1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

14/03/2018

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:

Cultivation through irrigation in Perkerra scheme begun in 1954, three decades before the introduction of Prosopis in Baringo. Despite the rapid and widespread expansion of the invasive species, it is evident that cultivated areas under the scheme are free from Prosopis, unlike their surrounding neighborhoods which are heavily invaded and rendered unproductive. This is an indication of its sustainability to control Prosopis spread to irrigated land.

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

This is an open-furrow system consisting barriers constructed along a water source such as a river to direct water through a conveyance system by gravity into feeder channels to cultivated land. It is a simple method entailing control of water flow rate and direction to improve water utilization efficiency and enhance productivity of land.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Perkerra irrigation scheme was constructed by the colonial government in 1945 to ensure efficient water utilization, enhance soil productivity and food security. It is an open-furrow system consisting barriers constructed along a water source such as a river to direct water through a conveyance system by gravity into feeder channels to cultivated land. Water control system is constructed between the conveyance and the feeder channels to control the direction and speed of the water.
This technology is suitable on fairly flat, irrigable land with reliable water sources for irrigation. Consideration of population structure is crucial in ascertaining the availability labor force in farmlands. Depending on the size and market orientation of the production system, a stable market is also an important consideration.
Irrigated farming in the scheme is carried out in 3 seasons a year due to availability of reliable water from the permanent Perkerra River. This also ensures that land is never left idle for re-invasion of Prosopis. Activities commence with land clearance conducted at the beginning of every planting season. Prosopis on invaded farmlands are manually cut, burnt and uprooted to minimize chances of the invasive tree from coppicing. The uprooted trunk is utilized in charcoal production for commercial purposes while the small branches are used as firewood for domestic cooking.
The cleared land is then ploughed using a tractor to break the soil structure and provide a fine tilth for planting. This is followed by mechanized ridging to create channels and buffer furrows to convey and retain water long enough to be infiltrated into the soil. Seeds are then sown, a joint activity carried out through farmers’ cooperation. The scheme was originally specialized for bulb onions plantation but has transformed into more diversified food crops for subsistence and commercial purposes. Crops under contractual farming are seed maize, rice, sunflower, green grams, pepper and cow peas while surplus crops under irrigation include tomatoes, vegetables, water melons, subsistence maize crops and commercial fruit trees. In addition, availability of assured market and payment has made the scheme popular for seed maize cultivation. Ongoing experimental research on a variety sweet potatoes to reduce overdependence on maize crops have also shown promising results and are likely to be recommended for implementation. During planting seasons, fallow periods are replaced by rotational cropping and crop diversification. This improves soil structure by alternating deep and shallow-rooted crops. Replacement of the crop during rotation disrupts the life cycle of disease causing organisms, thus controlling pests and diseases as well as improving crop productivity. Consequently, there is minimal application of chemical pesticides, hence reduced chances of pollution.
The irrigated cultivation has improved the welfare of the community by diversifying their sources of livelihood from pastoralism, enhancing food security, eradication of poverty and improving infrastructure such as access roads to the farms. It is a major source of income, directly supporting 1,625 farm households earning an approximate total net income of Ksh. 148, 192,259 Million (Perkerra scheme brief prepared by the National Irrigation board, 2017). Each household is assigned between 0.5 to 4 acres of land. This range might however be narrowed in the near future due to the increasing population in demand for the fixed land resource. The other option under consideration is to reclaim more invaded land and expand the scheme. The challenge facing this approach and is yet to be addressed is limited water resources to sustain the expansion. Lack of suitable market for non-contractual crops as well as poor pricing due to monopolization by contracting institutions is also a great setback to this technology. A good example is the abandonment of pawpaw production by farmers due to marketing problems.

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

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The scheme was established during the colonial period through local detainees in Marigat. This followed a feasibility study pointing to the suitability of the IIchamus plain for agricultute,

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
• create beneficial economic impact
• create beneficial social impact

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

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

IIchamus plain was initially a pastoral land for grazing. Being a state owned land with no one held responsible for its management, the land was poorly managed by the society.

3.3 Further information about land use

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

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

Channeling of irrigation water into farms is restricted to dry seasons and temporarily halted during the rainy season.

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 3

Specify:

The irrigation scheme is subjected to continuous cultivation with contracted crops planted in 2 seasons and a surplus crop on a third season in a year. Crop rotation and diversification is practiced to improve soil productivity, control pests, reduce soil erosion and enhance soil structure.

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)
• water diversion and drainage

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:

• > 10,000 km2

Comments:

The technology are specifically applied along the irrigation scheme with sufficient water for irrigation

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

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:

• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The intake structure convey water from the main water source to the irrigation system. It may consist of a water pump or a barrier designed for this purpose. The water is directed to a conveyance system of open canals which control the flow and direction of water to different field application and distribution systems. The canals depth (h) is preferred to exceed the expected maximum water level (h){h>h1} of water within the irrigation system to minimize bank overflow. The side slope is a ratio of the vertical height to the horizontal canal width (h:w). They are fitted with water measurement, erosion and distribution control structures to regulate accurate distribution of water to the farms with minimum siltation of the banks. The water is then distributed to field ditches which transfer it to the irrigated farm. These are narrow waterways dug along the farms with checks across their lengths to hold and raise the upstream water levels long enough before releasing it to the next segment of the field ditch. This is meant to increase the rate of water infiltration into the soil.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

other/ national currency (specify):

KES

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

100.0

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Construct gravity intake system	Structural	Once during establishment
2.	Excavation of water canals	Structural	Once during establishment
3.	Establishment of water control structures	Structural	Once during establishment
4.	Land preparation ( Clearance and partitioning)	Structural	Once during establishment
5.	Construction of a suitable road network	Structural	Once during establishment

Comments:

Activities involved are the construction of a gravity intake system, excavation of water canals, construction of a suitable road network and water control structures. Prior considerations are reliable water source, availability of irrigable land and labor for cultivation.

