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)

Programme d’Appui au Secteur de l’Elevage au Niger (PASEL 7)

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Book project: Guidelines to Rangeland Management in Sub-Saharan Africa (Rangeland Management) {'additional_translations': {}, 'value': 6001, 'label': 'Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)', 'text': 'Vétérinaire Sans Frontière Belgique (VSF-Belgium) - Belgium', 'template': 'raw'}

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

Comments:

The technology enables to effectively combat invasive species such as Sida cordifolia, and to restore the grazing land.

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Restoration of grazing land invaded by Sida cordifolia through the seeding of Hibiscus sabdariffa, for sustainable access to grazing areas and for reduced conflicts between farmers and livestock keepers.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The agropastoral zone in the south of the region of Dosso experiences high pressure on land resources. The population is composed mostly of farmers and agro-pastoralists, practicing family-farming and extensive livestock keeping. The grazing areas are communal lands set aside for the animals in the rainy season, enabling the reduction of conflicts between farmers and livestock keepers. For more than two decades these areas have been invaded by Sida cordifolia, a species strongly disliked by the animals. An experiment is being conducted in two rural municipalities of the zone.
Several methods to combat Sida cordifolia have been attempted in the region: weeding, tillage, rotation, etc., but without great success. With the support of the “Program to Support the Livestock Keeping Sector in Niger”, PASEL, financed by the Swiss Cooperation in Niger, the municipalities of Guéchémé and Douméga have tested a method that combines two already known practices (tillage and weeding), and one novel practice, which consists of the seeding of the sites with Hibiscus sabdariffa, or roselle (“Oseille de Guinée”), a plant that is normally used to make tea or eaten as a vegetable. But it is also valuable as a fodder.
In the year following the seeding of Hibiscus sabdariffa, the plants grow with the first rains. Because of its rapid germination, the hibiscus invades the area very quickly, and suffocates the first seedlings of the Sida cordifolia. Using this method, which combines several techniques, the sites have been restored . But they remain vulnerable, because the Sida cordifolia has invaded all the non-cultivated areas in the region, and can very quickly recapture the restored areas. Only more far-reaching and sustained action can put an end to the colonization of the grazing areas. This technology enables the reduction of conflicts between livestock keepers and farmers, while keeping the animals in the region, but at the same time restricting their straying into crop lands. The nutritious character of the fodder that is produced by hibiscus contributes to improved fattening of the animals, and better milk production for the families of neighbouring pastoralists.
From an environmental point of view, the return of certain grasses and herbs has been noted. Eragrotis tremula, Commelina froskalei, and Brachiara ramosa had disappeared. Nevertheless, the livestock keepers fear that the restored zones will be recaptured by Sida cordifolia because the treatment was only carried out on part of the area. However they appreciate the fact that they can keep a part of the herd in place, that land tenure has been secured - and that the municipality has shown interest in the livestock keeping.

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:

2016

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The idea arose from the exchanges between the Mayors and the regional coordination of the 'Initiative Nigerians feed Nigerians (i3N)', a program of the Nigerian government.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• create beneficial economic impact
• create beneficial social impact

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

Comments:

Main animal species and products: Feed production for the cattle and small ruminants (sheep, goats).

Number of growing seasons per year: 1
The activity is only carried out during the rainy season.

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

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

• rainfed

Comments:

The technology is applied to grazing areas close to the villages, where the animals are fenced during the rainy season, with tracks giving access to water sources.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• pastoralism and grazing land management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

Control and replacement of Sida cordifolia by Hibiscus sabdariffa.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

In general, Sida cordifolia has been spread by the animals into all grazing areas.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• reduce land degradation
• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

Comments:

n/a

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

FCFA

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Site selection	April to May
2.	Social agreement	April to May
3.	Securing land tenure	preliminary to any action
4.	Establishment of management committee	May
5.	Preparation of the terrain	May
6.	Purchase of seeds	April
7.	Sowing	at the first or second rains in June
8.	Technical monitoring and closure of the areas for grazing	June to October
9.	Maintenance of the plots	June to August
10.	Assessment of the biomass	October
11.	Releasing the area to livestock keepers	October

Comments:

