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)

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

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

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Crop residue management consists of leaving crop residues on farmland after harvest. This reduces evaporation during the dry season. The decomposition of the residues contributes to improved soil fertility, while the underground biomass (roots) enhances soil structure. In the case of legumes, root nodules provide nitrogen for subsequent crops.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Crop residue management involves leaving crop residues on farmland after harvesting, and is practiced on all types of cultivated land, whether on plains, slopes ("tanety") or in alluvial zones ("baiboho"). On steep slopes, where cassava plots are intercropped with stylosanthes or brachiaria, no-till cultivation with crop residues prevents erosion during rainy periods.
This technology protects the soil against erosion and maintains soil fertility, which improves annual yields. The plant cover left on the plots facilitates infiltration of rainfall and reduces evapotranspiration. It can also reduce weed growth, and improve porosity while encouraging the development of living soil organisms. In the case of leguminous crops, the decomposition of their roots and nodules releases nitrogen that can benefit subsequent crops. Crop residues can be used as seedbed litter for no-till crops, or as green manure through ploughing when plant remains are buried.
Weeding before seeds are produced is essential for no-till sowing or burying crop residues, especially in rich soils (baiboho). Failure to weed in a timely manner may compel farmers to burn residues to prevent weeds from proliferating in the next crop.
Crop residues also compete with livestock feed, as leguminous residues can be sold, especially during the rainy season. Cattle grazing on crop residues is widespread, and residue owners are forced to accept this to avoid conflicts with their neighbours. Additionally, plot owners themselves may feed their own cattle with the residues during the dry season. This is why this technique requires good management of forage resources, for example through fodder production.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

Country:

Madagascar

Region/ State/ Province:

Boeny

Further specification of location:

Ambalakida, Belobaka, Antanambao Andranolava, Marovoay Banlieue

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)

Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

No

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2020

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 projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

GIZ ProSoil Madagascar

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

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

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - maize
• cereals - rice (upland)
• cereals - sorghum
• legumes and pulses - beans
• legumes and pulses - other
• vegetables - melon, pumpkin, squash or gourd

• Vigna radiata, cowpea

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 1

Is intercropping practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify which crops are intercropped:

Maize + Vigna Radiata/ Maize + Cowpea/ Sorghum + Cowpea, Maize + Sorghum

Is crop rotation practiced?

Yes

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

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• integrated soil fertility management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

• A1: Vegetation/ soil cover
• A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
• A3: Soil surface treatment

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation
• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Crop residues should be left on the plot away from animals, without being burnt. They can be cut into pieces to facilitate decomposition. Crop residues will provide nutrients for future crops.
Maintaining crop residues requires the enforcement of a number of measures to prevent livestock herds from straying, including fencing and agreements with livestock farmers to prevent their animals from entering the plots.

Author:

GIZ ProSoil Madagascar

Date:

01/02/2023

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):

Ariary

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

4300.0

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Crop residue management does not really generate any setup costs. The listed costs are more associated with cleaning the plot during soil preparation and cutting crop residues. While the latter is optional, most farmers interviewed practice it to accelerate the decomposition of crop residues.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Comments:

The farmers surveyed preferred to protect their plots from livestock roaming in their cultivation zone, to prevent the crop residues from being completely grazed out by animals, leaving nothing left to nourish the soil.

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

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

The region is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna species, including some that are native. The management of harvest residues contributes to the improved development of soil fauna. However, in terms of habitats, only around 20% of the area can serve as a habitat for this biodiversity (forests, bodies of water, mangroves, etc.), which remains fairly low.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

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:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• leased
• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Income and costs

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

These are estimates by the farmers.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

These are estimates by the farmers.

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

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Yes

other (specify):

Grazing area management

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

Farmers using this technology preferred to protect areas with residues to avoid all crop residues being consumed by livestock.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Région Boeny, 2016, "Schéma Régional d’Aménagement du Territoire de la Région Boeny"

Available from where? Costs?

Boeny Region Hotel

Title, author, year, ISBN:

GIZ ProSol Madagascar, 2022, "Livret des Paysans Relais"

Available from where? Costs?

GIZ ProSol Madagascar

Title, author, year, ISBN:

GIZ ProSol Madagascar, 2022, Poster "Résidus de culture"

Available from where? Costs?

GIZ ProSol Madagascar