 720000.0 100.0
Equipment Pangas piece 60.0 7000.0 420000.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 1247500.0
Comments:

The land user has adequate capital to invest in cassava growing.

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
Specify average annual rainfall (if known), in mm:

950.00

Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

Rainfall is moderate and unreliable during wet season in the months of April, May, June, July, August, September and October. Whereas November, December, January, Feburary and March it is dry season and there is little or no rainfall at all.

Indicate the name of the reference meteorological station considered:

Kitgum Weather Station

Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid

Savanna climate where rainfall is moderate and unreliable during wet season.

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.
Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:
  • not relevant

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)
Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

good

Water quality (untreated):

poor drinking water (treatment required)

Is water salinity a problem?

Yes

Specify:

salty and rusty borehole

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • high
Habitat diversity:
  • high
Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Wild rats, birds all coexist in the garden.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
Off-farm income:
  • 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • animal traction
  • mechanized/ motorized
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Age of land users:
  • middle-aged
  • elderly
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The land user owns 80 cattle, goats, chickens and turkeys.

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased 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
Comments:

The land is fertile and supports cassava growing.

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

Land ownership:
  • individual, not titled
Land use rights:
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • communal (organized)
Comments:

The land owner should acquire land title to reduce land related conflicts.

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
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Improved variety planted.

crop quality

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

Low

Quantity after SLM:

High

Comments/ specify:

High yielding cassava Nafe14 variety is used.

Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Cassava plantation requires less labor force after planting.

farm income

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Has greatly increased income generation.

diversity of income sources

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

The farmer has other sources of income from cassava growing.

economic disparities

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

high

Quantity after SLM:

low

Comments/ specify:

The land user has assured source of income.

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Cassava provides constant food supply to the land user.

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

The farmer has learned about the importance crop rotation.

Ecological impacts

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

The cassava plants reduces the rate of evaporation.

soil cover

reduced
improved
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Cassava plant protects the soil from erosion and provides habitat to a variety of different plant species.

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Vegetation cover

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Variety of plant species exist in the garden.

plant diversity

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Cassava and other plant species exist.

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 increase moderately
seasonal temperature dry season increase moderately
annual rainfall decrease moderately
seasonal rainfall wet/ rainy season decrease moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm moderately
local thunderstorm moderately
local hailstorm moderately
local windstorm moderately
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought moderately
Biological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
epidemic diseases moderately
insect/ worm infestation moderately
Comments:

Cassava growing is a sustainable land management practice.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

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

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

positive

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

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

positive

Comments:

Cassava has high demand due to hunger facing the communities.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • 1-10%
If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

15 households

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:

Cassava growing is a traditional way of earning income and provide food to the family.

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

Improved high yielding cassava variety planted to earn income.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Very good at providing income after selling cassava and soya bean
Very easy to replicate
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Source of employment for both small, medium and large scale farmers.

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?
Invites thieves during hunger period Tight security in the garden
The variety take long to mature
Cassava is prone to disease Spraying with herbicide
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Expensive to establish and maintain the garden Employing low costs labour

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys

01

  • interviews with land users

01

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Intercropping and crop rotations in cassava cultivation: a production systems approachThomas W. Kuyper, Wageningen University, The Netherlands; and Samuel Adjei-Nsiah,

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Field stability of cassava, maize, soya bean and cowpea intercrops DAPAAH, H K; ASAFU-AGYEI, J N; ENNIN, S A; YAMOAH, C.  The Journal of Agricultural Science; Cambridge Vol. 140, Iss. 1, (Feb 2003): 73-82.

URL:

https://www.proquest.com/docview/203707559

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