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)

Uganda Landcare Network (ULN) - Uganda

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

Comments:

The fast-growing Grevillea robusta (silk oak) provides several on-site advantages including acting as windbreak and increasing soil organic matter.

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Leguminous, fast growing grevillea robusta (silk oak) planted as boundary lines provides shade to a pineapple cropland, increases soil organic matter, provides fuel wood for domestic use and timber for construction after 5-8 years.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Grevillea Robusta (silk oak) is a leguminous, fast growing and evergreen tree planted in a natural environment with tropical savanna climate of Northern Uganda which receives rainfall of about 750-1000 mm per annum, established on a generally flat slope with an altitude of about 1000 meters above sea level. The soil type is moderately fertile with low moisture content that favours tree growth. These trees are planted as boundary lines for providing shade on a pineapple cropland, nitrogen fixation, increasing soil organic matter, providing fuel wood and as a source of timber for construction after 5-8 years. The tree species generally grows well under the mono-modal (one rainfall season) rainfall pattern of Northern Uganda.

Planting is normally done during the wet season at the onset of rain in early April and the inputs required for establishing this technology include Grevillea Robusta seedlings majorly provided by the District forestry officers, farmyard manure, hand hoes and spades. A hand hoe is used to dig pits about 0.5 m deep, 0.6 m wide and 3 to 5 m apart and 1 meter away from the pineapple crop. Farmyard manure is added to the pit to fill a depth of about 0.3 m, a layer of top soil is added to 0.2 m depth and the seedling is planted on top. The rest of the pit is filled with soil and watered to improve soil moisture content. Bamboo canes can be woven around the seedlings to protect them from destruction by livestock. Grevillea Robusta grows fast when the boundary line is well established within two years. The pruned branches provide fuel wood for domestic use like cooking and within 5 to 8 years the trees are harvested for timber. Establishment costs for this technology are normally higher compared to maintenance costs especially for the purchase of Grevillea seedlings, manures, farm equipment like hand hoes and pangas. The technology is easily and spontaneously adopted by average smallholder farmers with less than 2 acres and is useful for providing shade to the pineapple crop thus increasing the yield. What is not liked about this technology is that it forms a big canopy that limits photosynthesis. To maintain this technology, the land user has to constantly prune whenever the canopy grows big.

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:

2012

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

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

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

Comments:

Fast growing woody leguminous trees provide shade, shelter from winds, soil fertility maintenance and timber production after 5-8 years.

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

The land was used for growing vegetables.

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

Comments:

The grevillea trees rely on rain for growth.

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Specify:

The grevillea tree is a perennial crop

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• agroforestry
• windbreak/ shelterbelt
• integrated soil fertility management

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 trees are planted along the side of the pineapple cropland

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

The trees act as wind breaks and also protect the soil against wind erosion.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation

Comments:

Grevillea trees prevent land degradation by soil erosion caused by wind and surface water runoff.

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

A hole is dug at a depth of 0.5 m, and 0.6 m wide. Farm yard manure added into the hole at a depth of 0.3 m and soil added to 0.2 m depth to fill up the hole in which tree seedlings are planted at a spacing of 3 or 5 meters apart since they do not form a huge canopy and 1 meter away from the pineapple crop.

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

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Land clearing	Management	Late March
2.	Procurement of seedlings	Management	March
3.	Planting	Management	Early April at onset of rainfall
4.	Weeding	Management	May during wet season
5.	Pruning	Management	November in wet season
6.	Harvesting	Management	December during dry season for timber

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	Day	30.0	3000.0	90000.0	100.0
Equipment	Hoe	pieces	10.0	12000.0	120000.0	100.0
Equipment	Panga	pieces	5.0	10000.0	50000.0	100.0
Plant material	Grevillea seedlings	pieces	500.0	100.0	50000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Manure	Kgs	20.0	5000.0	100000.0	100.0
Construction material	Bamboo reeds	pieces	100.0	1000.0	100000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					510000.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Pruning	Management	November
2.	Weeding	Management	May

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	days	5.0	3000.0	15000.0	100.0
Equipment	hoes	pieces	10.0	12000.0	120000.0	100.0
Equipment	pangas	pieces	5.0	10000.0	50000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					185000.0

Comments:

A good technology that is affordable for any land user to implement because of its on-site benefits like improving soil organic matter and harvesting fuel wood for cooking.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The Grevillea seedlings were distributed at a cost from the District. There is also high cost of hiring labour. However, family members can also help in maintaining the technology.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Comments and further specifications on topography:

The land is generally flat that supports the growth of the grevillea trees.

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

A subsistence farmer

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, not titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

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

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Comments regarding impact assessment:

The technology promotes biodiversity.

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	wet/ rainy 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

Climatological disasters

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

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)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

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:

spontaneous adoption by other land users

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.):

The grevillea robusta trees increase soil water retention after heavy rainfall episodes, and organic matter.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Grevillea trees when mature provide timber for construction.
Grevillea tree branches when pruned supply fuel wood.
The dry tree leaves decompose and provide manure for the garden.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Grevillea robusta provides many soil conservation benefits like nitrogen fixing and soil moisture retention among them.
Young shoots from grevillea robusta provide animal fodder.
The trees helps modify the microclimate.

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?
Trees take up some of the cropland that should have been used to grow other crops.	Agroforestry
Labour intensive in terms of pruning trees.	Family members to provide labour

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Grevillea provides shade to pineapple crops that obstructs the photosynthesis process.	Plant grevillea at a distance from the plant

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

URL:

https://www.gardenia.net/plant/Grevillea-robusta-Silky-Oak