The approach implemented in two sites of 50 ha each consists of:
1. Site selection: geo-referencing and verification of the ownership status of the land;
2. Negotiation and establishment of a social agreement between the main users. This process consists of awareness-raising of the local farmers and livestock keepers, agreement on the rules for management and the terms of access, signing of the agreement by the village head and the leader of the livestock keepers (rougga);
3. Securing the land tenure by issuing a land act by the land commission, and registration in the rural records of the municipality;
4. Establishment of the management committee and training of its members in management, organisation and conducting the restoration works in the areas;
5. Preparation of the terrain: improved clearance (to eliminate seeds), tillage by mechanised harrowing using a tractor or ox plow after the first seedlings of Sida cordifolia emerge (first or second rains);
6. Purchase of seeds of Hibiscus sabdariffa on the local markets;
7. Dry sowing or sowing after a rainfall event: in pockets or by broadcasting. The experiments showed that the sowing by broadcasting with a density of 25 to 40 g per m2 was more effective (cf. the technical drawing, plots T7 and T8);
8. Periodic monitoring and partial closure of the areas for grazing: regular field visits by the technical service and by the municipality, surveillance carried out by the communities and paid by the municipality;
9. Maintenance of the plots: weeding by pulling out the emerging plants of Sida cordifolia, prohibition to collect seed;
10. Assessment of the biomass: estimation of the gross production by the communal service for livestock keeping in Doumega (15.5 tonnes of dry matter per ha);
11. After maturity, release of the area to livestock keepers.

The calendar of these practices may vary according to the arrival of the rainy season.

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	Awareness-raising	meeting	1.0	95600.0	95600.0
Labour	Labour	harrowing	1.0	14077770.0	14077770.0
Labour	Purchase and sowing of Hibiscus		1.0	3450000.0	3450000.0
Labour	Training		1.0	347030.0	347030.0
Other	Technical supervision		1.0	367.0	367.0
Other	Monitoring		1.0	332.0	332.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					17971099.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					17971099.0

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

The program to support the livestock keeping sector - PASEL7 - has ensured the financing.

Comments:

The municipalities have contributed to the financing, but the amounts have not been appraised.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Surveillance	June to October

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

Program to Support the Livestock Keeping Sector in Niger PASEL7

Comments:

Seed is no longer purchased, because the seeds of the previous year develop with the rainfall.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The purchase and broadcasting of the seeds.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

No data to further specify the topography, but the area consists of plateaus and plains.

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.

n/a

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:

n/a

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

n/a

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

n/a

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

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

Land ownership:

• communal/ village
• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)
• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)
• individual

Comments:

In Niger, the ownership of rural land is regulated by the rural code through the land commissions.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

No collateral damage was observed.

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?
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	decrease	well

Comments:

The zone, like all arid zones, is subject to the effects of climate change. Still, the consequences have not yet been disastrous, apart from the inter-annual variability of rainfall. The experiment has shown that Hibiscus is a plant which is more resistant to water stress than Sida cordifolia.

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 long-term returns are positive in the sense that there are almost no recurring costs.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

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

n/a

Comments:

The technology is part of a community-based approach, and does not concern individuals or households.

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 has enabled the restoration of areas at risk of loosing their original function as grazing.
Participatory and inclusive approach (livestock keepers, farmers, men, women, young persons)
The technology is fully manageable for the local population.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Strong engagement of the communities in the implementation
The securing of grazing areas threatened by degradation, and by the loss of their status as communal lands.

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?
Violation of the rules for the protection of grazing areas by some livestock keepers, who found the period too long.	Strengthen the information system, and provide more interactions between the management committee and the livestock keepers.
A mechanism for the rotation of the restoration works in the area has not been established; only a part of 50 ha has been managed.	Plan for the remaining area, which was not restored, for the next years of PASEL7.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The experiment was carried out on a small area compared to the extent of the problem, which covers the entire southern strip of the country.	Continue research with the Institute of Agronomic Research in Niger, in order to capitalize on, and develop, a large-scale project to combat this scourge effectively.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Guide Méthodologique: Processus d'élaboration du schéma d’aménagement foncier (SAF), avril 2011

Available from where? Costs?

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Keeping, Permanent secretary of the rural code in Niger

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Conflits fonciers ruraux au Niger: les mécanismes de prévention et de gestion, édition 2014,

Available from where? Costs?

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Keeping, Permanent secretary of the rural code in Niger

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Sécurisation des Espaces Pastoraux, Programme d'Appui au secteur de l’élevage phase 6 (PASEL6), 2015

Available from where? Costs?

VSF-Belgium in Niger

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

n/a

URL:

n/a