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)?

26/05/2017

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:

Spring ground water reservoir to supply water for the fish pond during dry season to be harvested throughout the year.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The spring ground water harvesting technology is one of the practices promoted by farmers in Northern Uganda with the aim of protecting and storing water which is used to refill the fish pond during dry season and also for fish production and household income both in the short, medium and long term.

Using hoes, spades, panga and labour, the water reservoir is dug at a length and width of 5*7 meters and a depth of 29 feet. Water fills the reservoir from ground water minor channels that drains at a specific point. Hence the reservoir fills up relatively fast. The reservoir site is well protected being fenced by barbed wire to avoid accidents from humans and animals who might fall into the reservoir.

Ridges are dug to prevent running external water from entering into the reservoir thus contaminating it. Grass grows around the cliff and around the reservoir to protect and compact the soil and prevent it from collapsing into the water, during dry season, water from reservoir is pumped into the fish pond. The water reservoir keeps water through out the year and fingerlings of 2 types or more of fish species kept in the fish pond. Sunlight can generally penetrate the pond waters to a depth of about 30-80 cm depending on the water level.

The fish species mostly kept include Tilapia, Nile Perch and wild fish. Once the technology is established the spring water reservior system requires only maintenance costs for removing weeds, feeding, restocking and slashing around spring water reservior. What is not liked about this technology is that it relies on a natural spring for its water supply. In case of drought survival of the fish is not guaranteed.

2.3 Photos 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

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The land-user wanted to have a constant supply of water for the fish pond.

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

Comments:

By water-harvesting, water can be stored in the soil.

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

The area was used for crop growing.

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• rainfed

Specify:

Throughout the year.

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• water harvesting
• ground water management

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

The water reservoir store excess water that would, otherwise cause flooding at the valley bottom.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• not applicable

Comments:

The technology promotes storing of excess water in water reservoirs. Without this, flooding would occur in times of heavy rains thus creating hazards for life.

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The water reservoir is dug at a length and width of 5*7 meters and a depth of 29 feet. The reservoir site is well protected being fenced by barbed wire to avoid accidents for humans and animals who might fall into the pool.

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 =:

3600.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	site clearing	Structural	dry and wet
2.	digging pit	Structural	dry and wet

Comments:

The technology is easy to establish.

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	Labour	Manday	30.0	5000.0	150000.0	100.0
Equipment	Hoes	pieces	3.0	10000.0	30000.0	100.0
Equipment	Spades	pieces	3.0	10000.0	30000.0	100.0
Equipment	Panga	pieces	3.0	10000.0	30000.0	100.0
Construction material	Barbed wire	roll	1.0	100000.0	100000.0	100.0
Construction material	Wooden poles	pieces	10.0	5000.0	50000.0	100.0
Other	Fingerlings	Animals	50.0	1000.0	50000.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					440000.0

Comments:

Labour, barbed wire and fingerlings take the most costs for this technology.

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Fenching to avoid accidents	Management	dry and wet
2.	Slashing the area	Management	dry and wet

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	Labour for cleaning	Manday	30.0	5000.0	150000.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					150000.0

Comments:

The cost of maintenance is manageable for the land user.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour costs are the main maintenance costs.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• concave situations

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

There is a nearby stream that floods the valley bottom periodically thereby lowering the water quality.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Aquatic animals survive in the reservoir.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The land user grows crops such as rice, maize, cassava, cabbages and has home fruit gardens as well as aquaculture.

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:

• communal (organized)

Comments:

The land user needs to aqcuire land 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

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Climate and disaster risk reduction

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	not well
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	decrease	moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	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)?

Comments:

The maintenance of the technology is very easy.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

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

Other farmers are still learning about the technology.

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

• 90-100%

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
The technology provides fresh water and high volume to the fish pond.
The stored water irrigates gardens of rice, cocoa and cabbage.
Storage of water provides water for domestic purposes.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The technology retains soil moisture.
The technology is good at conserving the soil.
The technology helps preventing soil degradation by flooding.

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?
Sometimes the cliff tends to collapse into the water which may affect the fish.	Plan to cement the cliff.
Easily liked by thieves in need for scraps. Yet, the constant replacement of barbed wires may turn out to be costly.	Plan to buy new wires for fencing. 24 hour security guard.
Sometimes periodic flooding may lead to continued lowering of the water quality.	Ridges can be created to control flooding.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The technology relies on a natural spring. In case of drought survival of the fish is not guaranteed.	Harvest rainwater and have alternatives for pumping water to the fishpond during the dry season.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Water quality of improved water sources and associated factors in Kibuku District, Eastern Uganda Abel Wilson Walekhwa, Moses Ntaro, Peter Kawungezi, Evas Nimusiima, Chiara Achangwa, David Musoke & Edgar Mugema Mulogo, 50 (2022).

Available from where? Costs?

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-022-00604-5

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Spring ground water level summary

URL:

https://www.lpsnrd.org/spring-groundwater-levels-summary