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)

Decision Support for Mainstreaming and Scaling out Sustainable Land Management (GEF-FAO / DS-SLM)

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

Integrated Catchment Management Project (Integrated Catchment Management Project) - Lesotho

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:

Its adoption is still at marginal scale since the Department has not yet introduced this technology in all ten(10) administrative districts in the country.

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The infiltration pits are constructed on bare lands with the aim to enhance re-vegetation of plant species. The pits help to reduce soil erosion/land degradation as water is now able to infiltrate through the pits because they are constructed in succession. It also improves land productivity and cover as well as soil organic carbon.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The technology is applied on natural marginal environment where the land is dry, they pits are mostly dug on the rangeland. The purpose is to harvest rain water/surface runoff consequently recharge soil moisture and support plant available water as highly as possible. After some time, there will be regeneration of vegetation. The dimensions of this structure may differ according to soil type, slope and rainfall intensity.
To construct this activity, the land should be bare or poor in plant biodiversity. Firstly, the extension workers hold public gatherings for a concerned community to make them aware of the land degradation in their area and possible solutions. In field rain water harvesting pits being one of them. The area is then surveyed using survey equipment (this is a technical survey not the one which uses questionnaires, this survey uses equipment such as theodolyte, auto cat etc). It is important to do the area survey because the technology follows the contour lines, otherwise it is likely to cause more harm on the land. The design of the technology is laid out by using the measuring tape, pick axe and spade. Construction starts from the top of field. Pits are dug in succession in a row following the contour with in row (intrarow) spacing of 1 m, pit depth of 20-30 cm and width of 1 m. Interrow spacing (between rows) is 3 m at 12% slope. After construction, kikuyu grass is sown around the pits to protect them from erosion. After the first storm, the area is then revisited for maintenance and repairs if need be. This technology is beneficial mostly in drylands where the water shortage is a major problem to improve land productivity. Although specififications are in this manner, this technology can be adapted differently in other areas depending on the amount of precipitation received by a certain area. For instance, some pits can be bigger or smaller than the given specifications.
The land users found it beneficial because the inputs needed to construct this technology are locally available such as spade, pick axe and grass for sodding. Furthermore, the rehabilitation benefits accrue within a short while. In addition, the technology is easy to construct. However, the land users found it tedious as they have to maintain it after every storm. The pits can be constructed on the rangeland and cropland which is no longer productive. in this era of climate change where this part of Southern Africa is becoming more dry everyday, this technology is even more applicable.

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:

2019

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

DS-SLM project pilot stage facilitated the adoption of the innovation

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• reduce risk of disasters

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Silvo-pastoralism

Comments:

Nearby waterways are natural and there are also seasonal streams full of fine sand which is currently mined. The mining of sand threatens stream banks thereby accelerating further erosion within the catchment boundaries. The sand mine is not directly where the SLM practices are practiced, but on the edge/boundaries and it will contribute to widening of gullies within this catchment in future.

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 area is very dry

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• natural and semi-natural forest management
• pastoralism and grazing land management
• water diversion and drainage

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

This technology is practised on the rangeland, where the land is bare or has little vegetative cover. The aim of this technology is to collect as much rainwater as possible, to facilitate regeneration of vegetation so that ultimately the bare land/rangeland will have cover.

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

The technology addresses several types of land degradation when implemented properly.

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:

Lesotho's landscape is continuously becoming bare owing to the impacts of land degradation, desertification and drought. This technology has been used effectively to counter the impacts of land degradation.

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

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	public awareness raising gathering	winter
2.	survey of area/ terrain	winter
3.	design and laying out of infiltration pits	winter
4.	implementation/construction of pits	winter
5.	sowing	winter and or summer
6.	maintenance	when need arises

Comments:

Due to impacts of climate change, the activity logistics could be done any-time as long as meteorological predictions allow

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	one person	person-days	1.0	5.0	5.0	5.0
Equipment	pick axe	piece	1.0	15.0	15.0
Equipment	spade	piece	1.0	13.0	13.0
Equipment	measuring tape	piece	1.0	8.0	8.0
Plant material	grass seed	kg	2.0	13.0	26.0	25.0
Construction material	stones	piece	40.0	1.0	40.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					107.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					107.0

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

Government

Comments:

There are no costs incurred by land users bacause the rate of erosion is massive and highly costly therefore, farmers cannot afford to protect their own land without government intervention. The landowner simply contributes in-kind not in cash by maintaining that piece of land after rehabilitation.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	public gathering	after storm
2.	re-survey	after storm
3.	implementation	after storm

Comments:

all maintenance works done after storm

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	grass seed	kg	1.0	13.0	13.0
Labour	one person	person day	1.0	5.0	5.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					18.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					18.0

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

Government

Comments:

maintenance is done by both community and government

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Government annual budget affects inputs and labour

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

The slope is moderate to gentle as the area extends towards the stream bank where there is depression. Above the area where the technology is implemented, there is a plateau where the community lives. However, the whole area is within a valley.

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.

Soil type was not classified, a detailed soil type map of Lesotho can be found at https://lesis.gov.ls

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:

There are natural springs which have have been developed by village water supply for community to access safe drinking water. There are seasonal streams around the area which communities use for washing and animal drinking.

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

The area is mainly used as a range-land which is not given time to rest. Re-vegetation occurs very slowly due to mismanagement of the land.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

The land is used mainly for crop and animal production although there are signs of settlement encroachment.

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, titled

Land use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• communal (organized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Comments:

According to the Land Act of 2010, land in Lesotho is vested in the Basotho nation and is held in trust by the King.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

Comments:

The area is found in the peri-urban zone which is near the major town of Hlotse. There are access roads and they are closer to markets.

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

general biodiversity improved

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

the activity is likely to be up-scaled

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		increase	well
seasonal rainfall	summer	increase	moderately

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local thunderstorm	very well
local hailstorm	well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
flash flood	well

Comments:

The technology works very well when there is surface run-off as the main aim is to collect as much of run-off as possible for moisture retention.

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 technology can easily be maintained although maintenance plan does not exist

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 11-50%

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

sixty

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

• 0-10%

Comments:

land users who own the land relative to those to those who have user rights only, saw the importance of the technology

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 dimensions differ relative to the rainfall intensity, soil type and technician and land user preference

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
the technology is implemented by both men and women
Middle-aged and elderly group were impressed with the technology
the technology uses locally available inputs

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
it is environmentally friendly
it helps in achieving variuos LDN targets
it can be demonstrated to a large group of people at once

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?
they could be easily destroyed by single hailstorm	trenches be constructed to lower velocity and discharge of surface run-off
they could conditionally be filled with sediment	sediments should be removed periodically

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
they could be easily destroyed by single hailstorm	trenches be constructed to lower velocity and discharge of surface run-off

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

In-field rainwater harvesting: Conservation of your natural resources through in-field rainwater harvesting, Jacobus Botha, [2012]

Available from where? Costs?

Agricultureal Research Council, Institute for Soil, Climate and Water (ARC-SCW), South Africa

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Agricultural Research Council, South Africa

URL:

www.arc.agric.za

7.4 General comments

other information regarding this technology was deduced from the report from Larry C. Tennyson, 2012