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

If possible, break down the costs of establishment according to the following table, specifying inputs and costs per input. If you are unable to break down the costs, give an estimation of the total costs of establishing the Technology:

600000000.0

Comments:

The initial establishment and construction of the irrigation infrastructure is often conducted by the national government due to associated high costs approximated by key informants to be Ksh, 600, 000,000 (600,000 USD). This is however an initial, one off expenditure that are non-recurrent.

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Clearing land	Agronomic	3 times a year before every planting season.
2.	Ploughing	Agronomic	3 times a year before every planting season.
3.	Ridging/Cutting furrows	Structural	3 times a year before every planting season.
4.	De-silting of canals	Management	3 times a year before every planting season.
5.	Planting	Agronomic	3 times a year.
6.	first irrigation	Structural	3 times a year after planting (3 to 5 days per season)
7.	Pest control	Agronomic	Whenever applicable
8.	Weeding	Agronomic	Once every season
9.	Second irrigation	Structural	10 to 12 (each time withinn 3 to 4 days) per planting season.
10.	Top dressing ( Apply fertilizer)	Agronomic	Once every season
11.	Harvesting	Agronomic	Once every season
12.	Shelling	Agronomic	Once every season

Comments:

Maintenance activities mentioned above are dependent on the status of an individual's farm, availability of resources and the purpose for cultivation. Farm produce cultivated under contracted terms will however need to follow strict procedures for them to meet the minimum requirements.

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	Land clearance	Man-hour	540.0	120.0	64800.0	100.0
Labour	Partitioning	Man-hour	180.0	100.0	18000.0	100.0
Labour	Planting	Man-hour	90.0	100.0	9000.0	100.0
Equipment	Ploughing tractor	Hours	18.0	420.0	7560.0	100.0
Equipment	Ridging tractor	Hours	18.0	420.0	7560.0	100.0
Plant material	Seeds and seedlings	Kg	75.0	150.0	11250.0	100.0
Plant material	Channeling water for irrigation	Season	3.0	2000.0	6000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fertilizer	Kg	150.0	50.0	7500.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					131670.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Size of land
Disease and pest outbreak
Crop variety as contracted crops minimum requirements which may be costly to meet
Occurrence of rainy seasons especially during harvesting which affect the drying cost and output of produce. Seed maize, for example, may not meet the required moisture content when aired during the rainy season hence lowering the net income from them.
Condition of the farm e.g invasion level by Prosopis

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

The technology is applied in relatively flat land to increase water retention long enough to be infiltrated into the soil

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.

Clay soil with alkaline pH of 7.5 , rich in calcium phosphate but low in organic matter

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

Yes

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Prosopis has heavily invaded the land, encroaching agro-pastoral land and outcompeting native species leading to degradation of native species and habitats.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

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:

• state

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Comments:

The scheme is state owned , leased to the community who nominate a 7 member advisory committee tasked with all land administration aspects ranging from land adjudication, allocation, succession and dispute management as well as set laws guiding water utilization and conservation.

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

Ecological impacts

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

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?
seasonal rainfall	wet/ rainy season	increase	moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Biological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
epidemic diseases	not well at all
insect/ worm infestation	not well at all

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%

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

Direct beneficiaries of the technologies are about 13,000 people. However, indirect beneficiaries from the transportation and sale of the produce may double this number

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:

All operation are carried out at the full expense of the land users. Credits advanced to them have to be repaid with at least 11% interest

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.):

Water conveyance along the furrows to the farms is halted during heavy downpour to minimize water logging.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
A source of finance to land users through sale of their produce.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Continuous farming activities have ensured that land is constantly managed, limiting the proliferation of Prosopis weeds which have adverse impacts to the ecosystem and livelihoods.
Improved human welfare by enhancing their financial stability. An extension of this is indirect benefit through employment creation to farm laborers, merchants and buyers of the fresh and healthy farm produce.
Increased food security

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?
Poor market prices for their produce.	They feel they have no option due to inadequate knowledge and access to other available markets
Pests and disease out break such as the fall armyworm.	Advisory services are offered by research institutions to stakeholders on how to manage and control pests.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Monopoly of the market by the contracting institutions may lead to poor pricing or tight minimum requirements such as the quality of output leading to losses.	Diversification of market to tighten competition that may offer better prices to farmers.
High chances of water pollution by chemicals and fertilizers that may be washed away by the running water	Minimize application of chemicals as possible accompanied by integrated nutrient management practices.
Post harvest losses when supply exceeds demand	Proper timing of planting season whereby harvesting coincides with seasons of shortage and scarcity to maximize returns.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Brouwer, C., Goffeau, A., and Heibloem, M. (1985): Irrigation Water Management: Training Manual No. 1

Available from where? Costs?

http://www.fao.org/docrep/r4082e/r4082e00.htm#Contents

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Perkerra Irrigation scheme Brief

URL:

https://www.nib.or.ke/projects/public-irrigation-schemes/perkerra-irrigation-scheme

Title/ description:

The 9 Benefits of Crop Rotation to the Environment

URL:

http://richmondvale.org/crop-rotation/