Technologies

Mulching using grass on perennial crop land. [Uganda]

Pot Labolo me umu poto

technologies_2818 - Uganda

Completeness: 86%

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:

Nyeko Richard

Gen Gari Farm

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

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. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Laying grass (Poaceae) on perennial cropped land to reduce weeds, retain soil moisture and improve soil fertility.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Mulching using grass (Poaceae) on banana cropped land is a common practice usually promoted by farmers in Northern Uganda with the aim of increasing soil fertility, reducing the likelihood of weed problems growing around perennial plants, increase production and household income.
The farmer identifies a field planted with banana approximately 2 acres of land measuring at least 80 metres wide and 240 metres long located on a gentle sloping area of (3-5%), and mulch using grass which is grown in the planted banana garden. The mulch grass used comes from the same field carried away from other fields.
Using a panga the farmer uses 5 people paid on daily basis to cut and carry the grass and lay the grass at a distance of not more than 20- 40 cm to enable the suckers grow and to allow manure too close to the plant after grass decomposition and helps weeds control,
With this technology, the farmer uses locally obtained grass mulch which is easily comes from the banana field that would considered a waste. Secondly the associated costs are only related to transport and labour are low both in the short and long term since the mulch used is obtained from the same field. Costs for labour and transport are incurred only when the mulch material is carried from other areas. Some others costs are for weeding which would be borne by the farmer.
However, the farmer need to know that organic mulches usually need to be applied in a loose or partially-rotted state or the first stages of decomposition, otherwise they can lead to nitrogen being taken from the soil, or anaerobic decomposition which can lead to ‘sour mulch’ which turns acidic and damages the plants it is supposed to be protecting. This advice can best be extended to the farmer by extension workers and expert farmers who the farmer needs to be if close contact during implementation of this technology.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

Comments, short description:

Video showing Mulching using grass on perennial crop land under banana in Amuru District.

Date:

15/12/2017

Location:

Amuru District, Northern Uganda

Name of videographer:

Issa Aiga

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

Country:

Uganda

Region/ State/ Province:

Northern Region,Uganda

Further specification of location:

Amuru District, Northern Uganda

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:

Map showing technology site in Northern Uganda.

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2010

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
  • through projects/ external interventions
Comments (type of project, etc.):

The farmer was supported with training by National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS).

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • improve production
  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
  • create beneficial economic impact

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

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
  • Perennial (non-woody) cropping
Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:
  • banana/plantain/abaca
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 2
Specify:

Around June - August and February.

Comments:

The farmer has a plantation of 0.5 acres planted next to the banana plantation.

3.4 Water supply

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

integrated soil fertility management
water harvesting

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • integrated soil fertility management
  • water harvesting

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A1: Vegetation/ soil cover
  • A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V2: Grasses and perennial herbaceous plants
  • V3: Clearing of vegetation
structural measures

structural measures

  • S7: Water harvesting/ supply/ irrigation equipment
management measures

management measures

  • M3: Layout according to natural and human environment
  • M5: Control/ change of species composition

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
  • Wg: gully erosion/ gullying
chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
biological degradation

biological degradation

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

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation
  • restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land
Comments:

Due to the decomposition of the mulched grass material.

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Author:

Kaheru

Date:

26/05/2017

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

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

2 acres

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

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

5000

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Select the site planted with banana Before establishment
2. Look for pangas to cut the grass Once before establishment
3. look for labour to cut and carry the grass Before establishment
4. Cut and curry grass using labour During establishment
5. Lay the grass in the soil During establishment
Comments:

More workload for cutting, carrying and drying grass.

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 persons days for cutting, carrying and laying grass persons 5.0 150000.0 750000.0 100.0
Equipment Hoe pieces 5.0 10000.0 50000.0 100.0
Equipment Panga Pieces 5.0 7000.0 35000.0 100.0
Plant material Suckers in case the farmer want to add mulching Suckers 200.0 5000.0 1000000.0 100.0
Other Transport Lorry 1.0 100000.0 100000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 1935000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 569.12
Comments:

Transport costs are incurred if the farmer obtains the grass from other area .

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Add mulch to the banana field after decomposition Twice a year
Comments:

The farmer may not need to incur additional costs if does not want to add mulch in the garden. This reduces labour costs.

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 for adding mulch Persons 3.0 150000.0 450000.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 450000.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 132.35

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour for cutting , carrying and laying grass and seedlings take the most costs. However this means that if the farmer does not need to add more suckers.

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:

1400.00

Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

Two rainy season and two dry season.
Rainy season: March to May and September to November
Dry season: December to February and June - August

Agro-climatic zone
  • humid

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:
  • concave situations

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 m

Availability of surface water:

medium

Water quality (untreated):

poor drinking water (treatment required)

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • low
Habitat diversity:
  • low

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
Gender:
  • men
Age of land users:
  • middle-aged
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The farmer is a carpenter from which he derives his additional income.

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, not titled
Land use rights:
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • open access (unorganized)
Comments:

Presence of a community bore hole

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:

25 bunches per month.

Quantity after SLM:

35 bucnhes per month.

crop quality

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Water moisture retention, better growth.

land management

hindered
simplified
Comments/ specify:

Mulch grass locally available, less costs, use of local labour.

Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Purchase of hoes and pangas which don't take a lot of money.

farm income

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

From the sale of banana.

workload

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Reduced work load in the long run.

Socio-cultural impacts

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Knowledge on how to mulch and distance.

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

water quantity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Retained by the mulched material.

harvesting/ collection of water

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Due to use of mulch material.

surface runoff

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Because of mulching.

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Kept within the mulch.

soil cover

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Mulch material.

soil loss

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Reduced due to application of mulching

soil organic matter/ below ground C

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Due to decomposition of mulch grass.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

water availability

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Kept within the mulch to be utilised by the banana during the dry season.

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

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Biological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
insect/ worm infestation moderately

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:

very positive

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

positive

Long-term returns:

positive

Comments:

Mulching using grass reduced workload in the short run associated with less costs in the long run .The labour that would be used for weeding and its associated costs reduce since no weeding is required when the banana is mulched. Mulching reduces weeds and increases water moist which increases banana production due to decomposed mulched material (grass).

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

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

5

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 0-10%

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.):

Planting fertilizer trees (Calliandra).

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Control weeds and improve soil fertility after decomposition.
Uses local available grass materials within the banana (musa) garden for mulching which would be considered a waste.
Cost effective. Low labour and transport costs since the grass mulch is locally obtained within the same field.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Appropriate for farmers with low income.
Is scalable, requires low labour and input costs.

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?
Harbours insects which attack young suckers. Apply pesticides.
The technology is easily affected by roaming animals searching for pasture during the dry season when there is normally shortage of pasture. Put in place byelws on controlled grazing
Integrate fertilizer trees (calliandra and Grivellea) in the practice as an alternative.
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Mulching can increase the risk of diseases especially if the grasses are obtained from outside the garden. First use the grass in the same field.
Mulching alone may not be a solution to increase production. The farmer needs also to mange well the banana by cutting banana leaves which can also act as mulching material. Knowledge and skills be provided by the extension agent.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys

01

  • interviews with land users

01

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

25/05/2017

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